“Nightshade” is a term used for the group of plants in the Solanaceae family. The exact reason why they are called nightshades is unknown, but possibly because they grow and fruit at night without the sun, absorbing “deadly night energies”.

The ancient science of Ayurveda says to reduce or avoid this group of plants for several reasons. Also, many researchers have discovered they are inappropriate for human health.

What are nightshade plants?

• Potatoes
• Tomatoes
• Tomatillos
• Eggplant
• Goji Berries
• Tobacco
• Peppers (bell peppers, chili peppers, paprika, tamales, tomatillos, pimentos, cayenne, etc)

Among the foods listed above potato is a tuber, tobacco is a leaf and rest are fruits.

Why are nightshades so potent?

Nightshades can be medicinal or toxic due to the presence of glycoalkaloid properties.

What are glycoalkaloids?

Glycoalkaloids are natural pesticides produced by nightshade plants. Glycoalkaloids are bitter compounds found throughout the plant, but are highly concentrated in the leaves, flowers, seeds and unripe fruits. Glycoalkaloids are also neurotoxins.

Why could the nightshades be bad for your health?

From a nutritional perspective, the ingestion of members of the nightshade family has two significant biological effects:

1. Glycoalkaloids are neurotoxins. Nightshades interfere with a neurotransmitter that is present in the nervous system.
2. They can bring about an inflammatory affect the joints.

All of the nightshades contain nicotine, or one of its close chemical relatives: solanine in potatoes, tomatine in tomatoes, aubergine in eggplants and alpha-solanine in bell and chili peppers. All of these contain an acetylcholinestrase inhibitor that impedes the transmission of nerve impulses from one synapse to the next by retarding the production of acetylcholinesterase.

Many nightshades contain immune-activating molecules called lectins that can provoke an allergic response, and when food allergies are present, they are best eliminated.

Biochemical constituents in nightshades can also dehydrate the fluid lubricating the joints which can worsen arthritis and associated bone disorders. It may also interfere the calcium metabolism, to worsen digestive sensitivity, sciatica, kidney and gallstone disorders.

Ayurvedic view on nightshades

From the perspective of Ayurveda, edible nightshades all are heating in nature, except for the white potato, and they are inflammatory in action. All of them have a pungent and/or sour post-digestive effects (vipaka). Thus, during digestion, the colon experiences the physiological consequences of the sour and pungent tastes, with the pungent vipaka, being both heating and dehydrating properties and provoking both vata and pitta doshas, and the sour vipaka, being both heating and moisture-promoting, provoking the kapha and pitta doshas.

Nightshades are therefore said to be aggravating for all three doshas.

Nightshades are also believed to possess inflammatory properties. Thus, they are aggravating to both vata and pitta doshas.

Nightshade foods come under the categories of Rajasic and Tamasic food which can alter the state of mind. They are stimulating, preserving the inertia and passion states of mind.

Are they OK to eat?

There is no one fit answer to this question. Somebody who has no issue on using them can use them in moderation or precaution. If you have been diagnosed with one of the following issues, I would recommend eliminating nightshades from your diet:

• Autoimmune diseases
• Arthritis
• Fibromyalgia
• Gout
• Osteoporosis
• Ongoing inflammation
• Rheumatoid arthritis

HOW TO EAT NIGHTSHADES?

If nightshades are not sensitive for you and they do not cause you unpleasant symptoms, here are some tips to enjoy nightshades in your diet:

• Choose ripe nightshades: choosing the ripest fruits which are less toxic, since solanine levels are highest in unripe ones. For example, choose juicy red tomatoes over green tomatoes and red peppers over green peppers.
• Cook nightshades: did you know, cooking makes food edible and reduces alkaloid content up to 50%. Lectins are also degraded, to varying levels, with cooking. Potatoes, tomatoes and the other Nightshades should always be cooked Ayuvedically, and the addition of Ayurvedic spices cumin, turmeric, black pepper or mustard seeds can relatively lessen their toxic effect. Cooking with healthy fat like ghee can reduce its toxicity.
• Use moderation and variety: Ayurveda suggest eating everything in moderation as a medicine. Also no to eat same food every day. Eating nightshades once in a while is alright but should not addictive. Presence of nicotine can make us to eat them often. It’s not great to use tomato sauce and ketchup as daily condiments. Enjoy variety and use nightshades in moderation.

According to Ayurveda the tongue is not just an organ of taste only but also a strong tool for diagnosis. Tongue analysis is a part of Ayurvedic diagnosis complementary with pulse, nails, eye, face etc. Tongue is also called a window of the inner system. Ayurveda says, read your tongue and know your health status.

It is important to check your tongue regularly to recognize the inner system. Be your own doctor and look your own tongue in the mirror. Your tongue never lies and clearly indicates if your body is accumulating toxins, food is indigested or any indication of disorders.

Common findings with Tongue diagnosis

• Internal organs health
• Vata, Pitta or Kapha state or imbalance.
• Presence of toxins and needs of detox.
• Tension and emotions held in spine, shoulder or organs.
• Anemia and cirtulations.
• Malabsorption of nutrients
• Inflammation of organs and body
• Parasitic infection

Organs location in Tongue

Tongue represents the location of various organs.

• The front of the tongue is related to upper GI tract, lungs, and heart;
• The Middle part of the tongue is connected with liver, spleen, and stomach;
• The back is associated with large intestine and kidneys;
• The very tip is the location of thyroid and vertical line in the middle of the tongue represents the spine.

Common indication of your tongue

Coating colour and location

The presence of coating is an indication of poor digestion and toxin build up in the tissues.

Location:

The common location is on the back of the tongue which correlates to the colon area.

Correlates the organ location with the location of coating to conclude and if the coating is all over it means the toxins are in the blood stream and located in the whole body.

Colour:

If the coating is grey, black or brown, you can assume accumulation of Vata toxins and vata imbalance.

If the coating is yellow, organge, red, green, it indicates Pitta toxins and pitta Imbalances.

If the coating is whitish in colour, it is Kapha toxins and correlates to Kapha imbalance.

Cracks

The presence of cracks on tongue is representing typical Vata imbalance.

The location of cracks indicates about the organ-wise imbalance. The typical vertical line that is located in the centre of the tongue is indicating spine. If you see crack in the middle, it is an indication of stress and emotions being held in the spine.  If the crack is on the tip of the tongue is cervical spine and it is holding pain, tension and misalignment on that area.

Similarly, if there are multiple cracks, it is a clear indicator of chronic/strong Vata derangement such as insomnia, nervous, fear, insecurity, and nervous disorder.

Swollen Tongue

If there is swelling on a tongue is the indicator of inflammation in the body. The location of swelling may varies and correlates to the inflammation of organ on that area.  This can also reveal a Kapha imbalance such as fluid retention, allergic reaction, obesity, hypothyroidism etc. Swollen tongue may need more investigation and thorough examination.

Red Inflamed papillae on the tongue

It is very common to see red dots on the surface of your tongue, which represents the heat or Pitta energy in the plasma and blood tissues. The density of red papillae may vary and correlates to the respective organ locations. The condition like high fever, hyper acidity, ulcers, and acidic reaction may cause red inflamed papillae on the top of the tongue.

Pale Tongue

Basically, tongue is a muscular, vascular organ. The normal color of the tongue is red-pinkish. If the tongue is pale in color, it is a typical sign of low red blood cells, poor circulation or possibly anemia. This may happen due to low hemoglobin, excessive blood loss, Iron/B12 deficiency, parasitic infection, or side effects of some drugs.

 Teeth marks around the tongue

This is one of the common marks that are seen along the perimeter of the tongue. The mark of teeth is indicating the poor absorption or malabsorption. If there is poor absorption of nutrients, it may lead to malnutrition. This signs also correspondence to nutritional deficiency. When the issue is solved, the marks disappear itself.

Dropping in the heart Area of the tongue

Looking into the heart area of the tongue, if you find hollowness or scooping, it is an indicator of emotional imbalance like sadness, grief, or depression in the heart. This may stay longer and remain chronically, which can be known by the depth and prominence of the marks.

Conclusion:

This article is composed with an intention of awareness rather than a confirmatory diagnosis. Make this analysis as a part of daily routine and read your tongue regularly. It is very important to know the tongue may vary each day and can change when the body got its balance.

Also it is very important to clean your tongue or do tongue scrapping as one of the first rituals in the morning. If you find any abnormality on your tongue, please visit your experienced Ayurveda practitioner to confirm your diagnosis

The edible oil we use in cooking is generally hot pressed oil. However, it is only in the recent period, once people gained awareness about the importance and benefits, cold pressed oil became very popular.
The major difference lies in preparing the input material used to press the oil, rather than pressing techniques. The input we feed to the press the oil has overall influence to a great extent on the properties of the oil. Of course, the way of pressing also impacts the benefits and properties of the oil.
Cold pressed oil means the inputs are pressed in a low temperature. To put in a lighter note, the seeds are pressed raw without roasting.
Hot pressed oil means the seeds are roasted and pressed under very high temperature.

Benefits of Cold Pressed Sesame Oil

Sesame oil is also known as gingerly oil, extracted from the sesame seeds. Sesame oil is prominent in Asian cuisines, especially Indian cuisine and alternative therapies.
Cold pressed sesame oil is extracted by simply pressing and crushing the seeds without toasting or roasting. It looks pale yellow and carry different flavor than hot pressed one which is darker. It retains the maximum nutrients possible during processing. It has higher quantity of essential fatty acids, which are literally reduced when the sesame seeds are roasted and heated.  Unlike other cold pressed oils, sesame oil has longer shelf life due to an ingredient called Sesamolin prevents oxidation of the oil.

• Good source of vitamin E and also rich in antioxidant
• Has the highest concentration of the fatty acids – Omega 3 fatty acid, omega 6 fatty acid and omega 9 fatty acid.
• Rich in minerals which includes iron, calcium, magnesium, copper and zinc.
  All these minerals support healthy growth of tissues and prevents bones and muscles related deformities like arthritis, osteoporosis etc.
• Supports cardiovascular health and controls hypertension

It is used widely in ayurvedic therapies as healing oil. It contains antiviral, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties which nourish the skin, hair and body. It contains nourishing, detoxifying and rejuvenating effect to the body.   It is the best moisturizer and the best massage oil. It helps delay aging process and prevents skin health from sunburn and damages. It is the best remedy for most of skin problems from dryness of skin to eczema.
Needless to say the culinary benefits of cold pressed sesame oil as it is a versatile one to use on regular cooking