Learn all about the CCF tea of Ayurveda, also referred to as the miracle tea of Ayurveda.
Ayurveda gifts us with plenty of wisdom when it comes to maintaining a balanced state of overall well-being. One of my favourite aspects of it is the simplicity of the Ayurvedic lifestyle. Once we know our Prakruti (dosha/unique body constitution) we can implement suitable lifestyle choices. And in Ayurveda, it all starts in the kitchen, with our food.
Whilst wholesome foods and simple dishes are usually recommended, the use of spices & seeds is a key principle of this beautiful life science. Not only they have different flavours and taste, they also have different properties which can bring balance to the foods we eat.
Many of the spices and seeds can be used not only in food, but also as teas. It’s important to note that they are quite powerful in quality and taste, and for this reason, the correct/moderate amount should always be taken in consideration. There are so many variety of teas in Ayurveda that can be used for different reasons, both for lifestyle and medicinal purposes. One of the most popular is the CCF tea, also known by some as the “Miracle Ayurvedic tea”.
Rich in flavour, the CCF tea includes three key spices. Cumin, coriander and fennel seeds. In my opinion, these are must have’s in the kitchen. The CCF tea is tridoshic, which means it helps to balance all three chakras.
This delicious and aromatic tea comes with many benefits. CCF tea has anti-inflammatory properties and helps to kindle the agni, keeping the digestive fire in a balanced state. Drinking this tea can help with better absorption of foods, stimulates digestion and strengthens the process of digesting the food. It can help to relieve gas and bloating and has a soothing effect on the stomach. CCF also helps to cleanse the digestive tract and eliminate ama/toxins in the body particularly from foods particles that have not been digested.
It can be taken 1hour or 30 minutes before a meal for better absorption or in the morning for supporting the digestive organs as the day begins.
I also drink it at night sometimes especially if I feel bloated or if my stomach feels sensitive from a specific food I ate. It has a nice and calming effect on the stomach.
A cooling quality Ayurvedic spice especially helpful for Pita dosha balancing, coriander seeds provide support for the digestive functioning and may help with reducing inflammation.
With a strong pungent & bitter taste, cumin seeds are very good for Vata dosha individuals particularly for stimulating digestion. Cumin helps to relief gas and bloating, as well as kindle the agni (digestive fire).
Fennel seeds have a sweet taste, quite similar to liquorice. Known for its detoxification properties, fennel may also help with stomach cramps and can be used to relief PMS. The seeds are also chewed usually after a meal for their digestive benefits but also used as a breath freshener.
For one standard mug, use 1tsp of each of the three spices. One or two cups a day is enough, as everything must be considered in balance and not in excess. I usually prepare mine in a tea pot which holds two standard mugs of tea and I use 1 tbsp in this case.