Summer diet

[Guest guest]

Dear Members,

 

In continuation with summer blues post, summer diet tips are being

given in this post.

 

The super power which created this world and its species, is so kind

that what we need to eat in each season, is produced locally in that

season. Thus in Mumbai and several cities in India, mangoes and

grapes are already appearing in markets. The soaked tamarind (Imli,

Chinch), Kokam, Cucumber, Water melon etc are summer fruits. Fridge

water which every one wishes to drink plenty in summer, is very

damaging to the Agni, the digestive juices secretion. The calm and

tranquility of mind very much depends on water balance. Hence, to

compensate for the loss of water by sweating, breathing and to keep

body cool, we must maintain water balance through fruits. They offer

enzymes, vitamins, sugars and minerals. Amongst various fruits,

grapes will be discussed here. The reason for choosing grapes is

their economic viability for all social classes. Moreover, mothers

keep worrying about the health of little angels. Grapes are very

useful even in emergency. Equivalent to intra-venous dextrose

solutions which hospitals use as soon as a weak patient is admitted.

 

Acharya Vagbhat calls grapes as "Falottama" meaning best

fruit. "Swadufala" is another name. Mruddhika, Manuka, Munakka, Angur

etc are some more Indian names in different languages. Grapes turn

dry skin lacking ojas into smooth and lustrous due to their "snigdha"

guna. The frequent thirst, "always thirsty" can bring their thirst to

control by taking fresh juice or raisins soaked for at least three

hours and consumed along with soaking water.

 

A brain tumor patient was suffering from incessant vomiting, and due

to always empty stomach, suffered severe weakness. He was brought to

normality by feeding soaked grape water spoon-by-spoon since grapes

were not available fresh at that time. Along with this, seasame oil

massage in anticlockwise direction around navel area could pacify

Vata controlling vomits. Two week grape treatment was needed so that

he could walk a little. Even diarrhea can be controlled in this

manner. One can mix coarsely ground cumin seeds, coriander seeds and

fennel seeds in case of diarrhea.

 

Acharya Charaka recommends grape juice when inflammation of any parts

or whole body is noted, all kinds of fevers, hemorrhage of all kinds

(rakta-pitta), Rajyakshma (tuberculosis), Excess alcoholism, coughs,

hoarse voice, belching, constipation, etc.

 

Grapes are useful in case of dry mouth, continuous bitter taste, Vat-

pitta generated mouth ulcerations. They build up the flesh tissues

and increase sexual power.

 

Women suffering from Excess bleeding , frequent abortions or unable

to conceive due to excess heat in the body can benefit by taking

a "heem", meaning 12 hour soaked solution of 15-20 dried black

grapes, fennel seeds(1 tsp) and crystal sugar (1 tsp). This should be

consumed every morning and evening, when stomach is almost empty.

Best way to consume grapes is chewing, but if teeth missing, ache

etc., crush and drink after straining. The pacification of Pitta and

favorable properties of Fennel seeds for conception/foetus retention

offer benefits in above. The author's prescription starts with a

date/grape crush for every pre-menopause or harmone imbalanced lady.

This Heem can be continued during pregnancy also.

 

In case of painful and inflammatory urination which occurs due to

urine infection (menopausal women) or children drinking less water,

20 black grapes with two cardamom pods can be ground and added to

half liter water along with a little sugar. Drinking this water

throughout day will reduce inflammation and increase quantity of

urination. Continuation of this for 2-3 weeks will reduce pains, if

caused by infection, urine retention or swelling in the urinary

passage. Even kidney stones.

 

Dried black grapes have the power of pacifying pitta, act as mild

laxative. Daily buying the grapes becomes difficult and getting them

round the year is not possible. Therefore, a formulation proposed

about a thousand years ago has the name "Kalyan Gutika". Remove the

seeds of black dried grapes and mix it with Harde twice by weight.

Grind them together well and make 10 gms weight tablets. Daily

morning one tablet, dissolved in half cup water for 20 minutes and

drunk thereafter, reduces all Pitta caused problems. E.g. heart

diseases, blood disorders, malaria, flue, typhoid, anemia, vomiting,

skin diseases (inflammations), coughs, jaundice, lack of taste,

anorexia, diabetes, gases/acidity, etc. Acne, pimples, boils, sweat

caused itching, etc are the skin diseases where this Grape Crush Tab

can be used advantageously. If one mixes in Ardusi equal by weight of

grapes, these tablets are useful for reducing excess bleeding.

 

In addition, Drakshasava and Drakshavaleha are readily available

pharmacy products which can be used according to directions of a

vaidya. 10-30 ml Drakshasava with equal water causes appetite to

increase. It also helps in case of asthma, coughs, intestinal

problems, piles, worms, skin diseases, migraines, anemia, eye

diseases. Drakshavaleha helps in case of hyper acidity or acid reflux

problems. It is especially indicated in case of excess bleeding,

jaundice, T.B. It needs to be noted that sour grapes as well as green

tamarind cause increase of Pitta and Kapha. Hence, patients suffering

from acidity and hemorrhage should not consume sour grapes or other

sour products.

 

 

Dr. Bhate