'Constitutional' values in Ayurveda

As in Malay and other cultures, food in the Ayurvedic system is considered to have particular properties, which must be balanced to the respective dosha or constitution of a person, whether he is a pitta (fire, or bile dominated), kapha (water, or mucus dominated) or vata (air, or wind dominated).

Pitta

* Sharp, fiery, hot, moist: Natural imbalances can lead to inflammation, fever, heartburn, hot flashes

* Recommended foods: butter, buttermilk, coconut(fresh), ice- cream, panir, flaxseeds, bitter melon, cucumber, radishes, spinach, squash, zucchini, pumpkin, grapefruit, lime, lychee, oranges, peaches, pomegranate, wheat, rice oats, millet

Kapha

* Steady, soft, slow, heavy, sweet natured: Natural imbalances can lead to congestion, mucus, heaviness, fluid, retention, oversleeping

* Recommended foods: walnuts, dates, honey lentils, gram, dried peas, eggplant, fenugreek leaves, kohlrabi, mint, mustard greens, onions, sour grapefruit, grapes, black pepper, anise, cinnamon, ginger powder, pickles, red pepper, fenugreek, barley, corn, millet buckwheat, rye, salt, tea, coffee

Vata

* Constitution is quick, dry, on the move, cold: Natural imbalances can lead to chills, gas, cramps, spasms

Recommended foods: almonds, coconut, eggs, fish, meat, peanuts, pine nuts, sesame seeds, pistachio, beets, sweet potatoes, figs, mango, honeydew melons cumin, kidney beans wheat, rye, oats, rice

-- www.indianfoods.com/Ayurveda/doshas