Where Every Bite is Medicine, and Still a Joy
At Atharva Living, food and herbs are not trends. They are daily, living medicine – a quiet ritual you practice three or more times a day.
Our kitchen is guided by Atharva Veda, Ayurveda, yoga, and modern nutrition science. Meals and herbal preparations are designed to:
- Support digestion, energy and immunity
- Calm an overstimulated nervous system
- Respect your constitution, season and stage of life
- Make preventive living deeply enjoyable, not restrictive
We don’t count calories. We cultivate clarity, nourishment and rhythm.
Whether you are with us on a full program, a short immersion or simply for a meal and consultation, you’ll meet food and herbs as partners in your preventive lifestyle
Our Food Philosophy
We favour sattvic, freshly prepared, minimally processed food:
- Whole grains (including millets, local rice), legumes, seasonal vegetables
- Moderate, high-quality fats (ghee, cold-pressed oils, nuts and seeds)
- Very little refined sugar, refined flour or artificial additives
Rather than chasing fads, we ask:
Does this meal help your mind feel clear, your body feel light and stable, and your energy feel steady?
We consider your:
- Ayurvedic constitution (Vata/Pitta/Kapha),
- Current imbalances,
- Program intention (sleep, detox, hormones, etc.),
- Medical needs when known,
…to adjust:
- Spice levels and types
- Cooking methods (raw vs steamed vs sautéed vs slow-cooked)
- Meal timing & portioning
- Use of specific herbs or condiments
Two people at the same table may receive slightly different recommendations – and that’s intentional.
Wherever possible, we:
- Source local, fresh produce
- Align menus with Ritu (season) to support immunity and digestion
- Respect local culture and traditional recipes, modifying them only where needed for your health
Your body, mind and the land are in constant conversation. We let that guide our choices.
Food here is:
- Visually gentle and inviting
- Portion sizes comfortable, not overloading
- Seasoned enough to satisfy, not to shock
- We aim for that feeling of a home-cooked, carefully thought-through meal – elevated, but never alien.
Dining Spaces at Atharva Living
Main Dining: The Bhojan Hall
A light-filled, calm space where all main meals are served:
- Communal tables and quiet corners
- Soft natural colours and materials
- No loud music; gentle background sound or silence
- Phones kept on silent, with recommended "no-screen" windows
Courtyard & Outdoor Seating
When weather supports it, we:
- Serve portions of breakfast or tea outside
- Host small "learning plates" sessions in fresh air
- Encourage guests to eat a meal or at least a chai in full presence with the elements
The Atharva Herbal Bar
A dedicated corner for teas, decoctions and tonics:
- Open at key times through the day
- Staffed by someone who knows each blend's purpose
- A place to pause between sessions and simply sit with your cup
The Atharva Herbal Bar – Daily, Liquid Medicine
Our herbal bar is where ancient plant wisdom flows into modern cups.
Calming & Grounding Blends
Chandra Nidra Tea
chamomile, jatamansi, brahmi, rose
For evenings when the mind is racing and sleep feels far away.
Hridaya Heart Brew
arjuna, rose, hibiscus, licorice
To soften emotional heaviness and support the heart.
Digestive & Detoxifying Blends
Nadi Flow Water
fennel, coriander, cumin, ajwain
A classic Ayurvedic support for bloating and sluggish digestion.
Ama-Clear Decoction
triphala, ginger, dandelion root
A gentle nudge when the system feels heavy and slow.
Short-term use only, under guidanceImmunity & Resilience Blends
Prana Guard Tisane
tulsi, guduchi, black pepper, cinnamon
For city lungs, travel, and times of compromised immunity.
Seasonal Rasayana Cup
adaptogenic herbs and tonics adjusted to the current season
A supportive daily ritual when your body needs extra holding.
Copper, Temperature & Ritual
Many drinks are served in copper vessels or clay cups, depending on what's appropriate.
You are invited to pause for a few breaths before your first sip.
Short cards at the bar explain the intention, ingredients and best times for each blend.
Learning Plates & Kitchen Pharmacy
We want you to leave not only refreshed, but equipped.
Kitchen Pharmacy Sessions
Short classes where you learn:
- How to make basic decoctions and kadhas at home
- Spice mixes for digestion, sleep and immunity
- Simple recipes to support common lifestyle concerns
These are practical, hands-on, and designed for non-chefs: busy professionals, parents, caregivers.
Food & Lifestyle Workshops
Topics may include:
- “Eating for Your Constitution: Vata, Pitta, Kapha basics”
- “Dinner for Sleep: Foods that help and foods that hinder”
- “Blood Sugar & Mood: how to eat for steadier days”
- “Snacking the Atharva way – real options for real life”
You'll always get printed or digital notes for later reference.
A Sample Day of Food & Herbs at Atharva
Morning
On waking – Warm water with mild spices or plain, depending on your plan.
Breakfast – Might include:
- Light kitchari with vegetables and ghee
- Steamed idlis with sambar and a dry chutney suited to your dosha
- A small fruit portion with soaked nuts and seeds
Optional: short kitchen tip before you leave – e.g., "Try this at home tomorrow morning."
Midday
Lunch – Our most substantial meal:
- Sattvic thali: 2 seasonal vegetables, dal, grain (rice/millet), curd/buttermilk, small salad, pickle
- Or a single-bowl meal like millet khichdi with greens and seeds
Midday herbal water specific to your program (e.g., cooling for Pitta, warming for Vata).
Evening
Light Dinner – Designed to support sleep and digestion:
- Broth-based soups with vegetables and gentle spices
- Light grain or vegetable dishes in small portions
- No heavy, oily or late meals unless specifically advised
Night Ritual Drink – A calming herbal tea or a warm milk preparation (dairy or plant-based) with appropriate spices, if suitable.
Diets, Allergies & Special Requirements
We understand that everyone arrives with their own history and needs.
- We can accommodate vegetarian, vegan, dairy-free, gluten-sensitive and other preferences, within reason.
- Serious allergies or medical conditions must be shared in advance; we'll plan menus and kitchen protocols accordingly.
- Religious or cultural dietary needs are respected and integrated.
We'll balance your special requirements with Ayurvedic principles and your program goals, so your food is both safe and supportive.
From Our Kitchen to Your Home
Before you leave, you'll receive:
- A mini Atharva food guide – principles, sample recipes, and do's/don'ts for your constitution
- Recommendations of which herbs and blends to continue using (and how)
- Guidance on what small changes to make first – so you don't go home and try to change everything at once
You're welcome to purchase select herbs, blends and tools from the Atharva Living store, so your kitchen can become a quiet extension of this space.
Earthwise Food & Sourcing
Food is also our relationship with the earth.
Wherever possible, we aim to:
- Source local, seasonal produce
- Choose suppliers who respect soil, water and labour
- Minimise food waste through planning, composting and creativity
- Avoid unnecessary plastic in packaging and service
We're constantly learning and refining these practices – they are part of our Earthwise Living philosophy, not a marketing checkbox.
Learn more about Earthwise Living →
Frequently Asked Questions
In most cases, yes. Our core menus are designed around vegetarian sattvic principles. On rare occasions and with specific medical need, we may discuss and design something different, but the heart of our kitchen is plant-forward.
Our intention is nourishment, not deprivation. Portions are designed to be comfortable and you can speak to us if you feel you need adjustments. In certain detox or therapeutic programs, there may be short, carefully monitored phases of lighter eating.
We often reduce or adapt regular tea/coffee to support your program intention, replacing them with herbal alternatives where possible. We'll never force you abruptly, but we will invite you to experiment and feel the difference.
No. Atharva Living is a non-alcoholic, non-smoking environment. This is essential for the integrity of the work we do with the body, mind and nervous system.
Yes. Through Kitchen Pharmacy sessions, workshops, and take-home guides, we encourage you to practice Atharva-style cooking in your own context—whether that's a big family kitchen or a small city apartment.
Begin Your Food & Herbal Journey
Whether you join us for a full program, a single meal with consultation, or an online food & herb journey, you’re welcome to begin where you are.