Super powerful healing foods

“Let food by thy medicine and medicine by thy food” Hippocrates

The foods we eat have the potential to balance our body and mind or cause disease to our system. Natural healing foods help to restore all systems of our body and revitalizes our whole being. Try to consume at least 7 of the foods on the list below each day. You can combine the spices to make healing elixirs or add different combinations to your meals for extra healing. I have provided an example of what to eat in a day to ensure you are getting plenty of healing foods in your diet at the bottom of this article. Enjoy! 🙂

Turmeric: Turmeric is a powerful anti-inflammatory that aids in healing soft tissue injuries and provides pain relief. It reduces all types of arthritis and other inflammation conditions in the body. Turmeric cleanses the blood and promotes circulation speeding up the healing process. It detoxifies the body and liver, boosting immunity by improving liver function. It also supports healthy joint function and improves digestion. These are just some of the benefits of turmeric, although, there are many more!

Turmeric paste can be applied to swelling or bruising to reduce inflammation quickly. Add a pinch of salt to half a teaspoon of turmeric, mix with a little water and apply to affected area.

Ginger: Ginger is also a powerful anti-inflammatory and provides pain relief. Ginger naturally stimulates the body boosting energy levels, circulation and metabolism. It is also a great digestive aid and improves the absorption and assimilation of nutrients in the body. Ginger is also a natural remedy for reducing stomach cramps and pains. It may also be applied externally to joints and muscles, where it frees up stagnant energy, improves circulation and relieves pain.

Ginger can also be used in the bath to soothe aches and pains. Place some grated ginger inside a cloth and tie it to the hot water tap so the water flows through it. Baths are a great way to relax the body and mind and this soothing blend will aid your relaxation.

Cinnamon: Cinnamon is a delicious and detoxifying herb that strengthens and energizes all the tissues in the body. The anti-oxidants in cinnamon have anti-inflammatory properties that help the body to fight infections and repair tissue damage. It stimulates agni promoting digestion and helps to relieve vata disorders, bringing balance to all the systems in the body. It also promotes pain relief.

Asafoetida: Asafoetida is a pungent spice that is considered one of the best for treating excess vata. It helps with digestion and stimulates appetite. Asafoetida is excellent for relieving spasms and pain. It is also good for treating respiratory conditions like asthma, bronchitis and whooping cough.

Garlic: Garlic is a plant in the allium (onion) family which is closely related to onions, shallots, scallion, leeks and chives amongst many other wild species. Garlic is highly nutritious and is renowned for its medicinal properties. In Ayurveda, garlic and onions are considered rajas, they are stimulants and increase sexual energy therefore it is not advisable to consume as part of a yogic diet.

From a medicinal point of view, there are so many benefits of including both of these powerful healing foods in your diet. Garlic contains an array of nutrients including; manganese, calcium, copper, potassium, phosphorus, iron, selenium, vitamin C, B1 and B6. Allicin, the vital compound in the pod has fantastic anti-oxidant, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-viral properties. It boosts the immune system and helps to detox heavy metals from the body. Garlic improves blood circulation and helps to lower blood pressure. It also has a healing effect on the body.

Garlic stimulates agni and is good for digestion. It is very effective for treating vata disorders with its warming qualities. Garlic is anti-rheumatic and relieves pain in the joints. Onions are great for fighting pain and swelling associated with osteo and rheumatoid arthritis.

Spinach: Spinach is anti-inflammatory and also great for bone health. It has an amazing array of nutrients, including high amounts of iron, magnesium, calcium, folate, vitamins A, C and K. Include lots of cooked spinach into your diet for optimum healing. The high iron content helps to transport oxygen around the body promoting healing to the damaged tissues and removing toxic waste. The vitamin K in spinach is important for maintaining bone health.

Swiss Chard: Swiss chard is a powerful anti-inflammatory food and an excellent source of vitamins A B2, C, E and K, magnesium, manganese, copper, choline, potassium, phosphorus and iron. It is also a good source of dietary fibre and protein.

Beans: Beans are a miracle food full of protein, fibre, iron and anti-oxidants. Beans do not contain all the amino acids that we need in our diet so they must be combined with other foods to make it a complete protein. Good combinations include rice, corn, nuts and seeds. Beans are good for curing and preventing constipation, which is often associated with lower back pain. Mung beans are the easiest to digest.

Quinoa: Quinoa is a gluten free grain that has all the essential amino acids the body requires making it a complete protein. It is an excellent source of manganese, magnesium, phosphorus, copper, folate, iron, zinc, potassium, vitamins B1, B2 and B6. Quinoa contains more fibre than any other grain. The plant antioxidants quercetin and kaempferol are both found in large amounts in quinoa. These flavonoid molecules have numerous health benefits including anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, anti-cancer and anti-depressant properties. It also stabilizes blood sugar levels and helps to reduce appetite.

Pineapple: Not only are pineapples packed with vitamins and minerals, they also contain Bromelain. Bromelain is an enzyme found in the pineapple stem which is used as medicine. This enzyme causes the body to produce substances that fight pain and inflammation.
Pineapples are also popular for their ability to build and maintain strong bones. This is because these fruits contain manganese, which is a trace mineral that your body needs to build bones and connective tissues.

Berries: Strawberries, raspberries, blue berries, acai berries, cranberries and blackberries are all fantastic for controlling inflammation and enhancing the immune system’s ability to aid in healing. Blueberries have the highest antioxidant capacity and are great for boosting the immune system and warding off disease. The fibre content in berries are great for the digestive system and combat constipation which is often associated with back pain. Berries are an excellent source of manganese which is important in bone development and healing.

Almonds: Almonds nourish our body, mind and spiritual abilities. They are high in protein and nutrients including calcium, zinc, magnesium, iron, potassium and vitamin E and provide all the vitamins and minerals needed for a strong healthy spine. Almonds are the only nut that alkalizes the body. Soak your almonds overnight, this improves digestibility.

Almond milk: You will need 1 cup of almonds and 4 cups of water. Soak the almonds overnight, blend with water and strain. Peeling the almonds makes it less bitter and more auspicious.

Warm your milk lightly through for a soothing bedtime elixir. Warm milk is very nutritive and also increases the tonic properties of ayurvedic herbs. Add ½ teaspoon turmeric, some fresh grated ginger, ¼ teaspoon ashwagandha and ¼ teaspoon nutmeg with a little ghee to help relax the body and mind for a deep and peaceful sleep. This powerful medicine will heal and restore your body while you sleep and you will wake up feeling calm and refreshed.

Water: Your body is roughly 80% water. Dehydration can contribute to a sluggish metabolism and can cause lots of problems including muscle spasm, inflammation and poor healing. Make sure you are drinking enough water. STAY HYDRATED – Drink at least 2 litres of water a day!

Green Tea: Green Tea contains several types of flavanoids and polyphenols that act as antioxidants. It helps the body detoxify toxic compounds, which helps the cells protect the DNA from free radical damage.

Apple cider vinegar: is alkalizing and cleanses the blood and circulatory systems.

Honey: Honey reduces vata with its warming properties. It purifies the blood and when taken with water it helps to flush out toxins from the body.

Here is an example of a day ensuring you are getting plenty of healing foods in your diet:

Breakfast: fresh pineapple juice (1/3 – 1/2 pineapple) with 1/4 tsp turmeric, liberal amount of fresh grated ginger, dilute with 50% water for a tasty start to your day and consider this your healthy medicine! 🙂

Mid-morning: Have a handful of fresh berries mid morning as a healthy snack that will encourage your body to heal and self repair.

Lunch: Quinoa and spinach salad cooked with garlic and onions.

Dinner: Kitcheri with vegetables.

Before bedtime: Freshly made almond milk with cinnamon and nutmeg.

Sip on ginger and turmeric tea throughout the day for pain relief and healing. Snack on fruit or nuts if hungry and drink plenty of water.

I hope you enjoyed the article and wish you well on your natural self-healing journey. 🙂