ALMOND MILK CHAI / SMOOTHIE |
Save
How to Make Almond Milk Chai / SmoothieSERVINGS: 1 PREP TIME: 5 MINUTES COOK TIME: 10 MINUTES
INGREDIENTS
1 c | |
1/4 tsp | |
1/4 tsp | |
2 tsp | |
1/4 inch | |
1 tbsp | |
2 pinch | |
PREPARATION OF THIS HEALTHY RECIPE
Bring almond milk to a simmer, uncovered. Watch closely as milk starts to heat up, as almond milk overflows the pot if it boils. As soon as almond milk starts to simmer, remove from heat and add spices. Brew for 3-5 minutes and serve.
For a fresher, tastier result, make your own almond milk from scratch using this recipe.
When I don't have ghee I substitute butter (but not for Kapha). The result of adding the fats is a creamier texture. A bit of ground fennel seeds are also a tasty addition to this recipe.
How Does This Ayurvedic Recipe Improve Wellness?
CLINICAL AYURVEDIC REVIEW
You and your loved one will enjoy a cozy night snuggling on the couch with this creamy chai. Sweet & hearty, almond milk chai is a rich and decadent treat on any winter's eve. Aromatic spices bring cheer to the season. Serve at a holiday party as a healthy alternative to eggnog or hot cocoa. Restore Peace & TranquilityAlmond milk's cool, heavy sweetness creates a sensation of stability and calm as it nourishes your nervous system. After a night of insomnia, its liver nourishing qualities provide relief from lingering sleep deprived jitters. This almond drink is a great substitute to kick your coffee habit and replenish your adrenals. If the stress of the day leaves you feeling wiped - this drink is liquid comfort food that will help you decompress. Reproductive Tonic When it comes to its aphrodisiac and reproductive support qualities, almonds are second to none. Eating almonds encourages a build-up of "vigor" or ojas (the vital nectar of life). Almonds are also symbols of male fertility and their high zinc content aids in sexual potency. Men should drink a glass of Almond Milk after sexual activity to rebuild fluids and vitality. Supportive When Healing As almonds build ojas, it supports a hearty constitution and boosts your immunity. Almond milk and ghee are easy to digest, making them supportive for a recovering patient, especially one with fragile digestion. This drink is an easy way to nourish your body while it is healing. Soothes Your Digestive TractThe creamy nature of almond milk, ghee and maple syrup soothes your digestive tract when you are inflamed. Almond milk's cooling nature is a traditional remedy for ulcers and gastritis. Its demulcent, coating properties can also soothe a dry, irritated throat. For those suffering from lactose intolerance, a warm mug of almond chai is an excellent substitute that won't cause digestive upset.
Note: To get these benefits you have to use homemade almond milk - a store bought variety will not suffice as they are normally too diluted.
AYURVEDA'S GUIDE TO VITALITY & WHOLESOME NOURISHMENT
Your Ayurvedic diet is tailored to your individual body and your specific imbalances.
With an Ayurvedic diet you feel joy and satisfaction because what you are eating truly nourishes and balances you.
Disease results from diets and lifestyles that are incompatible with your nature.
By eating a personalized diet matched to your body, you experience optimal health.
See How it Works.
Is Almond Milk Chai / Smoothie Good for My Ayurvedic Diet?
Find out by taking this free, easy quiz.
You'll learn your body type, and whether 'Almond Milk Chai / Smoothie' is a good fit.
Complete the basic quiz in 1 minute, or go deeper with additional quizzes at your own leisure to learn more about your body.
See a complete list of all biocharacteristics.
INCREASES
Increases These Biocharacteristics (Gunas)
Functional Ayurveda helps you assess imbalances through 20 main biocharacteristics
(gunas).
Aggravating these characteristics weakens your body and causes imbalance.
By knowing which characteristics are habitually imbalanced in your body, you will be able to identify and correct imbalances before you get sick.
Every characteristic has an opposite which balances it (i.e. hot balances cold).
You restore balance by favoring diet and lifestyle choices that increase the opposite characteristic.
Learn More
| EASY ABOUT EASY BIOCHARACTERISTIC
Easy refers to anything easy to digest, or digests quickly.
LEARN MORE ABOUT EASY MOBILE ABOUT MOBILE BIOCHARACTERISTIC
Mobile refers to anything that stimulates the nervous system, muscles, or activity.
LEARN MORE ABOUT MOBILE GOOEY ABOUT GOOEY BIOCHARACTERISTIC
Gooey is identified by anything gelatinous (such as oatmeal), or by mucus congestion.
LEARN MORE ABOUT GOOEY DRY ABOUT DRY BIOCHARACTERISTIC
Dry is identified by lack of moisture, lack of fat, or anything that causes diuresis.
LEARN MORE ABOUT DRY CLEAR ABOUT CLEAR BIOCHARACTERISTIC
Clear refers to anything that cleanses or flushes out wastes, or that digests ama.
LEARN MORE ABOUT CLEAR | TASTES
The 6 Tastes
Taste is used to sense the most basic properties and effects of food.
Each taste has a specific medicinal effect on your body.
Cravings for food with certain tastes indicate your body is craving specific medicinal results from food.
Taste is experienced on the tongue and represents your body's reaction to foods.
Sweet taste causes physical satisfaction and attraction whereas bitter taste causes discomfort and aversion.
Kapha should use less sweet taste while Vata and Pitta would benefit from using more sweet taste.
One of the first signs of illness is that your taste and appetite for food changes.
The six tastes are sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter, and astringent.
Do you crave foods with any of the tastes below?
Learn More
| SWEET ABOUT SWEET BIOCHARACTERISTIC
Sweet refers to anything builds tissue, including macronutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins and fats.
LEARN MORE ABOUT SWEET ASTRINGENT ABOUT ASTRINGENT BIOCHARACTERISTIC
Astringency is characterized by constriction, drawing together, or drying.
LEARN MORE ABOUT ASTRINGENT | DOSHAS
The Three Doshas / Body Types
According to the biocharacteristic theory of medicine,
people tend to get sick, over and over again, due to habitual causes and imbalances that are unique to the person.
Your body type summarizes this tendency, showing you the 'type' of conditions and imbalances that frequently challenge your health & wellness.
Using body type, you can also identify remedies likely to improve your strength and resiliency.
Your body type identifies physical and mental characteristics as well as your personal strengths and weaknesses.
The calculation of your body type is based on your medical history.
The 3 functional body types
(doshas),
are Catabolic (Vata), Metabolic (Pitta), and Anabolic (Kapha).
Catabolic individuals tend to break down body mass into energy. They are easily stimulated, hyperactive, underweight and dry.
Metabolic individuals tend to burn or use energy. They tend to be rosy-cheeked, easily irritated, focused, driven, and easily inflamed.
Anabolic individuals tend to store energy as body mass. If they store too much energy, they could gain weight easily and have congestion. Anabolic people tend to be stable and grounded.
Learn More
| | HAS THE FOLLOWING | Subtaste:
Aromatic AROMATIC
Herbs or spices with volatile essential oils that present strong aromas. Aromatic oils shock, refresh and numb tissue, with the end result of relaxing, opening and clearing stagnant fluids in tissues.
SEE ALL 'AROMATIC' FOODS / HERBS , Bland BLAND
Bland means doesn't have much taste. In Chinese medicine, bland taste refers to afood without little macronutrients, such as cabbage, radish or bok choy.
SEE ALL 'BLAND' FOODS / HERBS |
|
Medicinal Benefits, Uses & Herbal Actions of Almond Milk Chai / Smoothie Experiences are Personal
Experiences vary according to the person and constitution. Individual results may vary.
The list of herbal-actions below has not be approved by the FDA and should not be used to treat a medical condition.
Carminative CARMINATIVE
Stimulates the release of gas. Helpful for bloating or cramping abdominal pain. Propels food downward. Carminatives typically expel gas by relaxing the muscles of the intestines.
SEE ALL 'CARMINATIVE' FOODS / HERBS , , , Nervine NERVINE
Balances the nervous system. They can help with stress, memory, early alzheimer's, and even chronic pain. Often they are aromatic in nature.
SEE ALL 'NERVINE' FOODS / HERBS , Demulcent DEMULCENT
Herbs that coat or form a soothing film over a mucous membrane, relieving minor pain and inflammation of the membrane.
SEE ALL 'DEMULCENT' FOODS / HERBS , Warms Chest WARMS-CHEST
Warms the chest and lungs, clearing mucus and allowing for clear breathing. Often these herbs are hot, aromatic, and pungent.
SEE ALL 'WARMS-CHEST' FOODS / HERBS , Cardiac Stimulant CARDIAC-STIMULANT
Herbs that increase the heart rate. Useful in cardiovascular health, blood stagnation, and subjective feeling of heaviness in the chest area.
SEE ALL 'CARDIAC-STIMULANT' FOODS / HERBS Diuretic DIURETIC
Herbs that promote urine formation, thereby flushing the kidneys and urinary tract while eliminating any excess water retention. As diuretics reduce water retention, they are often used to reduce blood pressure.
SEE ALL 'DIURETIC' FOODS / HERBS , Emmenagogue EMMENAGOGUE
Herbs which stimulate menstruation. Emmenagogues are used for scanty menstruation, to relieve menstrual pain, and improve blood flow in the pelvic area and uterus.
SEE ALL 'EMMENAGOGUE' FOODS / HERBS , Aphrodisiac APHRODISIAC
Herbs that increase sexual arousal through various actions including increased circulation, relaxation, stimulation, or tonics that strengthen glandular health.
SEE ALL 'APHRODISIAC' FOODS / HERBS Antispasmodic ANTISPASMODIC
Herbs that reduce or inhibit muscle spasms or cramping, such as in asthma, menstruation, hear palpitations, migraine, or IBS.
SEE ALL 'ANTISPASMODIC' FOODS / HERBS
|
Foods with a Similar Nature to Almond Milk Chai / Smoothie
Cinnamon
Cinnamon has these Actions in Common
Emmenagogue, Soothes-throat, Burns-toxins, Decongestant, Digestive, Galactagogue, Stimulates-energy, Aphrodisiac, Cardiac-stimulant, Demulcent, Diuretic, Lowers-blood-sugar, Warms-chest, Appetizer, Carminative, Diaphoretic
LEARN MORE
Fenugreek
Fenugreek has these Actions in Common
Carminative, Digestive, Galactagogue, Nutritive, Aphrodisiac, Demulcent, Diuretic, Lowers-blood-sugar, Stimulates-energy, Burns-toxins, Diaphoretic, Emmenagogue, Nervine
LEARN MORE
Nigella (black cumin)
Nigella (black cumin) has these Actions in Common
Cardiac-stimulant, Digestive, Lowers-blood-sugar, Antispasmodic, Carminative, Diuretic, Nervine, Burns-toxins, Diaphoretic, Galactagogue, Stimulates-energy
LEARN MORE
Fennel Seeds
Fennel Seeds has these Actions in Common
Cardiac-stimulant, Digestive, Nervine, Appetizer, Carminative, Diuretic, Stimulates-energy, Burns-toxins, Decongestant, Galactagogue, Antispasmodic
LEARN MORE
Saffron
Saffron has these Actions in Common
Aphrodisiac, Diaphoretic, Emmenagogue, Nutritive, Burns-toxins, Digestive, Galactagogue, Stimulates-energy, Carminative, Diuretic, Nervine
LEARN MORE
Basil
Basil has these Actions in Common
Appetizer, Carminative, Digestive, Nervine, Burns-toxins, Decongestant, Diuretic, Antispasmodic, Cardiac-stimulant, Diaphoretic, Galactagogue
LEARN MORE
Allspice
Allspice has these Actions in Common
Burns-toxins, Decongestant, Nervine, Antispasmodic, Cardiac-stimulant, Digestive, Stimulates-energy, Appetizer, Carminative, Lowers-blood-sugar, Warms-chest
LEARN MORE
Mustard Seed
Mustard Seed has these Actions in Common
Antispasmodic, Carminative, Digestive, Stimulates-energy, Burns-toxins, Decongestant, Diuretic, Warms-chest, Cardiac-stimulant, Diaphoretic, Emmenagogue
LEARN MORE
Dill
Dill has these Actions in Common
Burns-toxins, Digestive, Nervine, Antispasmodic, Carminative, Diuretic, Stimulates-energy, Appetizer, Diaphoretic, Galactagogue
LEARN MORE
Cardamom
Cardamom has these Actions in Common
Appetizer, Decongestant, Diuretic, Burns-toxins, Diaphoretic, Nervine, Antispasmodic, Carminative, Digestive, Stimulates-energy
LEARN MORE
Ginger (Fresh)
Ginger (Fresh) has these Actions in Common
Appetizer, Carminative, Galactagogue, Burns-toxins, Decongestant, Nervine, Antispasmodic, Cardiac-stimulant, Digestive, Stimulates-energy
LEARN MORE
Herb Supplements with a Similar Nature to Almond Milk Chai / Smoothie
Holy Basil Leaf (Tulsi)
Holy Basil Leaf (Tulsi) has these Actions in Common
Diuretic, Emmenagogue, Nervine, Antispasmodic, Stimulates-energy, Appetizer, Warms-chest, Burns-toxins, Cardiac-stimulant, Decongestant, Diaphoretic
LEARN MORE
Wild Ginger
Wild Ginger has these Actions in Common
Emmenagogue, Antispasmodic, Stimulates-energy, Appetizer, Warms-chest, Burns-toxins, Cardiac-stimulant, Carminative, Diaphoretic, Digestive
LEARN MORE
Pennyroyal
Pennyroyal has these Actions in Common
Emmenagogue, Antispasmodic, Nervine, Appetizer, Cardiac-stimulant, Carminative, Diaphoretic, Digestive, Diuretic
LEARN MORE
Deodar (Himalayan Cedar, Devadaru)
Deodar (Himalayan Cedar, Devadaru) has these Actions in Common
Antispasmodic, Warms-chest, Cardiac-stimulant, Carminative, Decongestant, Digestive, Diuretic, Nervine, Stimulates-energy
LEARN MORE
Osha
Osha has these Actions in Common
Digestive, Emmenagogue, Warms-chest, Burns-toxins, Cardiac-stimulant, Carminative, Decongestant, Diaphoretic
LEARN MORE
Mugwort
Mugwort has these Actions in Common
Nervine, Antispasmodic, Appetizer, Carminative, Diaphoretic, Digestive, Diuretic, Emmenagogue
LEARN MORE
Thyme White Essential Oil - 1/3 oz
Thyme White Essential Oil - 1/3 oz has these Actions in Common
Decongestant, Diaphoretic, Digestive, Nervine, Stimulates-energy, Antispasmodic, Appetizer, Burns-toxins
LEARN MORE
Angelica
Angelica has these Actions in Common
Antispasmodic, Cardiac-stimulant, Decongestant, Diaphoretic, Digestive, Emmenagogue, Nervine, Stimulates-energy
LEARN MORE
Cumin, Coriander, Fennel Tea
Cumin, Coriander, Fennel Tea has these Actions in Common
Burns-toxins, Diaphoretic, Digestive, Diuretic, Galactagogue, Nervine, Antispasmodic
LEARN MORE
Trikatu
Trikatu has these Actions in Common
Carminative, Decongestant, Diaphoretic, Digestive, Appetizer, Burns-toxins, Cardiac-stimulant
LEARN MORE
Pushkaramoola
Pushkaramoola has these Actions in Common
Diaphoretic, Digestive, Diuretic, Emmenagogue, Antispasmodic, Burns-toxins, Carminative
LEARN MORE
Joyful Belly is a recognized school of biocharacteristics medicine.
Eat Well for Life With Ayurveda: Balance Your Dosha
Love our recipes? Discover how to balance your diet for only $35 with this popular short course.
GET THE ECOURSE
About the Author
John Immel, the founder of Joyful Belly, teaches people how to have a
healthy diet and lifestyle with Ayurveda biocharacteristics.
His approach to Ayurveda is clinical, yet exudes an ease which many find enjoyable and insightful.
John also directs Joyful Belly's School of Ayurveda,
offering professional clinical training in Ayurveda for over 15 years.
John's interest in Ayurveda and specialization in digestive tract pathology was inspired by a complex digestive disorder acquired from years of international travel,
as well as public service work in South Asia.
John's commitment to the detailed study of digestive disorders reflects his zeal to get down to the roots of the problem.
His hope and belief in the capacity of each & every client to improve their quality of life is nothing short of a personal passion.
John's creativity in the kitchen and delight in cooking for others comes from his family oriented upbringing.
In addition to his certification in Ayurveda, John holds a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Harvard University.
John enjoys sharing Ayurveda within the context of his Catholic roots,
and finds Ayurveda gives him an opportunity to participate in the healing mission of the Church.
Jesus expressed God's love by feeding and healing the sick.
That kindness is the fundamental ministry of Ayurveda as well.
Outside of work, John enjoys spending time with his wife and 6 kids, and pursuing his love of theology, philosophy, and language.
Read more
Comments & Impressions of 'Almond Milk Chai / Smoothie'
Do you like 'almond milk chai / smoothie'?
Why or why not?
What makes it unique? Is there something else you'd like to know about 'almond milk chai / smoothie'?
(5.00 out of 5 stars) 8 ratings, 840 likes Sign in to review this recipe
Almond skins are brown because they contain tannins, an acidic and astringent substance that provokes Vata and Pitta. The cyanide in almond skins is toxic to the liver and starves the cells of oxygen (prana).
Skinned, the creamy, gentle, oily sweetness of almonds is wonderful for Vata in small amounts. But even skinned nuts can provoke Vata because their density makes them difficult to digest. Almonds are much easier to digest when soaked for thirty six hours first.
Oily nuts, when eaten in excess, stress the liver and may increase Pitta. Nuts, brown rice and other foods are also high in arginine, an amino acid that encourages proliferation of the virus that causes cold sores in infected indviduals.
- Ysha Oakes, Albuquerque, NM , 11-25-09 ( Reply)
Do you not boil any of the spices in this recipe in water before hand ?
If you were to boil the spices in almond milk, doesnt it destroy the Vit. E and a lot of valuable nutrients ?
I heard that L arginine helps with improving circulation as to help my Reynaud's disease.
- Gaura Das, Rawdon, QB , 02-29-12 ( Reply)
Here you are recommending 30 almonds of 1/4 of a Cup but Dr Vasant Lad recommends not eating more than 10 almonds per day. Why would he recommend this ? Is there such a thing as "overdosing " on blanched almonds ? I have experienced that I can't take them at night or else I havetoo much energy and cannot fall asleep, so I think this beverage is best earlier in the day
- Gaura Das, Rawdon, QB , 02-29-12 ( Reply)
I LOVE this drink! I start every day with it and often have a cup at bedtime. It keeps me very balanced. Louise Lalor, ON
Just made this with 1/4 cup soaked, skinned almonds plus a date. Best chai I have ever had!
Wonderful!
Delicious and warming
I am wondering if it is okay to try with cashew milk. It tastes great with almond milk!
Hi Erin, for sure you can! In my experience cashews are heavier in nature than almonds so you might only want a smaller cup. But definitely experiment and see! You can see more about cashews here: https://www.joyfulbelly.com/Ayurveda/ingredient/Cashews/104
|