Ayurveda discourages consumption of dairy products for those who are allergic to them and those with aggravated KAPHA DOSHA (body chemistry) and the associated imbalances of phlegm in the stomach or lungs, sinitus, asthma, cold, cough, flu, lymphatic congestion, edema, fibro-cystic breasts, cystic ovaries, etc.

For ALL, dairy intake should be avoided or reduced during cloudy, rainy or snowy weather, or after the sun has set, when the following "TAMASIC" qualities are dominant in the environment: cool, damp, dark, still, quiet, slow or stagnant.

Sources For Calcium & Other Minerals and Trace Minerals

Note that the following foods and herbs may not be found in the "Yes" category for your Ayurvedic seasonal eating plan.  In that case, use those items in moderation. See Links At The End of Article.

Vegetables and Foods

All COOKED dark leafy greens (highest: collard greens, wild greens, dandelion, spinach, turnip greens, mustard greens, bok choy); watercress; parsley leaf & root (parsnip); white raddish and daikon radish; carrots, broccoli, rhubarb; sea vegetables (highest: dulse, hikki, wakame, kombu, agar agar); tofu, tempeh, chickpeas, black sesame seeds, almonds, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, brazil & hazelnuts; molasses (occasionally, preferably from organic sugar productions); barley grass juice; some bottled mineral waters.  If you eat flesh foods: salmon, sardines and oysters; soup stocks made of clean crushed fish bones or clean, crushed egg shells and animal bones.

Herbal Sources

Yellow dock leaves/roots, dandelion leaves/roots, parsley leaf & root, alfalfa, plantain leaves, nettle leaves, raspberry (upper plant and berries), mugwort leaves; comfrey leaves & flower stalks, red clover flowers, horsetail, sage, oatstraw and barely grass.  Also "sea-herbs" like kelp and irish moss.  Some of these require soaking in apple cider vinegar or long-steep brewing to extract the mineral content.

For more information, please visit www.yourayurveda.com

Dr. Shantha Godagama, Ayurvedic Medicine by Simi Godagama