A cup of tea is one of life’s simple pleasures. It’s also an easy way to keep the Vata dosha balanced. Next time you’re feeling the symptoms of Vata season or seeking a remedy for a Vata imbalance, try sipping a warming and nourishing Vata tea. Here's everything you need to know about brewing the perfect cup of Vata tea.
Ingredients in Vata Tea
When making a Vata balancing tea, it's important to select ingredients which have qualities opposite to Vata's cold, dry and mobile nature. Foods, herbs and spices that are Vata balancing are warm, heavy, dense, moist, oily, sweet, sour, and salty.
Vata Kitchen Herbs and Spices
The good news is that many of these ingredients can be found in your kitchen cupboards. Try experimenting with any of the herbs and spices below:- Ajwan
- Allspice
- Anise
- Basil
- Bay Leaf
- Black Pepper
- Caraway
- Cardamom
- Cinnamon
- Cloves
- Coriander
- Cumin
- Dill
- Fennel
- Ginger
- Hing (Asafoetida)
- Licorice
- Mace
- Marjoram
- Mint
- Nutmeg
- Oregano
- Paprika
- Parsley
- Peppermint
- Pippali
- Poppy Seeds
- Rosemary
- Saffron
- Salt
- Savory
- Sesame seeds
- Tarragon
- Thyme
- Turmeric
- Vanilla
Vata Medicinal Herbs
Many people also like to enhance the healing benefits of their tea by adding Ayurvedic medicinal herbs. Ashwagandha, for instance, is an adaptogenic herb that is particularly beneficial for Vata types as it calms the nervous system and helps focus the mind. Other herbs to consider include Bala, Calamus, Kapikacchu, Haritaki and Holy Basil. An Ayurvedic practitioner can help you find the best ones for your constitution.
Vata Sweeteners
The Vata dosha is pacified by sweet tastes, so consider adding the following Vata pacifying sweeteners to your tea:- Date Sugar
- Raw Honey (Note: Add after tea has cooled and never heat or boil)
- Jaggery or raw sugar
- Maple Syrup
- Molasses
- Rice Syrup
- Turbinado
Vata Milks
Dairy products and alternative milk products are generally quite balancing for Vata, especially when they are served warm. The following milks make excellent additions to a cup of Vata tea:- Almond milk
- Cashew milk
- Cow’s milk
- Goat’s milk
- Hemp milk
- Rice milk
- Soy milk
- Oat milk
Don’t forget about ghee! Ghee is particularly good for balancing Vata as it is sweet, heavy, soothing, and oily. Tip: Try using a frother to make the ghee in your tea extra creamy!
Vata Tea Recipes
Although you can experiment with the above herbs and spices to create your own Vata balancing tea, here are several examples of simple, tried and true tea recipes for the Vata dosha.
Ginger Tea
Fresh ginger root is a wonderful everyday tea to support the Vata type. It warms up the body and stimulates digestion. If you’re looking to incorporate additional Vata herbs and spices to, try this recipe:- 1/4 teaspoon ginger (freshly grated)
- 1/4 teaspoon cardamon (ground)
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon licorice
- 2 cups boiled water
Add boiled water to the herb and spice mixture. Steep the tea, covered, for five minutes. Strain and discard the herbs and spices.
CCF Tea
If you’re suffering from common Vata ailments of bloating, constipation and gas, you may want to sip on some CCF tea. CCF tea stands for cumin, coriander, and fennel, and is a popular Ayurveda remedy for digestion. Vata types can also add a teaspoon of ghee and salt to help lubricate and soothe the gut.- 1/4 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 1/4 teaspoon coriander seeds
- 1/4 teaspoon fennel seeds
- 2 cups boiled water
- Optional: Add teaspoon of ghee and salt, and/or other Vata balancing ingredients
Pour boiled water atop the ingredients. Let steep for 5 minutes, then strain.
Warming Spiced Milk
In Ayurveda, warm milk is a common remedy for anxiety and sleeplessness. If you’re having trouble relaxing, try making this nourishing and soothing tea:- 1 cup milk of choice (or 1/2 cup milk and 1/2 cup water)
- 1/8 teaspoon cardamom
- ⅛ teaspoon cinnamon
- 1-2 teaspoon ghee
- ½ teaspoon of honey
- Optional: Vata balancing ingredients, like saffron, nutmeg, ginger, turmeric and black pepper
Boil the milk and then pour atop all of the ingredients except honey. Mix and then let steep for 5 minutes. Add honey and enjoy.