The greatest healing force is love. Food is the ultimate expression of love, especially when it's seasoned with spices. Love should be celebrated every day, but for one night only, here's the ultimate aphrodisiac, the karma sutra of love potions, guaranteed to provide an unforgettable experience through the palate.
The second-century Greek physician Galen asserted that the heart was shaped like a pinecone and worked with the liver. This view carried into the Middle Ages when the heart first found its visual form as the symbol of love. The heart is considered the source of emotions, desire, and wisdom.
The heart is much more than just a sensory organ or a pump directing 8000 litres of blood around the body daily.
The heartbeat is considered the strongest transmitter of electromagnetic waves through which we sense feel commune with our environment, relaying millions of signals between the invisible realm that help us create a perception of the world around us. The resonance of the heart can also activate healing.
The Spirit of the Heart
Taoist medicine and wisdom introduce a spiritual realm to the organ systems, which help us answer questions such as, why does the heartache when we experience certain feelings?
The Heart is called the King of organs, This means that all the other organs will sacrifice for the Heart. In other words, they will always give their energy to help the Heart maintain its balance. The Heart is therefore considered the seat of the most important part of our being- the shen, or spirit. This provides the overall state of the vitality of an individual, which is often observed through the complexion, eyes, and responses.
It is said that Love resides here. When we experience shock or trauma, it is referred to as the 'spirit of the Heart has been shattered', symbolizing a piece of glass shattering. This also displaces the Mind, which leads to mental instability such as low mood, anxiety, depression.
It is a slightly different way of seeing how symptoms manifest, and perhaps is an ancient system to help interpret the psychology of dis-ease.
Every organ has an emotional connection, which is pacified or aroused through the overuse or inactivity of the five senses.
For example, the tongue represents the condition of the Heart, or speech or feeling speechless is associated with our ability to communicate clearly.
The flavor associated with the Heart is bitter-sweet. Late evening cravings for sweetness are associated with Heart imbalances.
Ways in which we can balance our ability to give and receive love is to explore our own language of love. I highly recommend the five languages of love as a starting point.
Sweetheart Formula
A traditional homemade self-care, self-love formula to serve the Spirit of Love at this time of year, to pleasure the mind-body and soul through the gut.
Seasonal spices such as Ajwain, ginger, and fennel, with nuts and a little ghee, provide therapeutic benefits associated with preserving heart and immune health, especially at this time of the year.
Here's to an experience of joi de Vivre!
Ingredients
Ghee
Organic Ginger Powder
Fennel
Ajwain or Carom seeds (optional)
Chia seeds
Nuts (mixed)
Raisins (optional)
Jaggery (sugar cane)
Organic Dark chocolate (70-80%) or cacao
Strawberries
Prep time 15mins
Heat a spoon of ghee
Add a teaspoon of ajwain and double the amount of fennel
Add 2 heaped spoons of ginger powder (reduce the quantity according to potency)
Add jaggery until melts
REMOVE THE PAN FROM HEAT (to avoid burning the jaggery)
Throw in mixed nuts, chia seeds, raisins
Mix well.
The mixture is ready to pour into sweetheart dishes
In a separate pan, prepare the chocolate
Pour on top of sweethearts
Refrigerate
Ready to eat in 10-15mins.
Benefits
Ajwain
Ajwain or Carom seeds have a distinct taste and are a beneficial digestive aid in small qualities. According to a study, ajwain has pharmacological properties. Ajwain is rich in carbohydrates, fat, protein, fiber, tannins, glycosides, moisture, saponins, flavone, and minerals like calcium, phosphorous, iron, cobalt, copper, iodine, manganese, thiamine, and riboflavin. All of these contents make this tiny seed a health wonder.
Ajwain is commonly taken with a little salt and warm water on an empty stomach and relieves most abdominal pain or cramps.
Ajwain also has antiseptic, antimicrobial, and antiparasitic properties which makes it a perfect antidote to infections that cause cough, cold, ear, or even mouth infection.
Ajwain keep your lungs and pharynx clean so that blockage doesn’t trouble you. This effect is known as a bronchodilatory effect and can be especially helpful to those suffering from asthma. This spice helps in relaxing the air passage and helps asthma patients to breathe better.
WARNING: Ajwain also contains thymol, which may lead to nausea and dizziness. Please use with caution if you have allergies or are sensitive to strong spices.
Fennel
Fennel seeds are often consumed for digestion and mouth refresher after food.
Dried fennel seeds are a storehouse of various nutrients, with low calories and high in different micro and macronutrients. Fennel seeds are mainly rich in –
Vitamin C
Vitamin E
Vitamin K
Minerals – Calcium, Magnesium, Zinc, Potassium, Selenium, and Iron
Antioxidants such as polyphenol
Fibre
Organic compounds like anethole
The aromatic essential oil released by fennel seeds possesses antibacterial properties that help to freshen your breath. The sweet fennel seeds increase the secretion of saliva, which helps to kill the harmful bacteria.
Fennel stimulates the secretion of digestive juices and enzymes that improves your digestion. Fennel seeds contain anethole, fenchone and estragole that act as antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory. They work wonderfully for constipation, indigestion and bloating. For better results, consume fennel tea to keep your digestive tract healthy and happy. Also possessing antimicrobial properties, fennel improves digestive movement, allows easy passage of bowels without excessive gas build-up.
Fennel seeds are rich in potassium that regulates the fluid amount in the bloodstream. It may therefore help to control your heart rate and blood pressure.
The rich source of phytonutrients present in fennel seeds helps to clear sinuses. These tiny seeds offer bronchial relaxation that helps to reduce symptoms of asthma, bronchitis and congestion.
Anethole present in fennel seeds stimulates the galactagogues (substances that promote lactation) to increase milk secretion. Many studies suggest that anethole mimics the action of the estrogen hormone and promotes lactation.
Fennel is also purifies the blood, flushing out toxic compounds through the bowels.
Fennel protects the skin from free radical damage and improving cell longevity. They are abundant in minerals such as potassium, selenium and zinc. These minerals are crucial for balancing hormones while maintaining the oxygen balance in your bloodstream. They are widely used to treat different skin ailments like acne, rashes and dryness.
Fennel works as diuretics and improve metabolism. Consuming fennel seeds daily with a balanced diet and workout helps you to shed extra pounds quickly. You can have roasted fennel seed powder with warm water on an empty stomach to get better results.
Ginger
Ginger is a well known spice, loaded with antioxidants, compounds that prevent stress and damage to your body's DNA. They may help your body fight off chronic diseases like high blood pressure, heart disease, and diseases of the lungs, plus promote healthy aging.
Ginger also facilitates weight loss by improving digestion, which helps in burning stored fat and processing glucose in the blood. It also speeds up metabolism and controls fat absorption, thanks to its thermogenic properties. Another benefit of dry ginger is its ability to curb hunger and overeating.
Jaggery
Jaggery is sourced from sugar cane, unrefined sugar product, containing molasses. Gram by gram, jaggery is more nutritious than sugar and is often an alternative used in tea and coffee. About 70% of the world’s jaggery production takes place in India, where it is commonly called “gur.” Some common health claims include
improved digestive health - stimulates bowel movements, making it a good choice for preventing constipation,
Anemia prevention - A tablespoon (20 grams) jaggery contains 2.2 mg of iron
liver detoxification
improved immune function.
Although a healthier option to refined sugar, jaggery still contains up to 80g sucrose per 100g!
Chia Seeds
Chia seeds are tiny black or white seeds from the plant Salvia hispanica L. native to Central America. Historically, Aztec and Mayan civilizations used chia seeds in their diets, as well as for medicinal purposes, religious rituals, and cosmetics.
Chia seeds contain quercetin, an antioxidant that can reduce your risk of developing several health conditions, including heart disease. The seeds also high in fiber, which can help to lower high blood pressure and, in turn, reduce your risk of developing heart disease. Chia seeds are high in fiber. Some of the benefits include,
reduces risk of heart disease
supports weight loss
restores bone density
reduces blood sugar
Remember, seasonal diet and movement practices, adhering to natural cycles and rhythms combined with a life of moderation and an environment that is conducive to supporting wellbeing is the formula for manifesting a balanced life and happy Heart .
Working with Gee Gahir, a Pioneer of holistic wellbeing services within the NHS, and Co-founder of Wellbeing Wizards, a podcast platform that provides insights into transforming wellbeing, Gee is an accredited EMCC intuitive lifestyle coach providing preventative naturopathic mind-body-space solutions to facilitate vibrant health and balanced lifestyles.
Connect with Gee to arrange a personalised coaching experience.
Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for a qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information.