Given the season, here are some Chai recipes for Vata, Pita, Kapha & kids* too. Chai is medicinal and a great substitute for coffee or traditional hot chocolate and perfect for a wintery afternoon — think aprés-ski beverage! Mmmmm…

The word chai has a couple of meanings, which, in my opinion, are clearly related. In Hebrew, ‘chai’ means ‘life’. (It is also a symbol for the number 18, a factor of the auspicious number 108.) ‘Chai’ in many parts of the world, simply means ‘tea’. This warm and soothing beverage is usually made with spices, herbs and milk. In ayurvedic medicine, chai is considered a rasayana, a remedy that lengthens lifespan. (‘Rasayana’ literally means ‘the path to [life’s] essence’.)

Here are some great chai recipes I share with my ayurvedic clients.
*See below, if you’re not sure how to choose which chai is for you.

Vata Chai
(for calming and warming)

• 3 c filtered water
• 4 green cardamom pods (crushed)
• 2 whole cloves
• 1 whole star anise pods
• 1 cinnamon sticks or 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp whole fennel seeds
• Optional: 1 tsp grated fresh ginger
  +
• 1 c almond, rice or seed milk
• Raw organic sugar or Sucanat

Kapha Chai
(for stimulating & circulation)

• 3 c filtered water
• 1 tsp grated fresh ginger or ½ tsp ground ginger
• 1 tsp whole fennel seeds
• 1 tsp whole cardamom pods (green or black)
• ½ tsp whole cloves
• 1 star anise pods
• 1 cinnamon sticks or 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• Optional: ½ tsp black tea leaves
  +
• 1 c almond milk or seed milk or soy milk;
• Honey or stevia

Directions
1. In a large saucepan, boil water over high heat;
2. Add in spices / herbs, reduce heat and let simmer for ten minutes.
3. Remove from heat and let tea cool for a few minutes before stirring in milk and sweetener to taste.
4. Pour the chai through a strainer into cups or mugs and enjoy!

(Makes about four cups of chai.)

* What’s my dosha?
Vata, Pitta & Kapha are the three ayurvedic constitutions or doshas. Although we have all three constitutions within us, one tends to be more dominant and/or out of balance than the others. In ayurveda, we treat the imbalanced doshas, so here’s a little guide to help you choose which Chai recipe is for you.

Choose the Vata recipe, if you have some or all of these symptoms:
• You are cold all the time;
• You have digestive issues like gas, bloating and/or constipation;
• You have restless or disturbed sleep;

Choose the Kapha recipe, if you have some or all of these symptoms:
• You feel lethargic and heavy;
• You have a slow metabolism;
• You tend to oversleep;

Choose the Pitta recipe, if you have some or all of these symptoms:
• You have redness in skin and often feel hot;
• You have heart burn or feel acidic;
• You tend to have soft or loose stool;

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