Beetroots: an Ayurvedic Perspective
A phenomenon that fascinates me a lot is the "Doctrine of Signatures" which appears as well in Chinese Medicine literature as in the Veda's. Matthew Wood describes in the book Vitality this phenomenon as follows:
“The idea is that the shape, color, appearance, environmental niche, taste, smell, etc., of a plant or medicinal agent, will display the tell-tale signs, marks, or configurations indicating how that agent may be used in medicine.”
In one of my previous posts I wrote an Ayurvedic review of the Milk Thistle which is a prickly herb. The spines correspond mostly to the attributes of the Pitta Dosa. The same counts for beets. The beautiful and deep red colour of this veggie corresponds to the colour of our blood or Rakta in Sanskrit. And guess on which tissue it is working? Yes the blood. :)
Recipe
4 roasted beets
1 roasted medium sized onion
200 gram roasted sunflower seeds
2 tbsp lemon juice
Salt & Pepper
Pinch of Cumin
Roast the beets for 75 minutes in the oven with some sesame oil, garlic and onion. Take the onion and garlic out after 20/25 minutes.
Mix everything in the blender and aproveite-se!
Ayurvedic nutrition review
Beets & blood
The beet is a mildly tonic veggie that is one of the best foods for the blood and liver. If you have very little bleeding during your menstruation or even amenorrhea it can be helpful to eat beets and other iron based veggies (sea weeds) just to support the metabolism and assimilation of iron. This blood tonifying quality is beneficial as well for treating anemia. However, additional spices and treatments will probably be necessary to cure these kind of serious ailments. Furthermore, they can be useful to promote menstruation and regulate menopause. The beet acts as a demulcent as well which means that it soothes and protects the internal membranes. They are only aggravating to Pitta in large doses. Small amounts are for Kapha types suitable since its warming Virya.
V-
PK+
Virya = warming
Sunflower Seeds
Building and nutritious sunflower seeds are balancing for all three dosa's. They are beneficial for infectious diseases and help cleanse the lungs and lymph system. The anti-inflammatory property is derived from its high amounts of Vitamin E. Vitamin E travels throughout the body neutralising free radicals that would otherwise damage fat-containing structures and molecules, such as cell membranes, brain cells, and cholesterol. Vitamin E has also been shown to reduce the risk of colon cancer, help decrease the severity and frequency of hot flashes in women going through menopause, and help reduce the development of diabetic complications. In general they are high in micro-nutrients, especially iron.
V-
PK+ (only in high amounts)
Virya = warming
This Beet & Sunflower blend is the perfect hummus to support the blood and improve conditions related to the female reproductive system.