Article
Health Drinks Ayurvedic Concept J.s.negi.mail id – jaikrit14@gmail.com
Introduction
Types of health drinks
2. Orange juice ⎯ Appetizer and rejuvenating. 3. Pomegranate ⎯ juice Appetizer and digestive. 4. Vegetable juices/soups ⎯ Juice/ soup of vegetables like carrot, tomato, spinach, mint, ginger, etc. are useful health tonics. These are beneficial for digestive system and contain different minerals and vitamins.
Svarasa 1. Expressed juices ( ) Ayurveda is a complete science kvatha/kada 2. health Decoction ( ) of health and it aims to protect the of the healthy and to alleviate disorders in 3. Medicated milk preparation says, “The body is ( Ksirapaka) the diseased. Caraka the product of food. Diseases occur the prepared with curd 4. as Drinks result of faulty diet. The distinction Hima 5. Cold infusion ( kalpana) between pleasure (health) and 6.pain Phanta kalpana) Warm infusion ( (disease) arise as a result of difference Mantha 7. Churned drink ( ) between the wholesome and Panaka 8. Beverage ( ) unwholesome diet.” Also “Body is Sharbat/sarkara 9. Squash ( ) outcome of the nutrition ingested in 10. Fermented medicinal beverages/ four-fold manner, viz. Eating, Drinking, Decoction (Kvatha/kada ) drinksAsava/Arista ( ) Licking and Mastication.”
Around 50-65% of human body Decoction is prepared by boiling Expressed juices (Svarasa) is water content. This shows that water and drugs in water and then straining. This is Juice expressed out of a fresh drug 2 other drinks are essential part of our diet. given lukewarm to the patients . Here are Svarasa by mechanical pressure is . The It can be consumed in plain water form few decoctions for common problems: part of the drug is 1. Sunthi (Dry Ginger) decoction is used or in the form of different drink washed, cleaned and in arthritis, fever, etc. preparations. These different types of crushed and then juice Giloy (Gulancha health drinks can fulfill nutritive or 2. isVasa (Malabar Nut), Svarasa extracted out. corrective (of disease) requirements of tinospora) decoction is useful in can also be obtained common cough. our body and can also add to taste. from dry drugs by 3. Triphala (three Myrobalans) and The drinks, which have soaking the coarse Amaltas (Golden Shower) decoction medicinal properties along with powder of the drug is used in constipation and pain in quenching thirst, are called health drinks. overnight and then nextabdomen. Several health drinks are described in morning mashing it 4. by Triphala (three Myrobalans) Ayurveda for diseased state as well as and for squeezing the juice 1 hand out of it .decoction Some mixed with honey is given healthy state to safeguard against the of the juices are described here. early morning for obesity. onslaught of extreme seasonal variations. ⎯ 5. Decoction of Amla (Emblic Amla juice They can be described according1.to their (Emblic myrobalan) Munga (Green/ Rejuvenating, digestive, appetizer,myrobalan) and method of preparations and suitable Golden Gram) with pinch of salt and drinks are recommended furtherbeneficial for eyes, hyperacidity and ghee is useful for vomiting. diabetes. according to season. 16 Natural Product Radiance Vol 3(1) January-February 2004
Article kitchens in daily routine. Buttermilk 1.Tea is a good example of warm infusion. enhances digestion. It is customary to Medicinal drink tea can be prepared by tulsi (basil) leaves, buttermilk in the end of the meals. While adding ginger, ilaichi Fragrant milk like cardamom, mint, cinnamon, etc. to badam (Almond), etc.churning the curd mild water can be added (Cardamom), to it. Freshly roasted and powdered cumin attain different types of medicinal available in the market are best example of seeds can be added to it if a patient is effects. this preparation. Milk processed with suffering from indigestion, diarrhoea and 2. Warm infusionsunthi of (dry ginger) medicinal herbs is called medicated milk dysentery. powder can be given to arthritis patients ( Ksirapaka). To prepare medicated milk lassi There are two types of ⎯ and people having digestive problems. coarsely powdered drug (1 part), cow’s sweet and salty. milk (8 parts) and water (32 parts) are lassi contains curd, 500 g; sugar, Churned drink ( Mantha) 1. Sweet mixed and boiled. When only milk remains 300 g; and water, 200 ml. Being sweetDrink obtained by churning of one in the pot then it should be filtered with the it is cool and good in summer 3 partseason, of drug into four parts of water and then help of a cloth . VariousKsirapaka types of 6 for burning sensation and it isstrained also is called churned drink . are: nutritive. 1. Lasuna (Garlic)ksirapaka ⎯ This 1. One part of parched and powdered 2. Saltylassi contains curd, 500 ml; of masur) is churned in is prepared by taking lasunaas an lentilsattu ( water, 200 ml; and salt according to ingredient. This is useful in four taste. It is appetizer and beneficial forparts of water. Pomegranate juice hyperlipidaemia (increased and honey is mixed in Mantha it. This digestive system. cholesterol), arthritis, sciatica, etc. is useful in vomiting. ksirapaka ⎯ Cold infusion (Hima kalpana) 2. Sunthi (Dry Ginger) 2. One part of parched and powdered The ingredient here for this preparation Cold infusion is obtained by putting barleysattu ( of yava/jau) is churned ksirapaka is is sunthi powder. This one part of the crushed herb in six parts of in four parts of water. This is used for very useful in arthritis and abdominal water over night and then cold extract is excessive thirst and burning sensation. problems like indigestion, pain in obtained in the morning by rubbing the herb 4 stomach, etc. and filtering it . Beverage (Panaka) ksirapaka ⎯ Stem 3. Arjuna (Arjuna) hima ⎯ 1. Dhaniya (Coriander) Arjuna tree is used to prepareDhaniya bark of fruit is taken to prepare this Fruits like mango, pomegranate, Arjuna ksirapaka . This is useful in grapes, orange or pineapple is crushed and infusion. It reduces excessive thirst and juice is expressed out of them. Sixteen parts heart related problems. According burning to sensation. Arjuna is a heart tonic. Ayurveda, himaof cold water and sugar is added into them 2. Vijaysara (Indian Kino Tree) Asvagandha well. This drink is called 4. (Aswagandha) ⎯ Heartwood Vijaysara of is used and mixed 11 panaka ⎯ ksirapaka . This is prepared with to prepare infusion vijaysara of .This Asvagandha Chandana panaka is powder of roots. This is infusion is very effective in bringing 1. (sandal wood) a very good health tonic. It increases made according to the above method. down blood sugar of diabetes patients. weight, improves body immunity and ⎯ hima It is beneficial in burning sensation, 3. Giloy (Gulancha tinospora) rejuvenates the body cells. urine infections and fever. This cold infusion is prepared by stem 5. Pippali (Indian Long Pepper) of Giloy and it is given in chronic Imli panaka is beneficial 2. (tamarind) ksirapaka ⎯ Pippali fruits are used conditions of fever. for digestive tract problems. It is given to prepare ksirapaka this . This is used Phanta kalpana in indigestion, loss of appetite, Warm infusion ( ) for liver diseases, bronchial asthma, excessive thirst and burning sensation. and general tonic. Warm infusion or fluid is obtained panaka is 3. Aamra (unripe mango) by putting one part of powdered herb in Drinks prepared with curd given in prophylaxes for sunstroke and eight parts of hot water, keeping it at room for burning sensation. It is appetizer temperature for some time to get it cooled Curd products like buttermilk and 5 10 lassi are commonly used in Indian and digestive. thereafter straining it for use . 17 Natural Product Radiance Vol 3(1) January-February 2004
Medicated milk preparation ( Ksirapaka)
Article Fermented alcoholic product of aqueous (fermented decoction), sidhu (fermented extract/decoction of drugs (Arista) sugarcane juice), honey mixed with water Fruit juices and double quantity of chandan and water boiled with extracts of sugar are boiled together to attain a thickIt is a self-generated alcoholic (sandal wood) can be taken. Chilled drinks preparation obtained from fermentation of consistency like syrup and then aqueous along with cold water may be taken in distillatearka ( ) of rose,kevara, saunf the decoction of herbal drugs along with 8 summer season according to requirement. are added into them for fragrance.honey, Some jaggery, etc. in an earthen vessel . Panak Panchsara [syrup prepared with preservatives like sodium benzoate and Draksarista is strength draksha iksu (sugarcane), (grapes), 12 promoting, appetizer and carminative. It is citric acid can also be added into them . madhuka kashmarya , date, ( gumhar) useful in abdominal problems like 1. Phalsa squash can be made by the andparushaka ( phalsa) fruits with equal indigestion and piles. above method. It is appetizer, digestive, quantity of cold water and a pinch of laxative and useful in anemia and Kutajarista is useful in bleeding cardamom powder] Lassi and (sweet or piles, fever and improves indigestion. jaundice. salty) may also be taken to get relief from Vidangarista is given in worm 2. Banafsha squash (Viola) is made heat of the summer season. and from flowers banafsha of . It is infestations, kidney stone, diabetes In rainy season, meat or vegetable abscess. beneficial for cough, sleeplessness, mastu (thin water of yogurt) are soups and Arjunarista is an important heart headache, etc. tonic, appetizer and digestive. suggested for consumption with food. Take Fermented medicinal beverages/ easily digestible food and avoid heavy food, Rohitakarista is used in liver drinks curd, oil, and strong liquors during autumn. and spleen enlargements, piles, skin Asava andArista are used in To attain the best effects of these health problems and loss of appetite. Ayurvedic system of medicine since ages. In drinks seasonal recommendations should Kanji is (Sour vinegar) these preparations natural low alcohol be followed. generated. Hence, these get more quicklyRice and pulses are boiled and References absorbed by the system and act in kept a fastfor way. fermentation. Thus sour 9 Shelf life of these preparations is also very preparation obtained iskanji called . It can 1-9.Sarangadhara Samhita, Madhyam long. Their action in the body gets also faster as Khanda, edited by Dr. Shailaja be prepared with vegetables like radish, 1 2 these preparations get older. Shrivastava (Chapter-1/2-4 ; 2/1-2 ; 2/ carrot, etc. It is appetizer, digestive, 3 4 5 6 7 163 ; 4/1 ; 3/1-2 ; 3/9 ; 10/1 ; 810/2 ; carminative and useful in indigestion. Fermented alcoholic product 9 Asavas andAristas are available 10/12 ), Chaukhamba Orientalia, of crude drugs (Asava) nd India, edition, 2 1998. in the market. Other beverages can Varanasi, be It is a self generated alcoholic prepared in the kitchen easily with little 10. Bhavaprakasa Purva Khanda, edited by preparation obtained from fermentation of effort. Dr. K C Chunekar, Vol. 1 (Chapter-6/3the raw herbal drugs along with honey, 7 18), Krishnadas Academy, Varanasi, jaggery, etc. in an earthen vessel . Conclusion Kumari (Aloe)asava is made by India, st1 edition, 1998. Various hot and cold health drinks the above method of preparation. It is useful ⎯ Jvara. 11. Gadanigraha Chapter are described here. In Ayurveda, different in all digestive system problems, distension health drinks are recommended according of abdomen, pain and burning sensation 12.Bhaishajya Kalpana Vigyan, edited by 13 during urination and kidney stone.to season . In very cold and dewy season, Acharya S. N. Mishra, (Chapter-7), Chandana (Sandal wood) warm beverages like warm fragrant milk Chaukhamba Surabharati, Reprint products, asava is strength promoting, nutrient, heart vegetable soups, meat soup, edition, 2001. sugarcane products can be taken as a part tonic and digestive. Caraka 13. Samhita, Sutra Sthana, edited by Loha (Iron)asava is useful inof food. In spring season, barley, honey, Dr. PV Sharma (Chapter-6), anemia, edema, abdominal diseases, mango juice as food and beverages such as Chaukhamba Orientalia, Varanasi, bronchial asthma, piles and loss of appetite. asava (fermented infusion), arista India, th6 edition, 2000. It is a heart tonic also.
Squash (Sharbat/sarkara )
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Natural Product Radiance Vol 3(1) January-February 2004