from Ayurveda Today, Volume 26, Number 2, Fall 2013
Serves 4 to 6 A fresh peach should be soft to the touch and eaten over the sink because it is so juicy. According to Ayurveda, peaches are good for those who suffer from loss of appetite due to excess heat in the system. This can come from any type of high pitta such as fever or a bladder infection but can be from something as simple as the annual end-of-the-summer rise in heat within the body. Peaches will calm excess vata or wind, but in excess can increase kapha or mucous. When in season, eating two or three peaches a week is good for everyone. Peaches can be used in fruit salad with nuts or seeds. They can also be used with cooked vegetables so here is an easy peach chutney recipe. Doshic Notes Vata :: – Pitta :: +- Kapha :: +-Ingredients
3/4 cup water, hot
1 cup maple syrup
3 Tbs. tahini (or almond/peanut butter)
1/2 tsp. salt
2/3 cup ghee
1 tsp. freshly squeezed lemon, lime, or orange juice
Preparation
Place all ingredients except the chives and cilantro into a saucepan and simmer over medium heat about 20 minutes, while stirring occasionally. The fragrance of the spices will bloom and this tells you that the dish has cooked enough. Remove from the heat and add the cilantro and chives. Place in a serving bowl, cover and allow to sit at room temperature until needed. Alternatively, place in a jar, allow it to cool completely, then cover and refrigerate, if made a day ahead of time. Serve over your favorite dal and rice, or vegetables.
Pitta might want to decrease the chili, salt, and mustard seeds even though the cilantro is very cooling.
Lisa Costlow completed the Ayurvedic Studies Programs 1 and 2. Her enthusiasm, encouragement to others, and love for continued personal study of Ayurveda is a real asset to her clients. Lisa now offers Ayurvedic consultations and therapies in Santa Fe, New Mexico. She can be reached at lc2hawks@aol.com
