Beat The Heat With These Cooling Ayurvedic Drinks For Every Dosha

By Dr. Puja Shah

What do you reach for when the scorching summer sun is heating you up?

A glass of ice-cold water would be an obvious choice. But less obvious is that according to Ayurveda, ice-cold water isn’t all that great for you.

Instead, there are other cooling drinks we should be prioritizing – and these can vary quite a bit depending on your Dosha.

But first, what’s wrong with ice water?

Consuming ice-cold water can extinguish your digestive fire (Agni), leading to sluggish digestion and the accumulation of toxins (Ama). Instead, Ayurveda recommends room temperature or slightly cool drinks to maintain digestive health and support overall well-being.

Here are some of my favorite cooling drink recipes for every Dosha:

Vata: Coconut Water with Rose

Ingredients: 1 cup coconut water, 1 tsp rose water.
Preparation: Mix coconut water with rose water and enjoy a hydrating, calming drink.
Benefits: Coconut water is hydrating and soothing, while rose water has cooling properties that calm Vata’s dry and airy nature.

Pitta: Mint and Coriander Cooler

Ingredients: 1 cup water, 1 tsp coriander powder, fresh mint leaves.
Preparation: Mix water with coriander powder and add fresh mint leaves. Let it steep for a few minutes before drinking.
Benefits: Mint and coriander are both cooling herbs that help pacify Pitta’s fiery nature, providing a refreshing and calming effect.

Kapha: Ginger Lemonade

Ingredients: 1 cup water, juice of 1 lemon, 1 tsp fresh grated ginger, 1 tsp honey.
Preparation: Mix water with lemon juice and grated ginger, then add honey. Stir well and serve.
Benefits: Ginger stimulates digestion and metabolism, while lemon is astringent and detoxifying, making this drink perfect for balancing Kapha’s sluggish and heavy qualities.

And here are some universal tips for staying hydrated

Drink Room Temperature or Warm Water: This is gentle on the digestive system and helps maintain a balanced Agni.
Add Herbs and Spices: Incorporate cooling herbs and spices like mint, fennel, and coriander into your drinks to enhance their cooling effects.
Avoid Sugary and Carbonated Beverages: These can flare up the Pitta Dosha and lead to dehydration.
Infused Water: Create infused water with cucumber, mint, and lime to naturally cool the body.

About Dr. Puja Shah, Editor-in-Chief of The Natural Law

Dr. Puja Shah is an award-winning author whose 93 year old grandmother swore by Ayurvedic remedies and practiced yoga into her last days. And so while her education includes 9 years of medical training as a dentist, 3 teaching qualifications in yoga, and dozens of courses in meditation, it’s no wonder that she always goes back to Ayurveda. Puja harnesses Ayurveda regularly with her children and husband Amish Shah, Founder of The Natural Law.

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Health King Chrysanthemum Vascuflow Herb Tea

Benefits: Chrysanthemum tea is known for its cooling properties, making it an excellent choice for reducing heat in the body. It also supports vascular health and overall well-being.

Organic Coriander Seed

Benefits:Coriander seeds are an excellent addition to cooling summer drinks, especially for balancing Pitta dosha. They help reduce internal heat and promote digestion. You can add crushed coriander seeds to your herbal teas or infuse them in water along with other cooling herbs like mint and fennel to create refreshing, Pitta-pacifying beverages.

Organic Ground Ginger

Benefits:While ginger is inherently warming, it can be used in small amounts to enhance cooling drinks for Kapha dosha. It helps stimulate digestion and metabolism, which can be beneficial for Kapha’s tendency towards lethargy and heaviness. Add a pinch of ground ginger to a lemon-ginger lemonade or herbal tea to balance the cooling effects while providing a gentle boost to your digestive system.