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Ayurveda: The Doshas
Ayurveda or Ayurvedic medicine is an ancient system of health care that is native to the Indian subcontinent. It is present in daily use by millions of people in India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. The word "Ayurveda" is a tatpurusha compound of the word āyus meaning "life", "life principle", or "long life" and the word veda, which refers to a system of "knowledge". Thus "Ayurveda" roughly translates as the "knowledge of life", "knowledge of a long life" or even "science of life".
According to Charaka Samhita, "life" itself is defined as the "combination of the body, sense organs, mind and soul, the factor responsible for preventing decay and death, which sustains the body over time, and guides the processes of rebirth". According to this perspective, Ayurveda is concerned with measures to protect "ayus", which includes healthy living along with therapeutic measures that relate to physical, mental, social and spiritual harmony. Ayurveda is also one among the few traditional systems of medicine to contain a sophisticated system of surgery (which is referred to as "salya-chikitsa").
What's your Dosha?
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Vata
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Pitta
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Kapha
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Height
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Very short, or tall and thin
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Medium
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Tall or short and sturdy
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Musculature
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Thin, prominent tendons
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Medium / firm
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Plentiful / solid
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Body Frame
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Light, narrow
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Medium frame
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Large / broad
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Weight
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Light, hard to gain
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Medium weight
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Heavy, gains easily
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Sweat
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Minimal
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Profuse, especially when hot
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Moderate
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Skin
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Dry, cold
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Soft, warm
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Moist, cool, possibly oily
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Complexion
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Darkist
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Fair, pink, red, freckles
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Pale, white
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Hair Amount
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Average Amount
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Early thinning and greying
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Plentiful
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Type of Hair
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Dry, thin, dark, coarse
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Fine, soft, red, fair
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Thick, lustrous, brown
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Size of Eyes
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Small, narrow or sunken
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Average
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Large, prominent
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Type of Eyes
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Dark brown or grey, dull
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Blue / grey / hazel, intense
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Blue, brown, attractive
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Teeth and Gums
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Protuding, receding gums
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Yellowish, gums bleed
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White teeth, strong gums
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Size of Teeth
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Small, large, irregular
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Average
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Large
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Physical Activity
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Moves quickly, active
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Moderate pace, average
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Slow pace, steady
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Endurance
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Low
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Good
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Very good
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Strength
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Poor
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Good
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Very good
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Temperature
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Dislikes cold, likes warmth
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Likes coolness
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Aversion to cold and damp
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Stools
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Tendency to constipation
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Tendency to loose stools
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Plentiful, slow elimination
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Lifestyle
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Variable, erratic
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Busy, tends to achieve a lot
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Steady, can skip meals
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Sleep
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Light, interrupted, fitful
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Sound, short
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Deep, likes plenty
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Emotional Tendency
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Fearful, anxious, insecure
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Fiery, angry, judgemental
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Greedy, possessive
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Mental Activity
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Restless, lots of ideas
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Sharp, precise, logical
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Calm, steady, stable
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Memory
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Good recent memory
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Sharp, generally good
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Good long term
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Reaction to Stress
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Excites very easily
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Quick temper
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Not easily irritated
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Work
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Creative
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Intellectual
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Caring
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Moods
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Change quickly
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Change slowly
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Generally steady
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Speech
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Fast
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Clear, sharp, precise
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Deep, slow
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Resting Pulse
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Women
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Above 80
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70-80
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Below 70
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Men
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Above 70
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60-70
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Below 60
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Total: Please add up
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Vata
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Pitta
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Kapha
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Read about your Dosha
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VATA
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Taste: astringent, bitter
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Emotions: fearful, anxious, apprehensive, sensitive, timid, lacking confidence, slightly nervous, changeable
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Systems most affected by excess vata: the nervous system and also the colon
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Symptons of excess vata: flatulence, back pain, problems with circulation, dry skin, outbreaks of arthritis, constipation, and nerve disorders
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PITTA
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Principle: transformation
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Emotions: hate, anger, resentment, intolerance, impatience, irritability, indignation, jealousy, good humous, intelligence, alertness, open warm-heartdness
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Systems most affected by excess pitta: skin, metabolism, small intestines, eyes, liver, hair on the head
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Symptons of excess pitta: skin disorders, acidity, sun-sensitivity, premature degrees of hair loss or loss of hair color, outbreaks of diarrhea
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KAPHA
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Elements: water and earts
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Emotions: stubbornness, greed, jealousy, posssessivess, lethargy, reliability and methodical behavior, kindliness, motherliness.
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Systems most affected by excess kapha: joints, lymphatics, body fluids and mucous membranes throughout the body
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Symptons of excess kapha: congestion, bronchial / nasal discharge, sluggish digestion, nausea, slow mental responses, idleness, desire to sleep, exces weight, fluid retention
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Dietary Tips
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Dietary tips for Vata: |
Dietary tips for Pitta: |
Dietary tips for Kapha: |
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Herbs and Spices: Almond essence, basil leaves, bay leaves, cardamon pods, coriander (cilantro), fennel, fresh ginger, marjoram, mint, nutmeg, oregano, paprika, parsley, peppermint, spearmint, tarragon, thyme, turmeric and vanilla.
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Herbs and Spices: Aloe vera juice (totally avoid during a pregnancy), basil leaves, cinnamon, coriander (cilantro), cumin, dill, fennel, fresh ginger, hijiki, mint leaves, spearmint.
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Herbs and Spices: Black or Indian pepper, chili pepper, coriander leaves (cilantro), dry ginger, garlic, horseradish, mint leaves, mustard, parsley or any other hot spices.
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Grains and Seeds: Oats (cooked), pumpkin seeds, quinoa, rice (all kinds and varieties), sesame seeds, sprouted wheat bread, sunflower seeds and wheat.
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Grains and Seeds: Barley, basmati rice, flax seeds, psyllium seeds, rice cakes, sunflower seeds, wheat, wheat bran, white rice.
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Grains and Seeds: Barley, buckwheat, corn, couscous, oat bran, polenta, popcorn (plain), rye, sprouted wheat bread, toasted pumpkin seeds and occasional small quantities of toasted sunflower seeds.
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Nuts: Almonds, brazil nuts, cashews, hazelnuts, macadamias, pecans, pine nuts, pistachios and walnuts.
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Beans (Proteins): Aduki beans, black beans, black-eyed beans, chick peas, garbanzo beans, kidney beans, lentils (red and brown), lima beans, mung beans, pinto beans, soya beans, split peas, tempeh and tofu.
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Beans (Proteins): Aduki beans, black-eyed beans, chick peas (garbanzons), lima beans, pinto beans, red lentils, split peas and tempeh.
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Meat and Fish: Beef, chicken, duck, eggs, sea fish, shrimps and turkey.
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Meat and Fish: Chicken, freshwater fish, rabbit, turkey.
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Meat and Fish: Eggs, freshwater fish, turkey, rabbit, shrimps and venison.
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Dairy Products: Cow's milk, cottage cheese, goat's milk, goat's cheese and soft cheese - all are to be taken sensibly, in moderation.
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Dairy Products: Cottage cheese, cow's milk, diluted yogurt, ghee (clarified butter), goat's milk, mild soft cheeses and unsalted butter may all be taken but with a reasonable degree of moderation.
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Dairy: Avoid dairy foods.
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Vegetables: Artichokes, beetroot, carrots, cucumber, daikon radish, green beans, leeks, okra, olives, onions (cooked), parsnips, pumpkins, radishes, spinach (cooked), rutabagas, sweet potatoes, tomatoes (cooked), and fresh watercress, zucchini.
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Vegetables: Artichokes, asparagus, broccoli, brussel sprouts, butternut squash, cabbages, celery, cucumber, fennel, green beans and green peppers, Jerusalem artichokes, kale, leefy greens, leeks, lettuces, mushrooms, onions (cooked), parnips, spinach (cooked), zucchini. Eat more vegetables raw instead of cooked.
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Vegetables: Artichokes, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbages, carrots, cauliflower, celery, daikon radish, fennel, green beans, kale, leeks, lettuce, mushrooms, okra, onions, peas, peppers, radishes, spinach. Kapha vegetables should be cooked.
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Fruits: Apricots, avocados, bananas, berries, cherries, fresh coconuts, dates, fresh figs, grapefruit, grapes, lemons, limes, mangoes, melons, oranges, peaches, pineapples, rhubarb and strawberries.
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Fruits: Apples, apricots, avocados, berries, cherries, dates, fresh figs, mangoes, pears, pineapples, plums, pomegranates, prunes, quinces, raisins, red grapes and watermelon. Always make sure that the fruits have fully ripened, and are very sweet and fresh.
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Fruits: Apples, apricots, berries, cherries, peaches, pears, pomegranates and prunes.
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Cooking Oils: Unrefined sesame oil.
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Cooking Oils: Olive oil, sunflower oil, soya and walnut oil. All oils should be taken in moderation.
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Cooking Oils: Corn, almond or sunflower oil may be used in small quantities.
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.Drinks: Apricot juice, carrot juice, ginger tea, grape juice, grapefruit juice, orange juice, hot dairy drinks, lemon balm tea, lemonade and peach juice.
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Drinks: Apple juice, apricot juice, dairy drinks, grape juice, mango juice, mixed vegetable juice, soya milk, vegetable bouillon, elderflower tea, jasmine tea, spearmint tea and strawberry tea.
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Drinks: Fruit drinks should not contain sugar or additives. Recommended hot drinks include black tea, nettle tea, passion flower tea, raspberry tea. Cold drinks include carrot juice, cranberry juice, grape juice, mango juice, and occasional wine.
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