Almonds are some of the most loved nuts having many benefits and amazing abilities including boosting the immunity, calming our nerves and balancing the Vata Dosha ie the imbalances of the Air and Ether elements.
Ayurveda* believes that " The body is the result of Food, the disease is the result of Food, the difference between ease and disease is the intake of wholesome nutrition or the lack of it.
The closest that Ayurveda gets to the term Immunity is through the term OJAS. Almonds are renowned to be a great nut for Immunity boosting as they have a lot of Ojas in them.
An excellent Ojas or immune-boosting drink is made with the following ingredients. Please use Organic if possible.
1/4 cup of overnight soaked almonds
2 or 3 pitted dates soaked overnight
1/ 8th piece of fresh ginger
Pinch of Turmeric
Pinch of Saffron ( optional )
Pinch of Ceylonese Cinnamon
Drain and discard the water from the soaked almonds. In a high-speed blender or grinder, churn the soft almonds to form a smooth paste adding a little water if needed. Warm this almond milk then mix in the dates, ginger, cinnamon, saffron and blend again with some more water if needed, until you get the desired consistency. This drink is best consumed warm. In summer, drink without adding any ice. This drink is best consumed immediately.
One of the core principles of Ayurveda is " Like attracts Like and opposite Balance ". Almonds by their core nature, according to Ayurvedic wisdom have the qualities or Gunas of being heavy, unctuous, warming and sweet tasting. Therefore they are an excellent way to balance an aggravated Vata Dosha, that is an imbalance of the elements of air and ether. some of whose attributes are dry, light, cold. Whenever Vata goes out of balance especially in the Autumn season or through an improper lifestyle, Old Age, due to stress or unpleasant life events, one may experience symptoms such as anxiety, nervousness, problems with the nervous system, gas and bloating, stress, dry skin, dry eyes, dry hair, dry stools, constipation, arthritis, underweight, cracking joints, many degenerative diseases and more.
Soaking Almonds overnight reduces the heat element and makes them easy to digest. Though there is nutrition even in the skin, Ayurveda recommends removing them before consumption as some people especially the Pitta dominant may experience a burning sensation after consuming the almond skins as they are heaty and contains tannins.
Almonds may be consumed throughout the year depending on your constitution and nutritional needs. In summer and for people of the Pitta Dosha or the fire constitution, it's best that they consume almonds and raisins both soaked overnight as the cooling energy of raisins balanced the heat of the almonds and the heat of the summer.
Almonds contain about 21.5 grams of protein per 100 grams that is more than any other nut which makes it a great source of protein especially for vegetarians and vegans and those on a whole plant-based diet. Almonds are also high in healthy fats, protein, some B vitamins, Vitamin E, calcium, manganese, magnesium, potassium, copper, iron, phosphorous, zinc and more
*Ayurveda is one of the oldest systems of traditional natural healing in the world. Also known as the sister of Yoga, it stresses deeply on nutrition and lifestyle for optimal health.
Ayurveda believes that there are three bio energies ie Vata ( Air and Ether Elements), Pitta ( Fire and Water ) and Kapha ( Earth and Water) within the body and their balance or imbalance determines the state of good or ill health .