Iranian Traditional Medicine

Iranians or Persians have used traditional remedies to cure every and any ailment.

Iranian Traditional Medicine or ITM is focused on 6 core principles:

1. Nutrition

2. Environment

3. Physical Activity

4. Sleeping Patterns

5. Emotions

6. Ridding Body of Waste

Through these pillars, ITM is said to believe there to be 4 different body types:

1. Phlegm or Balgham

Excessive phlegm characteristics include: feeling heavy, especially the eyelids and the head, getting puffy and swollen, feeling cold, sweaty palms, dehydrated, increased mucus production, watery eyes and runny nose, thick saliva, weakened muscles, saggy skin, sleepiness and lethargy, trouble waking up especially in places with high humidity, poor memory, dizziness, difficulty learning something, difficulty digesting food, diarrhea and having a sour burp

2. Blood or Dam

Excessive blood characteristics include: dizziness, lightheadedness, frequent yawning, fatigue, red and bloodshot eyes, red skin tone, bleeding gums while brushing, frequent nosebleeds, having a sweet taste in the mouth upon waking, heavier than normal or prolonged menstrual bleeding, itchy hot and damp skin

3. Yellow Bile or Safra

Excessive yellow bile characteristics include: yellowing of the skin and eyes, having a bitter taste in mouth, acne on the scalp, dry skin, dry eyes, dry nasal passages, prone to wrinkles, dark circles under the eyes, having a loss of appetite, feeling nauseous, itching in genitalia or rectum, feeling an unquenchable thirst, having trouble sleeping, easily stressed and a strong smelling bodily waste

4. Black Bile or Sauna

Excessive black bile characteristics include: darkening of the skin and developing brown skin patches, prone to wrinkles, dull skin, dark circles under the eyes, muscle cramps, painful menstrual cramps, irregular menstrual cycle, having depressing and negative thoughts, poor sleep, nightmares, darker waste materials (sweat, urine), constipation, excessive unwanted hair and feeling depressed or isolated

The impact on and of these bodies is dependent upon the “hotness” or “coldness” of the food.

Each food has a different effect on the human body’s metabolism based on what type of body it is. This is why in every Persian dish, you will see a very delicate balance of spices and herbs, because the objective is to maintain a balance between the hotness and coldness of foods, so as to support each of these four body types.

For example, rice is seen to be a cold food. This is why in Persian dishes you will see rice always served with a stew, which is said to be hot.

Foods that are hot are usually eaten during cold weather to keep the body warm and prevent disease. Foods that are cold are usually eaten during warm weather to provide strength and steadiness in body temperature. When we combine hot and cold foods, it helps to create this harmonious blend.

Hot Foods Include:

  • Almonds

  • Basil

  • Bay Leaf

  • Cardamom

  • Chickpeas

  • Cherry

  • Apricot

  • Dates

  • Coconut

  • Mango

  • Peach

  • Chives

  • Leek

  • Onion

  • Pumpkin

  • Honey

  • Saffron

  • Mint

  • Rosewater

  • Butter

  • Poultries

  • Goat Milk

  • Lamb

  • Shrimp

  • Basil

  • Ginger

  • Turmeric

  • Brown Sugar

  • Chilli

  • Cinnamon

  • Coffee

  • Black pepper

  • Garlic

  • Mustard

  • Rosemary

  • Vinegar

Cold Foods Include:

  • Kiwi

  • Apple

  • Lemon

  • Orange

  • Pear

  • Pineapple

  • Strawberry

  • Watermelon

  • Asparagus

  • Celery

  • Cucumber

  • Eggplant

  • Green leafy vegetables

  • Lettuce

  • Mushroom

  • Spinach

  • Tomato

  • Watercress

  • Cheese

  • Egg

  • Cow milk

  • Beef

  • Fish

  • Yogurt

  • Cream

  • Rice

  • Kefir

  • Salt

  • Tea

  • Green tea

Recipe for Fesenjaan (Pomegranate Walnut Stew)

Recipe is by Samin Nosrat

Noosheh-Jaan!

Health and Nurture Tips for Spring

Spring is for renewal and rebirth.

We’re coming out of our cocoons of winter. The clocks are moving forward an hour to give us more sunlight during the day. Flowers are beginning to bloom (which might spark allergies for many) and we perhaps have a little more pep in our step.

Below are ways to support yourself during the spring season:

Sleep before 11pm and wake with the sunrise

Our bodies don’t need to hibernate anymore, but we always want to be sure that we are getting adequate sleep. Especially in the warmer months where we have more daylight hours. That early daylight exposure is one of the most important pillars of health and continued healing. Use the sun’s rising time as a natural alarm clock and go outside and expose your eyes and your bare skin to the sun.

Prioritize movement, but not too rigorous

Ease yourself gently into movement with low impact exercises. Our bodies will naturally have the most ample energy between 6am and 10am. Go for a brisk walk, roll out your yoga mat and practice sun salutations. Whichever way encourages you to move and be fluid in your body.

Eat lighter foods and foods that make you pucker up

During the winter, we build up heat in the body to keep our internal body temperature balanced and our external bodies warm. Eat lighter foods such as leafy greens, dandelion, berries, green peas, quinoa, buckwheat and pungent spices like paprika, clove, cardamom and ginger.

Sour foods like lemon stimulate the liver, which will want ALL the tender love and care this season especially. Put lemon slices in your drinking water or use vinegar and olive oil for your salads.

Allergies got the best of you?

With flower blooming comes allergies. Decrease the amount of histamine driving foods and increase the amount of histamine lowering foods. Here is a list of foods and some other tips to mitigate allergy symptoms.

Try lymphatic massage

Lymphatic massage helps support the body’s lymphatic system and strengths the immune system by increasing white blood cell count. Dry brush your skin, lather with body oil such as apricot or jojoba and support your body’s largest organ so it looks and feels good.

Declutter your home

Spring also means, spring cleaning! Did you know that dust can contribute to allergies and asthma? Start with one area or one room of your home at a time and see how you can declutter, rearrange and rest the space. Clutter can also aid in anxiety for many people (including myself!) so clean up your space.

Be mindful of opportunities to overindulge

Warmer weather generally brings with it more gatherings and with that usually comes more temptation to overindulge on foods such as BBQ, fried foods and processed foods. Offer to bring a fresh dish to these gatherings, eat a balanced snack before going so you’re not feeling overindulgent nor tempted.

Protect your eyes from the sun

Our eyes can tolerate a few minutes of direct sun exposure (did you know we take in more vitamin D through our eyes than anywhere else on our bodies?) But excessive sun exposure can overtime cause damage to our retinas. Wear sunglasses when outside or exposed to the sun, when driving and wear a hat to add even more protection if you are spending ample time outside. Watch this interview with Dr. Raymond Douglas to learn more about how to holistically care for your eyes.

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