Imagine- A fresh cup of brewed coffee in bed as soon as you wake up in the morning! What a dream- isn't it? 🙃
Has this thought ever crossed your mind whether your cup of coffee is - "A friend or an enemy? Devil or holy?"
According to the National Coffee Association, coffee is one of the most sought-after commodities in the world. The history of drinking coffee begins with an Ethiopian goat herder who first discovered the effects of coffee beans when he noticed that his goats would dine on the beans and forego sleep. He shared this observation with a monk in a local monastery. The monk boiled the beans, yielding a fluid that enabled him to stay alert through evening prayer. Soon, all the monks began drinking the coffee bean liquid––a secret that spread to the rest of the Arabian Peninsula, and then throughout the world.
Let's delve more into what Ayurveda says about your precious cup of coffee.
Like most things, Ayurveda considers that coffee is both medicine for some and poison for others, at times and in certain situations.
Energetically, coffee is hot, light, and dry in quality, a carrier of the elements Air and Fire, and produces a stimulating effect on the stomach. Because of its increasing effects on Vata and Pitta, it is useful for balancing the Kapha-types and the Kapha conditions.
It stimulates the emptying of the stomach and stimulates the secretion of bile, reduces the appetite, and stimulates the intestines to start moving! Every one of these effects is helpful for the sluggish and congested Kapha body.
But in the case of Vata or Pitta-type, coffee can lead to anxiety, twitching, irritability, inflammation, and, over time, sickness.
RULES OF COFFEE DRINKING ACCORDING TO AYURVEDA
Avoid coffee if ...
..you have signs of pitta imbalance, such as indigestion, heartburn, acid reflux, or skin rashes, or if you are often agitated, irritated, hypercritical, judgmental, or angry.
..you have symptoms of excess Vata, such as dehydration, dry hair, dry skin, constipation, insomnia, forgetfulness, restlessness, or if you feel scattered, spacious or frizzy. Coffee is going to make these symptoms worse.
Follow these rules for your Doshas- Ayurvedic Recipe for Coffee drinkers.
VATAS: If your VATA IS BALANCED, take your coffee creamy and sweet, because it will have a grounding, nourishing effect on your system. Drink 0–1 cup daily.
PITTAS: Sweeten your coffee with high-quality maple syrup or organic cane sugar, but skip the cream, to counteract the beverage’s acidic qualities (assuming you are not experiencing the pitta imbalances). Drink 0–1 cup daily.
KAPHAS: Take your coffee black. Milk or cream can increase congestion and sweeteners can cause weight gain for kaphas. Drink 1 cup daily, but not more.