Ayurvedic Soups form an integral part of Ayurvedic diet. Generally, a typical Ayurvedic soup is made of beans, peas or lentils and spices. It is a high protein dish and is usually eaten with rice to make it more digestible. It is an appetizer and therefore served with the food or before the food. It is generally served hot and therefore it increases the digestive fire, and also helps the digestive organs to secrete digestive enzymes. Ayurvedic Soups can be of various types, some of them are:
Kokam Soup: Ayurvedic kokam soup is regarded as a healthy diet as the fruit Kokam is high in vitamin C, low in fat and calories, low sugar and high in fibre. Some of the main ingredients of kokam soup are kokam fruits, ghee, cilantro leaves, curry leaves, bay leaves, cinnamon, cloves etc. This soup is an excellent blood cleanser and is also good for diarrhoea, heart troubles and swellings. It also acts as an anti-allergic agent and helps treating skin rashes.
Corn Soup: Ayurvedic corn soup balances tridosha and in the long term exacerbates vata dosha. This soup is good for people with high cholesterol and also for people suffering from obesity. The ingredients of corn soup are corn, cilantro leaves, ginger, cumin seeds, ghee, black pepper and salt.
Green Moong Soup: Ayurvedic Green Moong Soup is light to digest and balances all the three doshas. It is a cure for indigestion and Ayurveda believes this soup is good for fever and any eye problems. Some of the ingredients used in the preparation of this soup are green moong beans, cumin seeds, black mustard seeds, cloves garlic, turmeric etc.
Mixed Vegetable Soup: Ayurvedic mixed vegetable soup is good for the whole body as it is prepared using various vegetables. It acts as an appetizer and helps improve digestion. It is good for all the three doshas. This soup is made using ingredients such as mixed vegetables, peppercorns, cloves, ghee, cardamom pods etc.
Spinach Soup: Ayurvedic spinach soup stimulates pitta but pacifies vata and kapha and therefore used moderately. It is digestive and hence it is a good appetizer. Spinach soup is good for persons suffering asthma and also for the eyes. Persons suffering from gall bladder stones, kidney stones, gouty arthritis and oedema should avoid it. Ingredients of this soup are spinach, green chilli, ginger, cumin, black mustard seeds etc.
Tomato Soup: Ayurvedic tomato soup helps to control bad cholesterol in the body. It also helps to strengthen bones and teeth as the tomato has vitamin K in it. Ingredients of this soup are tomatoes, ginger, coconut, green chilli, mustard seeds, jaggery etc.
Urad Dal Soup: Ayurvedic urad dal soup is sweet and heavy. It nourishes muscle, bone and reproductive fluids. It also helps in detoxifying the body. It is not good for persons with Kapha disorders. It is made using ingredients such as safflower oil, urad dal, black mustard seeds, coriander leaves, asafoetida etc.