Know Buttermilk from the view point of Ayurveda

bButtermilk is an Indian drink widely preferred during summers. We all know that buttermilk is good for health, aids in digestion and all. But there are many things, which are still unknown to us. Buttermilk in Ayurveda; is a very important point to know. Let us examine buttermilk from the view-point of Ayurveda.

What is Buttermilk?

Buttermilk is prepared by diluting yogurt or churning it without water. Depending upon the kind of yogurt used, buttermilk can be sweet, sour or very sour.

Buttermilk in Ayurveda:

Buttermilk made by churning yogurt, without adding water is called ‘ghola‘, which has one-fourth water is ‘takra‘. When the quantity of water and yogurt is equal it is called ‘Udwasita‘.

Buttermilk from which butter has been extracted by churning, without any water in it is called ‘mathita‘. When an adequate amount of water is added to extract butter by churning, the residual liquid is called ‘chacha‘.

Properties of Buttermilk:

1. Buttermilk is light, sweet, sour and astringent. It mitigates Kapha and Vata.
2. It boosts the appetite, is good for the heart and increases urination.
3. It is anti-diarrheal , absorbs water from the intestine and solidifies fecal matter (grahi).
4. It is stimulating and scarifying, and purifies strotas.

Home remedies with Buttermilk:

• Mix a pinch of salt, ½ tea-spoon ginger juice and crushed cumin seeds to a glass of butter milk. This relieves acidity, constipation and symptoms of piles.
• Add a pinch of salt, a tea-spoon of sugar to a glass of butter milk diluted with water. This acts as a very good re-hydrating formula in diarrhea and dehydration.
• It supplies energy instantaneously and reduces frequency of stools.
• It is a healthy drink for people who suffer from obesity, piles and inflamed colon or ibs.
• Massage a mixture of butter milk and salt on pores caused by acne and pimples. Then wash it off with warm water and rinse once again with cold water. This helps to reduce the pores.
• Regular consumption of butter milk strengthens the digestive system and keeps it free from infections.

Disadvantages of Buttermilk:

Do you now, that buttermilk can also be disadvantageous in several aspects. It is important to know, if you want a complete knowledge of buttermilk.

The effect of buttermilk changes with different adjuvants added to it.

1. Sour buttermilk+ dried ginger and rock salt = Advantageous in Vata disorders
2. Sweet buttermilk with added sugar = Beneficial in Pitta disorders
3. Buttermilk with trikatu (dry ginger, black pepper, long pepper) and salt of barley (yavaksara) = Effective in Kapha disorders
4. Buttermilk+ asafoetida+ cumin seeds+ rock salt =Alleviates Vata; effective in Piles, colitis, pain in bladder and improves digestion
5. Buttermilk+ jaggery = Beneficial in dysuria and other urinary disorders
6. Buttermilk + leadwort (citraka)– beneficial in Jaundice

All these indicates the benefits and some properties of Buttermilk. We should know everything about the substance we consume, so that it has no harmful effects on us. We came across several things about Buttermilk in Ayurveda, which has increased our knowledge indeed. So, take care and live well!