Keep cool this Summer with these Pitta Pacifying Tea Recipes

I LOVE summer and the warmth it brings ( makes my vata very happy), but whew, some of these days the heat is more than I can manage. I have a significant amount of pitta in my constitution, and when heat meets heat, its on!

Theres a general understanding in Ayurveda that like increases like and that opposites cure. Meaning that we treat the dosha involved with herbs and therapies of an opposite nature to its quality. It’s important to remember especially in the Summer ( pitta season) to keep pitta which mainly consists of the element of fire and is primarily hot in attribute to therefore treat pitta with cooling therapies and calming therapies.

What are signs of Pitta imbalances: excessive sweating and b.o., sweaty palms, red skin irritations, fever, hyperacidity, anger, critical of oneself and others, irritable, etc. 

Knowledge of our doshas and individual constitution ( Ayurvedic Medicine) is key to preventative health and optimal living. When we understand ourselves to the root of our psychological and physiological being, we have a deeper understanding of what dis-eases we may be prone to, and how to treat it when we find ourselves out of balance. And of course most importantly what to do to stay in balance.

So in honor of this hot summer, I thought it would be nice to offer a couple recipes for you to enjoy!

To counterbalance Pitta dosha which naturally increases during the summer, we want to treat with the sweet, astringent and bitter taste. All of which is cooling in nature. Ayurveda approaches herbs and food through a science of energetics and therefore certain tastes will increase or decrease the doshas. The teas below aid in reducing pitta and staying in balance.

 

 Tea Recipe to Balance Pitta:

Adrenal Tonic/Pitta Reducing Tea created by fellow Ayurvedic Practitioner and Herbalist Isabel Castro  

***Pitta type of people love to work and have a tendency to burn out! Try this yummy tea which I recommend to many of my clients, which they all seem to love, myself included to replenish the adrenals and calm the mind.     

*4 part oatstraw

*2 part nettle

*1 part spearmint

***Directions: Add 2 rounded teaspoons to 2 cups hot water. Cover and steep overnight. Strain and enjoy 1 cup in the morning, and one cup in the afternoon away from meals.

 

Mineral rich tea/Pitta reducing ( another version very similar to the tea above and just as yummy) * also great for nourishing the adrenals

*4 parts nettle

*2 parts oatstraw

*1 part spearmint

*1 part rose

***Directions: Add 2 rounded teaspoons to 2 cups hot water. Cover and steep overnight or for 20 minutes and serve warm. ***I like to add almond milk and succant to the tea and drink it as a replacement for chai in the summer.

 

Basic Rose Tea

***Considered sattvic and pure, cools the mind, and opens the heart.

*1 heaping teaspoon of roses

***Directions: Add 1 rounded tsp to 1 cup of water. Cover and steep overnight. Strain and enjoy your cup of tea at room temperature.

 

Rose Yogurt Lassie Recipe with the Rose Water Tea

***Yummy one of my favorites. 

*1 cup of rose water tea

*1/4th cup of plain yogurt

*a pinch of cardamom or two

*agave or maple syrup for added sweetness:)

***Directions: Add all ingredients to a blender and mis. Voila! Yumminess!

 

Enjoy your summer! Stay cool!

Jenny

 

 

 

 

 

Nett