Annapanavidhi Adhyaya
Sutra Sthana Chapter 27. Classification and Regimen of food and beverages
| Section/Chapter | Sutra Sthana Chapter 27 |
|---|---|
| Tetrad/Sub-section | Annapana Chatushka |
| Preceding Chapter | Atreyabhadrakapyiya Adhyaya |
| Succeeding Chapter | Vividhashitapitiya Adhyaya |
| Other Sections | Nidana Sthana, Vimana Sthana, Sharira Sthana, Indriya Sthana, Chikitsa Sthana, Kalpa Sthana, Siddhi Sthana |
| Translator and commentator | Jaiswal M.L., Mandal S.K., Deole Y. S. |
| Reviewer | Aacharya R. |
| Editors | Sirdeshpande M.K., Deole Y.S., Basisht G. |
| Year of publication | 2020 |
| Publisher | Charak Samhita Research, Training and Skill Development Centre |
| DOI | 10.47468/CSNE.2020.e01.s01.029 |
Abstract
Since food is considered as the source of life as well as cause of diseases, this chapter is dedicated to a discussion on various dietary preparations, including post-prandial drinks, their properties and beneficial effects on the body. The edibles and beverages have been classified into twelve categories by type: cereals, pulses, meat, green vegetables, fruits, green herbs, alcoholic beverages, water, milk and milk products, sweet products including honey, prepared items, and ahara upayogi (useful foods). The description also includes use of diet in specific disease conditions indicating its therapeutic use. The chapter encompasses various principles of digestion of food and beverages according to habitat, age, part used, processing method, its mixture. Agni (digestive capacity) of an individual is important for processing the food properly and achieving the desirable effects.
Keywords: Annapana, dietetics, classification of dietary articles, anupana, beverages, cereals, corns, vegetables, fruits, green herbs, sugar and sugar products, wines, meat, milk and milk products, water, cooked food.
Introduction
Food is the most important source to achieve health and disease according to Ayurveda, and is even considered as a source of life as well as diseases. Wholesome diet is considered not just to be nourishing, but also to be therapeutic. It has also been given importance in other vedic texts. For instance, Maharshi Kashyapa considered food as mahabheshaja (great medicine) (Ka.S.Khil-4/5-6). However, there are some differences between ahara (food) and bheshaja (medicine) - the former is rasa pradhana (taste-centric) while the latter is veerya pradhana (potency centric).
The etymological meaning of ahara (food) is to collect (ahiyate) for the nutritional purpose of the body. Ahara is a generic term that can mean anna (literally, cereals, but also mean solid food) and pana (beverages or anything drinkable). Ahara can be classified into twelve categories and should be balanced, consisting of carbohydrates, proteins, fats, salts, water, vitamins and essential micronutrients available from shashtika (rice), shali paddy, mudga (pulses), ghrita (clarified butter), saindhava lavana (rock salt), antariksha (rain water), amalaki (Indian gooseberry), madhu (honey) and payas (milk). According to Ayurveda, balanced diet besides nourishing the body, maintains the equilibrium of doshas, dhatus and malas. There are many substances in shaka varga (greens or green vegetables) that are used as diet and medicine, like kakamachi (Solanum nigrum Linn.), patha (Cissampelos pareira Linn.), shatishaka (Hedychium spicaticum Buch-Ham), changeri (Oxalis corniculata Linn.), shakuladani (Picrorhiza kurroa Royle ex Benth.), vrishapushpa (Adhatoda vasika Nees), gojihva (Launea asplenifolia Hook.f.), tilaparnika (Gynandropsis gynanndra Linn.), prapunnada (Cassia tora Linn.), triparni (Adiantum lunulatum Burm.), parpatakam (Fumaria vaillantti Loisel) etc.
Phala Varga (fruits articles); Following are not used because of non availability, aingudam (Balanites aegyptiaca Linn. Delile), bibhitakam (Terminalia bellerica Roxb.), amlavetasa (Hippophae rhamnoides sub sp. salicifolia), karcurah (Curcuma zedoaria Rosc.), karanja (Pongamia pinnata Pierre) as fruits.
Sanskrit text, Transliteration and English Translation
Now we shall expound the chapter "Annapanavidhi"(Classification and Regimen of food and beverages). Thus said Lord Atreya. [1-2]
Effect of wholesome food
इष्टवर्णगन्धरसस्पर्शंविधिविहितमन्नपानंप्राणिनांप्राणिसञ्ज्ञकानांप्राणमाचक्षतेकुशलाः, प्रत्यक्षफलदर्शनात्; तदिन्धनाह्यन्तरग्नेःस्थितिः; तत्सत्त्वमूर्जयति, तच्छरीरधातुव्यूहबलवर्णेन्द्रियप्रसादकरंयथोक्तमुपसेव्यमानं, विपरीतमहितायसम्पद्यते॥३॥
The wise and the learned believe that food and beverages that possess apt colour, smell, taste and touch, taken in the right quantity, at the right time, season and location, are a source of life and vitality for all living beings. This realization came through practical observation. Wholesome food (and a healthy lifestyle) is the fuel that maintains agni(digestion and metabolism process), invigorates the mind, promotes proper distribution of body elements, vitality, complexion, and acuity of the sense-organs. Conversely, unhealthy diet and lifestyle cause vitiation or imbalances in dosha, dhatu, and rasas, thus causing diseases. [3]
Natural qualities
तस्माद्धिताहितावबोधनार्थमन्नपानविधिमखिलेनोपदेक्ष्यामोऽग्निवेश! तत्स्वभावादुदक्तंक्लेदयति, लवणंविष्यन्दयति, क्षारःपाचयति, मधुसन्दधाति, सर्पिःस्नेहयति, क्षीरंजीवयति, मांसंबृंहयति, रसःप्रीणयति, सुराजर्जरीकरोति, शीधुरवधमति, द्राक्षासवोदीपयति, फाणितमाचिनोति, दधिशोफंजनयति, पिण्याकशाकंग्लपयति, प्रभूतान्तर्मलोमाषसूपः, दृष्टिशुक्रघ्नःक्षारः, प्रायःपित्तलमम्लमन्यत्रदाडिमामलकात्, प्रायःश्लेष्मलंमधुरमन्यत्रमधुनःपुराणाच्चशालिषष्टिकयवगोधूमात्, प्रायस्तिकंवातलमवृष्यंचान्यत्रवेगाग्रामृतापटोलपत्रात्, प्रायःकटुकंवातलमवृष्यंचान्यत्रपिप्पलीविश्वभेषजात्॥४॥
O Agnivesha! we shall, therefore, describe in full the science of diet and dietetics for the sake of knowledge of wholesome and unwholesome things.
By its very nature, water moistens, salt liquefies, alkali digests, honey synthesizes, ghee causes unctuousness, milk gives life, meat strengthens and has a restorative effect, soups of meat nourish. On the other hand, alcohol causes senility, sidhu wine causes emaciation, grape-wine stimulates digestion, treacle causes accumulation of doshas, curd causes swelling, and green pinyaka causes exhaustion.
The soup of black gram increases fecal output. Alkalis are injurious to vision and semen. All substances that are acidic in taste, except pomegranate and amla (embelic myrobalan) are mostly pitta-promoters. All substances of sweet taste, except honey, old shali rice, shashtika-rice, barley and wheat are generally kapha-promoters. All substances of bitter taste, except the sprouts of country willow, guduchi, and the wild snake gourd are mostly vata-stimulants and anaphrodisiacs. All substances with pungent taste, except long pepper and ginger, are vata stimulants and aphrodisiacs. [4]
Classification of food articles
परमतोवर्गसङ्ग्रहेणाहारद्रव्याण्यनुव्याख्यास्यामः ॥५॥
शूकधान्यशमीधान्यमांसशाकफलाश्रयान्। वर्गान्हरितमद्याम्बुगोरसेक्षुविकारिकान्॥६॥
दशद्वौचापरौवर्गौकृतान्नाहारयोगिनाम्। रसवीर्यविपाकैश्चप्रभावैश्चप्रचक्ष्महे॥७॥
We shall now expound the different classifications of the articles of diet.
Corn, pulse, meat, vegetable, fruits, greens, wines, water, milk and its products, sugarcane and its products: these ten and two more, cooked food and adjuvant of foods. Of these, we shall now explain the taste, potency, post-digestive qualities and specific properties. [6-7]
Class of corns
अथशूकधान्यवर्गः-
रक्तशालिर्महाशालिःकलमःशकुनाहृतः
तूर्णको दीर्घशूकश्चगौरःपाण्डुकलाङ्गुलौ॥८॥
सुगन्धकोलोहवालःसारिवाख्यःप्रमोदकः।
पतङ्गस्तपनीयश्चयेचान्येशालयःशुभाः॥९॥
शीतारसेविपाकेचमधुराश्चाल्पमारुताः।
बद्धाल्पवर्चसःस्निग्धाबृंहणाःशुक्रमूत्रलाः॥१०॥
रक्तशालिर्वरस्तेषांतृष्णाघ्नस्त्रिमलापहः ।
महांस्तस्यानुकलमस्तस्याप्यनुततःपरे॥११॥
यवकाहायनाःपांसुवाप्यनैषधकादयः ।
शालीनांशालयःकुर्वन्त्यनुकारंगुणागुणैः॥१२॥
The general qualities and varieties of rice:
Red rice (rakta shali), big rice (maha shali), kalamah, shakunahritah, turnaka, dirghashuka, gaurah, panduka, langulau, sugandhaka (basmati rice), lohavalah, sariva, pramodakah, patanaga, tapaniya and other varieties of “good” rice are cold in potency, sweet in taste (after digestion), mild vata-stimulant and can lead to constipation with less faecal output. They are unctuous, nourishing, seminiferous and diuretic. [8-10]
Of these, red rice is the best. It is adipsous and is effective in treating tridosha. The next best is the big rice and the next best is the kalamah and so on, in the order they are mentioned above. [11]
Yavaka, hayana, pansu vapya (deep-water paddy), naishadhaka and other kinds of rice are similar to the above mentioned types of rice regarding their good and bad qualities. [12]
The qualities of shashtika and vrihi
शीतःस्निग्धोऽगुरुःस्वादुस्त्रिदोषघ्नःस्थिरात्मकः।
षष्टिकःप्रवरोगौरःकृष्णगौरस्ततोऽनुच॥१३॥
वरकोद्दालकौचीनशारदोज्ज्वलदर्दुराः।
गन्धनाः कुरुविन्दाश्चषष्टिकाल्पान्तरागुणैः॥१४॥
मधुरश्चाम्लपाकश्चव्रीहिःपित्तकरोगुरुः।
बहुमूत्रपुरीषोष्मात्रिदोषस्त्वेवपाटलः॥१५॥
Shashtika rice is cold in potency, unctuous, not heavy, and sweet. It pacifies the three dosha and stabilizes them. The white variety is the best type of shashtika rice and the dark-white comes next in order [13] Varaka (Chinaka- Panicum miliaceum Linn), uddalaka (Vanakodrava- Paspalum scrobiculatum var. sommeronii Stapf.), china, sharada, ujjvala, dardura, the fragrant rice (gandhana), and kuruvinda are slightly different in quality from the shashtika rice. [14]
Vrihi rice is sweet in taste and acidic after digestion, stimulates pitta and is heavy. The patala grain causes excessive urination and defecation, enhances body heat and also increases tridosha. [15]
The qualities of koradusha, shyamaka and other grains
सकोरदूषःश्यामाकःकषायमधुरोलघुः। वातलःकफपित्तघ्नःशीतःसङ्ग्राहिशोषणः॥१६॥
हस्तिश्यामाकनीवारतोयपर्णीगवेधुकाः। प्रशान्तिकाम्भःश्यामाकलौहित्याणुप्रियङ्गवः ॥१७॥
मुकुन्दोझिण्टिगर्मूटी वरुकावरकास्तथा। शिबिरोत्कटजूर्णाह्वाःश्यामाकसदृशागुणैः॥१८॥
Koradusha, or sanwa millet (Paspalum scrobiculatum var. sommeronii Stapf) and shyamaka or common millet (Echinochloa frumentacea Link) are astringents and sweet in taste, light, vata-stimulant kapha and pitta diminishing, and desiccants. Hasti-shyamaka (Echinochloa crus galli- (Linn.) Beauv), nivara (Hygroryaza aristata Nees), toyaparni, gavedhuka (Coix lacryma-Jobi Linn.), prasantika, ambhyashyamaka, lauhitya, anu, Italian millet (Setaria italica Linn. Beauv), mukunda, jhinti, garmuti, varuka (Sarghum halepense Linn.), varaka (shyambeeja), shibira, utkata and great millet (Sorghum vulgare (Linn.) Pers.) have similar qualitites as that of shyamaka. [16-18]
The qualities of barley and bamboo
रूक्षःशीतोऽगुरुःस्वादुर्बहुवातशकृद्यवः।
स्थैर्यकृत्सकषायश्च बल्यःश्लेष्मविकारनुत्॥१९॥
रूक्षःकषायानुरसोमधुरःकफपित्तहा।
मेदःक्रिमिविषघ्नश्चबल्योवेणुयवोमतः॥२०॥
Barley (Hordeum vulgare Linn.) is dry, cold in potency, not heavy, sweet in taste, increases excessively vata and feces, stabilizes, is astringent in action, promotive of strength and is effective in treating the discordance of kapha.
The bamboo is considered to be dry, astringent (kashaya anurasa), sweet, and is effective in treating kapha and pitta. It removes fat, worms and poison and is strengthening. [19-20]
The properties of wheat
सन्धानकृद्वातहरोगोधूमःस्वादुशीतलः।
जीवनोबृंहणोवृष्यःस्निग्धःस्थैर्यकरोगुरुः॥२१॥
नान्दीमुखीमधूलीचमधुरस्निग्धशीतले।
इत्ययंशूकधान्यानांपूर्वोवर्गःसमाप्यते॥२२॥
इतिशूकधान्यवर्गःप्रथमः॥१॥
Wheat (Triticum aestivum Linnaeus) alleviates morbid vata, sweet, cold in potency, vitalizing, nourishing, aphrodisiac, unctuous, stabilizing and heavy. [21]
Nandimukhi (crowfoot grass) and madhuli (Eleusine coracana Gaerin) corn are sweet, unctuous and cold in potency. Thus, ends the first section on monocotyledons. [22]
The class of pulses(di-cotyledons)
अथशमीधान्यवर्गः-
कषायमधुरोरूक्षःशीतःपाकेकटुर्लघुः।
विशदः श्लेष्मपित्तघ्नोमुद्गःसूप्योत्तमोमतः॥२३॥
वृष्यःपरंवातहरःस्निग्धोष्णोमधुरोगुरुः।
बल्योबहुमलःपुंस्त्वंमाषःशीघ्रंददातिच॥२४॥
राजमाषः सरोरुच्यःकफशुक्राम्लपित्तनुत्।
तत्स्वादुर्वातलोरूक्षःकषायोविशदोगुरुः॥२५॥
उष्णाःकषायाःपाकेऽम्लाःकफशुक्रानिलापहाः।
कुलत्थाग्राहिणःकासहिक्काश्वासार्शसांहिताः॥२६॥
मधुरामधुराःपाकेग्राहिणोरूक्षशीतलाः।
मकुष्ठकाःप्रशस्यन्तेरक्तपित्तज्वरादिषु॥२७॥
चणकाश्चमसूराश्चखण्डिकाःसहरेणवः।
लघवःशीतमधुराःसकषायाविरूक्षणाः॥२८॥
पित्तश्लेष्मणिशस्यन्तेसूपेष्वालेपनेषुच।
तेषांमसूरःसङ्ग्राहीकलायोवातलःपरम्॥२९॥
स्निग्धोष्णोमधुरस्तिक्तःकषायःकटुकस्तिलः।
त्वच्यःकेश्यश्चबल्यश्चवातघ्नःकफपित्तकृत्॥३०॥
मधुराःशीतलागुर्व्योबलघ्न्योरूक्षणात्मिकाः।
सस्नेहाबलिभिर्भोज्याविविधाःशिम्बिजातयः॥३१॥
शिम्बीरूक्षाकषायाचकोष्ठेवातप्रकोपिनी।
नचवृष्यानचक्षुष्याविष्टभ्यचविपच्यत॥।३२॥
आढकीकफपित्तघ्नीवातला, कफवातनुत्।
अवल्गुजःसैडगजो, निष्पावावातपित्तलाः॥३३॥
काकाण्डोमा(ला)त्मगुप्तानांमाषवत्फलमादिशेत्।
द्वितीयोऽयंशमीधान्यवर्गःप्रोक्तोमहर्षिणा॥३४॥
इतिशमीधान्यवर्गोद्वितीयः॥२॥
Qualities of green gram (Vigna radiata Linn. Wilczec)
Now begins the section on pulses (di-cotyledons). Green-gram (mudga) is considered the best of pulses. It is astringent and sweet in taste, dry, cold in potency, pungent (after digestion), and light. It alleviates the vitiated kapha and pitta. [23]
The qualities of black gram (Vigna mungo Linn. Hepper syn. Phaseolus mungo): Black gram is an excellent aphrodisiac, effective in treating vata, unctuous, hot, sweet, heavy (to digest) and strength promoting. It also increases fecal volume. [24]
Qualities of the black eye-pea (Vigna unguiculata Linn. Walp)
Black eye-pea is a relishing variant of dicotyledon that has laxative and alleviating properties against disorders of kapha shukra and acid-dyspepsia. It is sweet in taste like black gram, vata-stimulant, dry, (works as an) astringent, cleaning (action) and is heavy to digest. [25]
Qualities of the horse-gram (Dolichos biflorus Linn.)
Horse-gram (Dolichos biflorus Linn.) is hot, astringent in taste, acidic (on digestion) and alleviates disorders of kapha shukra and vata. It is beneficial in cough, hiccup, dyspepsia and piles. [26]
Qualities of the moth-gram (Vigna aconitifolia (Jacq.) Marechal)
The moth-gram (Vigna aconitifolia (Jacq.)) is sweet in taste and on digestion, astringent in action, with dry property and cold in potency. It is recommended in raktapitta, in fevers and in similar conditions. [27]
General qualities of chickpea, lentil, vetchling and common pea
Chick-pea (Cicer arietinum Linn), lentils (Lens culinaris Medic.), vetchling (Lathyrus sativus Linn.), and common pea (Pisum sativum sub sp. sativum, Co. ver speciosum Dierb. Alef) are light, cold in potency, sweet, astringent in taste and strongly dehydrating. [28]
They are recommended in pitta and kapha conditions and in preparation of nourishing soups and ointments. Amongst these two, the lentil is astringent in action while the vetchling excessively stimulate vata. [29]
Qualities of tila (Sesamum indicum Linn)
Tila (Sesamum indicum Linn) is unctuous, hot, sweet, bitter and astringent. It is conducive to the growth of skin and hair, boosts strength and is effective in treating vata while causing kapha and pitta. [30]
Qualities of the legumes
All varieties of legumes are sweet, cold in potency, heavy, destructive of strength, and dehydrating. They should be taken only by strong persons and in conjunction with unctuous articles. [31]
The shimbi jataya (variety of legumes) is dry, astringent in taste, provokesvata in the abdomen and is an anaphrodisiac. It also, is not good for the eye and causes slow and irregular digestion. [32]
Pigeon-pea (Cajanus cajan Linn. Mill Sp) is useful in curing kapha and pitta and stimulates vata, while avalguja (bakuchi seeds, Psoralea corylifolia Linn.) seeds and the seeds of edagaja (wild senna, Cassia tora Linn) are effective in curing kapha and vata. The lablab (Dolichos lablab Linn. Var. typicus Prain.) stimulates vata and pitta. [33]
Sword bean (Mucuna monosperma DC), linseed (Linum usitatissimum Linn) and cowage (Mucuna prurita Hook) can be considered similar in effect to black gram. [34]
Thus, the second group of pulses i.e. dicotyledons, expounded by the learned sage.
Class of mamsa (meat)
अथमांसवर्गः-
गोखराश्वतरोष्ट्राश्वद्वीपिसिंहर्क्षवानराः।
वृकोव्याघ्रस्तरक्षुश्चबभ्रुमार्जारमूषिकाः॥३५॥
लोपाकोजम्बुकःश्येनोवान्तादश्चाषवायसौ।
शशघ्नीमधुहाभासोगृध्रोलूककुलिङ्गकाः॥३६॥
धूमिकाकुररश्चेतिप्रसहामृगपक्षिणः।
Listed now are the “tearer” beasts (i.e., beasts that can rend/tear with their horns/jaws/horns) that are sources of meat fit for human consumption : the cow (Bos taurus), the ass (Asinus equidae), the mule, the camel (Camelus dromedarius), the horse (Equus caballus), the panther (Felis pardus), the lion (Felis leo), the bear (Melusus labiatus), the monkey (Semnopithecus sp), the wolf (Canis lupus), the tiger (Felis tigris), the hyena (Hyaena striata), the large brown mongoose (Herpestes mungo), the cat (Felis domesticus), the mouse (Mus musculus), the fox (Vulpus bengalensis), the jackal (Canis aureus), the hawk (Accipiter gentilis), the dog (Canis familiaris), the blue jay (Cyanocitta cristata), the crow (Corvus splendens), the golden eagle (Aquilar chrysaetos), the honey buzzard (Pernis apivorus), the bearded vulure (Gypatus barbatus), the vulture (Vulture monachus), the Indian horned owl (Bubo bengalensis), the sparrow hawk (Ploceus bengalensis), the owlet (Athene brama), and the fish-eagle (Pandion heliestus).[35-36]
श्वेतःश्यामश्चित्रपृष्ठःकालकःकाकुलीमृगः॥३७॥
कूर्चिकाचिल्लटोभेकोगोधाशल्लकगण्डकौ।
कदलीनकुलःश्वाविदितिभूमिशयाःस्मृताः॥३८॥
And listed now are the burrowing creatures that can be considered fit for human consumption:
The white (Python molurus), the dark-brown (Python molurus), the reticulated (Python reticulus) and the black (Python molurus) ones are the four varieties of pythons; and the hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus), musk shrew (Neomys fodiens), frog (Rana sp), iguana lizard (Iguanidae), pangolin (Manis pentadactyla), gecko lizard (Gekkonidae), marmot (Marmota), mongoose (Herpestes mungo), and porcupine (Acanthion leucura). [37-38]
Wetland or marshy animals that are fit for consumption are:
The wild boar (Sus cristatus), the yak (Poephagus grumnicus), the rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis), the buffalo (Bos bubalus), the gayal ox (Bos frontalis), the elephant (Elaphus indicus), the antelope, the hog (Cervus porcinus) and the swamp deer (Rucervus durancelli) [39]
कूर्मःकर्कटकोमत्स्यःशिशुमारस्तिमिङ्गिलः।
शुक्तिशङ्खोद्रकुम्मीरचुलुकीमकरादयः॥४०॥
इतिवारिशयाःप्रोक्ता...
Acquatic animals fit for human consumption are:
The tortoise (Chelonia), the crab (Brachyura), the fish (Pisces), the estuarine crocodile, the whale (Cetacea), the pearl oyster (Margaritifera), the snails (Gastropoda), the cat-fish, the gangetic garial (Crocodylus porosus), the sus or gangetic dolphin (Delphinus gangetica) and the magar (Neomeris phocaenoides), the great Indian crocodile (Sea monster) —these are the aquatic animals (in the group of edible meat) [40]
वक्ष्यन्तेवारिचारिणः।
हंसःक्रौञ्चोबलाकाचबकःकारण्डवःप्लवः॥४१॥
शरारिःपुष्कराह्वश्चकेशरीमणितुण्डकः ।
मृणालकण्ठोमद्गुश्चकादम्बःकाकतुण्डकः॥४२॥
उत्क्रोशःपुण्डरीकाक्षोमेघरावोऽम्बकुक्कुटी।
आरानन्दीमुखीवाटीसुमुखाःसहचारिणः॥४३॥
रोहिणीकामकालीचसारसोरक्तशीर्षकः।
चक्रवाकस्तथाऽन्येचखगाःसन्त्यम्बुचारिणः॥४४॥
The following are the acquatic creatures that are fit for human consumption:
The swan (Cygnus olor), the demoiselle crane (Anthropoides virgo), crane(balaka, Ardea nivea), the goliath heron (ardea goliath), the goose (Anser albifrons), the pelican (Pelicanus onocrotalus), the skimmer or scissor bill (Rynchops), the lily trotter (Ardea sibirica), the curlew (keshari, Oedicnemus crepitans), the oyster-catcher (Haematopus ostralegus), the snake-bird (Mrinalakantha, Plotus anhinga), the little cormorant (madgu, Phalacrocorax pygmeus), greylag goose (kadamba, anser anser), the common river tern (Kakatundaka, Sterna hirundo), mallard(utkosha, Anas platyrhynchos), the white-eyed pochard (Pundarikaksha, Nyroca ferina), the trumpeter swan (megharava, Cygnus buccinators), the moorhen (ambukukkuti, Gallinula chloropus), the cobbler’s owl bird or avocet (ara, Recurvirostra avosetta), the flamingo (nandimukha, Phoenicopterus roseus), the little grebe (vati, Podiceps ruficellis) or the laughing gull (Sumukha, Anas galericulata), petrel (Sahacharin, Oceanitidae), common teal (rohini, Anas crecca),tropic bird (Kamakali, Phaethon rubricauda), Indian crane (sarasa, Megalornis grus), the purple heron (raktashirshaka, Ardea purpurea), and the ruddy shel-duck(Chakravaka, Anas sp.) [41-44]
पृषतःशरभोरामःश्वदंष्ट्रोमृगमातृका।
शशोरणौकुरङ्गश्चगोकर्णःकोट्टकारकः॥४५॥
चारुष्कोहरिणैणौचशम्बरःकालपुच्छकः।
ऋष्यश्चवरपोतश्चविज्ञेयाजाङ्गलामृगाः॥४६॥
Some of the wild antelopes (or jangala animals) that are fit for human consumption are:
The chital or spotted deer(prisata, Cervus axis), the elk or wapiti (sharabha, Cervus canadensis), kashmir red deer (rama, Cervus elaphus), the mouse deer (Shadamshtra, Tragulus meminna), red deer (mrigamatrika, Cervus elaphus), the hare or rabbit (shasha, Leporidae), the oorial or wild sheep(urana, Ovis vignei), the Indian antelope (kuranga, Antilope cervicapra), the cow-eared deer (gokarna , Antelope picta), the Indian muntjak or barking deer (kottakaraka, Cervus muntjae), the gazelle (charushka, Gazelle bennetti), the black or Indian antelope(Harina, Antilope cervicapra), fawn deer (ena, Cervus rusa), the Indian sambhar (sambhara, Cervus unicolor), the black-tailed deer (kalapucchaka, odocoilus), the musk deer and the small antelope (varapota, Antilope cervicapra).[45-46]
लावोवर्तीरकश्चैववार्तीकःसकपिञ्जलः।
चकोरश्चोपचक्रश्चकुक्कुभोरक्तवर्त्मकः॥४७॥
लावाद्याविष्किरास्त्वेतेवक्ष्यन्तेवर्तकादयः।
वर्तकोवर्तिकाचैवबर्हीतित्तिरिकुक्कुटौ॥४८॥
कङ्कशारपदेन्द्राभगोनर्दगिरिवर्तकाः।
क्रकरोऽवकरश्चैववारडश्चेति विष्किराः॥४९॥
The following gallinaceous birds are fit for human consumption:
The common quail (lava, Turnix suscitates), the rain quail (vartiraka, Coturnix coromandelica), the jungle bush quail (vartika, Coturnix sylvatica), the grey partridge (kapinjala, Francolinus vulgaris), Greek pheasant (Chakora, Perdix rufa), the sushi chukor- smaller Greek pheasant (upachakra, Perdix rufa), the crow pheasant (kukubha, Coccyzus), red jungle fowl (raktavartamaka, Gallus ferruginous): these beginning with the quail are the gallinaceous birds. We shall now enumerate the list of birds beginning with the male bustard or button quail (vartaka, Turnix indica), the female bustard or button quail (vartika, Coturnix sylvatica), the peacock (barhi, Pavo cristatus), the partridge (tittiri, Arborophila torquala), the red spur fowl (rooster) (Kukkuta, Galloperdix spadicca), heron (kanka, Ardeidae), the stork (sarapada, Ciconia boycinia), hedge sparrow (Indrabha, Leucocerea aureola), the hill partridge (gonarda, Ardea sibirica), the mountain quail (girivartaka, Coturnix coturnix), the snipe (krakara, Ardea virago) and the spoon bill (varapada, Platela leucorodia) [47-49]
शतपत्रोभृङ्गराजःकोयष्टिर्जीवजीवकः।
कैरातःकोकिलोऽत्यूहोगोपापुत्रःप्रियात्मजः॥५०॥
लट्टालट्ट(टू)षकोबभ्रुर्वटहाडिण्डिमानकः।
जटीदुन्दुभिपाक्कारलोहपृष्ठकुलिङ्गकाः ॥५१॥
कपोतशुकशारङ्गाश्चिरटीकङ्कुयष्टिकाः।
सारिकाकलविङ्कश्चचटकोऽङ्गारचूडकः॥५२॥
पारावतःपाण्ड(न)विकइत्युक्ताःप्रतुदाद्विजाः।
The following birds from the Pecker family are suitable for human consumption:
The black woodpecker (shatapatra, Picus martius), the king bird of paradise–shrike (Bhringaraja, Lanalidae), the green-bill coucal (kojashthi, Centropus chlororhynchos), peacock pheasant (jivajivaka, Chalcurus), red-faced malkoha (kairata, Pheanicophaeus pyrrhocephalus), the koel (kokila, Eudynamys honorata), the red-vented bulbul (Atyuha, Molpastes haemorrhous), the cowbird (gopaputra, Molothrus), the Indian babbler (priyatmaja, Argya caudata), the pied flycatcher (latva, Muscicapidae atricapilla), paradise flycatcher (lattashaka, Muscicapidae techitrea), the Bengal tree pie (Babhru-vataha, Dendrocitta rufa), the toucan (dindimantaka, Ramphastos toco), the hoopoe (jati, Upupa indica), the grey hornbill (dundubhi, Lophoceros birostris), the green barbet (pakkara, Thereiceryx zeylonicus), the king fisher (lauhaprishtha, Alcedo ispida), the baya or weaver bird (kulingaka, Ploceus benghalensis), the dove (kapota, Chalcophaps indica), the green parakeet (shuka, Psittacula spengeli), the ringneck parakeet (saranga, Palaeonis torquatus), the babbler (Chirati, Timaliidae), the blossom headed parakeet (kanku, Torquatus rosa),the sun bird or honey-sucker (yastika, Nectariniidae), mynah (sharika, Turdus salica), the house sparrow (kalavinka, Passer domesticus), the tree sparrow (chataka, Passer montanus), the black bulbul (angarachudaka, Hypsipetes leucocephalus), the pigeon (paravata, Columba treron) and the wood pigeon (pandanavika, Columba palumbus).[50-52]
प्रसह्यभक्षयन्तीतिप्रसहास्तेनसञ्ज्ञिताः॥५३॥
भूशयाबिलवासित्वादानूपानूपसंश्रयात् ।
जलेनिवासाज्जलजाजलेचर्याज्जलेचराः॥५४॥
स्थलजाजाङ्गलाःप्रोक्तामृगाजाङ्गलचारिणः।
विकीर्यविष्किराश्चेतिप्रतुद्यप्रतुदाःस्मृताः॥५५॥
योनिरष्टविधात्वेषामांसानांपरिकीर्तिता।
And now we define the various groups of animals listed above. The first are the “tearers”. The creatures that eat their food by rending or tearing – using their horns, claws, or talons - are known as tearers or of the tearer group of creatures. Those that dwell beneath the ground are called burrowing creatures. Those that dwell in wetlands or marshy lands are known as wetland creatures. Owing to their living in water, some creatures are known as aquatic creatures or water dwellers. Those that move about in water as well as land are known as water-roamers or amphibious creatures. Those (antelopes) that dwell and roam in the jungles are known as jangala creatures. Those that scatter food with their claws and pick them up are known as gallinaceous birds and those that peck at their food are called peckers. These are the eight varieties of sources of flesh. [53-55]
प्रसहाभूशयानूपवारिजावारिचारिणः॥५६॥
गुरूष्णस्निग्धमधुराबलोपचयवर्धनाः।
वृष्याःपरंवातहराःकफपित्तविवर्धनाः॥५७॥
हिताव्यायामनित्येभ्योनरादीप्ताग्नयश्चये।
प्रसहानांविशेषेणमांसंमांसाशिनांभिषक्॥५८॥
जीर्णार्शोग्रहणीदोषशोषार्तानांप्रयोजयेत्।
लावाद्योवैष्किरोवर्गःप्रतुदाजाङ्गलामृगाः॥५९॥
लघवःशीतमधुराःसकषायाहितानृणाम्।
पित्तोत्तरेवातमध्येसन्निपातेकफानुगे॥६०॥
विष्किरावर्तकाद्यास्तुप्रसहाल्पान्तरागुणैः।
Next we talk of the general qualities of the flesh of these animals:
The tearer, the burrower, the wetland, the aquatic and the amphibious— these five groups are heavy, hot, unctuous, sweet and these enhance strength and obesity. They are also aphrodisiacs and are very effective against vata while greatly aggravating kapha and pitta. They are wholesome to individuals who exercise daily and whose digestive fire is strong. [56-60]
The physician should prescribe the flesh of the tearer group of carnivorous animals to patients suffering from chronic piles, assimilation disorders and consumption. [58]
Now the general qualities of the quail and bustard families of gallinaceous birds, the pecker class of birds, and the jangala antelopes. The flesh of the common quail family of gallinaceous birds, pecker family of birds and jangala animals is light, cold in potency, sweet, and slightly astringent in taste and is beneficial to those who suffer from vitiation of three dosha in which pitta is predominant, vata is moderate and kapha is relatively less aggravated. The flesh of the gallinaceous birds of the bustard family, however differs slightly in action from that of the flesh of the tearer group and therefore is called out separately. [59-60]
Qualities of meat of goat and sheep
नातिशीतगुरुस्निग्धं मांसमाजमदोषलम्॥६१॥
शरीरधातुसामान्यादनभिष्यन्दिबृंहणम्।
मांसंमधुरशीतत्वाद्गुरुबृंहणमाविकम्॥६२॥
योनावजाविके मिश्रगोचरत्वादनिश्चिते।
The flesh of the goat (capra hircus) is not very cold in potency, not heavy, and not unctuous. It helps keep the dosha in harmony with the human body-elements and acts as a nourishing without being deliquescent in effect. [61]
The flesh of the sheep (ovis) is heavy due to it being cold in potency, sweet in taste (and digestion) and nourishing. The sheep and the goat are found both in wet and jangala settings and hence cannot be grouped in any particular category defined above. [62]
सामान्येनोपदिष्टानांमांसानांस्वगुणैःपृथक्॥६३॥
केषाञ्चिद्गुणवैशेष्याद्विशेषउपदेक्ष्यते।
दर्शनश्रोत्रमेधाग्निवयोवर्णस्वरायुषाम्॥६४॥
बर्हीहिततमोबल्योवातघ्नोमांसशुक्रलः।
गुरूष्णस्निग्धमधुराःस्वरवर्णबलप्रदाः॥६५॥
बृंहणाःशुक्रलाश्चोक्ताहंसामारुतनाशनाः।
स्निग्धाश्चोष्णाश्चवृष्याश्चबृंहणाःस्वरबोधनाः॥६६॥
बल्याःपरंवातहराःस्वेदनाश्चरणायुधाः।
गुरूष्णोमधुरोनातिधन्वानूपनिषेवणात्॥६७॥
तित्तिरिःसञ्जयेच्छीघ्रंत्रीन्दोषाननिलोल्बणान्।
पित्तश्लेष्मविकारेषुसरक्तेषुकपिञ्जलाः॥६८॥
मन्दवातेषुशस्यन्तेशैत्यमाधुर्यलाघवात्।
लावाःकषायमधुरालघवोऽग्निविवर्धनाः॥६९॥
सन्निपातप्रशमनाःकटुकाश्चविपाकतः।
गोधाविपाकेमधुराकषायकटुकारसे॥७०॥
वातपित्तप्रशमनीबृंहणीबलवर्धनी।
शल्लकोमधुराम्लश्चविपाकेकटुकःस्मृतः॥७१॥
वातपित्तकफघ्नश्चकासश्वासहरस्तथा।
कषायविशदाः शीतारक्तपित्तनिबर्हणाः॥७२॥
विपाकेमधुराश्चैवकपोतागृहवासिनः।
तेभ्योलघुतराःकिञ्चित्कपोतावनवासिनः ॥७३॥
शीताःसङ्ग्राहिणश्चैवस्वल्पमूत्रकराश्चते।
शुकमांसंकषायाम्लंविपाकेरूक्षशीतलम्॥७४॥
शोषकासक्षयहितंसङ्ग्राहिलघुदीपनम्।
चटकामधुराःस्निग्धाबलशुक्रविवर्धनाः॥७५॥
सन्निपातप्रशमनाःशमनामारुतस्यच।
कषायोविशदोरूक्षःशीतःपाकेकटुर्लघुः॥७६॥
शशःस्वादुःप्रशस्तश्चसन्निपातेऽनिलावरे।
मधुरामधुराःपाकेत्रिदोषशमनाःशिवाः॥७७॥
लघवोबद्धविण्मूत्राःशीताश्चैणाःप्रकीर्तिताः।
स्नेहनंबृंहणंवृष्यंश्रमघ्नमनिलापहम्॥७८॥
वराहपिशितंबल्यंरोचनंस्वेदनंगुरु।
गव्यंकेवलवातेषुपीनसेविषमज्वरे॥७९॥
शुष्ककासश्रमात्यग्निमांसक्षयहितंचतत्।
स्निग्धोष्णंमधुरंवृष्यंमाहिषंगुरुतर्पणम्॥८०॥
दार्ढ्यंबृहत्त्वमुत्साहंस्वप्नंचजनयत्यपि।
गुरूष्णामधुराबल्याबृंहणाःपवनापहाः॥८१॥
मत्स्याःस्निग्धाश्चवृष्याश्चबहुदोषाःप्रकीर्तिताः।
शैवालशष्पभोजित्वात्स्वप्नस्यचविवर्जनात्॥८२॥
रोहितोदीपनीयश्चलघुपाकोमहाबलः।
वर्ण्योवातहरोवृष्यश्चक्षुष्योबलवर्धनः॥८३॥
मेधास्मृतिकरःपथ्यःशोषघ्नःकूर्मउच्यते।
खङ्गमांसमभिष्यन्दिबलकृन्मधुरंस्मृतम्॥८४॥
स्नेहनंबृंहणंवर्ण्यंश्रमघ्नमनिलापहम्।
धार्तराष्ट्रचकोराणांदक्षाणांशिखिनामपि॥८५॥
चटकानांचयानिस्युरण्डानिचहितानिच।
क्षीणरेतःसुकासेषुहृद्रोगेषुक्षतेषुच॥८६॥
मधुराण्यविदाहीनिसद्योबलकराणिच।
शरीरबृंहणेनान्यत्खाद्यंमांसाद्विशिष्यते॥८७॥
इतिवर्गस्तृतीयोऽयंमांसानांपरिकीर्तितः।
Now that the general properties of flesh have been stated, we shall describe the specific qualities of the flesh of some of these creatures:
The flesh of the peacock is most conducive to enhancing sight, hearing, intelligence, body-heat, youth, complexion, voice and life. It is strengthening, is effective in treating vata and promotes the growth of flesh tissues and semen. [63-64]
The flesh of the swan is heavy, hot, unctuous, sweet, enhances voice, complexion, strength, production of semen, is nourishing, and is effective in treating vata.
The flesh of the rooster/fowl is unctuous, hot, aphrodisiac, and nourishing. It also helps strengthen the voice, is effective in treating vata and is sudorific (produces sweating) [66]
The flesh of the partridge is heavy, hot, and sweet. The bird’s habitat is neither limited to marshy nor to jangala country. Partridge meat rapidly controls the three dosha, especially vata. [67]
The flesh of the grey partridge is cold in potency, sweet and light and is recommended in pitta, kapha, blood and mild vata disorders. [68]
The flesh of the common-quail is astringent, sweet in taste, light, very effective in enhancing digestive fire, alleviates tridosha, and is pungent on digestion. [69]
The flesh of the iguana is sweet on digestion, astringent and pungent in taste, alleviates vata and pitta and is nourishing and strengthening. [70]
The flesh of the pangolin is sweet and sour in taste and is said to be pungent on digestion. It alleviates the tridosha and is effective in treating cough and dyspepsia. [71]
The flesh of the domestic pigeon is astringent in taste, tender, cold in potency, is effective in treating raktapitta and is sweet (in digestion). [72]
The flesh of the wild pigeon is slightly lighter than that of the birds mentioned above, is cold in potency, astringent, and reduces the secretion of urine. [73]
The flesh of the green parakeet is astringent in taste and sour on digestion, dry in property and cold in potency. It is beneficial in curing the diseases such as consumption, cough and wasting. The flesh is astringent in action, light to digest and stimulates agni. [74]
The flesh of the sparrow is sweet and unctuous, very effective in promoting strength and semen and alleviating tridosha especially vata. [75]
Rabbit meat is astringent in taste, limpid, dry, cold in potency, pungent on digestion, light and sweet. It is recommended in alleviating tridosha where vata is relatively mild. [76]
The flesh of the blackbuck is said to be sweet (in taste as well as on digestion), alleviates tridosha, generally is wholesome, light, aggravates constipation and restricts urination, and is cold in potency. [77]
The flesh of the hog promotes unctuousness, is nourishing, (is an) aphrodisiac, removes fatigue, alleviates vata, strengthens, and is appetizing, sudorific and heavy. [78]
The flesh of the cow is beneficial in curing disorders due to vata, rhinitis, vishama jwara (fever with irregular pattern), dry cough, fatigue, excessive agni, and atrophy of the flesh. [79]
The flesh of the buffalo is unctuous, hot in potency, sweet, aphrodisiac, heavy to digest and nourishing. It also promotes firmness and corpulence, and sleep. [80]
The flesh of the fish in general is heavy to digest, hot in potency, sweet in taste, strengthening, nourishing, is effective in treating vata, unctuous, and an aphrodisiac. It however has many hazardous properties as well. [81]
As rohita fish eats moss and doesn’t sleep at all, its flesh is appetizing, light to digest and greatly promotes strength. [82]
The flesh of the tortoise is said to promote healthy complexion, strength, intelligence and memory, and is effective in treating consumption and vata. It is an aphrodisiac, is beneficial to sight, and is wholesome. [83]
The flesh of the rhinoceros is said to be deliquescent, promotes strength and completion, and is effective in treating vata. It is sweet, unctuous, nourishing, and restorative. [84]
The eggs of the swan, the chakor, the rooster, the peacock, and the sparrow are beneficial in oligo-spermia, cough, cardiac disorder and pulmonary lesions. They are sweet, non-irritant and immediately strengthening. [85-86]
No other food except flesh is nourishing. Thus, the third group of meats is described.
इतिमांसवर्गस्तृतीयः॥३॥
This concludes the third category of edible meat.
Class of vegetables
अथशाकवर्गः-
पाठाशुषाशटीशाकंवास्तुकंसुनिषण्णाकम्॥८८॥
विद्याद्ग्राहित्रिदोषघ्नंभिन्नवर्चस्तुवास्तुकम्।
त्रिदोषशमनीवृष्याकाकमाचीरसायनी॥८९॥
नात्युष्णशीतवीर्याचभेदिनीकुष्ठनाशिनी।
राजक्षवकशाकंतुत्रिदोषशमनंलघु॥९०॥
ग्राहिशस्तंविशेषेणग्रहण्यर्शोविकारिणाम्।
कालशाकंतुकटुकंदीपनंगरशोफजित्॥९१॥
लघूष्णंवातलंरूक्षंकालायं शाकमुच्यते।
दीपनीचोष्णवीर्याचग्राहिणीकफमारुते॥९२॥
प्रशस्यतेऽम्लचाङ्गेरीग्रहण्यर्शोहिताचसा।
मधुरामधुरापाकेभेदिनीश्लेष्मवर्धनी॥९३॥
वृष्यास्निग्धाचशीताचमदघ्नीचाप्युपोदिका।
रूक्षोमदविषघ्नश्चप्रशस्तोरक्तपित्तिनाम्॥९४॥
मधुरोमधुरःपाकेशीतलस्तण्डुलीयकः।
मण्डूकपर्णीवेत्राग्रंकुचेलावनतिक्तकम्॥९५॥
कर्कोटकावल्गुजकौपटोलंशकुलादनी
वृषपुष्पाणिशार्ङ्गेष्टाकेम्बूकंसकठिल्लकम्॥९६॥
नाडीकलायंगोजिह्वावार्ताकंतिलपर्णिका।
कौलकंकार्कशंनैम्बंशाकंपार्पटकंचयत्॥९७॥
कफपित्तहरंतिक्तंशीतंकटुविपच्यते।
Now begins the class of vegetables. Patha (Cissampelos pareira Linn.), negro coffee (Cassia occidentalis Linn.), shatishaka, and marsilea (or sunishannaka) are considered as astringents and effective agents for alleviating three dosha. Vastuka is also laxative. [88]
The black night shade (Solanum nigrum Linn.) alleviates the three dosha, is an aphrodisiac, rejuvenates, is neither very hot nor cold in potency, is a laxative, and is effective in treating skin lesions. [89]
The rajakshavaka (asthma weed, or Euphorbia thymifolia Linn.) is effective in alleviating tridosha, is light to digest, is an astringent and is specially recommended for patients suffering from assimilation disorders and piles. [90]
The kalashaka (jute plant, (Corcorus capsularis Linn.)) is said to be pungent and appetizing, and is effective in treating the effect of poison and edema. The kalaya (chickling vetch) is said to be light, hot, dry, and promotes vata. [91]
Changeri (the yellow Wood-sorrel or Indian sorrel, or (Oxalis corniculata Linn.)) is hot in potency, is an appetizer and is an astringent. It is recommended in kapha and vata disorders and is beneficial in assimilation disorders and piles. [92]
Upodika (the Indian spinach, (Basella rubra Linn.)) is sweet (in taste and on digestion), unctuous, cold in potency, is a laxative, aggravates kapha, and is effective in treating intoxication. [93]
Tanduliyaka (The prickly amaranth, or (Amaranthus spinosus Linn.)) is dry, nullifies the effects of intoxication and poison and is beneficial in raktapitta. It is sweet (in taste and on digestion) and is cold in potency. [94]
Indian pennywort (Centella asiatica Linn.), country willow (Calamus tenuis Roxb.), raj-patha /kuchela, vanatiktaka (Mollugo spergula Linn.), sponge gourd (karkotaka, Momordica dioca Roxb), avalgujaka-bakuchi seeds (Psoralea corylifolia Linn.), patolam-pointed gourd (Trichosanthes dioica Roxb.) and shakuladani- kurroa (Picrorhiza kurroa Royle ex Benth), the flowers of vasaka (Adhatoda vasika Nees), sharngeshtha (Dregia volubilis (Linn.f) Benth), kebuka (Ipomoea aquatica Forsk), hog’s weed (kathillaka, Boerhavia diffusa Linn.), wild tossa jute (nadi shaka, Corchorus olitarious Linn.), chickling vetch (kalaya, Lathyrus sativus Linn.), elephant’s foot (gojihva, Launaea asplenifolia Hook.f.), brinjal (vartaka, Solanum melongena Linn.) and dog mustard (tilaparnika, Cleome icosandra Linn.), carilla (kaulakam, Momordia charantia Linn.), karkasa (Momordica sp.), neem leaves (nimbashakam, Azadirachta indica A.Juss) and trailing rungia (parpatakam, Fumaria vaillantti Loisel): these are regulators of kapha and pitta, bitter in taste, cold in potency and pungent on digestion. [95-97]
सर्वाणिसूप्यशाकानिफञ्जीचिल्लीकुतुम्बकः॥९८॥
आलुकानिचसर्वाणिसपत्राणिकुटिञ्जरम् ।
शणशाल्मलिपुष्पाणिकर्बुदारःसुवर्चला॥९९॥
निष्पावःकोविदारश्चपत्तुरश्चुच्चुपर्णिका।
कुमारजीवोलोट्टाकःपालङ्क्यामारिषस्तथा॥१००॥
कलम्बनालिकासूर्यःकुसुम्भवृकधूमकौ।
लक्ष्मणाचप्रपुन्नाडोनलिनीकाकुठेरकः॥१०१॥
लोणिकायवशाकंचकूष्माण्डकमवल्गुजम्।
यातुकःशालकल्याणीत्रिपर्णीपीलुपर्णिका॥१०२॥
शाकंगुरुचरूक्षंचप्रायोविष्टभ्यजीर्यति।
मधुरंशीतवीर्यंचपुरीषस्यचभेदनम्॥१०३॥
स्विन्नंनिष्पीडितरसंस्नेहाढ्यंतत्प्रशस्यते।
शणस्यकोविदारस्यकर्बुदारस्यशाल्मलेः॥१०४॥
पुष्पंग्राहिप्रशस्तंचरक्तपित्तेविशेषतः।
न्यग्रोधोदुम्बराश्वत्थप्लक्षपद्मादिपल्लवाः॥१०५॥
कषायाःस्तम्भनाःशीताहिताःपित्तातिसारिणाम्।
वायुंवत्सादनीहन्यात्कफंगण्डीरचित्रकौ॥१०६॥
श्रेयसीबिल्वपर्णीचबिल्वपत्रंतुवातनुत्।
भण्डीशतावरीशाकंबलाजीवन्तिकंचयत्॥१०७॥
पर्वण्याःपर्वपुष्प्याश्चवातपित्तहरंस्मृतम्।
लघुभिन्नशकृत्तिक्तंलाङ्गलक्युरुबूकयोः॥१०८॥
तिलवेतसशाकंचशाकंपञ्चाङ्गुलस्यच।
वातलंकटुतिक्ताम्लमधोमार्गप्रवर्तनम्॥१०९॥
रूक्षाम्लमुष्णंकौसुम्भंकफघ्नंपित्तवर्धनम्।
त्रपुसैर्वारुकंस्वादुगुरुविष्टम्भिशीतलम्॥११०॥
मुखप्रियंचरूक्षंचमूत्रलंत्रपुसंत्वति।
एर्वारुकंचसम्पक्वंदाहतृष्णाक्लमार्तिनुत्॥१११॥
वर्चोभेदीन्यलाबूनि रूक्षशीतगुरूणिच।
चिर्भटैर्वारुकेतद्वद्वर्चोभेदहितेतुते॥११२॥
सक्षारं पक्वकूष्माण्डंमधुराम्लंतथालघु।
सृष्टमूत्रपुरीषंचसर्वदोषनिबर्हणम्॥११३॥
All pot-herbs: bind weed (phanji, Rivea ornata (Roxb.) chois), chilli/white goose foot (Chenopodium album Linn.), white dead nettle shrub (kutumbaka, Lamium album L.), all tubers of aluka (Dioscoria species) variety with their leaves, kutinjara patra (Digeria muricate (Linn.) Mart), Bengal hemp plant (shana, Chotalaria verrucosa Linn.), flowers of silk cotton (shalmalipushpa, Salmalia malabarica Schott), white mountain ebony (karbudara, Bauhinia variegata Linn.), heliotrope (suvarchala, Malva rotundifolia Linn.), lablab (nishpava, Dolichos lablab Linn.),variegated mountain ebony ( kovidara, Bauhinia purpurea Linn), coxcomb (pattura, Alternanthra sessilis (Linn.) R.Br.ex DC), multa jute (chunchuparnika, Corchorus Sp.), kumarajiva (Amaranthus paniculatus Linn.), lottaka (Amaranthus tricolor Linn.), spinach (palankya, Spinacia oleracea Linn.), marisha- amaranth (Amaranthus blitus Linn. var. oleracea Duthie), kalambanalika (Ipomoea aquatica Forsk), mustard (asuryah, Brassica juncea (Linn.) Czern & Coss), safflower (kusumbha, Carthamus tinctorius Linn.), vrikdhumak- young shirish, lakshmana, prapunnada- fetid cassia (Cassia tora Linn.), nalini- lotus stalk (tuber of Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.), kutherakah- shrubby basil (Ocimum sp.), lonika- common Indian purslane (Portulaca quadrifida Linn.), yavashakam- (Chenopodium purpurascens), kushmanda- white gourd (Benincasa hispida (Thunb) Cogn.), avalgujam- babchi leaves (Psoralea corylifolia Linn.), yatuka (Desmodium sp.), shalkalyani (Alternanthera sp.), triparni- maidenhair (Adiantum lunulatum Burm.), peeluparnika- trilobed virgin’s bower (Maerua arenaria Hook.F & Th.)- are heavy, dry, delayed in digestion, sweet, cold in potency and loosen the feces. After being boiled and drained of the juice, and mixed with plenty of unctuous substance, they are good for eating. [98-103]
The flowers of Bengal hemp- shana pushpa (Crotalaria juncea Linn), kovidara pushpa (Bauhinia purpurea Linn), karbudara pushpa- white mountain ebony (Bauhinia variegata Linn.) and shalmali pushpa- silk cotton (Salmalia malabarica (DC) Schott & Endl) are astringent and specially recommended in raktapitta. [104]
The tender leaves of the nyagrodha- banyan (Ficus benghalensis Linn), udumbara- gular fig (Ficus racemosa Linn.), ashvattha- holy fig (Ficus religiosa Linn.), plaksha- yellow barked fig (Ficus lacor Buch-Ham) and padma- lotus (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn) etc. are astringent in taste, styptic, cold in potency and especially useful in diarrhea of the pitta type. [105]
Vatsadani, or guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia Willd Miers) pacify vata while gandira and chitraka- white flowered leadwort (Plumbago zeylanica Linn.) pacify kapha. Sheyasi- elephant pepper (Pluchea lanceolata C.B. Clarke), bilvaparni (Limonia crenulata Roxb.) and bilvapatram- bael (Aegle marmelos (L.) Correa ex Roxb.) leaves pacify vata. [106]
Bhandi- (Albizia lebbeck (Linn.) Willd), shatavari shaka- climbing asparagus (Asparagus racemosus Willd), bala- heart-leaved sida (Sida cordifolia Linn.), jivanti shaka-cork swallow wort (Leptadenia reticulata W.& A.) and parvanyah- the leaves of scutch grass (Polygonum sp.), and parvapushpi (Polygonum sp.) are said to are effective in curing vata and pitta [107-108]
Tiktam Langali- The glory lily (Gloriosa superba Linn.) and urubukayoh patrashakam- red flowered castor oil plant (Ricinus communis Linn.) are light, laxative and bitter. Tila shaka- (Sesamum indicum Linn.), vetasa-goat willow (Salix caprea Linn.), and panchangulasyashakam- castor oil plant (Ricinus sp.) are vata promoters, pungent, bitter, sour in taste, and stimulate the downward movement of bowels. Kusumbha- the safflower (Carthamus tinctorius Linn.) vegetable is dry, acid, hot, is effective in treating kapha and promotes pitta. [109]
Trapusha- Common cucumber (Cucumis sativus Linn.) and ervaruka- phut cucumber (Cucumis utilissimus Roxb.) are sweet, heavy, slow to digest, and cold in potency. The common cucumber is palatable, dry and a powerful diuretic. The phut cucumber, if fully ripe, allays burning, thirst, exhaustion and pain. [110]
Alabu- the bottle-gourd (Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) Standl.) is a laxative, dry, cold in potency and heavy. [111]
Chirbhata- Sweet melon (Cucumis momordica Duth and Full) and phut cucumber are similar to alabu- the bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) Standl.) except that they are wholesome in loose motions. The ripe white gourd- kushmanda (Benincasa hispida (Thunb) Cogn.) is slightly alkaline, sour-sweet, light, reduces urination and defecation, and alleviates tri-dosha. [112-113]
केलूटंचकदम्बंचनदीमाषकमैन्दुकम्।
विशदंगुरुशीतंचसमभिष्यन्दिचोच्यते॥११४॥
उत्पलानिकषायाणिरक्तपित्तहराणिच।
तथातालप्रलम्बंस्यादुरःक्षतरुजापहम्॥११५॥
खर्जूरंतालशस्यंचरक्तपित्तक्षयापहम्।
तरूटबिसशालूकक्रौञ्चादनकशेरुकम्॥११६॥
शृङ्गाटकाङ्कलोड्यंचगुरुविष्टम्भिशीतलम्।
कुमुदोत्पलनालास्तुसपुष्पाःसफलाःस्मृताः॥११७॥
शीताःस्वादुकषायास्तुकफमारुतकोपनाः।
कषायमीषद्विष्टम्भिरक्तपित्तहरंस्मृतम्॥११८॥
पौष्करंतुभवेद्बीजंमधुरंरसपाकयोः।
बल्यःशीतोगुरुःस्निग्धस्तर्पणोबृंहणात्मकः॥११९॥
वातपित्तहरःस्वादुर्वृष्योमुञ्जातकःपरम्।
जीवनोबृंहणोवृष्यःकण्ठ्यःशस्तोरसायने॥१२०॥
विदारिकन्दोबल्यश्चमूत्रलःस्वादुशीतलः।
अम्लिकायाःस्मृतःकन्दोग्रहण्यर्शोहितोलघुः॥१२१॥
नात्युष्णःकफवातघ्नोग्राहीशस्तोमदात्यये।
त्रिदोषंबद्धविण्मूत्रंसार्षपंशाकमुच्यते॥१२२॥
(तद्वत् स्याद्रक्तनालस्यरूक्षमम्लंविशेषतः।)
तद्वत्पिण्डालुकंविद्यात्कन्दत्वाच्चमुखप्रियम्।
सर्पच्छत्रकवर्ज्यास्तुबह्व्योऽन्याश्छत्रजातयः॥१२३॥
शीताःपीनसकर्त्र्यश्चमधुरागुर्व्यएवच।
चतुर्थःशाकवर्गोऽयंपत्रकन्दफलाश्रयः॥१२४॥
इतिशाकवर्गश्चतुर्थः॥४॥
The qualities of the keluta etc.:
The keluta, kadamba (Anthocephalus cadamba Miq), nadi-mashaka and ainduka- common mountain ebony are non-slim, heavy, cold in potency and are said to increase discharges in body. [114]
The blue water lily/ utpalani (Nymphaea caerulea auct. W. Afr.) is an astringent and is effective in treating raktapitta. Similarly, the sprouts of palmyra palm/ talapralamba (Borassus flabellifer Linn.) are effective in curing urakshata (pulmonary lesion). [115]
Dates (kharjura, Phoenix sylvestris Roxb.) and talashasya (kernel of palmyra palm) are effective in curing raktapitta and wasting. Taruta (Dioscorea belophylla voight), lotus filaments, lotus (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.) bulbs and fruits, kaunchadana / blue star water-lily (Nymphaea stellata Willd.), kasheruka/ club-rush (Scirpus grossus Linn.f.), shringataka/ Indian water chest-nut (Trapa natans Linn.Var. bispinosa Roxb.Makino), and ankolodya/ Fox nut (Euryale ferox Salisb) are heavy, slow to digest, and cold in potency. [116]
The rhizomes of kumuda/ night-flower lotus (Nymphaea stellata Willd.) and utpala- blue water lily together with the flowers and fruits are said to be cold in potency, sweet, astringent. These tend to provoke kapha and vata. [117]
The seeds of sacred lotus (paushakarabija, or the seeds of Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.) are said to be slightly astringent, slow to digest in the intestines, effective agents for curing raktapitta, and sweet (in taste and post digestion). [118]
Munjatakah (salep, Orchis latifolia Linn.) is said to be strengthening, cold in potency, heavy, unctuous, nourishing, is effective in treating vata and pitta, sweet and highly aphrodisiac. [119]
The bulb of vidarikanda (Indian kudju, pueraria tuberosa (wild)) is vitalizing, nourishing, aphrodisiac, voice-tonic, it is recommended in rejuvenation; strengthening, diuretic, sweet and cold in potency. [120]
Amlikakanda (vitis pentaphylla Thunb.) is regarded as beneficial in assimilation disorder and piles, and is light, not very hot, is effective in treating cough and vata, is an astringent and is recommended in chronic alcoholism. [121]
The curry of mustard leaves/ sarshapashaka (Brassica campestris Linn. Var. Sarson Prain) vitiates all of the three dosha and suppresses urine and defecation. Similar are the properties of rosella which, in addition to these, is dry and acidic. Similar too are the properties of pindaluka/ common yam (Dioscorea species). But, it is more palatable as it is a kanda (bulb). [122]
Ingesting the sarpa mushroom is forbidden. The other varieties of edible mushrooms are cold in potency, cause rhinitis, and are sweet and heavy. Thus, ends the fourth section on vegetables including leaves, bulbs and fruits [123-124]Class of fruits
अथफलवर्गः-
तृष्णादाहज्वरश्वासरक्तपित्तक्षतक्षयान्।
वातपित्तमुदावर्तंस्वरभेदंमदात्ययम्॥१२५॥
तिक्तास्यतामास्यशोषंकासंचाशुव्यपोहति।
मृद्वीकाबृंहणीवृष्यामधुरास्निग्धशीतला॥१२६॥
मधुरंबृंहणंवृष्यंखर्जूरंगुरुशीतलम्।
क्षयेऽभिघातेदाहेचवातपित्तेचतद्धितम्॥१२७॥
तर्पणंबृंहणंफल्गुगुरुविष्टम्भिशीतलम्।
परूषकंमधूकंचवातपित्तेचशस्यते॥१२८॥
मधुरंबृंहणंबल्यमाम्रातंतर्पणंगुरु।
सस्नेहंश्लेष्मलंशीतंवृष्यंविष्टभ्यजीर्यति॥१२९॥
तालशस्यानिसिद्धानिनारिकेलफलानिच।
बृंहणस्निग्धशीतानिबल्यानिमधुराणिच॥१३०॥
मधुराम्लकषायंचविष्टम्भिगुरुशीतलम्।
पित्तश्लेष्मकरंभव्यंग्राहिवक्रविशोधनम्॥१३१॥
अम्लंपरूषकंद्राक्षाबदराण्यारुकाणिच।
पित्तश्लेष्मप्रकोपीणिकर्कन्धुनिकुचान्यपि॥१३२॥
नात्युष्णंगुरुसम्पक्वंस्वादुप्रायंमुखप्रियम्।
बृंहणंजीर्यतिक्षिप्रंनातिदोषलमारुकम्॥१३३॥
द्विविधंशीतमुष्णंचमधुरंचाम्लमेवच।
गुरुपारावतंज्ञेयमरुच्यत्यग्निनाशनम्॥१३४॥
भव्यादल्पान्तरगुणंकाश्मर्यफलमुच्यते।
तथैवाल्पान्तरगुणंतूदमम्लंपरूषकात्॥१३५॥
कषायमधुरंटङ्कंवातलंगुरुशीतलम्।
कपित्थमामंकण्ठघ्नंविषघ्नंग्राहिवातलम् ॥१३६॥
मधुराम्लकषायत्वात्सौगन्ध्याच्चरुचिप्रदम्।
परिपक्वं चदोषघ्नंविषघ्नंग्राहिगुर्वपि॥१३७॥
बिल्वंतुदुर्जरंपक्वंदोषलंपूतिमारुतम्।
स्निग्धोष्णतीक्ष्णंतद्बालंदीपनंकफवातजित्॥१३८॥
रक्तपित्तकरंबालमापूर्णंपित्तवर्धनम्।
पक्वमाम्रंजयेद्वायुंमांसशुक्रबलप्रदम्॥१३९॥
कषायमधुरप्रायंगुरुविष्टम्भिशीतलम्।
जाम्बवंकफपित्तघ्नंग्राहिवातकरंपरम्॥१४०॥
बदरंमधुरंस्निग्धंभेदनंवातपित्तजित्।
तच्छुष्कंकफवातघ्नंपित्तेनचविरुध्यते॥१४१॥
कषायमधुरंशीतंग्राहिसिम्बि(ञ्चि)तिकाफलम्।
गाङ्गेरुकीकरीरंचबिम्बीतोदनधन्वनम्॥१४२॥
मधुरंसकषायंचशीतंपित्तकफापहम्।
सम्पक्वंपनसंमोचंराजादनफलानिच॥१४३॥
स्वादूनिसकषायाणिस्निग्धशीतगुरूणिच।
कषायविशदत्वाच्चसौगन्ध्याच्चरुचिप्रदम्॥१४४॥
अवदंशक्षमंहृद्यंवातलंलवलीफलम्।
नीपंशताह्वकं पीलुतृणशून्यंविकङ्कतम्॥१४५॥
प्राचीनामलकंचैवदोषघ्नंगरहारिच।
ऐङ्गुदंतिक्तमधुरंस्निग्धोष्णंकफवातजित्॥१४६॥
तिन्दुकंकफपित्तघ्नंकषायंमधुरंलघु।
विद्यादामलकेसर्वान्रसांल्लवणवर्जितान्॥१४७॥
रूक्षंस्वादुकषायाम्लंकफपित्तहरंपरम्।
रसासृङ्मांसमेदोजान्दोषान्हन्तिबिभीतकम्॥१४८॥
स्वरभेदकफोत्क्लेदपित्तरोगविनाशनम्।
अम्लंकषायमधुरंवातघ्नंग्राहिदीपनम्॥१४९॥
स्निग्धोष्णंदाडिमंहृद्यंकफपित्ताविरोधिच।
रूक्षाम्लंदाडिमंयत्तुतत्पित्तानिलकोपनम्॥१५०॥
मधुरंपित्तनुत्तेषांपूर्वंदाडिममुत्तमम्।
वृक्षाम्लंग्राहिरूक्षोष्णंवातश्लेष्मणिशस्यते॥१५१॥
अम्लिकायाःफलंपक्वंतस्मादल्पान्तरंगुणैः।
गुणैस्तैरेवसंयुक्तंभेदनंत्वम्लवेतसम्॥१५२॥
शूलेऽरुचौविबन्धेचमन्देऽग्नौमद्यविप्लवे ।
हिक्काश्वासेचकासेचवम्यांवर्चोगदेषुच॥१५३॥
वातश्लेष्मसमुत्थेषुसर्वेष्वेवोपदिश्यते।
केसरंमातुलुङ्गस्यलघुशेषमतोऽन्यथा॥१५४॥
रोचनोदीपनोहृद्यःसुगन्धिस्त्वग्विवर्जितः।
कर्चूरःकफवातघ्नःश्वासहिक्कार्शसांहितः॥१५५॥
मधुरंकिञ्चिदम्लंचहृद्यंभक्तप्ररोचनम्।
दुर्जरंवातशमनंनागरङ्गफलंगुरु ॥१५६॥
वातामाभिषुकाक्षोटमुकूलकनिकोचकाः।
गुरूष्णस्निग्धमधुराःसोरुमाणाबलप्रदाः॥१५७॥
वातघ्नाबृंहणावृष्याःकफपित्ताभिवर्धनाः।
प्रियालमेषांसदृशंविद्यादौष्ण्यंविनागुणैः॥१५८॥
श्लेष्मलंमधुरंशीतंश्लेष्मातकफलंगुरु।
श्लेष्मलंगुरुविष्टम्भिचाङ्कोटफलमग्निजित्॥१५९॥
गुरूष्णंमधुरंरूक्षंकेशघ्नंचशमीफलम्।
विष्टम्भयतिकारञ्जंवातश्लेष्माविरोधिच॥१६०॥
आम्रातकंदन्तशठमम्लंसकरमर्दकम्।
रक्तपित्तकरंविद्यादैरावतकमेवच॥१६१॥
वातघ्नंदीपनंचैववार्ताकंकटुतिक्तकम्।
वातलंकफपित्तघ्नंविद्यात्पर्पटकीफलम्॥१६२॥
पित्तश्लेष्मघ्नमम्लंचवातलंचाक्षिकीफलम्।
मधुराण्यम्लपाकीनिपित्तश्लेष्महराणिच॥१६३॥
अश्वत्थोदुम्बरप्लक्षन्यग्रोधानांफलानिच।
कषायमधुराम्लानिवातलानिगुरूणिच॥१६४॥
भल्लातकास्थ्यग्निसमंतन्मांसंस्वादुशीतलम्।
पञ्चमःफलवर्गोऽयमुक्तःप्रायोपयोगिकः॥१६५॥
इतिफलवर्गः॥५॥
Now begins the section on fruits. The grape / mridvika (Vitis vinifera Linn.) quickly is effective in treating thirst, burning fever, dyspnea, raktapitta, pectoral lesions, wasting disorders of vata and pitta, mis-peristalsis, hoarseness of voice, chronic alcoholism, bitter taste in the mouth, and cough. It is nourishing, and aphrodisiac, sweet, unctuous and cold in potency. [125-126]
The date/khajura (phoenix sylvestris Roxb.) is sweet, nourishing, aphrodisiac, heavy and cold in potency. It is beneficial in wasting, trauma, burning fever, and disorders of vata and pitta. [127]
Common fig (Ficus carica Linn.) is nourishing, heavy, delays digestion, and is cold in potency. Sweet falsah/ parushaka (Grewia asiatia Linn.), and mohwah/madhuka (Madhuca indica J.F. Gmel.) are recommended in disorders of vata and pitta. [128]
Indian hog plum (Spondias pinnata Linn.P) is sweet, nourishing, strengthening, nourishing, heavy, slight unctuous, increases kapha, is cold in potency, aphrodisiac and delayed in digestion. [129]
The ripe fruits of palmyra/talashasyani (Borassus flaballifa Linn.) and coconut/narikelaphala (Cocus nucifera Linn.) are nourishing, unctuous, cold in potency, strengthening and sweet. [130]
The showy dillenia fruit/bhavyam (Dillenia indica Linn.) is sweet, acid, astringent in taste, delayed in digestion, heavy and cold in potency. It increases pitta and kapha and is astringent and a mouth-cleanser. [131]
The sour falsah, grape, small jujube, the peach, wild jujube and small jack provoke or aggravate pitta and kapha. [132]
Fully ripe peach/aruka (Prunus persica Batsch.) is not very hot. It is heavy, sweetish, palatable, nourishing, quickly digested and not very unwholesome. [133]
Of the two varieties of paravata fruits (Garcinia cowa Roxb.), one is sweet and cold in potency, and the other is sour and hot. It is known to be heavy and is effective in treating anorexia while stimulating agni. [134]
The fruit of white teak (Gmelina arborea Roxb.) / kashmaryaphalam (Gmelina arborea Roxb.) is said to be slightly different in quality from showy dillenia. Similarly, sour mulberry/ amlatuda (Morus alba Linn.) differs in quality slghtly from falsah. [135]
The pear fruit/tankam (Pyrus communis Linn.) is astringent and sweet in taste increases vata is heavy and cold in potency. The raw wood- apple/ kapittham (Feronia limonia (Linn.) Swingle adversely affects the voice, but neutralizes poison, is an astringent and increases vata. [136]
The ripe fruit of wood- apple being sweet, sour, astringent and fragrant, is relishing, is effective in treating discordance, acts as an antidote to poison, is an astringent and is heavy. [137]
The ripe bael fruit/bilvam (Aegle marmelos (L.) Correa ex Roxb.) is difficult of digestion, aggravator of all dosha and foul flatus. The immature beal, fruit is unctuous, hot, acute, digestive stimulant and is effective in treating kapha and vata. [138]
While the young fruits of amra/ mango (Mangifera indica Linn.) causes raktapitta and unripe mango increases pitta, the fully ripe mango subdues vata and increases flesh, semen and strength. [139]
The jambul (Syzygium cuminii Linn.Skeel) fruit is generally astringent and sweet in taste, heavy, delayed in digestion and cold in potency. It is effective in treating kapha and pitta, is an astringent and greatly increases vata [140]
The small jujube (Ziziphus maruitiana Lam.) is a sweet, unctuous, laxative and is effective in treating vata and pitta. The dried small jujube (Ziziphus Sp.) is effective in treating kapha and vata and is not contraindicated in pitta. [141]
The sinchitika (a type of Badara) fruit is astringent, sweet in taste, cold in potency and astringent in action. The ginkgo fruit (Grewia hirsuta Vahl.), caper berry (Capparis decidua Edgew.), scarlet-fruited gourd/ bimbi phala (Coccinia indica W & A), todan (Grewia species) and fruits of dhaman /dhanvana (Grewia tiliaefolia Vahl.) are sweet, slightly astringent in taste, cold in potency and are effective in curing pitta and kapha. The fully ripe Indian jackfruit/panasa (Artocarpus integrifolia Linn.f.), banana/Mocha (Musa paradisiaca Linn.) and fruits of Indian ape flower tree/rajadana phala (Mimusops hexandra Roxb.) are sweet, slightly astringent, unctuous, cold in potency and heavy [141-143]
The lavanga-lata / lavali phala (Luvunga scandens (Roxb.)) fruit, being astringent, limpid and fragrant, is an appetizer, savoury, cordial and increases vata. [144]
Kadamba/Nipam (Mitragyna parviflora (Roxb.) Korth), Indian dill/Shatahvakam (Anethum sowa Roxb. ex Flem), tooth brush tree/Peelu (Salvadora persica Linn.), screw pine/ trinashunyam (Pandanus odoratissimus Linn.f.), governor’s plum/vikankatam (Flacourtia ramonthchi L. Herit) and puneala plum/pracinamalaka (Flacourtia jangomas (Lour.) Raeusch) are indeed dispellers of discordance and is effective in treating the effects of poison. [145]
The fruit of zachum oil plant/aingudam (Balanites aegyptiaca (Linn.) Delile), is bitter-sweet in taste, unctuous, hot and is effective in treating kapha and vata. The riber ebony fruit/tindukam (Diospyros embryopteris Pers.) is effective in treating kapha and pitta, astringent, sweet and light. The emblic myrobalan/amalaka (Emblica officinalis Gaertn.)is regarded as possessing all the taste except the salt. [146-147]
The belliric myrobalan/bibhitaka (Terminalia bellirica Roxb.)is dry, sweet, astringent, acid and an excellent is effective in treating kapha and pitta and dispels the disorders of body-fluid, blood, flesh and fat. [148]
The pomegranate/dadima (Punica granatum Linn.) is effective in treating hoarseness of voice, hyper-secretion of mucus, and disorders of pitta and vata. It is sweet, astringent and sour in taste, an appetizer, unctuous, hot, cordial and not antagonistic to kapha and pitta. The pomegranate which is dry and acid aggravates pitta and vata, the sweet one is effective in treating pitta. So, the qualities of pomegranate are described first. [149-151]
The kokum-butter fruit/vrikshamlam (Garcinia indica Choisy) is an astringent, dry and hot and is good for vata and kapha disorders. The ripe tamarind/amlika (Tamarindus indica Linn.) fruit is slightly different in quality. The amlavetasa (Hippophae rhamnoides sub sp. salicifolia) also possesses the same qualities and is a laxative. [152]
The filament of the citron flower/matulunga (Citrus medica Linn.) is indicated in intestinal colic, anorexia, constipation, weak digestive fire, chronic alcoholism, hiccups, dyspnea, cough, vomiting, disorders of stools and in all diseases born of vata and kapha. The filament of the citron is light but the rest of the parts are heavy. [153-154]
The long zedoary/karchuh (Curcuma zedoaria Rosc.) fruit, without the rind, is palatable, appetizing, cordial, fragrant, is effective in treating kapha and vata and is beneficial in cases of dyspnea, hiccup and piles. [155]
The common orange fruit/nagarangaphala (Citrus reticulata Blanco) is sweet, slightly sour, cordial, appetizer, difficult to digest, is effective in treating vata and is heavy to digest. [156]
The almond (Prunus amygdalus Batsch. Variety sativa (sweet)), green almond/ abhisuka (Pistacia vera Linn.), walnut/akshota (Juglans regia Linn.), edible pine/Mukulaka (Baliospermum montanum (Willd.) Muell-Arg), chilgoza pine/nikochaka (Pinus gerardiana wallich.) , and apricot/urumana(Prunus armeniaca Linn.), are heavy to digest, hot in potency, unctuous, sweet, strengthening, are effective in curing vata, nourishing, aphrodisiac and aggravate kapha and pitta. Buchanan’s mango/priyala (Buchanania lanzan Spreng) should be considered similar in action to the above except in the qualities of being hot. [157-158]
The sabestan plum / shleshmantakaphala (Cordia dichotoma Forst.f.) increases kapha, is sweet, cold in potency and heavy. The alangy / ankotaphala (Alangium salviifolium (Linn. F.) Wang.) increases kapha, is heavy, delayed in the intestines, and is effective in treating excessive heat. [159]
The shami fruit Prosopis spicigera Linn.) is heavy, hot, sweet, dry and depilatory, while the fruit of the Indian beech/karanja (Pongamia pinnata Pierre) is moves slowly through the intestines and is not adverse to vata and kapha. [160]
The Indian hog-plum/amrataka (Spondias pinnata (Linn.f) Kurz), lemon/Dantashatha (Citrus limon (Linn.) Burm.f.), bengal currant/karamardaka (Carissa spinarum Linn.), and common orange/airavata (Citrus sinensis (Linn.) Osbeck) are sour and cause raktapitta. [161]
The eggplant/aubergine/brinjal /vartaku (Solanum melongena Linn.) is effective in treating vata, is an appetizer, and is pungent and bitter. The Boxwood gardenia/parpatakaphala (Gardenia latifolia Ait) fruit aggravates vata and is effective in treating kapha and pitta. [162]
The akshiki fruit (Morinda tinctoria Roxb.), is effective in treating pitta and kapha, is sour in taste and increases vata. The fruits of the holy fig/ashvattha (Ficus religiosa Linn.), country fig/udumbaraphala (Ficus glomerata Roxb.), yellow barked fig/plaksha(Ficus lacor Buch- Ham) and banyan/ nyagrodhaphala(Ficus benghalensis Linn.)are sweet, sour after digestion, is effective in treating pitta and kapha, astringent, sweet and sour in taste, promotive of vata and heavy. [163-164]
The marking-nut/bhallataka (Semecarpus anacardium Linn.f) is caustic like fire but the pulp of the fruit is sweet and cold in potency. Thus, is described the fifth section about fruits generally in use. [165]
Class of green herbs
अथहरितवर्गः-
रोचनंदीपनंवृष्यमार्द्रकंविश्वभेषजम्।
वातश्लेष्मविबन्धेषुरसस्तस्योपदिश्यते॥१६६॥
रोचनोदीपनस्तीक्ष्णःसुगन्धिर्मुखशोधनः।
जम्बीरःकफवातघ्नःक्रिमिघ्नोभक्तपाचनः॥१६७॥
बालंदोषहरं, वृद्धंत्रिदोषं, मारुतापहम्।
स्निग्धसिद्धं, विशुष्कंतुमूलकंकफवातजित्॥१६८॥
हिक्काकासविषश्वासपार्श्वशूलविनाशनः।
पित्तकृत्कफवातघ्नःसुरसःपूतिगन्धहा॥१६९॥
यवानीचार्जकश्चैवशिग्रुशालेयमृष्टकम्।
हृद्यान्यास्वादनीयानिपित्तमुत्क्लेशयन्तिच॥१७०॥
गण्डीरोजलपिप्पल्यस्तुम्बरुःशृङ्गवेरिका।
तीक्ष्णोष्णकटुरूक्षाणिकफवातहराणिच॥१७१॥
पुंस्त्वघ्नःकटुरूक्षोष्णोभूस्तृणोवक्रशोधनः।
खराह्वाकफवातघ्नीबस्तिरोगरुजापहा॥१७२॥
धान्यकंचाजगन्धाचसुमुखश्चेतिरोचनाः।
सुगन्धानातिकटुकादोषानुत्क्लेशयन्तिच॥१७३॥
ग्राहीगृञ्जनकस्तीक्ष्णोवातश्लेष्मार्शसांहितः।
स्वेदनेऽभ्यवहारेचयोजयेत्तमपित्तिनाम्॥१७४॥
श्लेष्मलोमारुतघ्नश्चपलाण्डुर्नचपित्तनुत् ।
आहारयोगीबल्यश्चगुरुर्वृष्योऽथरोचनः॥१७५॥
क्रिमिकुष्ठकिलासघ्नोवातघ्नोगुल्मनाशनः।
स्निग्धश्चोष्णश्चवृष्यश्चलशुनःकटुकोगुरुः॥१७६॥
शुष्काणिकफवातघ्नान्येतान्येषांफलानिच।
हरितानामयंचैषषष्ठोवर्गःसमाप्यते॥१७७॥
इतिहरितवर्गः॥४॥
Now begins the section on greens. The green ginger/adraka (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) is an appetizer, digestion-stimulant, aphrodisiac and its juice is prescribed in cases of obstruction due to vata and kapha. [166]
The lemon/ jambira (Citrus limon (Linn.) Burm.F) is appetizer, digestive-stimulant, acute fragrant, mouth cleanser, is effective in treating kapha and vata, vermicide and helps the digestion of food. [167]
The garden radish/mulaka (Raphanus sativus Linn.) when tender allays vitiated dosha, but when overgrown, provokes these dosha. When prepared with unctuous substances it alleviates vata. And when dried, it alleviates kapha and vata. [168]
The holy basil/surasa (Ocimum sanctum Linn.) is effective in treating hiccups, cough, poison, dyspnea, pleural effusion, kapha and vata, and eliminates fetor. It, however, aggravates pitta .[169]
Carum/yavani (Trachyspermum ammi (Linn.) sprague), shrubby basil/arjaka (Orthosiphon pallidus Royle), drumstick/shigru(Moringa oleifera Lam), small variety of radish /shaleya (Raphanus sativus Linn.), and brown mustard/mristaka (Brassica juncea (Linn.) Czern. & Coss) are cordial, palatable and excite the pitta. [170]
The gandira (Coleus barbatus Benth.), the hog fruit/jalapippali (Lippia nodiflora Rich.), Indian toothache/tumbaru (Zanthoxylum armatum DC),and green coriander/sringaverika Coriandrum sativum Linn.)are acute, hot, pungent, dry and are effective in curing kapha and vata. [171]
The ginger grass/bhustrina (Hyptis suaveolens (Linn.) Poit) is anaphrodisiac, pungent, dry, hot, and useful as a mouth cleanser. Celery seeds/kharahva (Carum roxburghianum (D.C.) Benth. & Hk.f.) are effective in curing kapha and vata and painful urinary disorders. [172]
Coriander/dhanyaka (Coriandrum sativum Linn.), wild thyme/ajagandha (Thymus serpyllum Linn.) and sumukha (Ocimum sp.) are appetizers, fragrant, not very pungent, and further aggravate morbid dosha conditions [173]
The leek/grinjanaka (Allium ameloprasum Hook.f. non Linn.) is an astringent, acute and beneficial in vata and kapha disorders and in piles. This should be used in sudation therapy and as an article of diet by those who are not suffering from pitta-discordance. [174]
The onion/palandu (Allium cepa Linn) promotes kapha and is effective in treating vata but not of pitta. It is a good adjuvant for food and is a strength-enhancer, heavy, aphrodisiac and appetizing. [175]
The garlic/lashuna (Allium sativum Linn.) is effective in treating worms, dermatosis including leprosy, vata disorders and gulma. It is unctuous, hot, aphrodisiac, pungent and heavy. [176]
These in their dried condition and their fruits are effective in curing kapha and vata. Thus, ends the sixth section on greens. [177]
Class of wines and alcoholic preparations
अथमद्यवर्गः-
प्रकृत्यामद्यमम्लोष्णमम्लंचोक्तंविपाकतः।
सर्वंसामान्यतस्तस्यविशेषउपदेक्ष्यते॥१७८॥
The general qualities of wine:
Now begins the group of wines. Wine is naturally sour (in taste and digestion) and hot in potency. This is its general property. Its specific characteristics will now be described. [178]
कृशानांसक्तमूत्राणांग्रहण्यर्शोविकारिणाम्।
सुराप्रशस्तावातघ्नीस्तन्यरक्तक्षयेषुच॥१७९॥
हिक्काश्वासप्रतिश्यायकासवर्चोग्रहारुचौ।
वम्यानाहविबन्धेषुवातघ्नीमदिराहिता॥१८०॥
शूलप्रवाहिकाटोपकफवातार्शसांहितः।
जगलोग्राहिरूक्षोष्णःशोफघ्नोभक्तपाचनः॥१८१॥
शोषार्शोग्रहणीदोषपाण्डुरोगारुचिज्वरान्।
हन्त्यरिष्टःकफकृतान्रोगान्रोचनदीपनः ॥१८२॥
मुखप्रियःसुखमदःसुगन्धिर्बस्तिरोगनुत् ।
जरणीयःपरिणतोहृद्योवर्ण्यश्चशार्करः॥१८३॥
रोचनोदीपनोहृद्यःशोषशोफार्शसांहितः।
स्नेहश्लेष्मविकारघ्नोवर्ण्यःपक्वरसोमतः॥१८४॥
जरणीयोविबन्धघ्नःस्वरवर्णविशोधनः।
लेखनःशीतरसिकोहितःशोफोदरार्शसाम्॥१८५॥
सृष्टभिन्नशकृद्वातोगौडस्तर्पणदीपनः।
पाण्डुरोगव्रणहितादीपनीचाक्षिकीमता ॥१८६॥
सुरासवस्तीव्रमदोवातघ्नोवदनप्रियः।
छेदीमध्वासवस्तीक्ष्णोमैरेयोमधुरोगुरुः॥१८७॥
धातक्याऽभिषुतोहृद्यो रूक्षोरोचनदीपनः।
माध्वीकवन्न चात्युष्णोमृद्वीकेक्षुरसासवः॥१८८॥
रोचनंदीपनंहृद्यंबल्यंपित्ताविरोधिच।
विबन्धघ्नंकफघ्नंचमधुलघ्वल्पमारुतम्॥१८९॥
सुरासमण्डारूक्षोष्णायवानांवातपित्तला।
गुर्वीजीर्यतिविष्टभ्यश्लेष्मलातुमधूलिका॥१९०॥
दीपनंजरणीयंचहृत्पाण्डुक्रिमिरोगनुत्।
ग्रहण्यर्शोहितभेदिसौवीरकतुषोदकम्॥१९१॥
दाहज्वरापहंस्पर्शात्पानाद्वातकफापहम्।
विबन्धघ्नमवस्रंसिदीपनंचाम्लकाञ्जिकम्॥१९२॥
प्रायशोऽभिनवंमद्यंगुरुदोषसमीरणम्।
स्रोतसांशोधनंजीर्णंदीपनंलघुरोचनम्॥१९३॥
हर्षणंप्रीणनंमद्यंभयशोकश्रमापहम्।
प्रागल्भ्यवीर्यप्रतिभातुष्टिपुष्टिबलप्रदम्॥१९४॥
सात्त्विकैर्विधिवद्युक्त्यापीतंस्यादमृतंयथा।
वर्गोऽयंसप्तमोमद्यमधिकृत्यप्रकीर्तितः॥१९५॥
इतिमद्यवर्गःसप्तमः॥७॥
Sura wine is recommended in cases of emaciation, suppression of urine, assimilation-disorders, piles, deficiency of milk and blood, and is effective in treating vata. [179]
The madira wine is beneficial in hiccups, dyspnea, coryza, cough, scybalous stools, anorexia, vomiting, constipation and is effective in treating vata. [180]
The jagala wine is beneficial in colic, dysentery, abdominal distension/borborygmi, kapha,vata and piles. It is an astringent, dry in property, hot in potency, effective in treating edema and stimulates digestion. [181]
The arishta or medicated wine is effective in treating consumption, piles, assimilation-disorders, anemia, anorexia, fever and other diseases when these arise from kapha. It is an effective appetizer. [182]
Sugar wine is palatable and a mild intoxicant. It is fragrant, effective in treating painful urinary disorders, promotes digestion, improves complexion, and is also a cardiac tonic. [183]
The pakvarasa wine is an appetizer, beneficial in consumption, complexion, edema and piles, and is an effective medication for treating kapha-disorders and disorders born of the overuse of unctuous articles. [184]
The shitarasika wine is a good appetizer, effective in treating constipation, and in improving/enhancing voice and complexion. It is also a lekhana (weight-loss medication) and is beneficial in treating edema, abdominal afflictions and piles. [185]
Gud (jaggery, or coarse, unrefined sugar) wine is a refreshing, nourishing drink that is also a very good appetizer. It is beneficial in treating wounds since it has antiseptic properties. [186]
The surasava wine is very strong (creating severe intoxication), effective in treating vata and palatable. The madhvasava is depletive and sharp and the maireya wine is sweet and heavy. [187]
Fire-flame bush/dhatakyasava (Woodfordia fruticosa Kurz.) wine is mild, dry, and appetizing. Grape and sugar wines are similar but not as hot. [188]
The honey wine is a light, appetizing and strengthening drink. It does not provoke the pitta, and is an effective tonic for treating constipation and kapha. However, it slightly increases vata. [189]
Suramanda wine (consumed undistilled/without filtering) made out of barley is dry, hot, increases vata and pitta, is heavy and delays digestion and madhulika wine increases kapha dosha. [190]
Sauviraka and tushodaka wines are very effective appetizers and laxatives. These are also very beneficial in treating cardiac disorders, anemia and worms, assimilation-disorders and piles. [191]
The sour-congee wine, when topically applied, is effective in treating burning sensation and fever. In the form of potion, it is very effective in treating vata, kapha and constipation (it is a laxative and digestive stimulant). [192]
Fresh wine is generally heavy and aggravates the dosha, while old wine clears the body channels and, digestive-stimulant. Wine is exhilarating, pleasant, strengthening and relieves fear, grief and fatigue. It gives courage, virility, mental exaltation, satisfaction, plumpness and vitality. If it is taken by virtuous men in proper manner, it acts like nectar. Thus, the seventh section concerning wines has been described. [193-195]Class of water
अथजलवर्गः-
जलमेकविधंसर्वंपतत्यैन्द्रंनभस्तलात्।
तत् पतत्पतितंचैवदेशकालावपेक्षते॥१९६॥
खात् पतत्सोमवाय्वर्कैःस्पृष्टंकालानुवर्तिभिः।
शीतोष्णस्निग्धरूक्षाद्यैर्यथासन्नंमहीगुणैः॥१९७॥
Now begins the section on waters. All water is of one kind and falls from the heavens ordained by Indra. While it is falling and after it has fallen, it is affected by location and time. [196]
While falling from the sky it is influenced by the effects of the seasonal courses of the moon, the wind and the sun. When is has fallen on the earth, it is affected by the qualities of the earth on which it falls and these could be cold, hot, viscid, dry, etc. [197]
Rainwater is cold, pure, wholesome, palatable, clear, and light in digestion. These are the six qualities of rainwater. [197]
...भ्रष्टंपात्रमपेक्षते॥१९८॥
श्वेतेकषायंभवतिपाण्डरेस्यात्तुतिक्तकम्।
कपिलेक्षारसंसृष्टमूषरेलवणान्वितम्॥१९९॥
कटुपर्वतविस्तारे मधुरंकृष्णमृत्तिके।
एतत्षाड्गुण्यमाख्यातंमहीस्थस्यजलस्यहि।
तथाऽव्यक्तरसंविद्यादैन्द्रंकारंहिमंचयत्॥२००॥
यदन्तरीक्षात्पततीन्द्रसृष्टं
चोक्तैश्चपात्रैःपरिगृह्यतेऽम्भः।
तदैन्द्रमित्येववदन्तिधीरा
नरेन्द्रपेयंसलिलंप्रधानम् ॥२०१॥
ईषत्कषायमधुरंसुसूक्ष्मंविशदंलघु।
अरूक्षमनभिष्यन्दिसर्वंपानीयमुत्तमम्॥२०२॥
गुर्वभिष्यन्दिपानीयंवार्षिकंमधुरंनवम्।
तनुलघ्वनभिष्यन्दिप्रायःशरदिवर्षति॥२०३॥
तत्तुयेसुकुमाराःस्युःस्निग्धभूयिष्ठभोजनाः।
तेषांभोज्येचभक्ष्येचलेह्येपेयेचशस्यते॥२०४॥
हेमन्तेसलिलंस्निग्धंवृष्यंबलहितंगुरु।
किञ्चित्ततोलघुतरंशिशिरेकफवातजित्॥२०५॥
कषायमधुरंरूक्षंविद्याद्वासन्तिकंजलम्।
ग्रैष्मिकंत्वनभिष्यन्दिजलमित्येवनिश्चयः॥
ऋतावृताविहाख्याताःसर्वएवाम्भसोगुणाः॥२०६॥
विभ्रान्तेषुतुकालेषुयत्प्रयच्छन्तितोयदाः।
सलिलंतत्तुदोषाययुज्यतेनात्रसंशयः॥२०७॥
राजभीराजमात्रैश्चसुकुमारैश्चमानवैः।
सुगृहीताःशरद्यापःप्रयोक्तव्याविशेषतः॥२०८॥
Changes in the properties of water based upon the properties of the surface it is in contact with:
Some properties of water change when it falls onto the earth. When it falls on white earth it acquires an astringent taste, on yellowish-white earth it becomes bitter, on tawny earth it becomes alkaline, and on brine earth it becomes salty. Water flowing from the mountains becomes pungent and when it falls on black earth it becomes sweet. These are the six qualities acquired by water coming in contact with the earth, Celestial water hailstone and snow – in their natural form - have an indistinct taste. [198-200]
Sages and wise people called rainwater as celestial water that is showered from the sky by Indra (the Vedic King of all Gods). This is the best kind of water and is ideal for consumption. [201]
All water which is slightly astringent and sweet, subtle, clear, light, neither unctuous nor deliquescent is considered excellent. [202]
Rainwater that falls during the rainy (or monsoon) season in India, when fresh, is heavy, viscid, and sweet. The autumnal rain-water is mainly thin, light, and not viscid. [203]
Rainwater is recommended for use as a supplement or an ingredient for making food, electuaries (a lickable substance mixed with honey or another sweet substance), and drinks for those who are delicate and habituated to eating very unctuous food.[204]
The late-autumnal water is unctuous, aphrodisiac, conducive to strength, and heavy. The winter water is slightly lighter and alleviates kapha and vata. [205]
Spring water is to be considered to be an astringent, is sweet and dry. Summer water is not greasy (anabhishyandi). Thus, the properties of water according to each and every season have been studied by sages and described here. [206]
Unseasonal rains bring about dosha imbalance. There is no doubt regarding this. [207]
Kings, members of the royalty or privileged upbringing, and people of the delicate constitution should collect autumnal waters and use them mainly. [208]
नद्यःपाषाणविच्छिन्नविक्षुब्धाभिहतोदकाः ।
हिमवत्प्रभवाःपथ्याःपुण्यादेवर्षिसेविताः॥२०९॥
नद्यःपाषाणसिकतावाहिन्योविमलोदकाः।
मलयप्रभवायाश्चजलंतास्वमृतोपमम्॥२१०॥
पश्चिमाभिमुखायाश्चपथ्यास्तानिर्मलोदकाः।
प्रायोमृदुवहागुर्व्योयाश्चपूर्वसमुद्रगाः॥२११॥
पारियात्रभवायाश्चविन्ध्यसह्यभवाश्चयाः।
शिरोहृद्रोगकुष्ठानांताहेतुःश्लीपदस्यच॥२१२॥
The properties of river water from the mountains:
The water of rivers that originate from the Himalayas, whose flow is broken, agitated, and obstructed by rocks, and on whose banks dwell Gods and Rishis is considered wholesome and holy. The water of the rivers originating from the Malaya mountains, which carry stones and sand in their course, is pure and is like nectar. [209-210]
The water of rivers flowing westward is considered wholesome and pure while that of the slow-flowing ones towards the eastern seas is generally heavy. [211]
The waters of rivers originating from the Pariyatra, Vindhya, or Sahya mountains cause diseases of the head and the heart, dermatosis, and elephantiasis. [212]
वसुधाकीटसर्पाखुमलसन्दूषितोदकाः।
वर्षाजलवहानद्यःसर्वदोषसमीरणाः॥२१३॥
वापीकूपतडागोत्ससरःप्रस्रवणादिषु।
आनूपशैलधन्वानांगुणदोषैर्विभावयेत्॥२१४॥
पिच्छिलंक्रिमिलंक्लिन्नंपर्णशैवालकर्दमैः।
विवर्णंविरसंसान्द्रंदुर्गन्धंनहितंजलम्॥२१५॥
विस्रंत्रिदोषंलवणमम्बुयद्वरुणालयम्।
इत्यम्बुवर्गःप्रोक्तोऽयमष्टमःसुविनिश्चितः॥२१६॥
The waters of the rivers that flow during the rainy season and are polluted by earthworms, serpents, mice, excrement and aggravate all the three dosha. [213]
The qualities of the waters of tanks, wells, ponds, springs, lakes and cascades should be classified according to their locations - in wetland, mountainous lands and arid land. [214]
The water which is slimy, insect-ridden and putrefied by leaves, moss and slush, discolored, distasteful, dense and stinking is unfit for consumption. Sea-water has the smell of raw flesh, aggravates the three doshas, and is saltish in taste. [215-216]इतिजलवर्गोऽष्टमः॥८॥
Thus, the eighth section, pertaining to water, has been laid down.
Class of milk and its varieties
अथगोरसवर्गः-
स्वादुशीतंमृदुस्निग्धंबहलंश्लक्ष्णपिच्छिलम्।
गुरुमन्दंप्रसन्नंचगव्यंदशगुणंपयः॥२१७॥
तदेवङ्गुणमेवौजःसामान्यादभिवर्धयेत्।
प्रवरंजीवनीयानांक्षीरमुक्तंरसायनम्॥२१८॥
महिषीणांगुरुतरंगव्याच्छीततरंपयः।
स्नेहान्यूनमनिद्रायहितमत्यग्नयेचतत्॥२१९॥
रूक्षोष्णंक्षीरमुष्ट्रीणामीषत्सलवणंलघु।
शस्तंवातकफानाहक्रिमिशोफोदरार्शसाम्॥२२०॥
बल्यंस्थैर्यकरंसर्वमुष्णंचैकशफंपयः।
साम्लंसलवणंरूक्षंशाखावातहरंलघु॥२२१॥
छागंकषायमधुरंशीतंग्राहिपयोलघु।
रक्तपित्तातिसारघ्नंक्षयकासज्वरापहम्॥२२२॥
हिक्काश्वासकरंतूष्णंपित्तश्लेष्मलमाविकम्।
हस्तिनीनांपयोबल्यंगुरुस्थैर्यकरंपरम्॥२२३॥
जीवनंबृंहणंसात्म्यंस्नेहनंमानुषंपयः।
नावनंरक्तपित्तेचतर्पणंचाक्षिशूलिनाम्॥२२४॥
Now begins the section on cow’s milk and its products. Cow’s milk has ten properties viz. sweet, cold, soft, unctuous, dense, glossy, viscid, heavy, slow and clear. [217]
Possessing these qualities which are common with those of the vital essence (ojas), milk promotes vital essence. Milk is said to be foremost among vitalizers and rejuvenators of health. [218]
Buffalo’s milk is heavier and is colder in potency and more unctuous than the cow’s milk and is beneficial in insomnia and in reducing excess of agni(digestion and metabolism). [219]
Camel’s milk is slightly dry, hot, saltish, light and recommended in vata and kapha disorders, constipation, parasitic infection, edema, abdominal afflictions and piles. [220]
The milk of the animals of uncloven hoof (equines, including horses, mares, etc) is strengthening, stabilizing, hot, slightly sour and saltish, dry, is effective in treating vata afflictions of the extremities, and is light. [221]
Goat’s milk is an astringent, is sweet, cold in potency, light and is effective in treating raktapitta (bleeding disorders), diarrhea, wasting, cough and fever. [222]
Sheep’s milk causes hiccups, dyspnea, is hot and increases pitta and kapha. Elephant’s milk is strengthening, heavy and an excellent stabilizer of the body. [223]
The human milk is vitalizing, nourishing and wholesome, increases suppleness, is useful as a nasal medication in raktapitta (bleeding disorders) and is also soothing to persons having pain in eyes. [224]
Qualities of curd
रोचनंदीपनंवृष्यंस्नेहनंबलवर्धनम्।
पाकेऽम्लमुष्णंवातघ्नंमङ्गल्यंबृंहणंदधि॥२२५॥
पीनसेचातिसारेचशीतकेविषमज्वरे।
अरुचौमूत्रकृच्छ्रेचकार्श्येचदधिशस्यते॥२२६॥
शरद्ग्रीष्मवसन्तेषुप्रायशोदधिगर्हितम्।
रक्तपित्तकफोत्थेषुविकारेष्वहितंचतत्॥२२७॥
Curd is an appetizer and an aphrodisiac. It increases unctuousness and strength, is sour on digestion, hot in potency, is effective in treating vata disorders and is auspicious and nourishing. It is recommended in rhinitis, diarrhea, cold, irregular fevers, anorexia, dysuria and emaciation. [225-226]
Generally, curd is prohibited in autumn, summer and spring seasons. It is also unwholesome in raktapitta (bleeding disorders) and disorders of kapha. [227]
Immature or partly formed curd aggravates all the three dosha and mature curd is effective in treating vata. The cream of curds is seminiferous and the whey is considered effective in treating kapha and vata and cleaning the channels. [228]
Benefits of butter-milk
Butter milk should be administered in cases of edema, piles, assimilation-disorders, suppression of urine, abdominal diseases, anorexia and complications arising from oleation therapy, anemia, and gara poisoning. [229]
Benefits of butter
Fresh-made butter is considered an astringent, appetizer, and effective in treating assimilation-disorders, piles, trauma and anorexia. [230]
Benefits of ghee
स्मृतिबुद्ध्यग्निशुक्रौजःकफमेदोविवर्धनम्।
वातपित्तविषोन्मादशोषालक्ष्मीज्वरापहम् ॥२३१॥
सर्वस्नेहोत्तमंशीतंमधुरंरसपाकयोः
सहस्रवीर्यंविधिभिर्घृतंकर्मसहस्रकृत्॥२३२॥
मदापस्मारमूर्च्छायशोषोन्मादगरज्वरान्
योनिकर्णशिरःशूलंघृतंजीर्णमपोहति॥२३३॥
सर्पींष्यजाविमहिषीक्षीरवत्स्वानिनिर्दिशेत्।
Qualities of various milk products
पीयूषोमोरटंचैवकिलाटाविविधाश्चये॥२३४॥
दीप्ताग्नीनामनिद्राणांसर्वएवसुखप्रदाः।
गुरवस्तर्पणावृष्याबृंहणाःपवनापहाः॥२३५॥
विशदागुरवोरूक्षाग्राहिणस्तक्रपिण्डकाः।
गोरसानामयंवर्गोनवमःपरिकीर्तितः॥२३६॥
The early and late colostrums and various kinds of cream-cheese (kilatha) are beneficial to people having strong agni or those suffering from insomnia. These are heavy, nourishing, aphrodisiac, and are effective in treating vata. [234-235]
The solid portion of curds is limpid, heavy, dry, and astringent. [236]
इतिगोरसवर्गोनवमः॥९॥
Thus, has been described the ninth section on cow’s milk and its product.
Class of sugarcane and its products
अथेक्षुवर्गः-
वृष्यःशीतःसरःस्निग्धोबृंहणोमधुरोरसः।
शैत्यात्प्रसादान्माधुर्यात्पौण्ड्रकाद्वंशकोवरः।
Now described are sugarcane juices and derived products. Sugarcane juice should ideally be consumed right off the cane by chewing. Machine-pressed juice does not have the same quality and can be irritating. Sugarcane juice is an aphrodisiac, cold in potency, laxative, unctuous, nourishing, sweet, and increases kapha. The vamshaka variety of sugarcane is considered inferior to the white variety (paundraka) in the matter of coolness. [237]
Qualities of treacle (gud, jaggery)
प्रभूतक्रिमिमज्जासृङ्मेदोमांसकरोगुडः॥२३८॥
क्षुद्रोगुडश्चतुर्भागत्रिभागार्धावशेषितः।
रसोगुरुर्यथापूर्वंधौतःस्वल्पमलोगुडः॥२३९॥
ततोमत्स्यण्डिकाखण्डशर्कराविमलाःपरम्।
यथायथैषांवैमल्यंभवेच्छैत्यंतथातथा॥२४०॥
वृष्याक्षीणक्षतहितासस्नेहागुडशर्करा।
कषायमधुराशीतासतिक्तायासशर्करा॥२४१॥
रूक्षावम्यतिसारघ्नीच्छेदनीमधुशर्करा।
तृष्णासृक्पित्तदाहेषुप्रशस्ताःसर्वशर्कराः॥२४२॥
Treacle (guda, jaggery) greatly enhances marrow, blood, fat and flesh. However, it is prone to causing worms. Treacle made of juice of the sugar-cane boiled down to one fourth, one third or one half its original quantities is called coarse guda or immature guda. The greater the condensation, the heavier the guda. Conversely, purified guda is that which has very little impurity. [238-239]
Further purification turns it into matsyandika/ curd sugar. Sugar-candy/khanda and crystal-sugar/sharkara are considered extremely pure. According to its degree of purity its cooling quality is increased. [240]
The sugar from sugar cane juice (gur) is aphrodisiac, slightly unctuous and beneficial to those who are emaciated and suffering from pectoral lesions. The sugar prepared from yasasharkara (Alhagi pseudalhagi (Bieb.) Desv.) or camel thorn is astringent, sweet, cold in potency and slightly bitter. [241]
The honey-sugar is dry, is effective in treating vomiting and diarrhea and depletive. All sugars are beneficial in thirst, raktapitta and burning sensation. [242]Qualities of honey
माक्षिकंभ्रामरंक्षौद्रंपौत्तिकंमधुजातयः।
माक्षिकंप्रवरंतेषांविशेषाद्भ्रामरंगुरु॥२४३॥
माक्षिकंतैलवर्णंस्याद्घृतवर्णंतुपौत्तिकम्।
क्षौद्रंकपिलवर्णंस्याच्छ्वेतंभ्रामरमुच्यते॥२४४॥
Honey is of four kinds: bee-honey, wasp-honey, insect-honey and large-bee-honey. Bee honey is the best of them and wasp-honey is especially heavy to digest. [243]
Bee-honey is of the color of oil and large-bee honey is said to be of the color of ghee, Insect-honey is tawny and wasp-honey is stated to be white. [244]
वातलंगुरुशीतंचरक्तपित्तकफापहम्।
सन्धातृ च्छेदनं रूक्षं कषायं मधुरं मधु ||२४५||
हन्यान्मधूष्णमुष्णार्तमथवासविषान्वयात्।
गुरुरूक्षकषायत्वाच्छैत्याच्चाल्पंहितंमधु॥२४६॥
Honey aggravates vata, is heavy to digest, cold in potency, is effective in treating raktapitta and kapha disorders and is viscid, dry, astringent and sweet. [245]
Heated or warm honey can be fatal. It can kill if given in conditions arouse due to excess heat owing to its poisonous effect during the process of accumulation. Being heavy, dry, astringent and cold in potency, it is also wholesome in small doses. [246]
नातःकष्टतमंकिञ्चिन्मध्वामात्तद्धिमानवम्।
उपक्रमविरोधित्वात्सद्योहन्याद्यथाविषम्॥२४७॥
आमेसोष्णाक्रियाकार्यासामध्वामेविरुध्यते।
मध्वामंदारुणंतस्मात्सद्योहन्याद्यथाविषम्॥२४८॥
There is no disease more difficult to treat than honey-induced ama disorder. The severity of treatment itself can kill the patient as quickly as poison. [247]
In chyme disorders (ama), treatment with drugs of hot potency is indicated. However, hot things are contra-indicated in the ama-disorder induced by honey. Hence honey-induced ama-disorder is a serious condition causing death as immediately as poison. [248]नानाद्रव्यात्मकत्वाच्चयोगवाहिपरंमधु।
इतीक्षुविकृतिप्रायोवर्गोऽयंदशमोमतः॥२४९॥
Since honey is composed of various substances, it is the best of vehicles (or medium) for administering medication. [249]
इतीक्षुवर्गोदशमः॥१०॥
Thus ends this tenth section mainly dealing with sugar-cane products.
Class of cooked food preparations
अथकृतान्नवर्गः-
क्षुत्तृष्णाग्लानिदौर्बल्यकुक्षिरोगज्वरापहा।
स्वेदाग्निजननीपेयावातवर्चोनुलोमनी॥२५०॥
तर्पणीग्राहिणीलघ्वीहृद्याचापिविलेपिका।
मण्डस्तुदीपयत्यग्निंवातंचाप्यनुलोमयेत्॥२५१॥
मृदूकरोतिस्रोतांसिस्वेदंसञ्जनयत्यपि।
लङ्घितानांविरिक्तानांजीर्णेस्नेहेचतृष्यताम्॥२५२॥
दीपनत्वाल्लघुत्वाच्चमण्डःस्यात्प्राणधारणः।
लाजपेयाश्रमघ्नीतुक्षामकण्ठस्यदेहिनः॥२५३॥
तृष्णातीसारशमनोधातुसाम्यकरःशिवः।
लाजमण्डोऽग्निजननोदाहमूर्च्छानिवारणः ॥२५४॥
मन्दाग्निविषमाग्नीनांबालस्थविरयोषिताम्।
देयश्चसुकुमाराणांलाजमण्डःसुसंस्कृतः॥२५५॥
क्षुत्पिपासापहःपथ्यःशुद्धानांचमलापहः।
शृतःपिप्पलिशुण्ठीभ्यांयुक्तो लाजाम्लदाडिमैः॥२५६॥
कषायमधुराःशीतालघवोलाजसक्तवः।
Now begins the section on cooked foods. Thin gruel removes hunger, thirst, weariness, weakness, stomach disorder and fever. It causes perspiration, stimulates agni and regulates the course of flatus and feces. [250]
Thick gruel (vilepi) is nourishing, astringent, and is light. Gruel-water (manda) kindles agni and regulates the downward course of vata. It softens the channels and causes perspiration. It sustains life on account of its ability to stimulate agni and lightness especially in those who have undergone reduction (langhana) therapies, purificatory procedures, and in those who have developed thirst after any unctuous dose has been digested. [251-252]
The thin gruel of roasted paddy removes fatigue particularly in people ailing with weakened voice. [253] The gruel water of roasted cornflour alleviates thirst and diarrhea, maintains normalcy of tissue elements, is generally considered beneficial to health and even auspicious, stimulates agni and is effective in treating burning sensation as well as fainting. The gruel water of fried corn, well-seasoned, must be given to people suffering from weak and irregular agni, to children, the aged, women and to persons of delicate health. [254-255]
If it is mixed with long pepper (Piper longum Linn.) and dried ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.), boiled with corn and sour pomegranates, gruel water of roasted corn flour allays hunger and thirst, is nourishing and removes the residual morbidity in those who have undergone purificatory procedures. The roasted corn-flour is an astringent, is sweet in taste, is cold in potency, and is light. [256]
सुधौतःप्रस्रुतःस्विन्नःसन्तप्तश्चौदनोलघुः॥२५७॥
भृष्टतण्डुलमिच्छन्तिगरश्लेष्मामयेष्वपि।
अधौतोऽप्रस्रुतोऽस्विन्नःशीतश्चाप्योदनोगुरुः॥२५८॥
मांसशाकवसातैलघृतमज्जफलौदनाः।
बल्याःसन्तर्पणाहृद्यागुरवोबृंहयन्तिच॥२५९॥
तद्वन्माषतिलक्षीरमुद्गसंयोगसाधिताः।
Rice that is well cleansed, squeezed out, steam-softened and warm makes light food. In toxic conditions and kapha disorders, fried rice is indicated. Cooked rice if uncleansed, with the boiled water not pressed out, not properly softened and eaten cold is heavy to digest. [257-258]
Rice prepared with flesh, vegetables, fat oil, ghee, marrow or fruit is strengthening, nourishing, cordial, and heavy. Likewise, rice cooked together with black gram, tila, milk and green gram. [259]
कुल्माषागुरवोरूक्षावातलाभिन्नवर्चसः॥२६०॥
स्विन्नभक्ष्यास्तुयेकिचित्सौप्यगौधूमयाविकाः।
भिषक्तेषांयथाद्रव्यमादिशेद्गुरुलाघवम्॥२६१॥
Kulmasha (a variety of pea) is heavy to digest, dry, vata provoking and loosens the stools. [260]
As regards steamed dishes made out of pulses, wheat and barley, the physician should determine their qualities of heaviness and lightness in accordance with the substances used. [261]
अकृतंकृतयूषंचतनुंसांस्कारिकंरसम्।
सूपमम्लमनम्लंचगुरुंविद्याद्यथोत्तरम्॥२६२॥
Unseasoned soup and well-seasoned soup, thin and thick meat juices, sour and non-sour broths – these should be regarded heavier (to digest) than the other in the given order. [262]
सक्तवोवातलारूक्षाबहुवर्चोनुलोमिनः।
तर्पयन्तिनरंसद्यःपीताःसद्योबलाश्चते॥२६३॥
मधुरालघवःशीताःसक्तवःशालिसम्भवाः।
ग्राहिणोरक्तपित्तघ्नास्तृष्णाच्छर्दिज्वरापहाः॥२६४॥
Roasted flour is dry, aggravates vata, increases fecal matter and regulates peristalsis. When taken, it immediately nourishes and strengthens the person. [263]
The flour of roasted shali rice is sweet, light, cold in potency, astringent, and is effective in treating raktapitta, thirst, vomiting and fever. [264]
हन्याद्व्याधीन्यवापूपोयावकोवाट्यएवच।
उदावर्तप्रतिश्यायकासमेहगलग्रहान्॥२६५॥
धानासञ्ज्ञास्तुयेभक्ष्याःप्रायस्तेलेखनात्मकाः।
शुष्कत्वात्तर्पणाश्चैवविष्टम्भित्वाच्चदुर्जराः॥२६६॥
विरूढधानाशष्कुल्योमधुक्रोडाःसपिण्डकाः।
पूपाःपूपलिकाद्याश्चगुरवःपैष्टिकाःपरम्॥२६७॥
Apupa (pancake of barley) is effective in treating coryza, cough, urinary disorders and throat spasm while fried barley also causes udavarta (a disease due to vitiation of vata owing to suppression of urges). [265]
The barley preparation known as dhana is generally considered a revulsant. It is nourishing because of its dryness and is difficult to digest owing to its delaying tendency in the intestines. [266]
Virudha-dhana (germinated barley), shashkuli, madhukrodas with pindakas, pupa, pupalika (kind of seet cake fried in ghee or oil), and other preparations of flour are extremely heavy. [267]
फलमांसवसाशाकपललक्षौद्रसंस्कृताः।
भक्ष्यावृष्याश्चबल्याश्चगुरवोबृंहणात्मकाः॥२६८॥
वेशवारोगुरुःस्निग्धोबलोपचयवर्धनः।
गुरवस्तर्पणावृष्याःक्षीरेक्षुरसपूपकाः ॥२६९॥
सगुडाःसतिलाश्चैवसक्षीरक्षौद्रशर्कराः।
भक्ष्यावृष्याश्चबल्याश्चपरंतुगुरवःस्मृताः॥२७०॥
Cooked dishes prepared with fruits, flesh, fat, vegetables, tila-paste and honey are considered an aphrodisiac and are strengthening, heavy to digest and nourishing. [268]
The veshavara (a kind of seasoning) is heavy, unctuous and increases strength and plumpness. Apupa preparations made of milk and sugarcane juices are heavy, nourishing and aphrodisiac. [269]
Preparation mixed with gud, tila or milk, with honey and sugar are considered aphrodisiac, strengthening and very heavy. [270]
सस्नेहाःस्नेहसिद्धाश्चभक्ष्याविविधलक्षणाः।
गुरवस्तर्पणावृष्याहृद्यागौधूमिकामताः॥२७१॥
संस्काराल्लघवःसन्तिभक्ष्यागौधूमपैष्टिकाः।
धानापर्पटपूपाद्यास्तान्बुद्ध्वानिर्दिशेत्तथा॥२७२॥
The many kinds of preparations of wheat mixed with unctuous substances or cooked with them are heavy, nourishing, aphrodisiac and cordial. [271]
The preparations of wheat flour such as dhana, parpata, apupa (a kind of fine bread/cake of flour) etc, become light when seasoned. Knowing them thus, one should prescribe them. [272]
पृथुकागुरवोभृष्टान् भक्षयेदल्पशस्तुतान्।
यावाविष्टभ्यजीर्यन्तिसरसाभिन्नवर्चसः॥२७३॥
Flattened rice is heavy. It must be eaten in small quantities after being fried. Fried barley is slow to digest while un-fried barley causes loose stools. [273]
सूप्यान्नविकृताभक्ष्यावातलारूक्षशीतलाः।
सकटुस्नेहलवणानल्पशोभक्षयेत्तुतान्॥२७४॥
Preparations of pulses aggravate vata, and are dry and cold in potency. They must be taken in small quantities with pungent, unctuous and saltish substances. [274]
मृदुपाकाश्चयेभक्ष्याःस्थूलाश्चकठिनाश्चये।
गुरवस्तेव्यतिक्रान्तपाकाःपुष्टिबलप्रदाः॥२७५॥
द्रव्यसंयोगसंस्कारंद्रव्यमानंपृथक्तथा।
भक्ष्याणामादिशेद्बुद्ध्वायथास्वंगुरुलाघवम्॥२७६॥
Summary of qualities:
Preparations that need to be cooked over a low fire for a long time and are thick and hard are heavy, get slowly digested and impart plumpness and strength. [275]
The heaviness and lightness of preparations must be determined according to the combination of the above mentioned substances, the nature of preparation and the measure of each substance. [276]
(नानाद्रव्यैः समायुक्तःपक्वामक्लिन्नभर्जितैः।
विमर्दकोगुरुर्हृद्योवृष्योबलवतांहितः॥२७७॥)
रसालाबृंहणीवृष्यास्निग्धाबल्यारुचिप्रदा।
स्नेहनंतर्पणंहृद्यंवातघ्नंसगुडंदधि॥२७८॥
Vimardaka (Cassia tora) prepared with ripe, unripe, softened and roasted substances is heavy, cordial, aphrodisiac and well-suited to physically strong individuals. [277]
The preparation called rasala (curds or puddings mixed sugar and spices) is nourishing, aphrodisiac, unctuous, strengthening and an appetizer. Curds taken with guda enhances unctuousness, is nourishing, cordial and is effective in treating vata. [278]
द्राक्षाखर्जूरकोलानांगुरुविष्टम्भिपानकम्।
परूषकाणांक्षौद्रस्ययच्चेक्षुविकृतिंप्रति॥२७९॥
तेषांकट्वम्लसंयोगान् पानकानांपृथक्पृथक्।
द्रव्यंमानंचविज्ञायगुणकर्माणिचादिशेत्॥२८०॥
कट्वम्लस्वादुलवणालघवोरागषाडवाः।
मुखप्रियाश्चहृद्याश्चदीपनाभक्तरोचनाः॥२८१॥
आम्रामलकलेहाश्चबृंहणाबलवर्धनाः।
रोचनास्तर्पणाश्चोक्ताःस्नेहमाधुर्यगौरवात्॥२८२॥
बुद्ध्वासंयोगसंस्कारंद्रव्यमानंचतच्छ्रितम्।
गुणकर्माणिलेहानांतेषांतेषांतथावदेत्॥२८३॥
A potion made of grapes, dates and Indian jujube/ kola is heavy and delayed in the intestines. So is the potion made of sweet parushaka (a tree), honey and the products of sugar-cane. [279] The qualities and actions of these beverages should be determined by knowing the individual nature of the substances, the quantity used and the combination of pungent and acidic tastes. [280]
The preparations called raga and shadava (confectionary) are pungent, sour, sweet, salt and light. They are pleasant to taste, cordial, digestive-stimulant and appetizers. [281]
The linctuses of mango and emblic myrobalan, on account of being unctuous, sweet and heavy, are said to be strengthening, appetizing and nourishing. [282]
Depending upon the admixture, preparation and measure of ingredients used in these electuaries, the characteristics and action of each of them should be determined. [283]रक्तपित्तकफोत्क्लेदिशुक्तंवातानुलोमनम्।
कन्दमूलफलाद्यंचतद्वद्विद्यात्तदासुतम्॥२८४॥
शिण्डाकीचासुतंचान्यत्कालाम्लंरोचनंलघु।
विद्याद्वर्गंकृतान्नानामेकादशतमंभिषक्॥२८५॥
The shukta beverage (sour liquor or gruel) aggravates raktapitta and kapha, and regulates vata. One should know the properties of the bulbs, roots and fruits etc. fermented in this beverage to have the same qualities. [284]
Shindaki (a sour, fermented preparation) and other fermented articles that turn sour owing to long periods of preservation are appetizing and light. The physician should know this section on cooked foods. [285]
इतिकृतान्नवर्गएकादशः॥११॥
Thus ends the eleventh section on cooked foods.
Class on food articles
कषायानुरसं स्वादुसूक्ष्ममुष्णंव्यवायिच।
पित्तलंबद्धविण्मूत्रंनचश्लेष्माभिवर्धनम्॥२८६॥
वातघ्नेषूत्तमंबल्यंत्वच्यंमेधाग्निवर्धनम्।
तैलंसंयोगसंस्कारात्सर्वरोगापहंमतम्॥२८७॥
तैलप्रयोगादजरानिर्विकाराजितश्रमाः।
आसन्नतिबलाःसङ्ख्येदैत्याधिपतयःपुरा॥२८८॥
ऐरण्डतैलंमधुरंगुरुश्लेष्माभिवर्धनम्।
वातासृग्गुल्महृद्रोगजीर्णज्वरहरंपरम्॥२८९॥
कटूष्णंसार्षपंतैलंरक्तपित्तप्रदूषणम्।
कफशुक्रानिलहरंकण्डूकोठविनाशनम् ॥२९०॥
प्रियालतैलंमधुरंगुरुश्लेष्माभिवर्धनम्।
हितमिच्छन्तिनात्यौष्ण्यात्संयोगेवातपित्तयोः॥२९१॥
आतस्यंमधुराम्लंतुविपाकेकटुकंतथा।
उष्णवीर्यंहितंवातेरक्तपित्तप्रकोपणम्॥२९२॥
कुसुम्भतैलमुष्णंचविपाकेकटुकंगुरु।
विदाहिचविशेषेणसर्वदोषप्रकोपणम्॥२९३॥
फलानांयानिचान्यानितैलान्याहारसंविधौ
युज्यन्तेगुणकर्मभ्यांतानिब्रूयाद्यथाफलम्॥२९४॥
Til (Sesamum indicum Linn.) oil is an astringent in after-taste, mildly sweet, hot, and diffusive that aggravates pitta and causes constipation and oliguria. It does not increase kapha. It is the best among pacifiers of vata, enhances strength, is good for the skin and increases intelligence and agni. Til oil is considered a very effective vehicle for administering various drugs [286-287] The medicinal properties of the Til oil have also been mentioned in the vedic scriptures - using the oil, the legendary daitya (demon) kings overcame aging, diseases, and fatigue, while gaining great strength in their battles with the Devas (Gods).[288]
Castor oil (Ricinus communis Linn.) is sweet, heavy, and kapha-aggravating. It is highly effective in treating vata, rakta gulma, heart-diseases and chronic fever. [289]
The white rape-seed (Brassica campestris Linn. Var. Sarson Prain) is pungent, hot, vitiates blood and pitta, and depletes kapha and semen. It is also very effective in treating vata-disorders, pruritus and urticaria. [290]
The oil of Buchanan’s mango (priyala, Buchanans mango /Buchanania lanzan Spreng) is sweet, heavy and kapha-aggravating. It is beneficial in vata-pitta combination diseases as it is not very hot in potency. [291]
The linseed (Linum usitatissimum Linn.) oil is sweet, sour and pungent (after digestion), and hot in potency. It is beneficial in vata but aggravates rakta & pitta. [292]
The safflower (Carthamus tinctorius Linn.) oil is hot, pungent after digestion, and heavy. It is excessively irritant and provokes all dosha. [293]
The qualities of other oils used in food but derived from fruits are not mentioned here. These are known by the qualities of the fruits themselves. [294]
मधुरोबृंहणोवृष्योबल्योमज्जातथावसा।
यथासत्त्वंतुशैत्योष्णेवसामज्ज्ञोर्विनिर्दिशेत्॥२९५॥
Animal marrow and fat are sweet, nourishing, aphrodisiac, strengthening, and hot or cool depending upon the nature or type of the animal. [295]
सस्नेहंदीपनंवृष्यमुष्णंवातकफापहम्।
विपाकेमधुरंहृद्यंरोचनंविश्वभेषजम्॥२९६॥
श्लेष्मलामधुराचार्द्रागुर्वीस्निग्धाचपिप्पली।
साशुष्काकफवातघ्नीकटूष्णावृष्यसम्मता ॥२९७॥
नात्यर्थमुष्णंमरिचमवृष्यंलघुरोचनम्।
छेदित्वाच्छोषणत्वाच्चदीपनंकफवातजित् ॥२९८॥
वातश्लेष्मविबन्धघ्नंकटूष्णंदीपनंलघु।
हिङ्गुशूलप्रशमनंविद्यात्पाचनरोचनम्॥२९९॥
रोचनंदीपनंवृष्यंचक्षुष्यमविदाहिच।
त्रिदोषघ्नंसमधुरं सैन्धवंलवणोत्तमम्॥३००॥
सौक्ष्म्यादौष्ण्याल्लघुत्वाच्चसौगन्ध्याच्चरुचिप्रदम्।
सौवर्चलंविबन्धघ्नंहृद्यमुद्गारशोधिच॥३०१॥
तैक्ष्ण्यादौष्ण्याद्व्यवायित्वाद्दीपनंशूलनाशनम्।
ऊर्ध्वंचाधश्चवातानामानुलोम्यकरंबिडम्॥३०२॥
सतिक्तकटुसक्षारंतीक्ष्णमुत्क्लेदिचौद्भिदम्।
नकाललवणेगन्धःसौवर्चलगुणाश्चते॥३०३॥
सामुद्रकंसमधुरं, सतिक्तंकटुपांशुजम्।
रोचनंलवणंसर्वंपाकिस्रंस्यनिलापहम्॥३०४॥
Ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) is slightly unctuous, stimulates digestion, aphrodisiac, hot, effective in treating vata and kapha, and sweet after digestion. [296]
Green long pepper (Piper longum Linn.) increases kapha, is sweet, heavy and unctuous. Dried pepper alleviates kapha and vata, is pungent and hot, and is considered an aphrodisiac. [297]
Black pepper (Piper nigrum Linn.) is not very hot, is anaphrodisiac, light, appetizing and is depletive and desiccatingt. It is is effective in treating kapha and vata. [298]
Asafoetida (Ferula narthex Boiss.) is regarded to be effective in treating vata, kapha and obstipation. It is pungent, hot, appetizing, light, and alleviates colicky pain. [299]
Rock salt is considered the best of salts - it is an appetizer and an aphrodisiac. It also improves eye-sight and is a non-irritant. It is effective in treating dosha imbalances and is slightly sweet. [300]
The sanchal salt is subtle, hot, light, fragrant, relishing, removes obstruction, cordial [palatable] and clears belching. [301]
Bida salt being sharp, hot, and diffusive, stimulates digestion, is effective in treating colicky pain and regulates the upward and downward courses of vata. [302]
The efflorescent (audbhida) salt is slightly bitter, pungent, slightly alkaline, sharp and liquefacient. kalabag rock-salt has no smell. Its qualities are similar to those of sanchal salt. [303]
The sea-salt is slightly sweet while the earth-salt is slightly bitter and pungent. All salts are appetizing, digestive, laxative and are effective in treating vata. [304]
हृत्पाण्डुग्रहणीरोगप्लीहानाहगलग्रहान्।
कासंकफजमर्शांसियावशूकोव्यपोहति॥३०५॥
तीक्ष्णोष्णोलघुरूक्षश्चक्लेदीपक्ता विदारणः।
दाहनोदीपनश्छेत्तासर्वःक्षारोऽग्निसन्निभः ॥३०६॥
Yavakshara (barley alkali) is effective in treating diseases of the heart, anaemia, assimilation disorders, spleenic disorders, constipation, throat-spasm, cough of the kapha type and piles. [305]
All alkalis are like fiery, sharp, hot, light, dry, liquefacient, digestive, corrosive, caustic, stimulates digestion and destructive of tissues. [306]
कारवीकुञ्चिकाऽजाजीयवानीधान्यतुम्बुरु।
रोचनंदीपनंवातकफदौर्गन्ध्यनाशनम्॥३०७॥
Celery seeds (karavi, Carum bulbocastanum W.Koch.), black cumin (kunchika, Nigella sativa Linn.), cumin (ajaji, Cuminum cyminum Linn.), bishops weed (yavani, Trachyspermum ammi Linn.), coriander (dhanyaka, Coriandrum sativum) and Indian tooth-ache tree (tumburu, Zanthoxylum armatum DC) are appetizing, stimulate digestion, alleviate vata and kapha, and remove foul odour.[307]
आहारयोगिनांभक्तिनिश्चयोनतुविद्यते।
समाप्तो द्वादशश्चायंवर्गआहारयोगिनाम्॥३०८॥
Dietary adjuvants do not, however, fit into a rigid classification. [308]
इत्याहारयोगिवर्गोद्वादशः॥१२॥
Thus ends the twelfth section on the articles used in cooked foods.
General considerations in qualities
शूकधान्यंशमीधान्यंसमातीतंप्रशस्यते।
पुराणंप्रायशोरूक्षंप्रायेणाभिनवंगुरु ॥३०९॥
यद्यदागच्छति क्षिप्रंतत्तल्लघुतरंस्मृतम्।
निस्तुषंयुक्तिभृष्टंचसूप्यंलघुविपच्यते॥३१०॥
Cereals and pulses that are one-year-old (not older) are recommended. Old grain is generally dry and the new generally heavy to digest. [309]
That grain which grows quicker is considered lighter than the others. The decorticated and slightly roasted pulse is digested easily. [310]
मृतंकृशंचातिमेद्यंवृद्धंबालंविषैर्हतम्।
अगोचरभृतंव्यालसूदितंमांसमुत्सृजेत्॥३११॥
अतोऽन्यथाहितंमांसंबृंहणंबलवर्धनम्।
The flesh of the animal which is dead, emaciated, very fat, old, too young, killed by poisoning, reared in unnatural habitat or killed by a tiger or snake should be avoided. Except for the above scenarios, flesh of animals described in this and prior chapters is wholesome, nourishing and promotes strength. [311]
प्रीणनःसर्वभूतानांहृद्योमांसरसःपरम्॥३१२॥
शुष्यतांव्याधिमुक्तानांकृशानांक्षीणरेतसाम्।
बलवर्णार्थिनांचैवरसंविद्याद्यथामृतम्॥३१३॥
सर्वरोगप्रशमनंयथास्वंविहितंरसम्।
विद्यात्स्वर्यंबलकरंवयोबुद्धीन्द्रियायुषाम्॥३१४॥
व्यायामनित्याःस्त्रीनित्यामद्यनित्याश्चयेनराः।
नित्यंमांसरसाहारानातुराःस्युर्नदुर्बलाः॥३१५॥
Meat juice has been considered to be the most nourishing of food articles for those who are wasted, convalescing, emaciated, deficient in semen and desirous of enhanced strength and complexion – in fact, for such patients, meat juice has been regarded as nectar itself. [312-313]
Meat juice administered as indicated is effective in treating most diseases. It promotes or enhances voice, youth, intelligence, sense-faculties and longevity. [314]
If those given to constant exercise and indulgence in women and wine take meat juice daily, they will never fall ill or become weak. [315]
Signs of bad quality (avoidable) vegetables, fruits and greens
क्रिमिवातातपहतंशुष्कंजीर्णमनार्तवम्।
शाकंनिःस्नेहसिद्धंचवर्ज्यंयच्चापरिस्रुतम्॥३१६॥
पुराणमामंसङ्क्लिष्टंक्रिमिव्यालहिमातपैः।
अदेशकालजंक्लिन्नंयत्स्यात्फलमसाधुतत्॥३१७॥
हरितानां यथाशाकंनिर्देशःसाधनादृते।
मद्याम्बुगोरसादीनांस्वेस्वेवर्गेविनिश्चयः॥३१८॥
Vegetable spoilt by maggots, wind, sun, or those that are dried, decayed, off-season, cooked without unctuous substances, or eaten without draining off boiled water should be avoided. [316]
Fruits that are old, unripe or damaged by insects, snakes, frost or sun, and those that are of improper season and place or are putrified should be regarded as not good for use. [317]
The rules regarding greens are the same as vegetables, except in the mode of preparation. As regards wine, water and milk etc. these have been described in their respective actions. [318]
Anupana (beverages after food)
General guidelines for beverages after food
यदाहारगुणैः पानंविपरीतंतदिष्यते।
अन्नानुपानंधातूनांदृष्टंयन्नविरोधिच॥३१९॥
आसवानांसमुद्दिष्टामशीतिंचतुरुत्तराम्।
जलंपेयमपेयंचपरीक्ष्यानुपिबेद्धितम्॥३२०॥
स्निग्धोष्णं मारुतेशस्तंपित्तेमधुरशीतलम्।
कफेऽनुपानंरूक्षोष्णंक्षयेमांसरसःपरम्॥३२१॥
उपवासाध्वभाष्यस्त्रीमारुतातपकर्मभिः।
क्लान्तानामनुपानार्थंपयःपथ्यंयथाऽमृतम्॥३२२॥
सुराकृशानांपुष्ट्यर्थमनुपानंविधीयते।
कार्श्यार्थंस्थूलदेहानामनुशस्तंमधूदकम्॥३२३॥
अल्पाग्नीनामनिद्राणांतन्द्राशोकभयक्लमैः।
मद्यमांसोचितानांचमद्यमेवानुशस्यते॥३२४॥
That drink which is opposite in quality to that of the food taken is the proper corrigent (agent that neutralizes the undesirable-effects of a particular medication or diet). Whatever drink is not deleterious to dosha and dhatu is to be considered the right post-prandial drink. [319]
One should take as his post-prandial drink that which is wholesome and fit to consume based on thorough examination of kinds of water and (eighty-four kinds of) wines described previously. [320]
Unctuous and hot drinks in conditions of vata, sweet and cooling ones in those of pitta, dry and hot ones in kapha, and meat juices in wasting are considered to be the best. [321]
For those fatigued by fasting, travel, lecturing, company of women, or exposure to wind, sun and exertion, milk as a post-prandial drink is considered as wholesome as nectar. [322]
Sura wine is recommended as a post-prandial drink for nourishing the emaciated. Combination of honey and water is recommended as a post-prandial drink for reducing the corpulent. [323]
For those suffering from weak agni and insomnia as a result of torpor, grief, fear and fatigue and those accustomed to wine and meat, wine is prescribed as a post-prandial drink. [324]
Benefits of anupana (vehicle)
अथानुपानकर्मगुणान्प्रवक्ष्यामः- अनुपानंतर्पयति, प्रीणयति, ऊर्जयति, बृंहयति, पर्याप्तिमभिनिर्वर्तयति, भुक्तमवसादयति, अन्नसङ्घातंभिनत्ति, मार्दवमापादयति, क्लेदयति, जरयति, सुखपरिणामितामाशुव्यवायितांचाहारस्योपजनयतीति॥३२५॥
भवतिचात्र-
अनुपानंहितंयुक्तंतर्पयत्याशुमानवम्।
सुखंपचतिचाहारमायुषेचबलायच॥३२६॥
Now described are the qualities and actions of post-prandial drinks. Post-prandial drinks give nourishment, pleasure, energy, sense of satisfaction, help any food consumed to settle down, helps break down food consumed, impart softness, liquefy, digest and bring about quick assimilation and diffusion in the body. [325]
Post prandial drink, properly administered, can satisfy a person immediately, digest the food effectively and give life and strength. [326]
Contra-inidcations of drinking water after meals
नोर्ध्वाङ्गमारुताविष्टानहिक्काश्वासकासिनः।
नगीतभाष्याध्ययनप्रसक्तानोरसिक्षताः॥३२७॥
पिबेयुरुदकंभुक्त्वातद्धिकण्ठोरसिस्थितम्।
स्नेहमाहारजंहत्वा भूयोदोषायकल्पते॥३२८॥
Neither those in whom vata is provoked in the upper parts of the body nor those that suffer from hiccups, dyspnea or cough, nor those that are engaged in singing, lecturing or studying, nor those that are suffering from the pectoral lesions should drink water after eating, for it takes away from the throat and chest the unctuous quality of the meal eaten and leads to great morbidity. [327-328]
अन्नपानैकदेशोऽयमुक्तःप्रायोपयोगिकः।
द्रव्याणिनहिनिर्देष्टुंशक्यंकार्त्स्न्येननामभिः॥३२९॥
यथानानौषधंकिञ्चिद्देशजानांवचोयथा।
द्रव्यंतत्तत्तथावाच्यमनुक्तमिहयद्भवेत्॥३३०॥
The foods and drinks that are generally in use have been described in this chapter for it is not possible to indicate all substances by their names and properties. [329]
Since there is no substance that may not be used as a medicine, the substances not spoken of here (anukta dravya) should be assessed with reference to their qualities observed by people native to the region where they can be found naturally. [330]
Qualities of creatures according to their habitat and food
चरःशरीरावयवाःस्वभावोधातवःक्रिया।
लिङ्गंप्रमाणंसंस्कारोमात्राचास्मिन्परीक्ष्यते॥३३१॥
An animal's food and habitat, body-parts, constitution, body-elements, activity, sex, size, mode of preparation and measure are herein explained. [331]
चरोऽनूपजलाकाशधन्वाद्योभक्ष्यसंविधिः।
जलजानूपजाश्चैवजलानूपचराश्चये॥३३२॥
गुरुभक्ष्याश्चयेसत्त्वाःसर्वेतेगुरवःस्मृताः।
लघुभक्ष्यास्तुलघवोधन्वजाधन्वचारिणः॥३३३॥
An animal’s habitat could be wetlands, water, sky, and arid lands or deserts, while its food is generally called feed. Animals native to water and wetlands or those that eat heavy feed are regarded as heavy (i.e., their meat is heavy). Light feeders are light (their meat is light), such as those that dwell in arid lands or move around arid lands. [332-333]
शरीरावयवाःसक्थिशिरःस्कन्धादयस्तथा।
सक्थिमांसाद्गुरुः स्कन्धस्ततःक्रोडस्ततःशिरः॥३३४॥
वृषणौचर्ममेढ्रंचश्रोणीवृक्कौयकृद्गुदम्।
मांसाद्गुरुतरंविद्याद्यथास्वंमध्यमस्थिच॥३३५॥
The key limbs of animals, from the standpoint of their meat, are the thigh-bone, head, shoulder and others. Flesh of the shoulder region is heavier than that of the thigh-bone. Flesh from the chest region is considered heavier than that of the shoulder region, and meat of the head is heavier than that of the chest. Among organs, the testes, skin, phallus, hips, kidneys, liver, rectum, trunk and bone-marrow are heavier than the flesh of any part of the animal’s body. [334-335]
स्वभावाल्लघवोमुद्गास्तथालावकपिञ्जलाः।
स्वभावाद्गुरवोमाषावराहमहिषास्तथा॥३३६॥
धातूनांशोणितादीनांगुरुंविद्याद्यथोत्तरम्।
अलसेभ्योविशिष्यन्तेप्राणिनोयेबहुक्रियाः॥३३७॥
By nature, green gram is light to digest. So, too, are meats of the quail and the grey-partridge. On the other hand, black gram is heavy to digest and so are the flesh of hog and buffalo. [336]
The blood and other dhatus are regarded as increasingly heavy in their due order. The more active and lithe-footed the animal, the lighter its meat is [337]
गौरवंलिङ्गसामान्येपुंसांस्त्रीणांतुलाघवम्।
महाप्रमाणागुरवःस्वजातौलघवोऽन्यथा॥३३८॥
In general, heaviness is the characteristic of males while lightness is the characteristic of females. Those that are massive in size in each class are heavy and those that are otherwise are light. [338]
गुरूणांलाघवंविद्यात्संस्कारात्सविपर्ययम्।
व्रीहेर्लाजायथाचस्युःसक्तूनांसिद्धपिण्डिकाः॥३३९॥
Heavy articles, it should be known, become lighter on preparation (or cooking) and the light ones become heavier just as rice becomes light when roasted and roasted corn flour becomes heavy when cooked and prepared into balls. [339]
अल्पादानेगुरूणांचलघूनांचातिसेवने।
मात्राकारणमुद्दिष्टंद्रव्याणांगुरुलाघवे॥३४०॥
गुरूणामल्पमादेयंलघूनांतृप्तिरिष्यते।
मात्रांद्रव्याण्यपेक्षन्ते मात्राचाग्निमपेक्षते॥३४१॥
Heavy articles should be consumed in small measures and light ones in large quantities. [340]
Food articles should thus be consumed in proper measure and the proper measure should be in accordance with the strength of the individual’s agni. [341]
बलमारोग्यमायुश्चप्राणाश्चाग्नौप्रतिष्ठिताः।
अन्नपानेन्धनैश्चाग्निर्ज्वलतिव्येतिचान्यथा ॥३४२॥
Strength, health, longevity and vital breath are dependent on the state of agni that burns when fed by the fuel of food and drink or dwindles when deprived of them. [342]
गुरुलाघवचिन्तेयंप्रायेणाल्पबलान्प्रति।
मन्दक्रियाननारोग्यान्सुकुमारान्सुखोचितान्॥३४३॥
The consideration of heaviness and lightness of food articles is particularly important for those who are generally weak, indolent, unhealthy, fragile or in a delicate condition of health, and those given to luxury. [343]
दीप्ताग्नयःखराहाराःकर्मनित्यामहोदराः।
येनराःप्रतितांश्चिन्त्यंनावश्यंगुरुलाघवम्॥३४४॥
For those whose agni is strong, are accustomed to tough-to-digest food articles, are accustomed to hard labor and have a large capacity for consumption and digestion of food, the consideration of heavy and light food is not necessary. [344]
हिताभिर्जुहुयान्नित्यमन्तरग्निंसमाहितः।
अन्नपानसमिद्भिर्नामात्राकालौविचारयन्॥३४५॥
आहिताग्निःसदापथ्यान्यन्तरग्नौजुहोतियः।j
दिवसेदिवसेब्रह्मजपत्यथददातिच॥३४६॥
नरंनिःश्रेयसेयुक्तंसात्म्यज्ञंपानभोजने।
भजन्तेनामयाःकेचिद्भाविनोऽप्यन्तरादृते॥३४७॥
A person with discipline and self-control should always feed his agni with the fuel of wholesome food and drink and stay mindful of the consideration of measure and time. [345]
The man whose agni is well tended, who feeds it duly with wholesome diet, who does daily meditation, charity and the pursuit of spiritual salvation, and who takes food and drinks that are wholesome to him, will not fall to approaching diseases except for special reasons. [346-347]
षड्त्रिंशतंसहस्राणिरात्रीणांहितभोजनः।
जीवत्यनातुरोजन्तुर्जितात्मासम्मतःसताम्॥३४८॥
The disciplined man who practices wholesome diet lives for a period of 36000 nights i.e. hundred years, is blessed by good people and is free from disease. [348]
प्राणाःप्राणभृतामन्नमन्नंलोकोऽभिधावति।
वर्णःप्रसादःसौस्वर्यंजीवितंप्रतिभासुखम्॥३४९॥
तुष्टिःपुष्टिर्बलंमेधासर्वमन्नेप्रतिष्ठितम्।
लौकिकंकर्मयद्वृत्तौस्वर्गतौयच्चवैदिकम्॥३५०॥
कर्मापवर्गेयच्चोक्तंतच्चाप्यन्नेप्रतिष्ठितम्।
As Lord Atreya had mentioned, the source of life for all living beings is food and all living beings are food and all the world seeks food. Complexion, clarity, good voice, long life, understanding, happiness, satisfaction, growth, strength and intelligence are all established in food. [349]
Whatever is beneficial for worldly happiness, whatever pertains to the vedic sacrifices leading to heaven and whatever actions lead to spiritual salvation are said to be established through food. [350]
Summary
तत्रश्लोकः-
अन्नपानगुणाःसाग्र्यावर्गाद्वादशनिश्चिताः॥३५१॥
सगुणान्यनुपानानिगुरुलाघवसङ्ग्रहः
अन्नपानविधावुक्तंतत्परीक्ष्यं विशेषतः॥३५२॥
इत्यग्निवेशकृतेतन्त्रेचरकप्रतिसंस्कृतेश्लोकस्थानेऽन्नपानविधिर्नामसप्तविंशोऽध्यायः॥२७॥
In summary, the characteristics of food and drinks, twelve classifications of articles of diet (along with the foremost of them), post-prandial drinks with their characteristics and the statement in brief regarding heaviness and lightness of the articles of diet- all these have been described in this chapter on diet and dietetics. [351-352]
Thus, in the Section on General Principles in the treatise compiled by Agnivesha and revised by Charak, the twenty-seventh chapter entitled ‘The Regimen of food and beverages” stands completed.
Tattva Vimarsha(Fundamental Principles)
- Extrinsic characteristics, intrinsic qualities, modes of preparation, texture, and taste of a food article are important attributes for it to be suitable for human consumption
- All food items have natural qualities – beneficial and harmful - that need to be weighed in before recommended for consumption.
- There are twelve categories of food described in detail in this chapter that need to be studied before prescribing to a patient.
- Green vegetables that have been contaminated, dried, and are old and unseasonal should not be used.
- Preparations that require cooking over a low fire for a long time and are thick and hard are considered heavy, slow-to-digest, fatty and strength-enhancing.
- The heaviness and lightness of preparations must be determined according to the combination of the substances, the nature of preparation and the measure of each substance.
- Aged cereals and pulses (about a year old) are recommended for consumption. The old grain is generally dry and light and the new generally heavy.
- Grains that get cooked quicker are considered lighter to digest than the others. The decorticated and slightly roasted pulse is digested easily.
- The drink which is opposite in quality to that of the food taken is the proper corrigent (a substance added to a medicine to modify its action or counteract a disagreeable effect). Whatever drink is not deleterious to dosha and dhatu is to be considered the right post-prandial drink.
- One should take as his post-prandial drink that which is wholesome and fit to consume based on its thorough examination.
- Unctuous and hot drinks in conditions of vata, sweet and cooling ones in those of pitta, dry and hot ones in kapha, and meat juices in wasting are considered to be the best.
- The digestion depends upon inherent property of the food article as well as its interaction with the agni (body’s digestive capacity).
- Qualities and effects of food are altered after processing, its vehicle and interaction with body.
Vidhi Vimarsha (Applied Inferences)
Role of diet in health and disease
For over 4000 years, the Charak Samhita and its predecessor, the Agnivesha Tantra have provided a wealth of knowledge on managing life, not just health and disease management. Sages and practitioners passed on this distilled knowledge by word-to-mouth for centuries. Over the course of this period, the environment around us has changed significantly – affecting us and the living beings around us. Habitats have changed rendering some creatures extinct or endangered, while others have adapted themselves or evolved. Further, social traditions have dictated changes to our dietary habits. However, the fundamental principles governing food, in general, remain the same, e.g., the role of factors responsible for digestion (agni) , fundamental constitution (Prakriti), taste (rasa), properties (guna), potency (veerya), effects after metabolism (vipaka) and specific effect (prabhava) of various foods. These fundamental principles can be applied today for healthy living. Newer articles of food like paddy(dhanya), vegetables(shaka), greens(harita), meat(mamsa), fruits(phala) and cooked food or drinks(kritanna) can be characterized and used by an experienced Ayurvedic physician. It is a herculean job to describe all the foods available all over the world and describe their characteristics. However an humble attempt has been made to include newer food articles as per Ayurvedic perspective, based on the fundamental principles are described in this chapter.
Fourteen greens for healthy life
An old saying states "if you took fourteen greens (greens means not only the leaf, also flower, fruits, nala, tuber, yeasts and mushrooms) then you may survive from the strain of Kartika" (the month of October and November). During this period, there is increased incidence of seasonal diseases. Though this chapter maintains chronological order according to the dietetic code, it has a special aspect for the alleviation of three dosha, to achieve excellent dhatu (body tissues), and clear the micro and macro channels of the body.
To stay healthy and prevent diseases during a change of season, following “Fourteen Greens” are advised.
- Suran or Elephant yam(Amorphophallus campanulatus Blume) is effective for piles(arsha).
- Kebuka(Costus speciosus Koenig) prevents worm infestation.
- Yavashakam(Chenopodium purpurascens) is a liver tonic.
- Kasamarda(Cassia occidentalis Linn.) is effective in cough.
- Sarshapashaka(Brassica campestris Linn. Var.rapa (L) Hartm) is sharply acting (tikshna) in quality, and is worst among the greens but effective in a particular season.
- Neem(Azadirachta indica A.Juss) is effective in pitta dominant skin diseases.
- Jayanti (Sesbania sesban (Linn.) Merrill) is effective in common seasonal cold and effective in dysuria. It has some anti-poisonous effect.
- Shalakalyani (Dwarf copper leaf or Alternanthera sessilis (Linn) R.Br. ex DC) dispels the accumulated pitta dosha.
- Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia (Willd) Miers ex Hook.f.& Thoms) pacifies morbid vitiation of all three dosha.
- Patola patra (Trichosanthes dioica Roxb) purifies the accumulated pitta dosha.
- Shleshmaka(Cordia dichatoma Frost. F.) is an appetizer in a particular season.
- Helenca (Enhydra fluctuans Lour) suppresses the pitta dosha.
- Bhandir(Clerodendrum infortunatum auct. nonLinn.C.B. Clarke) is effective in worm infestation.
- Sunishannaka (Marsilea minuta Linn.) gives nutrition to the nervous system and prevents insomnia.
Six varieties of vegetables
The vegetables or greens may be classified into six varieties.
- Leafy vegetables (patra shaka)
- Flower vegetables(pushpa shaka)
- Fruit vegetables(phala shaka)
- Tube/pot herbs vegetables(nala shaka)
- Rhizome vegetables(kanda shaka)
- Produced from moist heat(samsvedaja)
And those are successively heavier for digestion in their order. Among them, leafy vegetables (patra shaka) is lightest one. But it should not be used in rainy season, because of the factors responsible for its potency (tejo quality) are diluted by the seasonal effect. Autumn season (pitta vitiation time) is the best to take all types of greens.
Dietary guidelines
The dietary guidelines (ahara vidhi) are equally important for preservation of health. The quantity, digestive capability, time, seasonal changes, place, preparation, storage, surrounding people, peaceful and mindful eating, lifestyle after taking food have significant effect on digestion, metabolism and nutrition.
Common food
There are variety of food items based upon the geographical region, societies, traditions and culture. The humans have learnt to satisfy their need of nutrition. More researches are being conducted on food, food processing technologies and engineering. More information about this is available on food and cuisinepage. However, one shall always follow dietary guidelines while taking food.
Harmful effects of fast food
With the changing lifestyle, the food items and eating pattern is drastically changed. The popularity of junk food, fast food, processed food, items made from white flour, sugar, maple syrup, honey, agave nectar, and all the junk is high on rise. Fast foods include chips, soda, cookies, candy, breakfast cereals, bars, French fries, burgers, pizza, white flour baked goods, and all other high-calorie, low-nutrient foods that people often eat multiple times per day. These food items contribute to obesity, diabetes, heart attacks, strokes, dementia and cancer. This has resulted in decreased longevity. The fast food, processed food, commercial baked goods, and sweets may also be linked to destruction of brain cell and a lowering of intelligence. Candy and sweetened baked goods may even stimulate the brain in an addictive fashion, which can lead to more serious illnesses. [1]
The nutritional fundamentals accepted by the World Health Organization and most nutritional authorities today include vegetables, beans, nuts, seeds, and fruit as healthy foods; and salt, saturated fat, and excess sugar as disease causing. Excessive amounts of animal products may lead to premature aging, increased risk of chronic disease and higher all-cause mortality.[1] Therefore it can be stated that the food items described in this chapter are beneficial for preservation of health and prevention of diseases.
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References
- ↑ Jump up to: 1.0 1.1 Fuhrman J. The Hidden Dangers of Fast and Processed Food. Am J Lifestyle Med. 2018;12(5):375-381. Published 2018 Apr 3. doi:10.1177/1559827618766483 available from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6146358/ accessed on 16/06/2020