10-4

S. UHL, Horizons Consulting, 546 Jefferson Avenue, Mamaroneck, NY 10546

Indian cooking is based on the therapeutic principles of ancient Ayurvedic medicine, which emphasizes the prevention of disease through physical, mental, and emotional harmony. "Ayu" means life and "veda" means knowledge and this system of healing has been practiced in India for 5,000 years. It is based on prevention and well being and looks at the causes of disease and how and why they occur. Then it focuses on the right foods and ingredients to be taken, along with a healthy lifestyle. Foods are categorized into six tastes or "rasas," which, according to each person's constitution or "dosha," are all balanced in a meal to maintain perfect harmony, balance, and health. Illnesses or diseases occur when foods are not in balance. This balance of different tastes explains the complex spice combination and flavor depth experienced in an Indian meal. Many spices and ingredients have been used as traditional methods of cure in India. Spices such as turmeric, ginger, fenugreek, cinnamon garlic, cumin or saffron are used not only to provide taste but for therapeutic effects as well. Turmeric (or called haldi or manjal) is a popular spice that provides color and flavor to curries (especially fish and vegetables), soups, chutneys, or rices. It is one of the most important healing spices in traditional Indian medicine, used to improve digestion, lower cholesterol, or heal wounds. Ginger, from the Sanskrit word, ‘shringavera' is eaten as fresh, pickled, or dried and used to tenderize meats, or provides flavor to curries, pickles, or soups. Called the "medicine for the stomach" it has been used by Asians to soothe digestion, to treat nausea, or to improve blood circulation. This presentation will focus on how and why ingredients are presented and balanced in a typical Indian meal. It will include the practice of 'hot and cold foods' and how they are applied to the maintenance of health and disease prevention. We will look at the many unique ingredients used as traditional methods of cure, with a focus on ginger and turmeric.