Herbal yogurt and lassi

[Guest guest]

Sat Nam from Karta Purkh Singh, Eugene, Oregon.

 

Yogi Bhajan was a great proponent of the health benefits of yogurt. I have

recently been researching his therapeutic use of yogurt, and a quick search

has found 44 recipes for herbal or medicinal yogurt preparations he gave

over the years.

Lassi is a traditional South Asian beverage, originally from Punjab, India,

made by blending yogurt with water, salt, and spices until frothy.

Also spelled “lhassiâ€.

Lassi may also be made with buttermilk or milk.

The drink may be primarily sweet, salty, savory, spicy or sour, depending

on personal preference and desired effect.

Lassi is often served cold.

Variations:

Spices: roasted cumin, salt, pepper, turmeric, saffron, cardamom,

cinnamon, garlic, ginger, chaat masala, mint, chilies, nutmeg

Addition: sweetener (honey, raw sugar), clotted cream (malai), butter,

coconut milk, lemon, lime, orange, mango, strawberry, pineapple, rose

water, rose petals, cucumber

 

One of Yogi Bhajn's formulas was yogurt, oregano and yogi tea spices for

rejuvenation. (1985)

 

Culinary

1. Traditionally used as a cooling beverage in hot weather

2. Now usually made with ice, although Ayurveda does not recommend iced

beverages

3. Often served as an appetizer in modern Indian restaurants

 

Probiotics

The large intestine contains about three pounds of bacteria,

including such inhabitants as Escherichia coli, Acidophilus spp., and

other bacteria, as well as Candida yeast. Surprisingly, these make up

about 25-50% of the dry weight of the stool. Although, unlike in cows,

they don’t participate much in actual digestion, these bacteria digest

our leftover food and secrete needed nutrients, including vitamin K,

vitamin B12, biotin and some amino acids.

Probiotics, the friendly bacteria in our gut, are key to maintaining

or restoring a healthy intestinal tract environment. Ayurveda has been

recommending homemade yogurt for centuries. Eating living culture yogurt

or taking high-quality probiotic supplements fortifies the colony of

good bugs, preventing constipation.

Lactobacillus acidophilus is a healthful strain of bacteria used

to make yogurt and cheese. Soon after birth, acidophilus establishes

itself in the intestines and helps prevent intestinal infections.

Acidophilus is one of several microbes known collectively as

“probiotics.†Others include the bacteria L. bulgaricus, L. reuteri, L.

plantarum, L. casei, B. bifidus, S. salivarius, and S. thermophilus and

the yeast Saccharomyces boulardii. Acidophilus and related probiotics

not only assist the digestive function, they also reduce the presence of

negative organisms by competing with them for space. In fact, there are

nine times as many bacteria in your intestines as there are cells in

your entire body.

 

Health Benefits of Yogurt

1. Fermented milk more easily digested than plain milk. (Reduced

lactose, less dense protein)- suitable for lactose intolerance

2. Excellent source of calcium, protein, riboflavin, B12

3. Treats constipation, diarrhea, allergy, irritable bowel disease

(colitis and similar), cholesterol, colon cancer, high blood pressure,

immune function, bad breath, gluten intolerance, ulcer caused by H.

pylori, infantile colic, vaginal and urinary tract health, urogenital

infections, acne, malabsorption, leaky gut, fibromyalgia

4. Relieves irritable bowel syndrome- reduces gas and spasm

5. Reduces bowel infection from yeast or negative bacteria