My morning begins with a 16 oz mug of hot tea. The kind of tea I make depends on my mood, the weather, and how my body is feeling that day. Teas can be used to boost your energy, aid in digestion, and help with sleep.
Tea contains antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-viral properties and helps to restore hormonal balance. Drinking tea is a great way to reap the benefits of the herbs and spices and also to promote healthy digestion by igniting our digestive fire known as agni. The warmth and moisture hot tea delivers has an immediately soothing effect on the physical, mental, and emotional bodies.
Drinking tea is a meditative experience that spans many countries and cultures. While the flavor of the tea and its preparation might vary, the act of drinking it is grounding, soothing, and, when done in the presence of others, bonding.
Drink tea that is organic and not made in China.
Drinking your tea hot rather than cold helps you to get the maximum benefits from the tea. If you’re Vata dosha or Kapha dosha, you can start your day off with a warm, nourishing drink and end your day with a cup of grounding herbal tea before bedtime. If you’re Pitta dosha, you have the option of drinking your tea of choice at room temperature. Take this dosha quiz to find out your dosha.
It is recommended that we drink 3 cups of tea per day. While this might sound like a lot, teas can be less expensive than coffee. Tea also contains less caffeine than coffee. A cup of coffee can have 10 times as much caffeine compared to a cup of tea.
Carrier Substances
Ayurveda considers milk (either dairy or non-dairy), honey, aloe vera juice, and warm water to be an anupan, or carrier substance. An anupan serves to bring herbs deeper into the tissues and cells. These anupan affect the doshas differently.
- Milk (dairy/non-dairy) adds a heavy, nourishing quality that balances Vata and Pitta doshas.
- Honey has an energizing, balancing effect on Kapha dosha.
- Warm water has a balancing, lubricating effect that is generally a great choice for all doshas.
- Aloe vera juice has a tridoshic, rejuvenating effect that is beneficial for all doshas.
Ayurvedic Tea
Ayurveda teaches that drinking herbal teas on a regular basis is one of the most beneficial way of taking herbs.
Ayurvedic teas are prepared to achieve a specific effect in the body, such as to induce sleepiness, boost the immune system, or strengthen digestion. Ayurvedic teas balance at least one of the doshas (Vata, Pitta, and Kapha) through the use of herbs.
Try this tridoshic CCF Tea to balance all three of your doshas and to promote healthy digestion and gentle detoxification. This is a delicious tea to sip throughout the day. But because coriander is a diuretic and might keep you up, don’t drink too much of this tea in the evening and at night.
CCF Tea
- 1 tbsp coriander seeds
- 1 tbsp cumin seeds
- 1 tbsp fennel seeds
- 1 pint water
Combine ingredients and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and let the tea simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat, strain, and serve. For a stronger brew, boil the tea for 10 minutes.
Feel free to add a spoonful of honey on occasion, especially for balancing Vata and Kapha doshas. If balancing Pitta is your main focus, try adding a squeeze of fresh lime to cool things down.
Create Your Own Dosha-Balancing Tea
Herbal teas are made from plants, flowers, spices, and herbs. Here are some of the benefits herbal teas.
- Rosehip tea: Good to balance female hormones, reduce symptoms of premenstrual syndrome, maintain youthful skin, and to reduce inflammation. Packed with Vitamin C.
- Hibiscus tea: A North African tea that balances blood glucose levels. Also packed with Vitamin C.
- Dandelion tea: Roasted dandelion tea is similar to coffee in taste and is especially beneficial for liver detoxification.
- Licorice tea: Helps to heal the gut lining.
- Peppermint tea: A great digestive aid for people who tend to run hot, helps with irritable bowel syndrome.
- Ginger & turmeric tea: Helps to reduce inflammation, manage cravings, and boost immunity. A great digestive aid for people who tend to run cold.
- Brahmi tea: Calms the mind and promotes deep relaxation and restful sleep.
- Tulsi tea: Energizing, uplifting, and a great booster for the immune system, especially for those with respiratory issues.
I hope you’re now ready to brew a warm, nourishing cup of herbal love.
Therapy in Ayurveda is based on an understanding of the underlying concepts of energetics inherent in the world. It is based on the five elements of nature – earth, water, fire, air, and space – that combine to form three unique doshas, or mind-body-spirit constitutions. The three doshas are Vata, Pitta, and Kapha.
All of us have Vata, Pitta, and Kapha, but it’s important to find out which dosha is primary, secondary, and tertiary and in what ratios we have these doshas so that we can correct imbalances in the most efficient way. Take this dosha quiz to find out your dosha.
Once you know what your primary dosha is, you can use Ayurveda to improve your health and your life. For customized plans to balance your doshas, contact me.