Beyond Turmeric Lattes: Two Ayurveda Books To Read On International Yoga Day

By Taniya Sahni 

Ananda – The Healing Plate

Part recipe collection, part wellness manual and part introduction to Ayurvedic philosophy, Ananda – The Healing Plate goes well beyond the boundaries of a conventional cookbook. Beautifully produced in bottle green and gold, it is the sort of book that would look equally good at home on a coffee table, in a wellness retreat or in the lounge of a health club. Inside, it combines practical wisdom, thoughtful writing, stunning photography and recipes that educate as much as they nourish.

The book begins by introducing readers to the foundations of Ayurveda, from the panchamahabhutas or five elements to prakriti and the three doshas. In an age when nutritional advice is everywhere, it offers a refreshing perspective by looking at food not merely in terms of calories and nutrients, but as a source of energy, balance and well-being. A dosha self-assessment questionnaire makes it easy for readers to identify their own constitution and begin applying Ayurvedic principles to daily life.

What stands out is the depth of information. The book explores seasonal eating, ritu sandhi or the transition between seasons, food combinations, pantry staples, adaptogenic herbs and even cookware preferred in Ayurvedic practice. Yet it never feels overwhelming.

At its heart are more than 100 recipes organised around seven pillars of well-being: energy, digestion, inflammation, immunity, detoxification, cognition and sleep. The recipes reflect lessons gathered over 25 years of integrative wellness practice at Ananda, the luxury wellness destination in North India, and each includes modifications for different dosha types.

What stayed with me most were the details. A Garhwali corn recipe explains why warm water should be used while grinding corn and why a stone mortar is preferable to a blender. Elsewhere, a recipe for Probiotic Banana Tea teaches readers how bananas can be used to naturally ripen other fruits, while a sauerkraut recipe encourages using red cabbage trimmings for a nutrient-rich stock. These small insights transform the book from a collection of recipes into a thoughtful guide for more mindful cooking.

With a foreword by Ananda founder Ashok Khanna and wellness writer Vasudha Rai, Ananda – The Healing Plate is both informative and approachable. Whether one is deeply interested in Ayurveda or simply looking to eat more consciously, it offers plenty of inspiration, practical guidance and food for thought.

Publisher: Roli Books

Price: INR 4995

Harmony: Essential Ayurveda for All

Harmony: Essential Ayurveda for All is one of those books that aims to make Ayurveda less intimidating and more accessible to everyday readers. Written by Gita Ramesh, it serves as a practical guide to incorporating Ayurvedic principles into daily life rather than a deep academic exploration of the subject.

The book begins with the fundamentals, introducing readers to Ayurveda and the concept of the three doshas. It helps readers identify their prakriti and understand how it influences everything from energy levels and digestion to temperament and overall well-being. The explanations remain easy to follow without feeling overly simplistic.

As the book progresses, it moves beyond theory into practice. It covers dinacharya, or daily routines, and ritucharya, the practice of adapting one’s habits according to the changing seasons. It also discusses how to recognise signs of imbalance, whether physical, emotional or behavioural, and offers practical ways to restore equilibrium.

One of the book’s strengths is its breadth. While food naturally plays an important role, this is not merely a recipe book. There are meal plans tailored to different doshas, but equal attention is given to movement, yoga, meditation and lifestyle practices. The emphasis is on finding habits that help one feel more balanced and grounded rather than following rigid prescriptions. An excellent feature of the book is the QR codes, which one can scan to view the yoga asanas as videos for practical demonstrations.

The holistic approach extends to skincare and self-care as well. Readers will find recipes for natural preparations such as almond oil blends, sandalwood face masks and oatmeal scrubs, alongside the correct method for Ayurvedic therapies like nasyam and shiro abhyanga. The book also addresses common questions, myths and home remedies, making it particularly useful for readers taking their first steps into Ayurveda.

Beautifully illustrated and easy to navigate, Harmony works best as a reference guide that readers can return to repeatedly rather than read in a single sitting. Drawing on decades of experience through the Kairali Ayurvedic Group, Gita Ramesh has created a book that encourages readers to view Ayurveda not as a set of rules, but as a framework for understanding themselves a little better.

Publisher: Roli Books

Price: INR 2995