Ayurvedic coffee. Chicory or Arabica?
Yoga Sister - Ayurveda, and coffee
It's been a while since yoga grew from traditional Eastern practices into the everyday lives of people everywhere. When talking about yoga, it is natural to bring up the topic of Ayurveda. Also referred to as its sister science. Yoga and Ayurveda are two sides of the same coin. And their combination should lead to feelings of well-being and benefit overall health.
In yoga, it is clear that movement (repetition of certain postures or asanas), among other things, belongs to a healthy lifestyle. On the other hand, Ayurvedais almost a medical science. It is based on the idea that diseases (of the soul, body or mind) are caused by imbalances. It seeks to achieve a balanced life by using organic means.
This idea of Eastern medicine reminds me of my grandmother and the saying that "for every disease a herb grows". Although the coffee tree is more of a shrub or tree than an herb, we use it - its fruits. That is, the seeds from the fruit for roasting and then making a cup of coffee. We love this kind of coffee, and how does Ayurveda see this particular habit?
Ayurvedic coffee. Is it even coffee?
Individuality is one of the elements of Ayurvedic "medicine". Firstly, it looks at each person as an original being, secondly it looks at nature and what it has to offer.
Everything has a meaning, an effect. You just need to know what it is and how to achieve it. For someone and in a specific quantity a given herb can be a medicine, for another a poison. The same way he looks at coffee.
From the Ayurvedic point of view, there is no need to forbid drinking it completely or to force oneself to drink it. To be beneficial and not harmful, one needs to know: how much, when, what kind and how to drink coffee. And everything is - how else - individual for each of you. And then there are those Ayurvedic "melts" in health food stores.
Chicory coffee and other coffee products
They call themselves Ayurvediccoffee, but make no mistake, it is more or less less apowder made from roasted chicory root. Possibly some cereals. It's supposed to serve as a coffee substitute. A drink that will remind us of those divine moments of well-being spent with a cup of coffee in our hands. But it just won't be coffee.
Why are chicory coffees and other coffee products sold? This question brings me back to the original idea of Ayurveda, or that each of you is an original, and the effects of coffee, for example, will affect you in a unique way. That's why there is also the possibility that some people just can't tolerate coffee. Even in small amounts.
And this person has the chance to enjoy a warm drink in a cup, coffee-like, but non-coffee. Alternatively, if you need to limit coffee to just a morning cup and have, well, some non-coffee alternatives in the afternoon.
When and how to drink coffee from an Ayurvedic perspective
Is a cup of wonderfully smelling, and most importantly real arabica a preferable drink for you in particular? First and foremost, you should drink coffee (well, anything you drink, eat or do, really) mindfully. That is, pay attention to thechanges and effects coffee achieves for you. This way you will know whether to drink coffee or not and also your limits in your daily coffee intake.
Of course, also take note of the development of caffeine tolerance. This is a caffeine habit, the bar of which is constantly shifting with habit. After a few days of coffee fasting, however, you will be back to your usual routine. On average, and according to the FDA , a maximum of 400 mg of caffeine per day is recommended, which may mean roughly 3-4 cups of coffee.
This tip on the ideal amount of coffee, however, is just a global average. In this respect, Ayurveda is more of a "personalized science" and thus gives more specific ideas about coffee consumption for each of you. It is based on segmenting people according to doshas.
Your dosha and coffee drinking
Dosha comes in three types:
- Vata (element of ether and air)
- Pitta (element of fire and water)
- Kapha (earth and fire element)
Yet every person is made up of some combination of these three types. The predominant dosha then has the most significant influence on what and how it will affect us. Thus, it also determines how to drink coffee.
For people with a dominant doshavata, coffee is not exactly the most suitable. For those with predominant doshapitta, drinking coffee should be very cautious, e.g. just a cup for breakfast. Finally, there are the kaphas, who are the most friendly to coffee drinking, who can benefit greatly from its effects.
Organic coffee - healthy coffee
Organic quality is very important to Ayurveda. This applies, of course, to the choice of coffee you take into your body. Be consistent on this point and avoid conventional coffees that may contain, for example, pesticide residues.
The ideal time for coffee
Do you prefer to look at a healthy lifestyle from a modern biohacking perspective? Then you must be familiar with the concept - circadian rhythms. That is, the preset natural bodily functions, such as changing cortisol levels. We should take these circadian rhythms into account and drink coffee in accordance with them.
Similarly, the teachings of Ayurveda consider the best time to drink coffee to be in the morning, between 6am and 10am. At this time there is a greater chance to take advantage of the stimulating and warming effects of coffee.
At the same time, according to the rules of Ayurveda it is recommended to have something already in the stomach before coffee. Not to drink coffee on an empty stomach. The ideal morning ritual is a cup of hot water with lemon and honey to prepare the body for breakfast. Then have breakfast - fruit, protein and whole grain foods are great. And finish breakfast with a great cup of coffee. This is the best way to take advantage of its ability to help with digestion.
100% Arabica and Ayurveda rules
The term Ayurveda comes from the words translated to mean science and life. The science of life. Ultimately, you are the one who makes the rules of your own life. Approach your own needs and abilities with scientific objectivity and without prejudice, even when it comes to coffee consumption.
Do you like it and is it not a nuisance? Have a cup of coffee made from real arabica beans. Drink coffee with respect for its natural properties, such as its caffeine content and its ability to keep you awake for hours. Determine for yourself when it suits you and when you'd rather have herbal tea, the aforementioned chicory coffee or decaffeinated coffee.
Don't forget one important quality of good coffee that is often forgotten in discussions about coffee and health. Coffeemakes you happy. You get it from the first sniff, opening a packet of freshly roasted beans, hearing the coffee grinder and the latest it comes right after you sip.
A good feeling, a good mood, has a significant contribution to the healthy life of every person. Whether you are a dosha vata or a kapha. ????