Healing Water for Doshas

Water represents soma, the nourishing, cooling quality that is associated with the lunar energy.  Water helps with digestion, cools and balances the pitta dosha, supports kapha and counteracts the dryness of vata.

The council of Maharishi Ayurveda Physicians explains how the healing effects of water can be enhanced using Ayurvedic methods.

Vata Balancing Water -

• boil 2 quarts of water for 5 minutes
• take it off the heat and add 3 mint leaves
• 1/2 teaspoon of fennel seeds
• 1/4 teaspoon of marshmallow root
• place the water in a thermos
• sip it throughout the day at a warm but not hot temperature

Pitta Balancing Water - 

• boil 2 quarts of water for 2 minutes
• take it off the heat and add 1/4 teaspoon of fennel seed
• 2 rose buds
• 1 clove
• store it hot inside a thermos
• before drinking pour it into a cup and let it cool to room temperature in summer
• in winter, it can be slightly warmer

Kapha Balancing Water - 

• boil 2 quarts of water for 5 minutes
• take it off the heat and add 3 holy basil leaves
• 2 thin slices of fresh ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon of cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon of fennel
• place the water and spices in a thermos
• sip the water at a hot or warm temperature throughout the day 

Recipe 1 - Cilantro Chutney

Here's a great Maharishi Ayurvedic cilantro recipe.

This is a simple recipe using the remarkable coriander leaf (cilantro).  It is not only delicious, it is a safe way to begin purifying deep toxins (known as garavisha) from the body.  You can eat cilantro chutney with holy basil (tulsi) as an addition to your diet.  The cilantro is said to help remove heavy metals and the holy basil is helpful in eliminating two particular kinds of toxins recognized by Ayurveda - amavisha and garavisha.  If you grow it in your home, it helps purify the air as well.  It grows easily in most spring/summer north American climates.

The recipe:

• 8 teaspoons of chopped organic cilantro leaf
• 1 teaspoon of shredded organic ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon of organic lime or lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon of chopped holy basil leaf

To make this delicious Ayurvedic chutney, just add a little water and blend together to a thin paste.  Add salt to taste.  You can use this chutney with cooked vegetables, rice and other grains and flat breads.