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  • Juicing from an Ayurvedic Perspective

    October 19, 2019 4 min read

    Juicing from an Ayurvedic Perspective
    Kelsey is undergoing her Spring cleansing with a juice fast this year! After consideration, she and Karin felt she was suitable for her first juice cleanse. We thought we would share a bit about juicing from an Ayurvedic perspective, as we often get a lot of questions about juicing from our clients.

    Juicing diets are becoming increasingly popular. Perhaps you have tried one yourself, watched a documentary on the benefits or read countless articles about the topic. No doubt, the cleansing qualities of fruits and vegetables can reset the body. True, there are benefits for the body and the mind to completing a fast or cleanse. But what does Ayurveda say about juicing?

    Juice fasting would not traditionally be done in Ayurvedic treatment, particularly in cold weather. However, some individuals may be suited for a short juice cleanse and the benefits can be profound. Although the nutrients derived from fruits and vegetables are undoubtably beneficial for our health, juicing may or may not be suitable for you based on your constitution. Therefore, as with any cleansing, a juice fast should be supervised by an experienced Ayurvedic practitioner to ensure it is not too depleting for the individual.

    No One Size Fits All Approach

    If you are familiar with Ayurveda, you understand the concept that each of us is made of proportions of the doshas. These doshas are made up of the elements space, air, fire, water and earth and impact both our physical and mental state. We are each born with a unique blueprint, our prakriti constitution. Therefore, the qualities of fruits and vegetables impact our bodies differently and it is important to understand which are most suitable for your unique constitution. By understanding your constitution, you will have the knowledge to consume juices most suitable for your body type.

    Juicing for Vata

    The best fruits and vegetables are those that are sweet and sour as they pacify Vata when consumed in moderation. Grape, mango, carrot, pineapple, orange, beetroot, and cucumber to name a few. Vata constitution generally are best suited for short juicing and may not be suitable for juicing at all. Alternatives to juicing may include liquid porridge, kitchari or mung soup. Incorporating a juice into the diet alongside more substantial foods could be more beneficial for a Vata constitution, while making sure the juice is not mixed with other foods.

    Juicing for Pitta

    The best fruits and vegetables for Pitta individuals are those that are sweet, bitter, and astringent in quality. These include sweet apple, red grapes, pomegranate, plum, cucumber, asparagus, broccoli, coriander, and Aloe Vera. People with a dominance of Pitta in their Prakriti should be monitored to make sure they don’t diminish their strong digestive fire. If the individual feels an intense hunger they should support the cleanse by considering adding thicker, more dense smoothies and blends to satisfy hunger. Psyllium husks are great for providing bulk, supporting digestion and are nutritious.

    Juicing for Kapha

    The best fruits and vegetables for Kapha are those that are astringent, bitter, and pungent. Apples, cherries, cranberries, pear, pomegranate, prunes, celery, cucumber, kale, and cilantro to name a few. Kapha body types can usually endure longer fasts, however Kapha individuals need to be cautious not to aggravate their symptoms. From an Ayurvedic perspective, Kapha dosha consists of water and earth elements and two of the qualities include liquid and cold. Similarly, juicing has qualities of liquidity and can be cold in nature. Therefore, a Kapha individual should incorporate more warming juices and broths to combat the cold qualities. They can do so by adding some cayenne pepper to the juice, ginger, substituting vegetable broth instead of strictly juice, and make sure to not drink too much liquid while fasting, not to strain the digestion and increase the already present water element in the body. By adding more heating herbs and spice to the juice, the Agni can be supported and combat the cold qualities in the body.

    What are the other rules for juice fasting?

    * About 1-3 fruits or vegetables for each juice. Too many in variety can be overwhelming for the body. Also using fruits and vegetables with similar qualities is best for the digestion.
    * Generally, fruit and vegetables should not be combined. Best to have vegetables and fruits separate. An exception would be a juice with apple, carrot and ginger.
    * Refrain from cold juices and opt for room temperature. Never add ice!
    * Dilute the juice with room temperature water to make sure it isn’t too heavy on the digestion.
    * It is critical that you stimulate the Agni and eat adequate foods after you complete your juicing. Placing too much stress on the digestion post-fasting can create an accumulation of toxins in the body.
    * Rejuvenation, called Rasayana in Ayurveda, is great for helping the body recover from a fast. With proper Rasayana, an individual can truly experience the benefits of cleansing.

    Spring is a great time to detoxify the body and juicing is just one way of doing so. Other cleansing treatments may be more suitable for you! If you are interesting in completing a spring cleanse suited to your individual needs, you are welcome to email info@lakshmiayurveda.com.au or call/text ‪0406 810 547‬ . Below is the link to Kelsey’s bio and the rest of the Lakshmi team. You are welcome to email us for an appointment and to ask any questions you may have.

    https://www.lakshmiayurveda.com.au/about-ayu…/meet-the-team/

    With love from the Lakshmi Team, we hope you enjoy the beautiful Spring weather!