Functional Herb Spotlights

All About Ayurvedic Teas

Ayurvedic medicine is a traditional, holistic form of medicine that originated in India and has been used for thousands of years. The name for the practice itself does a great job at explaining just what ayurvedic medicine values - translating to “the science of life” - and working towards the balancing of the body, mind, and spirit for well-rounded wellness. Under Ayurvedic medicine, there are five elements: air, fire, water, earth, and space, which are present in the body as three different doshas or energies. The goal of Ayurvedic medicine is to create a balance between these three different doshas, using a variety of different healing herbs herbs and spices, as well as mind-body practices like yoga and meditation. Because tea provides such a great dose of herbs and spices to your system, it's natural that a soothing cup of tea can help to relax you while helping balance your doshas, depending on how you might be feeling.

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Vata

Those who are vata dominant will tend to be thin, active, and more energetic than those dominant in the other doshas. In terms of body systems, vatas tend to have drier skin and more sensitive sleep and digestive symptoms, often being more sensitive to cold. Emotionally, those who are vata dominant are creative and enjoy new experiences and connecting with others. They tend to be very perceptive and adapt well to different situations, however, during the fall season or during times of excessive stress, those with the vata dosha may find themselves feeling unbalanced.

When the vata dosha is out of balance, you’ll experience symptoms like increased restlessness and feeling extremely ungrounded. You may begin to experience anxiety, as well as symptoms like trouble sleeping and digestive issues.  Practicing self-care to help calm your body such as meditation and yoga can be helpful. Working to warm the body by nourishing your body with warm soups and stews, spending time feeling the sun on your skin, and working to regulate your sleep schedule by heading to bed earlier can be helpful in balancing the vata dosha.

Best Teas for Treating Excessive Vata

Turmeric: Because it’s anti-inflammatory and can help to boost your immune system and soothe your digestion, turmeric tea is a great tea to support your wellness, especially when you’re vata dominant. For excessive comfort, use Stash Tea's Golden Turmeric Chai to try a soothing turmeric ginger tea recipe designed to fully focus on supporting your immune system.

Ashwagandha: A root herb that is often taken in powder form, you can also get the same medicinal benefits of ashwagandha from an ashwagandha root tea. The benefit of this for someone who is vata dominant is the balancing properties that support your body through stress and adrenal fatigue while providing a calming effect. Try The Healer by The Witchwood Teahouse.

Ginger: Soothing for digestive issues, ginger is a warming spice, meaning that it is helpful for those who are dominated by the cooler vata dosha.  It can also help to relieve inflammation, which is helpful when you’re feeling stressed and to further calm digestive issues. This Ginger Sensation tea by Sabroso Chai can be a particularly comforting sip.

Cinnamon: Like ginger, cinnamon is another warming spice that is beneficial for those who are vata dominant. Cinnamon tea can also help to calm digestion, and is typically used alongside ginger for this reason. The spice itself is also great for pairing with a number of ayurvedic herbs to increase their bioavailability. 

Tulsi: Also known as holy basil, tulsi tea is often used in herbal medicine, and is equal parts warming and calming.  Like the other teas for this dosha, it’s supportive for your digestive system and can help ward off symptoms of anxiety. Aesthete Tea's Holy Basil tea combines three organic adaptogenic tulsi herbs for a truly uplifting brew.

Licorice Root: Extremely hydrating for those who are vata dominant, licorice root is a naturally sweet tea. It’s an extremely balancing tea and can help to calm the mind. Try out JOYÀ's powerhouse Zing blend for a tea that does it all.

Valerian: Often used to support good sleep, valerian root tea is a great choice if you’re suffering from excessive anxiety that it keeping you up at night. In addition to be calming, it can also help ease restlessness, headaches, and digestive issues. DAVIDsTEA Organic Mother's Little Helper combines organic valerian root and peppermint for a refreshing brew.

Tip: When balancing your vata dosha, try to avoid teas that contain caffeine as they can lead to feelings of excessive anxiety.

Pitta

The pitta dosha is known as the fiery dosha. People who are predominant in this dosha tending to feel warm more easily, have good digestion, and typically are of medium build. Pitta types are likely to be very focused, have lofty goals, and be quite competitive. When pitta types are out of balance, they tend to be angry and frustrated, experiencing physical symptoms like heartburn, feeling overheated, skin issues, and indigestion. Pitta types also tend to be perfectionists, which can lead to frustration when a pitta is out of balance.

The goal of bringing pitta back into balance is focusing on cooling the body, through choosing cooling foods and environments, maintaining a schedule, making time for nature and relaxation, and opting for cooling essential oils like peppermint.  Pittas tend to do well with, raw foods like avocados, greens, and fruits. When pitta is out of balance, it is suggested to avoid warm foods, spicy foods, and warm drinks, especially during the warmer months of the year. Cooling seasonings that aren’t spicy are great for pittas to use to add extra flavor and nourishment to food such as cilantro, cardamon, fennel, and coriander.

Best Teas for Treating Excessive Pitta

Chamomile: Because it helps to support digestion and boost the immune system, chamomile tea can be soothing when you’re feeling overwhelmed by excessive pitta, plus it acts as a gentle sedative, which can be helpful when you’re feeling frustrated and overwhelming. Practice tranquility with Steep Echo's Repose.

Rose: A soothing floral, rose infused tea is great for the pitta dosha because it’s cooling and can help to provide comfort to an upset digestive system. It also helps to settle and balance your emotions. For a cool, refreshing drink try this berry rose hip iced tea with Tea Head's Raspberry Rose Oolong.

Mint: An obviously cooling tea, mint tea is super refreshing for the pitta dosha. In addition to being balancing, it can help to calm indigestion and heartburn. We recommend making this deep detox iced tea with Ahmad Tea's Mint Mystique, as it's extra hydrating and cooling thanks to the addition of mint tea and cucumber.

Dandelion: Often known for being detoxifying, dandelion tea is great for excessive pitta because it can help to remove excess heat from the liver and blood. In pitta types, it can also help to be balancing and soothing. Dandelion & Elderflower by Trankebar Teas combines the mild sweetness of elderflower and strawberry with the mellow bitterness of dandelion to create a delicious calming tea.

Fennel: Fennel is known to help “soothe the digestive fire” in ayurvedic medicine, making it an awesome choice for pitta doshas.  It’s also refreshing and can be especially helpful for digestion when sipped after eating, like this Digestive Herbal tea by The Tea Heaven.

Lemon Balm: Because it’s a member of the mint family, lemon balm is another tea that is especially calming and cooling for pitta doshas. It works excellent iced, or even as part of a tea popsicle! For the true lemon lover, brew Urbal Tea's Simply Lemon.

Tip: Enjoy these teas cool or at room temperature to help better reduce excess heat in the body.

Kapha

The kapha dosha blends the earth and water elements, with these types tending to have larger frames and strong immune systems and age well. Kapha types tend to be very loyal, compassionate, and nurturing. When the kapha dosha is out of balance, they may feel down and tired. Kapha types can help stay in balance by choosing invigorating exercise, taking time to declutter, and trying new things.  Kapha types can have slow digestive systems, making it important to opt for foods that are light and easy to digest, like cooked vegetables, beans, nuts, and seeds. Dry brushing and self-massage can also help to invigorate the body, while uplifting and stimulating scents like cloves, cinnamon, and eucalyptus help to provide more energy.  Energizing breathwork like the bellow’s breath and alternate nostril breathing can also prove helpful.

Best Teas for Treating Excessive Kapha

Marshmallow Root: Particularly soothing in tea, marshmallow root is typically used in ayurvedic medicine for treating excess kapha. It helps to reduce inflammation, boosting your immune system and even helping with allergies. Urbal Tea's Winter Wellness can boost the immune system and help keep you strong and healthy during every season.

Dandelion: Because kapha types can tend to feel run-down and tired, dandelion is an awesome tea to help keep the immune system supported during this time. When combined with stinging nettle tea, like in this lioness blend, you’ll get an extra boost to your immune system, helping you to further take on your day. For a fruiter taste, try this Cranberry Dandelion Detox by DAVIDsTEA.

Blue Vervain: Made from the leaves and flowers of the blue vervain plant, blue vervain tea is traditionally used in herbal medicine. For kapha types, it can be helpful for cleansing both the body and the respiratory system, while also having a relaxing effect.

Anise: Creating a sweet, flavorful tea, anise is suggested for kapha types as it is balancing, helping to gently heat the body while helping with cleansing, detoxifying, and boosting digestion. This Hibiscus Star Herbal Infusion is an exotic herbal blend perfect for evenings of relaxation.

Saffron: Although saffron can be balancing for all doshas, it’s especially helpful for the kasha dosha because it can be invigorating for the mind, while also helping to cool the blood, helping you to feel more energized. Tahmina's Saffron Sencha blends steamed China green tea with ginger root, lemongrass, peppermint, and saffron.

Fenugreek: With a nutty, sweet taste, fenugreek tea is a go-to for balancing the kapha dosha. It’s gently warming and can help to increase your appetite, while helping to improve energy and leave you feeling grounded. DAVIDsTEA's Bee the Change is a naturally sweet and soothing herbal blend with fenugreek seeds that's perfect hot or iced.

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    Deep Breath

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    Deep Breath
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    Nelson's Tea

    Lemon Ginger Mint

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    Lemon Ginger Mint
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About Sips by: We’re a female-founded and led startup that makes discovering tea fun, personalized, and affordable. The Sips by Box is the only multi-brand, personalized tea subscription box. Each month, we match tea drinkers across the U.S. with delicious teas from over 150 global tea brands that we’re sure they’ll love. Based out of Austin, Texas, we are adept at savoring a hot mug even when it’s seasonally inappropriate.