Lassi is a typical Indian drink that has huge benefits for our health. It helps to replenish our gut microbiome, the ‘friendly’ bacteria that reside in the gastrointestinal tract, and help to maintain our immunity, brain health, digestive health, heart function, weight, blood sugar levels, and many other aspects of our health. Everything needs to be in balance in order to keep our body and mind functioning optimally. Modern life and the overuse of antibiotics, and other medications, processed foods, and a lack of diversity in our diets, all lead to reduced gut microbiome, and a lack of the full complement of the hundreds of species of bacteria we need to be present to support our health. More research is being done on this topic, but Ayurvedic medicine knew of the link between the brain and the gut long before modern medicine came along.
Lassi is so easy to make, incredibly refreshing, helps to aid the digestive process, and as I said, hugely benefits our health. It’s drunk daily especially in the hot summer months in India, due to its cooling properties, and one can almost immediately feel its healing effects as it enters the digestive tract. I make it in my nutribullet smoothie maker, but any liquidiser will do, or you can simple whisk everything well in a bowl. Play around a little with the ratio of water and yoghurt so you end up with a texture that you like, but it should be a creamy pouring consistency.
Ingredients to make a small glass for two people:
6 tbsp very fresh organic whole milk yoghurt
240ml water
A good pinch roasted cumin powder
1/2 tsp fine Himalayan rock salt (you might need a little more)
4-5 fresh or 8-10 dried curry leaves
A couple of mint leaves (optional)
Put everything apart from the curry and mint leaves in a small blender or nutribullet and blend for 25 seconds. Now add the curry leaves, and mint leaves, if using, and blend for another 10 seconds. Adjust the salt if needed. Drink immediately.
Try to drink a glass of lassi after your lunch, or as an afternoon drink, especially in the summer. It’s a delicious glassful of digestive health.