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5 Ayurvedic Drinks to Cool You Down This Summer
Ayurveda advises that our food should be based on our body type - the Prakriti, which is made of Doshas or energy principles, or our imbalances, in order to recover our health. We also have to respect natural daily and seasonal patterns. Since summer is a hot season based on Pitta dosha, we have a tendency to choose drinks and beverages over high-calorie snacks and fatty foods.
While Ayurveda discourages the use of ice-cold meals and beverages because it disrupts the digestive fire known as Agni, it encourages consuming Ayurvedic health drinks that reduce the body temperature without interfering with the digestive system.
During the summer season, it's important to be mindful of our dietary choices and how they can affect our digestion and overall well-being. The consumption of calorie-dense foods can put additional strain on our digestive system, causing it to work harder to process and absorb nutrients. This imbalance can disrupt our pitta dosha, which is responsible for our metabolism. To maintain a healthy equilibrium, it's crucial to opt for lighter, nourishing foods that support our digestion and promote a balanced metabolism. By making mindful choices, we can keep our bodies cool, energized, and in harmony with the summer season.
Drinking enough water is one of the best ways to keep your body cool and hydrated throughout the hot summer months. Additionally, Ayurveda recommends including some other summer drinks in your regular diet. Here are some excellent Ayurvedic beverages that you should certainly stock up on.
In this article, we will cover the top 5 Ayurvedic drinks for summer to include in your daily regimen in order to cool you down in this hot summer season.
5 Ayurvedic Drinks to Include This Summer
Among so many healthy drink options, here are the 5 most healthy drinks that may cool you down this summer.
1. Buttermilk or Chhaas
Ayurveda recommends having buttermilk during the heat. Buttermilk, one of the most popular Ayurveda summer drinks, is made by separating butter from milk and tempering it with curry leaves and salt to taste. This all-arounder is unquestionably the ideal solution to your summer problems.
Buttermilk is high in probiotics and electrolytes and can help with a variety of health issues, including digestive issues. However, if you have a significantly worsened pitta issue, such as hyperacidity, take it with caution.
Recipe: Take one cup of organic homemade or Greek yogurt with some curry leaves, add two to three cups of water, and blend them well in a blender. Remove the top layer of thick, creamy foam. Add half a teaspoon of roasted cumin and Himalayan salt to taste (a pinch of dried ginger powder is optional). Garnish with coriander or mint leaves and serve fresh.
2. Unripe Mango Drink or Aam Panna
Green mangoes are used to make aam panna. It's one of the most beneficial cooling beverages for combating heat. It contains essential micronutrients that restore mineral levels in the body and keep you functioning during hot days. It is also soothing and beneficial for gastrointestinal problems.
Recipe: Boil two unripe green mangoes in water for about 15 minutes or until the peel is softened. Allow it to cool, and then peel. Take the pulp out of the seed and blend it with water to make a thick paste. Add unrefined sugar as per the ratio of 1 part pulp to 2 parts sugar. Cook it again until the sugar melts, stirring constantly so the pulp does not burn. Now allow it to cool down and keep it in an airtight container.
Mix 2 spoons of the sweetened pulp with a glass of water; add Himalayan salt and roasted cumin powder to taste. Garnish with mint leaves, and serve.
3. Sattu ka Sherbet
This indigenous drink is well-known for its cooling effects. Sattu powder is prepared from roasted Bengal gram dal and used to make the drink. It's incredibly filling and nutritious, owing to the inclusion of important ingredients that make it a great summer drink.
Sattu is a cooling ingredient that is abundant in protein, vitamins, minerals, and insoluble fiber. It has high antioxidant contents, a low glycemic index, and is beneficial to diabetics, obese people, athletes, and people who work long hours. It also promotes digestion and bone health.
Recipe: Sattu, a type of flour made from roasted chickpeas, may not be as commonly available in mainstream grocery stores in the United States. However, you can often find it in Indian grocery stores or specialty food markets that carry a wide range of Indian or South Asian products. It is made with some alternatives, like dry roasting Bengal gram dal, garbanzo beans, or barley. Sometimes millet, cashews, or almonds are also included for added benefits.
In one glass of water, combine two tablespoons of Sattu flour, 1/4 teaspoon of roasted cumin powder, and Himalayan salt to taste. Garnish with mint leaves and lime juice. If you don't want to eat it with salt, add 1 teaspoon of unrefined sugar or jaggery.
4. Bael ka Sherbet (Bael Drink)
Bael fruit, also known as wood apple, is not widely available in its fresh form in the United States due to its tropical origin. However, it may be possible to find bael fruit in certain specialty or ethnic grocery stores that cater to Indian, Southeast Asian, or Middle Eastern communities.
Bael fruit juice is said to be good for gastrointestinal issues, jaundice, obesity, peptic ulcers, and gynecological diseases. Be it diabetes management, constipation, cholesterol control, or skin rashes, bael juice is filled with goodness.
Recipe: Cut the bael fruit into equal halves and remove the soft pulp. Soak the pulp in 1 glass of water for 20 minutes before mashing so that the pulp will come out easily and completely. Sieve it and add 1 tsp jaggery or unrefined sugar, roasted cumin, cardamom, and a teaspoon of black salt to taste. You may also add a little lemon juice to prevent the bitter aftertaste.
5. Gulab ka Sherbet (Rose Drink)
Gulab sherbet and rose water both include vitamins A, B, C, and E. It's also a hydrating and cooling drink that helps with digestion. Rose sherbet has anti-inflammatory, anti-bloating, and anti-stress characteristics that can help with bloating, hyperacidity, colds, and sore throats.
Recipe: Rose sherbet is often made from rose essence and sugar syrup. Mix 4 cups of sugar and half a teaspoon of cardamom powder in 3-4 cups of water; continue to whisk over medium heat until the sugar melts. Allow the solution to boil for 10 minutes, or until it turns into sugar syrup. Then allow it to cool. Add 4 teaspoons of organic edible rose essence to it.
To enhance the taste, you may also add a few drops of lime juice. You can also mix rose water with fresh rose petals to increase the flavor. Add 1/4 cup of this concentrate to 3/4 cup of water, and you will have a fragrant and tasty sherbet.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Which Ayurvedic beverage keeps the body cool?
Beverages like watermelon juice, aam ka panna, thandai, sattu sherbet, bael ka sherbet, buttermilk, and cucumber mint juice are full of health benefits and can be enjoyed in the summer.
2. In Ayurveda, how do you lower body heat?
Some Ayurvedic tips to reduce lower body heat may include:
- Cooling pitta-reducing foods should be included in your diet
- Try Ayurvedic massaging your body with cooling pitta oil
- Stay well hydrated and add some pitta cooling Ayurvedic herbs in your beverages
- Practice pranayama and yoga
- Use nasya oil prescribed by the doctor
3. Which fruit helps to cool the body?
Watermelon is a popular fruit in India throughout the summer months. The water content of drinking watermelon juice is usually as high as 92%, which helps avoid dehydration and keeps the body cool. It may help manage your body heat if consumed on a regular basis.
The Final Words
In our fast-paced lives, convenience often takes priority over health. It's easy to reach for those colorful, tempting over-the-counter cold drinks that promise instant refreshment. However, it's essential to understand the hidden dangers lurking within these seemingly convenient options.
Many commercially available cold drinks are loaded with artificial colors, refined sugar, chemicals, and preservatives. While they may provide a momentary burst of satisfaction, they can have detrimental effects on our health in the long run.
Sugary canned soft beverages, juices, and ice creams cause problems for us by increasing our risk of obesity and chronic illnesses such as diabetes, dental decay, kidney damage, and heart disease.
To avoid such health issues, one can make a wiser choice by drinking natural and homemade beverages. Many seasonal fruits, legumes, herbs, and spices have cooling effects and may be used to make refreshing beverages, such as Sattu sherbet, bael sherbet, mint sherbet, khus sherbet, etc. Try these Ayurveda health drinks for summer to reintroduce old culinary expertise into your diet.
By making conscious choices and opting for healthier alternatives, we can quench our thirst while safeguarding our health. Let's prioritize our well-being over convenience and make informed decisions about what we consume. Together, we can embrace a healthier lifestyle and enjoy the benefits it brings.
Stay hydrated and stay healthy!
In this Blog we’ve highlighted the importance of Ayurveda in promoting a healthy lifestyle, especially during the hot summer months. We’ve provided detailed descriptions of each drink and their specific benefits.