Coffee, in Ayurvedic terms, has properties of heating and heavy. Try to wean yourself off coffee addiction if you feel that this may help you in the long run. You can slowly reduce the consumption by half and then try to fully and slowly wean off step by step. Or you can try and go cold turkey. However, going cold turkey, may be hard, so using replacements can really prove beneficial, and soon enough you may even prefer the newer more healthier options.
Coffee is an irritant for those suffering from IBS, gastritis, Crohn’s disease, colitis and ulcers and many Ayurvedic Practitioners state to avoid it or at least reduce it.
Coffee can irritate the intestinal tract; and it is not the caffeine but rather the enzymes in the coffee. Additionally coffee is very acidic and can stop the healing of the gut line or GI tract.
Here are some recipes that can help take the edge off;
ALMOND MILK WITH SAFFRON AND CARDAMOM
Ingredients
2 tbsp Almonds
1 pinch Cardamom
1 tsp. Honey
1 cup Milk
2 pinch Saffron
What to do;
Soak about 12 almonds overnight in water until they plump. You can peel them. as the skins are considered toxic in Ayurveda. Ruffle up the saffron and add the cardamom to the almonds and milk in a blender and puree until smooth.
Boil, until the milk has heated thoroughly , you can add additional sweeter like coconut sugar or honey. Enjoy.
BARLEY TEA
Ingredients:
1/4 cup barley
What to do;
Rinse barley under cold water. Heat a heavy based-skillet and roast the barley until it is dry, smells aromatic and is dry. The more roasted, the more it tastes like coffee. Brew in 3 cups of water for about 10 to 12 minutes. Strain and serve.
'WEANING COFFEE' RECIPE
About
Coffee is the number one abused drug on the planet, causing low energy and increase in Vata.
Sometimes to stop coffee can lead to various vata related difficulties like constipation, headaches, skin eruptions and even sluggish mind. Try to 'wean off' with this recipe.
Ingredients:
1 tsp Chicory Root
1 tsp Coffee
1 cup Water
optional: 1 Cardamom Pod, smashed
What to do;
Blend coffee mixture and chicory root half and half, and use as a substitute for coffee. To calm down the effects further, you can smash one cardamom pod and brew with this mixture. This will help negate the effects of coffee.