Ayurveda is an ancient Indian medical system based on natural approaches to physical and mental health. It originated in India over 3,000 years ago on the principle that disease is primarily caused by energy imbalances within oneself. As a result, the remedies of Ayurvedic medicine aim to restore the sacred harmony between mind, body, and spirit.

This wellness philosophy informs much of our menu here at Laroot, from the ingredients we source to the dishes we prepare. Let’s take a closer look at the Ayurvedic diet to see how it can help you feel your best.

Doshas - The Energy Centers

In Ayurvedic philosophy, everything in the universe is made up of five elements—vayu (air), jala (water), akash (space), teja (fire), and prithvi (earth). These elements combine in the human body to form doshas, or bio-energy centers. There are three types—vata (space and air), pitta (fire and water), and kapha (water and earth). We all have a dominant dosha based on our individual body type, personality, and lifestyle habits. Once we understand which dosha is prevalent within us, Ayurveda recommends specific diets that are fine-tuned for our individual energy needs. A creative vata dosha, for example, made up of space and air, responds best to warm, hydrating, easily digestible foods to restore balance to the mind-body constitution.

The Six Tastes of Ayurveda

Ayurvedic teachings recognize six essential tastes present in nature, each possessing unique characteristics and health benefits. These flavors are rooted in the same elements—air, water, space, fire, earth—as our doshas. So, by harnessing the six tastes in our cooking, we’re able to influence the body’s energy state to improve deficiencies and restore balance to its regulatory systems.

Ayurveda & Laroot

Each Laroot meal is crafted to address the energy needs of the three doshas. We achieve this by incorporating the six flavors of Ayurveda into our dishes, establishing a direct connection to the natural elements within all of us. You’ll notice that many of our dishes contain radiant spices like turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, cumin, fenugreek, and sesame, to name just a few. We do this not only to beautifully season our food but also to follow the time-tested teachings of Ayurvedic medicine, optimizing each dish for your well-being.

Each meal at Laroot is crafted to address the energy needs of the three doshas.

Thousands of years after its creation, the founding principles of Ayurveda are more vital than ever. New stressors of modern life, from invasive technologies to environmental factors, threaten to disrupt the delicate balance of our doshas on a daily basis. By incorporating elements of the Ayurvedic diet into our lives, we can take a step towards restoring the holistic connections that have healed people since ancient times.