Complete Ayurveda Workbook

Pitta
■ Start each day with 1½ tbsp/25ml of ghee on an empty stomach.
■ If this has no effect, increase to 2¼ tbsp/35ml.
■ You can take a gentle walk daily, but don’t overdo it and get tired.
■ This programme clears and cleanses the whole system and you may find that the excess pitta being flushed away makes you irritable – but avoid confrontation at all costs.

Follow the specific recommendations for the one-day programme, according to your dosha.

Peya Soup
Serves one
115g (½ cup) basmati rice
115g (½ cup) yellow mung dhal
2 heaped tsp fresh ginger
½ level tsp turmeric
1 level tsp cumin
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Tiny pinch of hing (asafoetida)
1 Put the rice and mung dhal into a saucepan and wash well several times.
2 Cover with fresh water and bring to the boil.

Morning energy drink
Ayurveda regards cows’ milk as a very nourishing food, excellent for physical strength, longevity and settling the mind. Boiled and spiced, it becomes more digestible, often overcoming the problems otherwise encountered. This is a good drink for Vatas and Pittas at breakfast-time and is also suitable for Kaphas when it is not the kapha season or weather (winter or cold damp weather). Traditionally in ayurveda, dairy is avoided on the day of the new moon, which increases kapha and therefore also the tendency to put on weight. Consequently, the day of the new moon is a particularly good time for a fluid-only detox day.
150ml (⅔ cup) milk or milk and water
2 heaped tsp fresh grated ginger
2 fresh dates
½–1 tsp ghee
Pinch of cardamom
Pinch of turmeric
Sugar to taste (optional)
1 Put all the ingredients into a saucepan and bring slowly to the boil.
2 Simmer for 2 minutes.
3 Pour into a cup and drink.

The one-day programme

½ level tsp sugar
½ level tsp cardamom
Pinch of salt

Pitta churna
1 heaped tsp fennel
1 heaped tsp cumin
1 level tsp turmeric
1 level tsp coriander

eal plans

Follow the breakfast recommendations for your imbalance. Drink a minimum of 1 litre (4 cups) of fluids during the course of the day, choosing from the same drinks as those on the one-day programme. The rest of the recipes for the three days are tri-doshic, or suitable for all types. All recipes are for four people, unless otherwise stated.

Bedtime drink
This is a very settling drink to ensure a good night’s sleep. Again it is particularly recommended for Vatas and Pittas, but is also suitable for Kaphas if it is not kapha season and if you do not suffer from sinus problems or have a cold, congestion or excess mucus.
150ml (⅔ cup) milk or milk and water
2 heaped tsp fresh grated ginger
8–10 raisins
½–1 tsp ghee
1cm (½ in) of vanilla pod (bean)
Pinch of cardamom
Pinch of turmeric
Pinch of nutmeg
1 Put all the ingredients into a saucepan and slowly bring to the boil.
2 Simmer for 2 minutes.
3 Pour into a cup and drink before going to bed

inger pickle
Eating ginger pickle half an hour before meals stimulates and balances the digestive system. This helps you extract maximum nutrition from the food and reduces the chances of undigested food (ama) building up in the system. Vatas should take it before both lunch and dinner, while Kaphas should take it in the morning too. Pittas also benefit from ginger pickle, unless there is a severe excess of pitta in the system or in cases of stomach upset and diarrhoea.
For one day
2 tsp fresh lemon juice
2 tsp honey
pinch salt
2 heaped tsp grated fresh ginger
1 Add the lemon juice, honey and salt to the ginger.
2 Mix together well.
3 Take 1 tsp of the pickle as a digestive aid twenty to thirty minutes before lunch and the evening meal.
For one week
Half of a 454g (1lb) jam jar of fresh ginger
Lemon juice to cover the ginger
Honey as required
Salt as required
Mix all the ingredients together as above. Store in a refrigerator and stir before taking, as before.