Ayurvedic Perspective on Fruits and Nuts
In Ayurveda, fruits and nuts are considered essential components of a balanced diet, offering both nutritional and medicinal benefits. They are classified based on their taste (rasa), post-digestive effect (vipaka), and their impact on the three doshas – Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Some fruits and nuts are nourishing and strengthen the body, while others may lead to imbalances if consumed improperly or in excess.
Almond
Almonds are a nutritious nut with a sweet taste, widely consumed for their energy-boosting properties. They are beneficial for weight gain and have a strong aphrodisiac effect but can cause mucous issues and blood defects if consumed excessively.
Merits:
- Supports weight gain and acts as a tonic
- Beneficial for the nerve system
- Has strong aphrodisiac properties
Demerits:
- Heavy to digest and may cause mucous problems
- Roasted almonds can lead to acidity and blood circulatory issues
- Excessive use may cause blood defects
Apple
Apples are a widely consumed fruit with a sweet-astringent and slightly sour taste. They stimulate organ function and are beneficial in mental health, heart disease, and tuberculosis.
Merits:
- Supports organ stimulation and digestion
- Beneficial for mental illness, heart disease, and T.B.
Demerits:
- Heavy to digest
- Excessive consumption may cause gout and constipation
Apricot
Apricots have a sweet-sour taste and act as a tonic, particularly benefiting the nervous system. However, they are not ideal for blood circulation and mucous-sensitive individuals.
Merits:
- Beneficial for the nervous system
- Acts as a tonic and is nutritionally rich
Demerits:
- Can cause dysentery and fever with excessive consumption
- Apricot seeds have similar effects to almonds
Banana
Bananas vary in type but are generally sweet-astringent, heavy to digest, and serve as a natural tonic. They are ideal for blood circulatory-natured individuals, but overconsumption can lead to digestive issues.
Merits:
- Beneficial for blood circulation
- Unripe bananas help with chronic diarrhea
Demerits:
- Overripe bananas may cause blood defects and dysentery
- Overconsumption can cause stomach heaviness and constipation
Cantaloupe
Cantaloupe is a sweet and easily digestible fruit with a refreshing effect. It has medicinal value in treating hepatitis, blood defects, and constipation.
Merits:
- Supports liver health and helps with hepatitis
- Aids digestion and relieves constipation
- Beneficial for blood circulation
Demerits:
- May cause gas, cold, and diarrhea in nerve-natured individuals when consumed excessively
Cashew Nuts
Cashew nuts are sweet, greasy, and heavy to digest, making them ideal for weight gain and as a tonic. They have strong aphrodisiac properties and high nutritive value in pregnancy diets.
Merits:
- Supports weight gain and acts as a tonic
- Beneficial for nerve health
- Acts as an aphrodisiac and is highly nutritious for pregnancy
Demerits:
- May cause mucous problems and blood defects with daily use
- Roasted cashew nuts can lead to acidity and blood-related issues
Cherry
Cherries are sweet, easy to digest, and beneficial for both blood circulation and nerve function. However, excessive consumption may cause urinary and mucous-related issues.
Merits:
- Supports blood circulation and nerve health
- Easy to digest and acts as a tonic
Demerits:
- Overconsumption may lead to urinary and mucous problems
Citron (Bitter Orange / Citrus Medica)
Citron comes in sweet and sour varieties, both of which aid digestion and have a stimulating effect on the heart. It benefits the nerve, mucous, and blood circulatory systems.
Merits:
- Easy to digest and carminative
- Stimulates heart function
- Beneficial for nerve, mucous, and blood circulatory systems
Demerits:
- No major drawbacks when consumed in moderation
Coconut
Coconut is a highly nutritious, sweet, and greasy fruit commonly used for its tonic properties. Coconut milk has a cooling effect, while coconut oil shares similar properties to the fruit itself.
Merits:
- Excellent for weight gain and nourishment
- Acts as a tonic and provides essential nutrients
- Coconut milk is a natural refrigerant and diuretic
Demerits:
- Heavy to digest and may cause mucous problems
- Can lead to cold-related issues, especially in winter
- Excessive consumption is not suitable for nerve and mucous-sensitive individuals
Cucumber
Cucumber is a sweet, diuretic vegetable known for its cooling properties. It is beneficial for blood circulation and mucous health but may cause digestive discomfort in nerve-sensitive individuals.
Merits:
- Supports blood circulation and mucous balance
- Beneficial for hepatitis, blood defects, and urinary issues
- Natural diuretic properties
Demerits:
- Heavy to digest if not chewed well
- Can cause diarrhea, colic, and cramps in nerve-sensitive individuals
Custard Apple (Sugar Apple / Cherimoya)
Custard apple is a sweet and aromatic fruit that is heavy to digest but acts as a refreshing tonic for both mind and body.
Merits:
- Acts as a natural tonic and refreshing fruit
- Suitable for all individuals
Demerits:
- Heavy to digest if consumed in excess
Date
Dates are sweet-astringent fruits known for their energy-boosting properties. They aid in weight gain and have special benefits for children who experience bedwetting.
Merits:
- Beneficial for weight gain
- Helps control frequent urination and bedwetting in children
Demerits:
- Heavy to digest
- Excessive consumption can cause dysuria (painful urination)
Fig
Figs are a sweet-astringent fruit that serve as a natural tonic and aid in weight gain. They have medicinal value, particularly in brain-related conditions.
Merits:
- Beneficial for brain health
- Helps in weight gain
Demerits:
- Heavy to digest
- Excessive consumption can cause dysentery
Grape
Grapes are sweet, heavy to digest, and naturally laxative. They have medicinal properties beneficial for anemia, alcoholism, respiratory issues, and chronic fever.
Merits:
- Helps with anemia, cough, asthma, hemorrhage, and chronic fever
- Acts as a natural laxative
- Raisins have the same effect as fresh grapes
Demerits:
- Daily use can cause urinary disease and loose bowels
- Sour grapes are only beneficial for indigestion, alcoholism, and constipation
Guava
Guava is a sweet-astringent fruit that is highly nutritious and beneficial for mucous and blood circulation. However, it has differing effects on different body types.
Merits:
- Beneficial for mucous and blood circulatory-natured individuals
- Highly nutritive
Demerits:
- Can cause constipation for some individuals
- Has the opposite effect for nerve-natured individuals
Jackfruit
Jackfruit is a sweet and aromatic fruit that mainly affects blood circulation. While nutritious, its fiber is difficult to digest and may cause heaviness in the stomach.
Merits:
- Supports blood circulation
- Acts as a tonic and aromatic fruit
Demerits:
- Heavy to digest
- High fiber content may cause stomach discomfort
- Seeds have sweet-astringent properties
Lemon
Lemon is a sour and appetizing citrus fruit that aids digestion and stimulates organ function, particularly the heart. It has medicinal properties for various digestive issues.
Merits:
- Aids digestion and stimulates appetite
- Beneficial for nerve-natured individuals
- Medicinal value in diarrhea, indigestion, nausea, and gas
- Strengthens organ function
Demerits:
- No significant drawbacks when consumed in moderation
Lychee (Lichee)
Lychee is a sweet-sour fruit that aids digestion and has a positive effect on the nervous system. However, excessive consumption may lead to digestive issues, especially in children.
Merits:
- Aids digestion and benefits the nervous system
- Refreshing and nutritious
Demerits:
- Can cause dysentery in blood circulatory and mucous-sensitive individuals
- May lead to cold and tonsillitis in children
Lime
Lime is a sour fruit that stimulates digestion and increases peristaltic movement in the intestines. It has a positive impact on the nervous system but should be consumed in moderation.
Merits:
- Aids digestion and stimulates appetite
- Enhances peristaltic movement in the intestines
- Beneficial for the nervous system
Demerits:
- Excessive consumption may cause fever, blood defects, and tonsillitis
Mango
Mango comes in sweet and sweet-sour varieties, both of which act as a tonic and aphrodisiac. It is useful for weight gain and muscle strengthening but may cause digestive issues in some individuals.
Merits:
- Supports weight gain and muscle strength
- Acts as an aphrodisiac, particularly for nerve-natured individuals
Demerits:
- Daily consumption may cause diarrhea and blood defects in blood and mucous-natured individuals
- Overripe mangoes can cause dysentery
- Some individuals may experience allergic reactions
Muskmelon
Muskmelon is a sweet, refreshing, and easily digestible fruit with natural diuretic properties. It is beneficial for cooling the body and has medicinal value in treating blood defects, hepatitis, fever, and urinary infections.
Merits:
- Easy to digest and acts as a natural diuretic
- Refreshing and hydrating for the body
- Medicinal benefits for blood defects, hepatitis, fever, and urinary infections
Demerits:
- No significant drawbacks when consumed in moderation
Orange
Oranges are sweet-sour in taste and serve as a natural appetizer. They have a positive effect on the nervous system and act as a heart tonic, but excessive consumption may cause mucous-related issues.
Merits:
- Acts as an appetizer and stimulates digestion
- Beneficial for the nervous system and heart health
Demerits:
- Heavy to digest
- Excessive consumption can lead to blood defects and mucous problems
Papaya
Papaya is a sweet and easily digestible fruit with laxative and blood-purifying properties. It supports blood circulation and has medicinal benefits for digestive and liver-related issues.
Merits:
- Supports blood circulation and purifies the blood
- Aids digestion and relieves constipation
- Medicinal value in hepatitis, dysuria, and biliary defects
Demerits:
- Can cause gas and diarrhea in nerve-sensitive individuals when consumed in excess
Peach
Peaches have a sweet-sour taste and serve as a natural tonic. They benefit the nervous system but may cause digestive issues for mucous and blood circulatory-natured individuals if consumed daily.
Merits:
- Beneficial for the nervous system
- Acts as a natural tonic
Demerits:
- Heavy to digest
- Excessive consumption can lead to dysentery in mucous and blood circulatory-natured individuals
Peanut
Peanuts are sweet, greasy, and heavy to digest. They are beneficial for nerve-natured individuals but may cause mucous issues and acidity when consumed excessively.
Merits:
- Beneficial for nerve-natured individuals
- Provides energy and acts as a tonic
Demerits:
- Can cause cough, cold, sore throat, and blood defects with excessive use
- Fried or roasted peanuts can lead to acidity
- Peanut butter has similar effects to whole peanuts
Pear
Pears have a sweet-sour taste and are easy to digest. They act as a natural laxative and mild diuretic, benefiting both blood circulation and the nervous system.
Merits:
- Aids digestion and has a laxative effect
- Supports blood circulation and nerve health
Demerits:
- Excessive consumption may lead to cold, diarrhea, and stomach pain
Persimmon
Persimmons are sweet-astringent fruits that are heavy to digest. They are especially beneficial for blood circulation but can cause throat-related issues if consumed daily.
Merits:
- Supports blood circulation and acts as a tonic
- Nutritionally rich and beneficial for health
Demerits:
- Can cause throat problems and hoarseness with daily use
Pineapple
Pineapple is a sweet-sour fruit that stimulates appetite and benefits the nervous system. It also acts as a heart stimulant and is recommended for nerve-natured individuals.
Merits:
- Stimulates appetite and digestion
- Beneficial for heart health and the nervous system
Demerits:
- Heavy to digest
- Excessive consumption can lead to cold and fever
- Stronger negative effects for mucous and blood circulatory-natured individuals
Pistachio
Pistachios are sweet, greasy, and heavy to digest. They are excellent for weight gain and act as an aphrodisiac and tonic, but frequent consumption can lead to mucous problems.
Merits:
- Supports weight gain and acts as a tonic
- Has aphrodisiac properties
Demerits:
- Can cause mucous problems and blood defects with daily use
Plum
Plums have a sweet-sour taste and are easy to digest. They act as an appetizer and mild laxative, benefiting both the blood circulatory and nervous systems.
Merits:
- Stimulates appetite and aids digestion
- Supports blood circulation and nerve health
Demerits:
- No significant drawbacks when consumed in moderation
Pomegranate
Pomegranate comes in two varieties: sweet-astringent and sour-astringent. Both varieties are easy to digest, aid digestion, and stimulate the heart. They are commonly used in traditional medicine for digestive and heart-related issues.
Merits:
- Aids digestion and acts as a carminative
- Heart-stimulating and beneficial for circulation
- The sweet-astringent variety is helpful in diarrhea, alcoholism, indigestion, and heart problems
- The sour-astringent variety is more effective for indigestion and alcoholism
Demerits:
- No significant drawbacks when consumed in moderation
Raspberry
Raspberry is a sweet-astringent fruit that is easy to digest and has diuretic properties. It is beneficial for blood circulation and is often prescribed as a cold drink for urinary diseases.
Merits:
- Easy to digest and diuretic
- Beneficial for blood circulation
- Raspberry juice is useful for urinary diseases
Demerits:
- No major drawbacks when consumed in moderation
Rose Berry (Rose Hip)
Rose berry, also known as Rose Hip, is a sweet-astringent fruit that is heavy to digest but acts as a tonic. It is good for overall health but may cause digestive discomfort with excessive use.
Merits:
- Acts as a natural tonic and is beneficial for general health
- Rich in vitamins and antioxidants
Demerits:
- Heavy to digest
- Daily use may cause constipation and dysuria
Sugarcane
Sugarcane, in its natural form, is a sweet and energy-rich crop that is heavy to digest. While refreshing, excessive consumption may lead to urinary diseases and skin problems.
Merits:
- Provides natural energy and acts as a tonic
- Can be used to make refreshing drinks in summer
- Sugarcane juice is beneficial when combined with black pepper to prevent gas formation
Demerits:
- Heavy to digest
- Excessive consumption can lead to urinary diseases and skin problems
Sweet Lemon (Mosambi)
Sweet lemon, also known as Mosambi, is a sweet and easily digestible citrus fruit that acts as a blood purifier. It refreshes the mind and supports digestion.
Merits:
- Easy to digest and beneficial for all individuals
- Acts as a natural blood purifier
- Refreshes the mind and aids bowel cleansing
Demerits:
- No significant drawbacks when consumed in moderation
Walnut
Walnuts are sweet, greasy, and heavy to digest. They are excellent for weight gain and provide essential nutrients, but frequent consumption may cause mucous problems.
Merits:
- Beneficial for weight gain and overall nutrition
- Acts as a natural tonic
- Rich in healthy fats and beneficial for brain health
Demerits:
- Heavy to digest
- Excessive consumption may cause mucous buildup and biliary defects
Watermelon
Watermelon is a sweet, refreshing fruit with diuretic properties. It is particularly beneficial for blood circulation and is used medicinally for conditions like blood defects, hepatitis, fever, and urinary infections.
Merits:
- Easy to digest and hydrating
- Acts as a natural diuretic
- Beneficial for blood circulation
- Medicinal value in blood defects, hepatitis, fever, and urinary infections
Demerits:
- No significant drawbacks when consumed in moderation
Author
Dr. Mana Bajra Bajracharya
Piyushabarshi Aushadhalaya
Original Publication: 1978