A Quick Āyurvedic Perspective of Alcohol

Wondering what Ayurveda say about alcohol and if you can consume it as a healthy beverage?

Before diving in, it’s important to know that Āyurveda as a science doesn’t give a hard no to anything. Typically, when dealing within an Āyurvedic framework, most answers are, “it depends”, as pretty much everything has a time/place where it can be used. Alcohol is no exception. 

First level Analysis: Most alcohol is considered hot in potency, with a post-digestive effect that is sour. Sour and hot potency aggravates pitta dosha. With this in mind, if you were suffering from any pitta related issues, it would be advised to eliminate alcohol. Additionally, when we think of the seasons, summer provokes pitta, so best to avoid alcohol in summer. 

If most alcohol provokes pitta, it must pacify something else. When indulged in small doses, many alcohols are said to enter into minute channels and cleanse, and can act as a mild laxative. The heating quality can also be slightly pacifying to vāta, with vāta also appreciating being able to move more freely when channels are not blocked. With this in mind, late fall and winter are better seasons to have small amounts of alcohol, since these seasons in New England are dominated by vāta dosha. 

Second Level Analysis: Ojas, put simply, is our immunity or our sense of vigor. It is the most refined bi-product of digestion, and is produced after the nutrients we take in through foods have fed all of our tissues. Alcohol is said to have the exact opposite qualities of ojas. Therefore, too much indulgence in alcohols, or drinking very strong alcohol, reduces immunity, which you don’t want. 

General Advice: Strong alcohols are best to avoid, as is drinking in the summer. Favoring wines that have been aged, and are darker grapes, in the late fall and winter season is okay on occasion in moderation.

Please note: the seasonal recommendations given above, are based on New England climate. If you live in a different location, please adjust recommendations to fit your location’s seasonal patterns.