You may have experienced the miracle of Ayurveda or ayurvedic medicine at some point in your life. If not, you may have heard about Ayurveda at your yoga class or on your favourite wellness blog. The fact that something so natural can cure almost any type of malady without any side effects is nothing less than magic. But Ayurveda isn’t magic, its pure science.

What is Ayurveda?

In Sanskrit, Ayurveda means the science of life, and it is just that. Unlike modern science that focusses on treating a specific disease, it is a holistic form of health practices that honours the mind, body, and spirit. It incorporates diet, lifestyle, herbs, and yoga to truly heal from within.

Ayurveda was developed in ancient India, almost 5000 years ago to help people attain optimal health, energy, and balance in life. The classical Ayurvedic texts begin with accounts of the transmission of medical knowledge from the Gods to sages, who then taught them to human physicians. In Sushruta Samhita, Sushruta wrote that Dhanvantari, Hindu god of Ayurveda, incarnated as a king of Varanasi and taught medicine to a clan of physicians. 

The three Doshas in Ayurveda

Have you ever wondered why different people behave differently? Why are some people hyperactive and always energetic while some radiate grace and stillness? Why some people are inherently joyous and instantly light up the room they enter, while others tend to wear a permanent frown on their face? 

Ayurveda classifies personalities into three different categories or Doshas — Vatha, Pitha, and Kapha.

None of them have one particular dosha predominant in them. It is a blend of all three doshas, but one dosha dominates over the other two.

The Vatha type of personality can be best described as the wind. People with this type of personality are lean, wiry, very active and restless. Their mind tends to wander just like the wind and they cannot sit and concentrate for a long time on a particular thing. They are always agitated. This type of personality has very little sleep, eats poorly and does not have very good digestive capabilities.

The Pitha type of people are very fiery. Their anger shoots up at lightning speed. They tend to be very sociable and cheerful and draw people towards them. People belonging to this dosha cannot tolerate hunger at all and have a good digestive capacity.

The third type of dosha is Kapha. The Kapha type of person is very complacent. People belonging to this category are very calm and composed and make firm judgments. They are slow-paced and relaxed.

To discover your doshas, and to know more about your personality type, check out this quiz.

What is Ayurvedic tea?

Ayurvedic teas are traditional herbal teas served in Ayurvedic medicine. It is the key component of Ayurveda to help people attain health, wellness, and vitality. Ayurvedic tea is of three types — Vatha tea, Pitha tea, and Kapha tea. These teas are made of different herbs and elements and are supposed to detoxify and purify the body. These ayurvedic teas are known to provide a lot of health benefits and enhance health and endurance. 

The right kind of Ayurvedic tea can help in balancing the doshas in your body.

Top Ayurvedic Herbs to use in your tea

As discussed earlier, the three types of Ayurvedic tea are Vatha tea, Pitha tea, and Kapha tea. The basic method of preparing these herbal teas remain the same in all three cases, but the herbs used varies according to the type of tea being prepared.

Vatha tea must include herbs such as fennel, cloves, ginger, Cinnamon, Liquorice, stevia, etc.

Pitha tea must include elements such as Ginger, Cardamom, Fennel, Roses, Liquorice, Stevia.

Kapha tea must ideally include ingredients such as Cloves, Cinnamon, Liquorice, Ginger, Cardamom, Black Pepper.

Since our bodies often have more than one dosha, you can drink teas with multiple Ayurvedic ingredients. Apart from balancing the doshas, these Ayurvedic herbs have multiple other benefits as well. 

The health benefits of drinking ayurvedic tea are immense and range from aiding weight loss, curing indigestion, brightening the skin, detoxing the body and enhancing the quality of life.

Here are a few ways in which adding Ayurvedic herbs to your tea can help you.

1. Ayurvedic herbs for digestion

Are you suffering from indigestion, bloating, constipation or diarrhoea? Ayurveda states your pantry has the answer. A drink made with ghee, salt, and hot water can solve your constipation problems by lubricating the insides of your stomach and removing bacteria. Warm water with fennel seeds or ginger can help to bloat. Anything which increases saliva secretion in the mouth can help with acid reflux. Chewing Fennel seeds, holy basil or spices like clove will do the trick. 

If you suffer from digestive issues, then our Ayurvedic tea — Prakriti Veda is perfect for you.

Pure Ceylon green tea is blended with active Ayurvedic herbs that help in digestion after a meal. It has Star Anise and Fennel that stimulates digestion and provides relief from discomforts such as bloating and gastric issues. Not only this, but Black Pepper in this tea also boosts healthy bacteria in the gut while Ginger stimulates overall digestion.

2. Ayurvedic herbs for weight loss

Ayurveda has a solution for almost anything. It’s not surprising that ayurvedic herbs can treat obesity and aid in weight loss. Ginger tea with clove and liquorice is one of the best teas for weight loss. Lemongrass, Basil, Star Anise, are also known for their ability to help in weight loss.

To prepare Ayurvedic tea for weight loss, add a small piece of ginger, a tiny stick of liquorice and three to four pieces of clove to 250 ml of boiling water. Let it brew for 10 minutes before straining it. Sip your way to weight loss.

3. Ayurvedic herbs for skin

If you were brought up in an Indian household, you probably know that turmeric is your skin’s best friend. It is an antioxidant and has purifying properties.

Cumin, fenugreek, black pepper, and turmeric are known to purify the blood and dissolve excess fat from the tissue. In Ayurveda, some of the brightening herbs are known as Varnya herbs. We've shared a simple recipe to make your own Ayurvedic Turmeric Tea in the later section of the article.

4. Ayurvedic tea for Immunity

If you fall ill often, its a signal that your body’s immune system is weak. Kadha is an ayurvedic immune-boosting drink. It is an ayurvedic drink which includes a variety of herbs and spices boiled in water for a stretch of time so that all benefits can be deduced. Kadha is known to fight allergies and improve the immune system. Once made, you can cherish the Hadha multiple times a day.

This Ayurvedic tea is prepared by using Cardamom, Cinnamon, Ginger, and Black Pepper. Cardamom and Black Pepper help to cure the flu and various allergic problems. Ginger and Cinnamon also aid digestion, which directly impacts the immune system.

5. Ayurvedic tea for Body Detox

Cumin, fennel, star anise, lemongrass, and coriander have powerful detoxifying properties and are extremely beneficial for the liver. Ayurvedic tea prepared using this recipe is known to detoxify the body and provide a cooling effect. It is beneficial for all the three doshas but is highly recommended for those with Pitha dosha. This herbal tea is also great for digestion and is best consumed at night before bedtime.

Add a quarter teaspoon of dry roasted fennel seeds, cumin seeds and coriander seeds to hot boiling water and leave it to brew for ten minutes. Strain the tea and enjoy it. You can add a few drops of honey to enhance the taste.

If you're looking for an Ayurvedic detox tea, we recommend our Ahimsa Veda tea from our 'healing range'. This green tea infusion with Ayurvedic ingredients like Star Anise, Lemongrass and Lemon Balm fights the free radicals that age your body. It also works to inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria and viruses in your body.

6. Ayurvedic tea for mental health

Medhya is an ayurvedic thought that implies mind and wisdom. There are numerous ways to improve your Medhya. Ayurvedic tea is one of them. Some of the elements present in ayurvedic tea also act as a memory-booster. Herbs such as Fennel, Coriander, and Licorice are known to improve mental health, act as an effective stress-buster and provide peace. Shankhapushpi, Bacopa, and Brahmi or Gotu Kola are some of the other herbs that improve memory and concentration.

If you're looking for an Ayurvedic tea to relax your mind, then give our Ananda Veda green tea infusion a try. With mint leaves, lavender, lime flower, and rosehip it unlocks your inner Yogi by calming down your mind and body.

On the other hand, if you are looking for Ayurvedic tea to give you a boost of energy and make your mind alert, then our Shakti Veda tea will be perfect for you. Linden and Ginseng present in this delicate green tea infusion reduce your anxiety while giving you a mental boost that will help you think clearly throughout the entire day.

Other DIY Ayurvedic tea recipes

If you want to try making your own Ayurvedic tea, then you will love these Ayurvedic herbal tea recipes.

1. Turmeric tea recipe

Turmeric is one of the most popular Ayurvedic ingredient known for its anti-oxidant and purifying properties. Ayurvedic tea made with turmeric and ginger flushes out toxins from the body. It is also highly beneficial for the skin.

To make this, add water to a kettle and bring it to boil. To this, add ginger, turmeric, and cinnamon and let it simmer for a few minutes. Turn off the heat and add lemon juice and honey to it. You can sip this tea when it’s hot or serve it chilled by adding ice cubes.

2. Fenugreek tea recipe

Fenugreek seeds are slightly bitter in taste but they are loaded with antioxidants anti-inflammatory properties. In Ayurveda, it is used for pacifying Kapha, enhancing digestion and preventing stomach disorders. It is also good for the skin and hair.

Heat up a pot of water and allow the water to boil. To this, add tea leaves and fenugreek seeds. Let it brew for about 10 minutes before straining the tea into a cup. You can sweeten the tea with sugar or honey. 

3. Pitha tea recipe

According to the science of Ayurveda, Pitha balancing is required for good digestion, metabolism, and energy production. To make this Pitha pacifying tea, you will need a quarter teaspoon of cumin seeds, coriander, fennel, and cilantro. Mix all these ingredients together and add them to boiling water. Let it simmer for a few minutes before straining it into a cup. Sip your way to a healthy life!

4. Herbal laxative tea recipe

Ayurvedic tea with senna and coriander is considered to be a herbal laxative that helps in relieving constipation without any side effects. It is suggested for all doshas and seasons. It is recommended to consume this ayurvedic tea at night before bed.

Add two teaspoons of freshly ground senna and two teaspoons of coriander seeds to a kettle with boiling water. Let it brew for ten minutes before straining it and add a few drops of honey. Drink this herbal tea at night for a relieved morning stomach.

5. Holy basil tea

Tulsi or basil is popular in India and is used to cure a cold and a sore throat. It is also good for digestion and regular consumption can prevent acidity. Just boil water in a pot. To this, add a few basil leaves. Allow it to brew for a few minutes. You can even add ginger and lemon to this to enhance its taste and benefits. Sip it throughout the day to treat the common cold.

6. Triphala Water

Triphala is traditional herbal medicine. It is a mix of three dried elements-the Indian gooseberries, black myrobalan, and Haritaki. Triphala is considered as a polyherbal medicine due to its numerous health benefits. Just add one teaspoon of Triphala Churna to a glass of warm water. Let it steep for ten minutes. That’s it, such a simple recipe. Triphala infused water helps to cure digestive problems and promote longevity.

Conclusion

Ayurvedic tea is nothing but a concoction of certain Ayurvedic herbs that are beneficial for you. At teakruthi, we have a range of teas inspired by Ayurveda and each of these teas have a unique combination of Ayurvedic herbs that yield the tea its unique flavour and benefits. To give you a boost of energy, we have Shakti Veda, for helping you detox we have Ahimsa Veda, for helping you with digestion we have Prakriti Veda, and for complete mental relaxation we have Ananda Veda. All of these teas are an infusion of green tea with Ayurvedic herbs.

If you'd like to make your own Ayurvedic tea, we've shared some Ayurvedic tea recipes in this article to help you out with the same.

References

1. Ayurvedic research and methodology: Present status and future strategies — http://www.ayujournal.org/article.asp?issn=0974-8520;year=2015;volume=36;issue=4;spage=364;epage=369;aulast=Chauhan
2. Trends in ageing and skincare - Ayurvedic Concepts — https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3151377/
3. Exploring Ayurvedic knowledge on food and health for providing innovative solutions to contemporary healthcare — https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4815005/
4. Dosha brain-types: A neural model of individual differences — https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4719489/

About the author

Shreya Dalela

Contributing author

Shreya loves to research and write about tea and claims Mythical Green Pure Ceylon Green Tea to be her favorite go-to beverage. She swears that her daily cup of green tea gives her a dose of morning inspiration as she sits down to type 1000s of words every day. To unwind at the end of the day, she reaches for a cup of soothing Ananda Veda Green Tea infusion. You can often find her saying 'Everything is better with a cup of tea' :)

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