Ayurvedic Sun Foods, Ground Foods & Earth Foods

by Pip Atherstone-Reid

Another way of choosing your food is by considering where in the environment they grow.  Foods that grow more than 1 metre above the ground are considered Sun foods, they absorb the maximum energy from the sun.  And are considered very high, etheric foods.  They are easy to digest and absorbed by the body, lightening the body and the nervous system.  These types are foods are particularly good for people of a Kapha Dosha or a Hot/strong confirmation in Chinese Medicine.  Traditionally saints and yogis tended to eat this type of food as it is very stimulating to the higher centres of the brain.  Elderly people should also include a large amount of Sun foods in their digestion since they are easy on the digestive system.

Ground foods are foods grown within 1 metre above the ground.  They absorb less energy from the sun and more from the earth.  They are higher in nutrients value and are great for cleansing.  Nutritious foods, such as grains, beans, green vegetables are from the Ground food range and should make up a good portion of our diet.

Earth foods grow below the ground.  They absorb most of their energy from the earth and indirectly absorb the sun energy from their leaves above the ground.  This group includes foods like onions, garlic, ginger, which are medicinal in property.  The Earth foods store a lot of energy within them and should be eaten if we have a busy lifestyle and work or exercise hard.  Foods such as beetroot, potato and carrots fall into this category. People who are deficient or Vata benefit from including these in their diet.  During winter our proportion of Earth foods should increase.

 

Pip Atherstone-Reid is the co-founder and co-owner of Kundalini House and has been an Acupuncture and TCM practitioner for over 15 years. She is available for Acupuncture & TCM appointments on Tuesdays and Thursdays.