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?
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.