Ayurveda and Digestive Teas: Herbal Infusions for Better Digestion

Digestive teas made from dipanas are one way to incorporate herbs into your daily routine.

Ayurveda (a traditional Indian medicine) emphasizes the importance of proper digestion in maintaining all of our body systems. Thus, sipping a digestive tea, or “dipanas,” (herbs which formulate a digestive tea) to support digestion is a fundamental aspect of Ayurvedic dietary recommendations.

The use of digestive herbs, or “dipanas,” to support digestive fire can be especially helpful in helping your body nutrients effectively digest, metabolize absorb, reduce bloating, and assimilate effectively, as well as boosting ‘Agni’ or ‘digestive fire’, leading to optimal health.

Some common herbs and spices are highly regarded in Ayurveda for their digestive benefits, and they are often used in Ayurvedic digestive teas (dipana teas) or herbal infusions include ginger, cumin, fennel, coriander, and cardamom. These herbs are also known as Tridoshic, in Ayurveda. They are generally considered safe and balancing for all three doshas (Vata, Pitta, and Kapha).

Ayurveda teaches that imbalances in the doshas (Vata, Pitta, and Kapha) can manifest in various ways, including digestive issues. A well-functioning digestive system helps keep the doshas in balance, which can contribute to a healthy life.

This article explores the Ayurvedic digestive teas that can be customized to suit your individual dosha (Vata, Pitta, or Kapha) or current imbalance.

The Traditional Ayurvedic Digestive Teas or Herbal Infusions

Here are some Ayurvedic digestive tea (dipana teas) recipes, along with tastes wonderful too and a guidelines for crafted the one that may be most suitable for you:

Guidelines to Choosing Digestive Tea for Better Digestion

If you have a Vata constitution and experiencing dry skin, gas, constipation and excess movement in the mind in the form of anxiety look for dipana teas that are warming, grounding, and calming. Herbs and spices such as ginger and cinnamon can be beneficial.

If you have a Pitta constitution and experiencing indigestion, heartburn, loose stools, acid reflux, or inflammation, opt for dipana or herbal infusions that are cooling and soothing. For this, we recommend the Pitta Digestive Tea made of fennel, coriander, and rose petals.

If you have a Kapha or nausea constitution and experience nausea after eating, heaviness, or sluggish digestion, opt for Kapha Digestive Tea with warming, stimulating spices like ginger and black pepper.

Ayurvedic Digestive Tea Recipes

Vata-Pacifying Tea:

Ingredients
3 cup or 500gm water, 1/2 tsp cumin seeds, 1/2 tsp coriander seeds, 1/2 tsp fennel seeds, a pinch of fresh grated ginger or ginger powder(optional)

Instructions:
Add the water and seeds to a large pot and bring to a boil.
Turn down the heat and let it boil for 5-7 minutes.
Take off the heat strain into a cup and allow the tea to rest for 5-10 minutes before straining.
Add the honey if you want to increase the sweetness.

Pitta-Soothing Tea:

Ingredients:
1/2 tsp dried rose petals, 1/2 tsp coriander seeds, 1/2 tsp fennel seeds, 4 cups water.

Instructions:
Place all ingredients with water in a large pot and bring to a boil.
Turn medium the heat and let a strong it boil for 8-10 minutes.
Cook until the water line has been reduced by half.
Once the water has reduced by half, Take off the heat and strain it into a cup.
Enjoy some sips.

Kapha-Balancing Tea:

Ingredients:
1/2 part ginger slices, 1/2 part cinnamon sticks, 1/2 part black peppercorns, 4 cups water.

Instructions:
Boil all ingredients in water.
Let steep for 5 minutes.
Serve warm in the morning, or sip throughout your entire day or night.

Conclusion

People have been drinking Ayurvedic digestive teas to help treat digestive issues and other illnesses for thousands of years.

Digestive teas or herbal infusions have been shown to help with digestive benefits, including relief from nausea, constipation, indigestion, ulcers, and more. Fortunately, most of them are widely available in your kitchen and are easy to make.