Guide to Ayurvedic Tea

Teas in Ayurveda are as old as the Ayurveda itself making it one of the founding principles of Ayurvedic Medicine and part of the recommended daily ritual. These teas are made of different herbs and elements and are supposed to detoxify and purify the body. Ayurvedic tea is almost always a blend of different ingredients, each having its own properties and working together to offer relaxation, enhanced immunity, detoxication, etc. These “teas” may or may not contain actual tea leaves, and generally reference a combination of herbs that are brewed over hot water and then sipped for their medicinal properties. Interestingly, Ayurveda doesn’t promote one herb for one problem. Instead, it uses a more personalized approach to decide which herb would have the most benefits for one person.

Benefits of Ayurvedic teas are enormous and include a whole range of benefits, including enhancing energy, promoting emotional well-being, aiding digestion, cleansing the body and calming your nerves. Teas can be customized to treat a particular issue, e.g. high blood pressure with a blend of ashwagandha and cardamon, or are used in the daily health and wellness routine. Generally, ayurvedic herbal teas are caffeine free which make them a great addition to pregnancy and postpartum journey.

Here is an overview of the most commonly used Ayurvedic Teas:

• Ayurvedic teas for Immunity – 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. 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.
• Ayurvedic teas 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 Pitta (Fire and Water) dosha. This herbal tea is also great for digestion and is best consumed at night before bedtime. As a primary Pitta dosha, a tea with fennel and cumin is part of my daily digestive routine. Here is a recipe I used often – 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.
• Ayurvedic teas for pregnancy – Fennel and Ginger are key ingredients during pregnancy helping manage both nausea and aiding digestion. If you find yourself running hot with sweats, add a few mint leaves for its cooling properties. It is best to keep the teas diluted during pregnancy and sipping them throughout the day. I personally found a brew of a ginger slice and fennel over warm water especially soothing post meals.