The 5,000 year-old holistic art of healthy living known as Ayurveda literally means knowledge of life in Sanskrit. In essence, it teaches us how our lifestyle effects our health. Ayurveda suggests that specific moderating behaviors in conjunction with a healthy digestive system is directly responsible for our physical, mental, spiritual and emotional development.
Ayurvedic philosophy indicates that everything in the universe is made up of five elements combined under three energies, known as Doshas or body constitutions. The three doshas are Vata, Pitta and Kapha. The principle of balancing the body is done by first determining your Ayurvedic constitution or dosha type. After acquire this knowledge, we can begin to create balance for ourselves in our health and lifestyle.
Teas for Vata: Calming
Combinations of low caffeine teas mixed with warm spicy herbs are perfect for the typically dry and erratic Vata.
Tea suggestions:
- Green
- Oolong
- Tisane
Herb suggestions:
- Ginger
- Cinnamon
- Cloves
- Fennel
- Licorice
- Lemongrass
- Marshmallow
Teas for Pitta: Cooling
Adding cooling herbs, fruits and flowers to nearly any tea will help keep Pitta’s aggression at bay.
Tea suggestions:
- Black
- Green
- Oolong
- Pu’erh
- Tisane
Herb suggestions:
- Mint
- Hibiscus
- Jasmine
- Licorice
- Sweet berries
Teas for Kapha: Energizing
The often lethargic Kapha may need a little boost to awaken their energy and metbolism
Tea suggestions:
- Black
- Oolong
- Pu’erh
Herb suggestions:
- Chicory
- Ginger
- Ginseng
- Mint
- Sweet berries
- Yerba mate
Please feel free to add suggestion in the comments.
Thank you for this information. Both my husband and I have typical traits of our dosha. I am a Kapha, I have always felt refreshed using lemon scents and food with lemon or ginger. My husband is a Pitta, usually simmering and ready to boil. He recently started using peppermint essential oil. As a result he has been so calm, cheerful and less reactive under stress. Now I know why. It is ironic how our body will tell us what we need without formal knowledge of what is going on.