SAEDNEWS: In this article, we will introduce you to the traditional temperaments of various types of yogurt and explain their recommended corrective pairings.
According to Saednews, Yogurt is made from whole milk and is one of the most popular foods around the world. According to traditional medicine, yogurt has a cold and moist nature. The more sour and diluted it is, the colder and moister its nature is considered to be. Keep in mind that low-fat yogurt is generally regarded as colder than full-fat yogurt.
In general, yogurt made from sheep’s milk is considered less cold than yogurt made from cow’s milk. For this reason, it is traditionally regarded as more suitable for eating either with meals or on its own.
Buffalo-milk yogurt is considered colder than cow-milk yogurt, while ewe’s-milk yogurt, like sheep-milk yogurt, is considered less cold than cow-milk yogurt. Strained yogurt is considered very cold, although it contains less moisture than regular yogurt.
Regular yogurt: Cold and moist
Shallot yogurt: Balanced
Full-fat yogurt: Mildly cold
Low-fat yogurt: Very cold
Ewe’s-milk yogurt: Cold
Buffalo-milk yogurt: Cold
Garlic yogurt: Balanced
Sheep-milk yogurt: Cold
Cow-milk yogurt: Cold
Strained yogurt: Very cold
In traditional medicine, yogurt is commonly combined with ingredients believed to balance its cold nature. These include ajwain, mint, thyme, mountain mint, pennyroyal, raisins, dried rose petals, ginger, black raisins, walnuts, and black seed.
These additions not only change the flavor and aroma of yogurt but are also traditionally believed to help balance its nature and provide additional medicinal properties.
According to traditional medicine, eating yogurt without a balancing ingredient alongside a meal may lead to the formation of what is described as “raw phlegm,” particularly in people considered to have a cold and phlegmatic temperament. Traditional sources also claim that eating yogurt with meals may contribute to white spots on the skin and increase the risk of certain psychological and bone-related problems in people with a cold temperament.
Yogurt is also rich in protein, and traditional dietary recommendations suggest that eating it at the same time as meat and other protein-rich foods may cause digestive problems. Therefore, it is traditionally recommended to eat yogurt about 30 minutes before a meal or one hour afterward.
Alternatively, you can eat yogurt after finishing your meal rather than consuming it together with the main dishes.
As mentioned above, yogurt is traditionally considered very cold, and eating it by itself is believed to cause symptoms associated with a cold temperament. This is considered especially problematic for people with a phlegmatic temperament. Traditional medicine therefore recommends consuming yogurt with ingredients believed to balance its nature.
Combining yogurt with these ingredients is traditionally believed not only to reduce its coldness but also to enhance its overall properties. Some of the most commonly recommended pairings include the following:
Ajwain is considered one of the best traditional balancing ingredients for yogurt because it has a very warm nature. Adding a small amount to yogurt is traditionally believed to reduce its coldness.
A saying attributed to Imam al-Sadiq states: “Whoever wants to avoid harm from eating yogurt should sprinkle some ajwain over it.” Ajwain is also traditionally considered a useful addition to doogh.
Nuts such as walnuts, pistachios, almonds, and hazelnuts are traditionally considered warming foods. Adding them to yogurt is believed to reduce its cold nature.
Nuts also turn yogurt into a nutritious and satisfying snack.
Raisins are traditionally considered warming and naturally sweet. If you want to enjoy yogurt as a healthy and flavorful snack, adding some raisins can be a good option.
Adding a small amount of honey, jam, or date or grape syrup is traditionally believed to make yogurt warmer while also giving it a sweeter and more enjoyable flavor.
Mint, pennyroyal, and mountain mint are three aromatic herbs commonly used with yogurt in traditional diets. They are considered warming herbs that help balance yogurt’s cold nature while adding a pleasant aroma and flavor.
You can simply add dried mint, pennyroyal, or mountain mint to yogurt before eating it. The combination of mint and yogurt is also traditionally recommended as part of diets intended to support weight loss.
Yogurt with dried rose petals is considered a simple way to balance its cold nature. If you enjoy the fragrance of rose, crush some dried rose petals and mix them into your yogurt.
If you are looking for a flavorful way to balance yogurt, shallot yogurt is a popular option. Shallot yogurt is made by combining yogurt with shallots. Shallots are traditionally considered warming, and adding them to yogurt is believed to create a more balanced combination.
Brewed saffron is another traditional addition to yogurt. It is considered warming and gives yogurt a distinctive aroma and flavor.
To prepare saffron yogurt, add a small amount of dissolved saffron along with a little sugar to yogurt and enjoy it as a dessert.
Ginger is traditionally considered one of the warmest spices and is commonly recommended for people with a cold temperament. Adding a small amount of ginger to yogurt is believed to reduce its cold nature.
If you want to turn yogurt into a dessert, you can add a small amount of rose water. This creates a fragrant and refreshing combination.
Thyme is traditionally considered a warming herb. Its pleasant aroma makes it another popular spice for balancing the nature of yogurt.
Black seed is traditionally considered warming. Adding a small amount to yogurt is believed to help counteract its cold nature.
Beetroot juice not only gives yogurt an attractive color but is also traditionally considered warming and is therefore believed to help balance yogurt’s cold nature.
The sourer the yogurt, the colder it is traditionally considered to be. Adding a small amount of sugar is therefore believed to make its nature more balanced.
According to traditional medicine, eating yogurt by itself may cause symptoms associated with a cold temperament and may be harmful to health over the long term. Traditional sources therefore advise some people to avoid consuming yogurt without a suitable balancing ingredient.
They associate consuming yogurt without such additions with issues including weakened bones, excessive sweating, allergies, reduced immune function, low energy, decreased sexual desire, bloating, and digestive problems.
It is also traditionally recommended to avoid combining yogurt with cucumber, fish, pickled foods, vinegar, and meat-based dishes in order to reduce these alleged effects. If you add cucumber to yogurt, traditional dietary advice recommends adding mint or pennyroyal as well.
