Caffeine Through An Ayurvedic Lens

Caffeinated beverages such as tea and coffee are generally bitter, pungent (while green tea is cooling), and astringent. Most of them are drying, light, and sharp (coffee is heating). Such qualities particularly derange Vata and Pitta dosha.

When out of balance, they have a drying effect on the digestive tract, contributing to gas, constipation, diarrhea, and can also lead to inflammatory disease, anxiety, hormonal imbalances, adrenal fatigue, arthritis, and insomnia.

Some say caffeinated beverages are good for Kapha, as Kapha dosha needs a little stimulation (rajas). But whenever you rely on outside forces for inner strength, Ayurveda says: No, it will lead to more lethargy (tamas) after all.

Caffeine is rajasic, meaning it promotes activity, action and movement, especially in the mind. Daily intake of coffee can decrease blood supply to the brain affecting thoughts, concentration and memory. Because the sympathetic nervous system is fully activated so often, we spend too much time in fight or flight stress mode. Thus, when consumed regularly, the nervous system is over-stimulated and creates mental, physical and emotional fatigue, dullness (tamas) and hinders focus, progression of yoga and meditation practices.

In Ayurveda, it is said to deplete ojas, our immunity and vitality.

Caffeine overstimulates our brain’s pleasure centers. Meaning the body will block dopamine receptors and needs more caffeine for the same effect. Therefore, it officially is a nervine toxin and one of the most popular addictive substances. The average American nowadays drinks 200 mg of caffeine each day, which is approximately two cups of coffee. Consumption in Nordic countries, such as Sweden and Finland are even higher. Overall, worldwide about 2.25 cups of coffee are consumed every day.

Any type of caffeine – be it through standard green or black tea, coffee or matcha – they all borrow energy of tomorrow.

As soon as you become dependent on something, it is time for a pause.

From an Ayurvedic perspective, we should be the masters of our senses and not let anything else have control over us.

Caffeine is oftentimes misused to cover up our body’s fatigues signals.

This sets the stage for adrenal fatigue, dependency on stimulants, and other long-term effects.

In Ayurveda, we say that sickness comes from misusing our intellect (prajnaparadha). We seem to trade our own knowledge and body’s wisdom of what makes us innately feel good, with a quick fix and consequences.

Take a minute to feel whenever stress arises, which distractions, stimulants, and thoughts come to your mind. Which one comes up first, which would you turn to?

Mines were sweets and anything that created a buzz.

Now, I am realizing what I actually need is to take a pause and just stare at the sky or smell a beautiful flower, taking a moment to breathe in the magnificent gift of being alive and present in his moment.

It took me a whole lot of rewiring, and I still rewire my subconscious programming. It is well worth it!

Of course, there are also benefits of coffee:

Reduced risk of heart disease and prostate cancer, stroke, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, blood sugar and blood pressure issues. Increased memory and cognitive function.

Benefits of matcha green tea:

Shaded green and powdered tea, also known as matcha contains a lot of chlorophyll, amino acids, vitamins, minerals and polyphenols. During the shading process, when sunlight is blocked, the green tea leaves (camelia sinensis) becomes bright green and produces the amino acid l-theanine.

Which together with the caffeine of the tea leaf creates a more stable sensation of alertness for up to six hours after consumption, than just from coffee. Which is a rapidly high but also quickly falling curve of wakefulness and often leaves one feeling jittery or nervous.

Buddhist monks enjoyed matcha during meditation and samurai consumed it before their fights, as it enhances Alpha brain waves which are related to focus and the feeling of being in flow.

One cup of matcha equals ten cups of green tea, also nutrient wise. It contains over 1680 antioxidants per gram.

A cup of matcha has about half the amount of caffeine of a coffee, depending on quantities and brewing about 70 g caffeine in matcha vs. 160 g in coffee.

I know all of this because I have been working in a Japanese organic tea company. And I must state, I used to drink 3 cups of matcha every day plus one or two coffees in addition to that. No wonder I was in a vicious cycle of not being able to sleep and constantly running low on energy and nerves. It is not fun to get irritated by almost everything and to not be able to rest.

BUT I made a change and if I and can survive without any caffeine and have a much better quality of life, then you can, too! I believe in you.

To make it easier for you to stop, here is a list of the risks of caffeine.

The risks of caffeine:

Include a disruption of the circadian balance and sleeping patterns.

It overstimulates the heart rhythm, the heart’s stress receptors and can lead to headache and insomnia. It causes psychological and behavioral concerns and is not suitable in high amounts during pregnancy nor lactation.

Study’s also have shown that caffeine:

·      Increases cholesterol

·      Increases inflammation

·      Increases blood pressure

·      Increases risk of kidney stones

·      Increases risk of decreased bone density (a sign of Vata again!)

·      Increases gastric secretion, linked to GERD and heartburn

·      Is related to erectile dysfunction

·      Causes damage and depletes the nervous system

·      Disturbs neurotransmitters in the brain

·      Slows DNA repair (aging faster)

·      Progressively dries out the digestive system and colon

·      Irritates the intestines, linked to digestion, absorption and elimination

·      Enhances the production of prostaglandin which leads to cramps during menstruation

One study showed that over 90% of coffee beans were moldy. Mold is linked to pain, fatigue, inflammation, and cognitive issues.

Keep in mind, anything that you consume that is not organically grown, means you are consuming the pesticides sprayed on them, which includes coffee and tea as well.

Furthermore, coffee beans have a special connection with the female reproductive system. They are usually sprayed with chemicals and pesticides that have an estrogenic effect. Estrogen is the female sex hormone and coffee therefore can change our hormones.

What’s the solution?

The solution is shifting both diet (ahar) and lifestyle (vihar).

How to quit caffeine:

·      If you can’t quit it right away, which not many of us find hard in the beginning, start cutting down your consumption. This will also keep potential withdrawals and headaches at bay!

·      One change at a time is already great and has a big impact on your wellbeing.

·      You can replace your morning cup of coffee with warm water or herbal teas to gently wake up your digestive fire (jathara agni).

·      When cravings arise, take time for yourself, go for a walk in nature, breathe deeply in and out and notice how your urge becomes less and less.

·      Be gentle with yourself, many of us have been there, I am sure you know someone who quit that you could contact again and talk about your situation.

·      If you experience headaches, have a cup of hot water with ginger.

·      And pat yourself on the shoulder. Celebrate little wins, one coffee less a day is a step to a healthier connection with what you truly need. You are doing great!

Whenever you notice you don’t crave it anymore and there is a special occasion and you really feel like having a caffeinated tea, chai, matcha, coffee etc. make sure to always add a bit of coconut oil or ghee against the jitteriness of caffeine. Cream, milk, oat or almond milk give it a more cooling, nourishing and wet component for the drying effect.

As well as a pinch of freshly ground cardamom to balance the effect of acidic caffeine in the intestines and to keep the heart calm.

I for instance carry a tiny jar with cardamon with me in my purse to make sure I always have it with me when needed. These are little tricks, but they will never fully harmonize the effect of caffeine in your body.

I know, we all have those days, when we need to finish a project or a paper before a certain deadline and we feel like falling back into our habits and rely on our caffeine fix. In particularly those times it would be a lot better to take a step back and notice what’s really going on:

Why do I need to rely on caffeine to get through the day? What could I change to rely on yourself instead?

Practice satya, self-honesty and see what you can adjust.

Notice when you are anxious or stressed (a sign of high Vata dosha) how caffeine makes you feel. Leave it out for a while and notice how calm your thoughts and nervous system become without it.

Your nervous system is ruled by fast-changing Vata dosha any outside stimulation will create more movement and spiraling thoughts or even fear.

Here are three ways to calm your nervous system and Vata:

·      daily routines especially in the morning and evening,

·      abhyanga, warm oil self-massage and

·      gentle alternate nostril breathing.

Instead of a caffeinated beverage, you can try a cup of CCF tea. You can experiment with the ingredients and see what works best for your mind-body-type. 

Or take a look in your pantry, I am sure there are some herbs for a delicious herbal tea blend. It can be as simple as putting a few pinches of organic nettle and rose petals together with a few cardamom pods.

You can also get some inspiration from these recipes I have created rooibos rose latte, summer moon milk, hibiscus rose mint tea, or this Ayurvedic golden milk.

Learn to let fingers guide you towards what your body feels like having, engage your sense of smell and you will create the magic you need at that moment.

Life is much easier when you understand what the underlying thing is, that you are truly seeking. And it is so rewarding to celebrate a little win with a mug of herbal tea! You can do it!

Let me know how you are doing, reach out. I am here.

With love,

Lisa