Ayurvedic Barley Soup for Enchanced Libido | For Vata, Pitta, and Kapha

According to Ayurveda, barley is one of the top foods for enhancing libido. It increases circulation and provides strength.

Explore more on the Saumya Blog, selected top Ayurveda blogs and websites to watch.

Ayurvedic Barley Soup for Enchanced Libido | For Vata, Pitta, and Kapha

Barley is a member of the grass family. While much of this crop goes to malt, there's still some left for making soup!

According to the Agricultural Resource Marketing Center, "Barley is a cool-season, early maturing crop and is likely the world’s oldest cultivated grain. Barley is one of the most highly adapted cereal grains with production occurring in climates ranging from sub-Arctic to subtropical."

Medical News Today reports that "Barley is also a rich source of B vitamins, including niacin, thiamin, and pyridoxine (vitamin B-6). It also contains beta-glucans, a type of fiber that scientists have linked Trusted Source to various health benefits."

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup pearl barley, soak for 4-8 hours

• 1 teaspoon high quality olive oil (or your best oil from your Saumya food program)

• 1 purple onion, finely chopped

• 2-4 cloves garlic, finely chopped

• 1-2 stalks celery, finely chopped

• 1-2 carrot, diced small

• ½ cup pureed tomato (if high stomach acid, omit)

• ½ cup green beans, or more

• ¼ cup green peas, or more

• ¼ cup sweet corn off the cob is extra sweet

• 4 cups vegetable stock

• 1-2 potato, peeled and diced small

• 1-2 bay leaf

• 1 tablespoon curry powder

• Red chile flakes, according to taste and dosha

• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

• Himalayan pink salt or other real salt

• Cilantro leaves, for garnish

• ¼-1/2 cup spring onion, chopped, for garnish

Instructions:

1. Soak the barley as it cooks the grains faster.

2. I use a pressure cooker method. You can improvise for InstaPot and other cooking options. Make sure the barley is cooked until it is nice and soft.

3. Heat oil on medium heat; add onions, garlic and celery. Sauté for a couple of minutes until they become lightly tender. Add the remaining ingredients, except the garnishes. Mix well.

4. Cover the pressure cooker, cook for 3 to 4 whistles. After 3 to 4 whistles, reduce to low and simmer another 5 to 10 minutes. Then, turn off the heat.

5. Allow the pressure cooker to rest until the pressure releases naturally as its still cooking inside there!

Tweak Our Recipe to Match Your Doshic Picture.

Follow these easy modifications and provide yourself with a meal that becomes medicine by balancing the doshas.

How to customize this recipe to balance Vata

For spicing for Vata, the overall spiciness is important to help aid in digestion. Don't hold back as Vata types tend to have weaker digestion and this time of year lean towards being easily chilled with the hallmark cold hands and feet.

How to customize this recipe to balance Pitta

For Pitta to optimize this recipe by adding coconut milk or coconut cream for its cooling qualities and sweet taste. Garnish with chopped cilantro and a squeeze of fresh lime juice.

How to customize this recipe to balance Kapha

Kapha needs to be invigorated as it may tend to be slow, sluggish, and dull. To customize the recipe for Kapha dosha--turn up the heat. Add more ginger and some nice hot chile and in general, add more volume of spice.

Grab your favorite bowl and fill it to the rim with this delcious, customized to your doshic picture, curried potato leek soup. Ayurvedic Barley Soup for Enchanced Libido | For Vata, Pitta, and Kapha is food as medicine for everyone.

"Turn your food into medicine by learning how to adjust any recipe to optimize its health benefits." - Veena | Saumya Ayurveda

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Veena is a Certified Ayurvedic Practitioner and meditation teacher and monk.

She is President Emeritus of the Meditation Center and former staff member of the Minnesota Institute of Ayurveda.

Veena fell in love with the traditional medicine used in her family’s home learning herbal remedies at her grandmother's knee. She remains passionate for over 30 years, helping clients feel their best physically, emotionally, and spiritually with Ayurveda.

Veena individualizes treatment plans to each person, rather than offering a one-size-fits-all approach, so it fits your life and becomes woven into your daily life, naturally.