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Gunas and Elements

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Element: Earth (Prithvi)

Guru (Heavy):

  • Dense and heavy foods like nuts (almonds, walnuts), dairy products (cheese, cream), meats (especially red meats), and root vegetables (potatoes, beets) are associated with this quality.


Kathina (Hard):

  • Food Types: Hard or solid foods like nuts, seeds, raw vegetables, and uncooked grains exhibit this hard or solid quality.

Sandra (Compact):

  • Food Types: Compact or dense foods such as dried fruits (dates, figs, raisins), hard cheeses, and certain dense grains exhibit this quality of compactness.

Sthoola (Gross):

  • Food Types: Gross or heavy foods like large meals, excessive amounts of red meat, fried foods, and foods in large portions exhibit this quality.

Sthira (Stable):

  • Food Types: Stable and sturdy foods such as whole grains (brown rice, oats), root vegetables (sweet potatoes, carrots), and nuts embody this stable quality.

Manda (Dull):

  • Associated Element: Earth (Prithvi)
  • Food Types: Dull or stale foods, processed and canned items, or foods lacking in freshness exhibit this dull quality.

Element: Ether (Akasha)

Laghu (Light):

  • Food Types: Light and easily digestible foods such as leafy greens (spinach, kale), fruits (berries, apples), certain grains (quinoa, millet), and light soups exhibit this quality.

Sookshma (Subtle):

  • Associated Element: Ether (Akasha)
  • Food Types: Subtle or refined foods such as delicate teas, herbs, light broths, and mild spices embody this quality of subtleness.

Element: Water (Jaal)

Mrudu (Soft):

  • Associated Element: Water (Jala)
  • Food Types: Soft and tender foods such as cooked vegetables, ripe fruits, tofu, and well-cooked grains embody this soft quality.

Shita (Cold):

  • Associated Element: Water (Jala)
  • Food Types: Cooling foods such as cucumbers, melons, yogurt, coconut water, and mint exhibit this cooling quality, soothing and cooling the body.

Drava (Liquid):

  • Associated Element: Water (Jala)
  • Food Types: Liquid or fluid foods like water, herbal teas, vegetable juices, soups, and broths embody this liquid quality.

Picchila (Slimy):

  • Associated Element: Water (Jala)
  • Food Types: Slimy or mucous-like foods such as okra, aloe vera gel, soaked chia seeds, and certain types of seaweed possess this slimy quality.

Element: Air (Vayu)
Ruksha (Dry):

  • Food Types: Dry foods like crackers, popcorn, certain legumes (chickpeas, lentils), and dry cereals exhibit this dry quality, lacking moisture content.

Sara (Mobile):

  • Food Types: Mobile or spreading foods like beans, leafy vegetables, and watery fruits like watermelon or oranges exhibit this quality by being easily movable or flowing.

Khara (Rough):

  • Food Types: Rough or coarse foods like whole grains, raw vegetables, high-fiber foods, and certain spices with coarse textures exhibit this rough quality.

Vishada (Clear):

  • Food Types: Clear or transparent foods such as clear soups, strained broths, purees, and certain herbal teas exhibit this clear quality.

Element Fire

Ushna (Hot):

  • Associated Element: Fire (Agni)
  • Food Types: Foods that generate heat within the body such as chili peppers, black pepper, ginger, and warming spices like cinnamon and cloves possess this heating quality.

Teekshna (Sharp):

  • Associated Element: Fire (Agni)
  • Food Types: Sharp or intense foods such as onions, garlic, mustard greens, and pungent spices like turmeric and cayenne pepper possess this sharp quality.

Multi Element

  • Snigdha (Oily):
    • Associated Element: Water (Jala) and Earth (Prithvi)
    • Food Types: Oily or unctuous foods such as avocados, ghee (clarified butter), oily fish (salmon, mackerel), and sesame oil are associated with this quality due to their lubricating and nourishing nature.
  • Sama (Even):
    • Associated Element: All Elements in Balance
    • Food Types: Balanced and moderate foods, fresh and unprocessed items, and well-balanced meals exhibit this quality of evenness or balance.