After-meal seeds recipe to improve digestion – |Prana (2024)

I am a big fan of chewing roasted seeds after eating.

In the past, I would reach for a piece of gum or candy to curb my sweet cravings. However, I’ve found that the right seeds can do the trick.

I’ll share with you the After-Meal Seeds Recipe today.

Not only will it enhance your digestive process, but it will also leave you with a pleasantly sweet breath after your meal.

The Ayurvedic diet

Are you experiencing …

• Bloating?
• Heartburn?
• Bad breath?
• Indigestion?

The best remedy to alleviate these maladies is to eat foods that support your dosha balance.

What is a nectar for your friend, might be poison for you, and neutral to your child.

It all depends.

Ayurveda addresses our constitution needs and teaches us how food is really the primary factor affecting our health. That is why it is vital to eat in alignment with our body type.

I have created FREE menus for Vata, Pitta, and Kapha to help you get started.

However, today we will not talk about the Ayurvedic diet specifically. Instead, I’ll share one of my staple remedies with you: After-meal seeds to facilitate good digestion.

This remedy is richly aromatic and so easy to make (you can also store it for weeks in an airtight container).

This is the tridoshic — good for all doshas — version.

Powerful Ayurvedic spices for digestion

The spices we will use for this remedy are:

Coriander seeds

Coriander seeds, known as “Dhaniya” in Ayurveda, are revered for their abundant health benefits. They are considered tridoshic, meaning they can balance all three doshas – Vata, Pitta, and Kapha, because of their sweet, bitter and astringent tastes.

In terms of digestion, coriander seeds are highly valuable. They possess deepan and pachan properties, which means they stimulate the digestive fire (Agni) and help in the digestion of food. They aid in the secretion of digestive enzymes, enhance absorption of nutrients, and reduce symptoms like bloating, gas, and abdominal discomfort.

Moreover, coriander seeds have a cooling effect on the body, making them particularly beneficial for pacifying Pitta and relieving conditions such as heartburn or acidity, which are common after meals. Their natural diuretic properties also help in detoxification, promoting the elimination of toxins from the body through the urinary system.

Fennel seeds

Fennel seeds, or “Saunf” as they are known in Ayurveda, are regarded as an important element for enhancing digestion. They possess a sweet and slightly bitter taste, and are associated with a cooling energy, making them particularly beneficial for balancing Pitta dosha.

In the context of digestion, fennel seeds are renowned for their carminative properties, which means they aid in expelling gas from the intestines, thereby relieving bloating, abdominal discomfort, and flatulence. They also have deepan properties, which stimulate digestive fire (Agni) and aid in efficient digestion and absorption of nutrients.

Fennel seeds further contribute to digestion by their ability to relax the muscles in the gastrointestinal tract, which can ease symptoms of indigestion, stomach cramps, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Moreover, their anti-acidic properties make them excellent for soothing heartburn and acidity.

Sesame seeds

Sesame seeds, known as “Til” in Ayurveda, are highly valued for their nutritional and medicinal properties. They have a sweet, bitter, and astringent taste and are warming in nature, which makes them especially beneficial in balancing Vata dosha.

When it comes to digestion, sesame seeds are known for their ability to nourish and fortify the digestive system. They are considered an excellent source of dietary fiber, which can aid in promoting regular bowel movements and preventing constipation.

The warming nature of sesame seeds aids in stoking the digestive fire, or Agni, which is essential in Ayurveda for the proper digestion and assimilation of nutrients. They are also credited with being a natural laxative, which can further assist in maintaining a healthy digestive system.

In addition, sesame seeds are packed with beneficial fatty acids, specifically Omega-6, which support the health of the gut lining, thereby promoting overall digestive health. They are also rich in many essential minerals such as magnesium, calcium, and zinc, which are vital for numerous physiological functions, including digestion.

Cumin seeds

Cumin seeds, or “Jeera” as they are known in Ayurveda, hold a significant place in Ayurvedic medicine and cooking for their immense health benefits. They have a pungent taste and are slightly cold in nature. They have a special ability to balance all three doshas – Vata, Pitta, and Kapha.

In terms of digestion, cumin seeds are regarded as an excellent digestive aid in Ayurvedic practice. They are known to stimulate the secretion of digestive enzymes and accelerate the digestion process, thus helping to combat problems like indigestion, flatulence, bloating, and constipation.

Cumin seeds also have carminative properties, meaning they can relieve gas from the digestive system and soothe the gut. This can be particularly helpful for those experiencing digestive discomfort or disorders linked to gas and bloating.

Additionally, the aroma of cumin, which comes from an aromatic compound called cuminaldehyde, triggers the salivary glands in our mouth, which aids in the primary digestion of food.

Moreover, cumin is rich in essential oils, vitamins, and minerals, providing numerous health benefits beyond digestion. These nutrients help to improve immunity, combat insomnia, and could even have anti-carcinogenic properties.

After-meal recipe to improve digestion

Reflect on your current relationship with your digestion.

How often do you experience discomfort or irregularity? Do you frequently feel bloated, gassy, or sluggish after meals?

Now, consider the role that incorporating these potent Ayurvedic seeds – coriander, fennel, sesame, and cumin – into your diet could play.