We are taught one way or another that we are what we eat. Ayurveda likes to take it one step further that we’re not only what we eat, we’re what we digest. 

If the food you consume is not being digested properly, you’ll have toxins in the body (in Ayurveda toxins are called “Ama”) which will eventually lead to imbalances. The goal is to have healthy digestion so the food you consume (aka the fuel) is burning efficiently. 

Most people don’t think twice about gas and bloating, but that’s the body’s way to tell you something isn’t sitting right in the stomach.

CCF tea is an Ayurvedic staple. It is a combination of 3 common culinary spices in seed form: coriander, cumin, and fennel, brewed together for maintaining digestive health. 

How Food Is Medicine

The combination of these 3 common culinary spices aids in the absorption of nutrients, detox’s the lymphatic system, and reduces digestive imbalances such as gas and bloating.

Amazing right? 

Here’s how to make it:

• 1 TSP Coriander Seed
• 1 TSP Cumin Seed
• 1 TSP Fennel Seed
• 3 cups of water (1 TSP of seed for each cup of water)

1. Add the water and seeds into a pot and bring to a boil 
2. Allow the tea to boil for 5-10 minutes (the longer you boil, the stronger the tea will be)
3. Turn off the heat and cover for 3-5 minutes, allowing the tea to steep 
4. Strain out the seeds, place the tea into a cup or insulated thermos, and sip throughout the day
5. You can dress this tea up by adding ginger, mint, and/or lime juice, along with a sweetener if you wish (jaggery for vata, maple syrup for pitta, honey for kapha)

Pressed for time? Simply take equal amounts of each seed, throw it into a tea infuser, pour boiling water into your mug or thermos, and let the seeds steep in the water. While the tea won’t be as strong, it saves time and you’ll still get amazing benefits. 

Life hack: Premix equal amounts of each seed into a glass jar and mix it well. Each morning, add 3 teaspoons of the blend to your hot water (either by boiling or simply by putting it into a tea infuser).

One more thing: The tea should be consumed either warm or hot. Why? Cold creates constriction, while heat opens up the blood vessels. The goal is to increase blood circulation into the digestive system so that you’re digestion is working efficiently. 

Cheers to happy digesting!