Morning Ritual: According to Ayurveda, creating a daily habit that sets a pleasant tone for the day is beneficial. Beginning your day with a warm cup of herbal tea may be a grounding and comforting practice. It can assist to stimulate the senses, hydrate the body, and aid in moderate cleansing.
Tea is an essential aspect of the Ayurvedic lifestyle and is frequently used as a medicinal beverage due to its numerous health advantages. Different varieties of herbal teas are prescribed in Ayurveda based on a person’s dosha (Vata, Pitta, or Kapha) and specific health issues.
Here’s how tea fits into the Ayurvedic way of life:
Ayurvedic teas, also known as infusions or decoctions, are produced from a range of therapeutic herbs, spices, and botanicals. These teas are said to have special medicinal characteristics and can be drunk for a variety of reasons, including helping digestion, lowering inflammation, boosting immunity, inducing relaxation, and aiding detoxification.
- Digestive Teas: According to Ayurveda, digestion is very important for general health. Digestive Ayurveda teas are frequently used to improve digestion and alleviate digestive pain. Herbs such as ginger, fennel, cumin, coriander, and mint are commonly used in these teas to activate digestive fire (agni), relieve bloating, and aid in nutrient absorption.
- Detoxifying Teas: In Ayurveda, herbal teas are used in detoxification practices to remove toxins and promote the body’s natural cleansing processes. Herbs such as dandelion, burdock root, licorice, and cilantro may be included in ayurvedic detox teas and assist improve detoxification, liver health, and general cleansing.
- Relaxing and Calming Teas: Ayurveda emphasizes the need for stress management and relaxation. Calming herbal teas such as chamomile, lavender, holy basil (tulsi), and rose are popular.
Ayurvedic tea blends are carefully constructed mixes of herbs and spices that are designed to address specific health conditions or imbalances. To give comprehensive support for general well-being, these blends may contain a range of substances such as adaptogenic herbs, Ayurvedic superfoods, and medicinal spices.
Ayurvedic tea is made by steeping medicinal herbs, spices, and botanicals in order to extract their therapeutic effects.
Here’s how to make Ayurvedic tea from scratch:
- Collect the Ingredients: Select herbs, spices, and botanicals that correspond to your dosha or specific health needs. Ginger, turmeric, cinnamon, cardamom, fennel seeds, coriander seeds, holy basil (tulsi), licorice root, and chamomile are all common Ayurvedic tea ingredients.
- Measure the Ingredients: Crush or ground the herbs and spices into tiny bits using a mortar and pestle or a grinder. Measure out the appropriate amounts based on your taste preferences and the intensity of the substances. For a single cup of tea, start with 1 teaspoon of each item.
- Bring Filtered Water to a Boil: Bring filtered water to a boil in a saucepan. The amount of water needed will be determined by how many cups of tea you wish to make. Use 1 cup of water per serving as a general rule.
- Once the water has reached a full boil, add the crushed or ground herbs and spices to the pot. Stir thoroughly to achieve equitable distribution.
- Simmer and steep: Reduce the heat to low and leave the ayurvedic tea to steep for 5 to 10 minutes. The flavors and medicinal benefits of the ingredients seep into the water throughout the simmering process. If you like a stronger tea, simmer for a longer period of time.
- Remove the pot from the heat once it has finished simmering. To separate the liquid from the herbal residue, strain the tea using a fine-mesh sieve or a tea strainer. Fill your cup or mug halfway with tea.
- Optional Enhancements: To improve the flavor and benefits of your Ayurvedic tea, try adding a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, a teaspoon of raw honey, or a splash of coconut milk. These ingredients can also help balance the doshas and enhance the flavor of the tea.
Sip the warm Ayurvedic tea gently, savoring the flavors and absorbing the healing properties. To truly appreciate the relaxing benefits of the tea, sit in a calm and serene setting.
- Digestive Support: Ayurveda places a high value on digestion, viewing it as the cornerstone of general health. Herbal ayurveda teas having digestive qualities, such as ginger, fennel, cumin, and coriander, can be eaten before or after meals to increase digestive fire (Agni), help in nutrient absorption, and relieve digestive pain.
- Stress Reduction and Relaxation: An Ayurvedic lifestyle encourages stress management and achieving balance in everyday life. Calming herbal teas like chamomile, lavender, and holy basil (tulsi) can be consumed in the evening to encourage relaxation, promote peaceful sleep, and decrease tension and anxiety.
Ayurveda suggests a number of herbs, spices, and botanicals for usage as ingredients in Ayurvedic teas. The components you use are determined by your unique needs, dosha, and health issues.
Here are some typical and useful Ayurvedic tea ingredients:
- Ginger (Adrak): Ginger is a warming herb that promotes good circulation and balances the Vata and Kapha doshas. Its spicy and stimulating flavor can be added to teas.
- Turmeric (Haldi): Turmeric is well-known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. It aids digestion, increases immunity, and aids in the balance of the three doshas. The combination of turmeric and black pepper improves absorption.
- Cinnamon (Dalchini): Cinnamon is a warming spice that aids with blood sugar control, digestion, and circulation. It tastes sweet and fragrant.
- Tulsi (Holy Basil): Tulsi is a sacred herb recognized for its adaptogenic capabilities. It relieves stress, strengthens the immune system, and balances the three doshas. Tulsi tea has a pleasant and refreshing flavor.
- Mulethi (Licorice Root): Licorice root is commonly utilized for its sweet flavor and relaxing effects. It is beneficial to respiratory health, relaxes the throat, and balances the Vata and Pitta doshas. It should be noted that excessive intake should be avoided, particularly by people with high blood pressure.
- Fennel Seeds (Saunf): Fennel seeds in ayurvedic tea promote digestion, relieve bloating, and improve breath freshness. They taste sweet and slightly licorice-like. After meals, fennel tea is widely drank.
- Cardamom (Elaichi): A fragrant spice that aids digestion, freshens the breath and balances the three doshas. It gives teas a lovely and fragrant flavor.
- Coriander Seeds (Dhania): Coriander seeds have a cooling effect and aid digestion. They have a somewhat sweet and lemony flavor and help balance Pitta dosha.
- Chamomile: Chamomile is a relaxing plant that helps with relaxation, stress reduction, and sleep. It has a light flowery flavor and is typically taken in the evening.
- Peppermint: Peppermint is a cooling and pleasant herb. It aids digestion, relaxes the stomach, and gives teas a minty flavor.
Herbal infusions or decoctions are Ayurvedic tea as a herbal drink made by steeping medicinal herbs, spices, and botanicals in hot water. These infusions are specifically designed to correct specific imbalances while also promoting general wellness. They may be consumed throughout the day and provide a natural manner to assist a variety of biological processes.