Ayurvedic Smoothies | 15 Refreshing & Balancing Recipes

Ayurveda, yoga’s ancient sister science, has long promoted food and diet as a principal means of creating health in the mind and body.

We’ve picked out 15 of our favorite Ayurvedic smoothies that you can easily make at home. Whether you’re Pitta, Vata or Kapha-dominant, you’ll be able to find nourishing recipes that meet the unique demands of your body.

In this article, we’ll explore the following:

• What Is The Ayurvedic Diet?

• Ayurvedic Doshas and Body Types

• Pitta Balancing Smoothies

• Vata Balancing Smoothies

• Kapha Balancing Smoothies

So grab your blender, make sure the lid is secure (we’ve been there), and keep reading…

What is the Ayurvedic diet?

The Ayurvedic diet is based on the principles of Ayurveda, a system of medicine rooted in ancient India. The name is comprised of the Sanskrit words ‘Ayu’, meaning Life, and ‘Veda’, meaning Knowledge – translating literally as ‘the Science of Life’.

Ayurveda is an alternative approach to health that emphasises bringing balance to the mind and body and holistic wellness. Key to Ayurveda is the belief that all disease begins in the digestive tract and that food should act as the primary source of medicine.

As such, following a healthy Ayurvedic diet tailored to the unique needs of your body is a powerful tool to achieve optimal health. But in order to do this, you must first understand which Ayurvedic body type you are.

Ayurvedic Doshas and Body Types

One of the fundamental principles of Ayurveda is that each person’s body type can be described and explained by an interaction between 3 forces, or Doshas.

According to the Ayurvedic texts, the universe is made up of 5 Bhutas (elements); vayu (air), jala (water), teja (fire), akasha (space) and prithvi (earth). When blended in different proportions, these 5 elements form 3 fundamental forces known as ‘Doshas‘ – Vata, Pitta, and Kapha.

These Doshas govern our physical and mental processes and essentially provide everyone with an individual blueprint for health and fulfillment. 

However, any shift in this delicate balance between can cause pathological derangements in the body. In other words, it can cause of disease and unhappiness. As such, it is pivotal to understand which Dosha presides dominant in your body and what you can eat to restore balance to these forces.

Pitta Dosha

• Combines fire and water

• Associated qualities: hot, light, penetrating, and sharp

• Associated with a fast metabolism, strong digestion, early greying of hairs, acidity, body heat, skin rashes, and ulcers

• Balanced by cooling, energising and refreshing foods such as fruits, vegetables, and legumes. Think cucumbers, melons, coconut, coriander, and mint

Vata Dosha

• Combines air and space

• Associated qualities: cold, dry and light

• Associated with constipation, bloating, dry skin, arthritis, hypertension, anxiety and poor blood circulation

• Balanced by warming, moisturizing, oily, creamy, and fatty foods. Think root vegetables, protein, avocados and nuts

Kapha Dosha

• Combines earth and water

• Associated qualities: coldness, heaviness, steadiness, softness, stamina and stability

• Associated with asthma, diabetes, slow digestion and metabolic issues

• Balanced by dry, warming, flavor-filled foods. Think leafy greens, cruciferous vegetables, spices, and beans

Still not sure which Dosha is dominant in your body? Check out our article on Ayurveda Body Types or take a free online quiz.

5 Ayurvedic smoothies for Balancing Pitta

In order to balance the fieriness of Pitta, Ayurveda recommends consuming cooling foods.

Hot, spicy, sour, and overly salted foods tend to provoke Pitta and should ideally be avoided. In order to reduce Pitta, a diet of sweet, bitter and drying foods should be followed. These will help to balance a Pitta’s system by cooling their body and reducing inflammation.

You can find an extensive list of which foods you should favor and avoid in your Pitta-balancing smoothies here.

#1 Pitta Cooling Coconut and Banana Smoothie

This sweet, refreshing recipe is rich in soothing herbs and fatty acids that help balance the fiery inflammation of Pitta.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of coconut milk or water

• 1 cup of frozen or fresh pineapple

• ½ frozen banana

• 1 handful of spinach

• 2 tbsp of fresh mint

• 1 tbsp of fresh aloe juice

#2 Pitta Reducing Date and Almond Smoothie

This cold, restorative recipe is ideal for pacifying an overactive Pitta.

The cinnamon and dates are both demulcent expectorants that help soothe the throat and eliminate thick mucus lining your respiratory tract.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of almond milk

• 1 tsp of cinnamon

• 3 dried dates

• 1/2 inch of fresh ginger

• 1 tsp of ghee

• 1/6 cup of ice

#3 Pitta Reducing Berry and Cucumber Smoothie

This delicious treat is packed with anti-oxidants and green vitality. Feel the sweet berries cool your blood, greens cleanse your liver and mint bring clarity to your mind.

Ingredients:

• ½ cup of water

• ½ cup of pomegranate juice

• 2/3 cup of mixed berries

• 1 stalk of celery

• 1/3 cucumber

• 1 tbsp of fresh coriander

• 1 tbsp of fresh mint

#4 Pitta Reducing Kale and Blueberry Smoothie

This superfood smoothie is a great breakfast option for the strong digestive systems of Pitta-dominant people. The blueberries and kale act as a powerful aid to your liver and kidneys and work together to cool inflammation.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of blueberries

• Large bunch of kale

• 1 tsp of mint

• 1/2 cup of water

#5 Pitta Cooling Cantaloupe and Cucumber Smoothie

Making use of melon, cucumber and coconut water, this recipe is perhaps the ultimate Pitta-cooling smoothie.

Chop and freeze your cantaloupe before blending for an extra dose of refreshment.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups of cantaloupe melon

• 1/2 cucumber

• 3 sprigs of fresh mint

• 1 cup of coconut water

5 Ayurvedic smoothies for Balancing Vata

Vata can be balanced by eating sweet, sour, and salty foods which add moisture to the body. Ayurveda recommends counterbalancing the dryness that characterizes Vata by eating predominantly warm and cooked foods and adding healthy fats into your diet.

You can find an extensive list of which foods you should favor and avoid in your Vata-balancing smoothies here.

#1 Vata Reducing Grape and Chia Smoothie

This smoothie contains plenty of moisturizing, fatty foods which help lubricate tissues and balance out a dry Vata Dosha.

Ingredients:

• ½ cup of water

• 1 cup of grapes

• 1 date

• 1 tsp of chia seeds

• ½ avocado

• ½ banana

#2 Vata Reducing Ginger and Peach Smoothie

Not only is this recipe delicious, but it also could not be easier to make. Requiring only 2 major ingredients – what’s not to love?!

Ingredients:

• 2 peaches

• 1 inch fresh ginger

• 1 cup water

#3 Vata Balancing Banana and Beetroot Smoothie

This smoothie is packed with naturally warming spices and creamy nut butter, both of which help alleviate Vata’s cool, dry nature.

If your Dosha feels particularly unbalanced, opt for fresh fruit over frozen fruit.

Ingredients:

• 1 banana (frozen or fresh)

• 1 beetroot

• 1 tbsp of almond butter

• 1 tbsp of maca powder

• ½ tsp of cinnamon

• ¼ tsp of nutmeg

• ¼ tsp of cardamom

• 2 cups of water

#4 Vata Reducing Coconut Protein Smoothie

Creamy coconut and warming coriander and fennel make this smoothie the ultimate Vata-pacifier. Add protein power to feel nourished for longer.

Ingredients

• 1 cup of coconut milk

• 1 scoop of your preferred protein powder

• 1/2 tsp of coconut sugar

• 1 pinch of coriander powder

• 1 pinch of fennel powder

#5 Vata Calming Cinnamon and Vanilla Sweet Potato Smoothie

This delicious Vata-reducing smoothie is strengthening, energizing, and immune boosting. It is best enjoyed during Autumn and Winter seasons due to its grounding spices and warming nature.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups of sweet potato (cooked)

• 1 cup of almond milk

• 1/4 cup of plain yogurt

• 1 inch of fresh ginger

• 1 tsp of cinnamon

• 1/8 tsp of cardamom

• 1/8 tsp of turmeric

• 1/2 tsp of vanilla extract

• 2 tsp of honey 

5 Ayurvedic smoothies for Balancing Kapha

Sluggish, lethargic Kapha is balanced by the drying characteristics of pungent, bitter, and astringent foods, whilst sweet, sour, and salty tastes tend to provoke it. Ayurveda recommends that Kapha-dominant people should eat warming, easily digested, freshly cooked foods.

You can find an extensive list of which foods you should favor and avoid in your Kapha-balancing smoothies here.

#1 Kapha Reducing Green And Ginger Juice

This juice combines fresh greens, strawberries, ginger and a warming dollop of honey to balance Kapha.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup water

• 1 apple

• 6 whole strawberries

• 1/6 lemon juice

• 1/8-inch ginger root

• 1/4 cup arugula

• 1 handful of spinach

• 1 handful of baby kale

• 1 tsp honey

#2 Kapha Calming Kale, Walnut and Apple Smoothie

This cleansing recipe contains foods that are bitter, pungent, and astringent – perfect for bringing Kapha back into balance.

Ingredients:

• 1 handful of fresh kale

• 1/2 tsp sunflower seeds

• 2 tbsp flax seeds

• 5 soaked walnuts

• 1/2 apple

• 1/4 inch ginger

• 1/2 cup of water

#3 Kapha Cooling Spinach and Cacao Smoothie

This uplifting Kapha-reducing recipe uses golden milk powder (also known as turmeric milk), which is chock-full of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups rice milk

• 2 tsp cacao powder

• 2 tsp golden milk powder

• 1 handful of fresh spinach

#4 Kapha Calming Spirulina, Banana and Honey Smoothie

Sweetly spiced banana meets bitter spirulina and warming honey… This flavour-filled recipe is a great winter warmer.

Ingredients:

• 1 banana

• 1/4 tsp spirulina

• 1/4 tsp cinnamon

• 1 tsp honey

• 1 cup water

#5 Kapha Balancing Rocket, Apple and Lime Smoothie

The bitterness of rocket and tartness of apple and lime in this recipe help rejuvenate the sluggish Kapha Dosha. Add a small amount of honey to taste.

Ingredients:

• 1 apple

• Juice from 1/2 lime

• 1 cups of fresh rocket

• 1 tsp fresh ginger

• 1 cup water

• 1 tsp honey

Final Thoughts

These Ayurvedic smoothies are our personal favorites, but feel free to play around and adapt them as you see fit. Listen to your body, get creative and have fun!