Takra

Butter milk -The healthy drink

Butter milk is known as “Takra” in ayurveda. Its properties and medicinal qualities are described in as follows.

Takram laghu kashayaamlam deepanam kaphavaatajit ||
Showphodaraarshowgrahanidoshamootragrahaaruchee |
Pleehagulmaghritavyaapadgarpaanduvaamayaan jayeth ||

– Ashtanga Hridaya, Sutra Sthana – 5th chapter 

Butter milk does not cause heaviness when consumed. Hence it is known to have the quality “laghu”. It gets digested quickly and easily. Butter milk is usually sour in taste and acts as an astringent. (Due to this property butter milk helps in reducing pores caused by acne and pimples. It reduces hyper motility of intestines during diarrhea and IBS(Irritable bowel Syndrome). This property also helps to shrink hemorrhoids . Aggravated kapha and vata are mitigated by buttermilk. It is the best appetizer. According to ayurveda it reduces bloating of stomach, eases symptoms of hemorrhoids, soothes intestines in IBS and helps in indigestion. It also reduces effects of poison and is very useful in treating anemia.

Butter milk detoxifies body and cleanses the intestines, relieves constipation and helps to replenish intestinal flora. It has less fat compared to milk and is rich in calcium, potassium and vit B12.

Preparation of butter milk:
Thick curd should be whipped to separate butter. The liquid portion which remains after separating butter is called as butter milk or “takra”. When this butter milk is mixed with water , it is called as “sajala takra”. If the buttermilk is used without adding water, it is called as “nirjala takra”.

Buttermilk is one of the widely used diet article in Ayurvedic treatment. There is a simile given for buttermilk. Nector is for Gods and Goddesses, buttermilk is for human beings. 

Benefits Butter milk 

• Ayurveda uses buttermilk both to maintain health and to treat diseases.
• Butter milk is easy to digest, has astringent and sour tastes and is hot in nature.
• Buttermilk improves digestion and mitigates kapha and vata.
• In Ayurvedic treatment, it is useful in the treatment of inflammation, digestive disorders, gastro intestinal disorders, lack of appetite, spleen disorders and anemia.
• Buttermilk is highly beneficial during winter, in indigestion and in Vata imbalance related disorders.
• It is given in cases of excessive ghee consumption

Types of buttermilk

Full cream buttermilk: Full cream buttermilk added with sugar calms Vata and Pitta. Very nourishing in nature. It is similar to curds in qualities. Not to be consumed in cases of excessive Kapha conditions like cold, cough etc.

No cream buttermilk: It calms Kapha and Pitta. It is good for people with diabetes.

Buttermilk: Qualities are explained above.

Half water buttermilk: Improves strength and digestive power.

No fat buttermilk: Calms Pitta, natural coolant, relieves tiredness, calms Vata and Kapha.

According to Ayurveda, Curd at night is contra indicated. During night, curd is substituted with buttermilk.

Contraindications of Buttermilk:

Since Buttermilk is hot in nature, it is to be avoided

- during summer,

- in persons with injury

- in debilitated persons

- person suffering from giddiness, and in diseases related to Pitta imbalance.

How to Make proper Buttermilk?

To make buttermilk, follow this simple recipe. Please note that ayurvedic buttermilk is not the same as the buttermilk you buy in the store. This recipe helps restore the beneficial bacteria in the intestinal tract, thus helping digestion and assimilation.

Ayurvedic Buttermilk Ingredients:

• 1/4 c. fresh cold yogurt (For best results, use freshly made yogurt. 
• 3/4 c. purified cold water (the temperature must be cold for this recipe to work)
• 1/4 t. cumin powder
• 1/4 t. coriander leaf 
• 1 pinch of rock salt (Saidhava lavana)

Directions: Place the freshly-made yogurt in the blender and blend for three to five minutes. Add the cold water, and blend again on low for three to five minutes. You will notice that a fatty foam has collected at the top of the yogurt. Skim it off with a spoon and discard. Repeat the blending and removing of the fatty foam if the yogurt remains thick, white and solid. When the yogurt has become watery but still cloudy in color, you have made buttermilk. Add the spices and stir by hand briefly to mix the spices evenly. Serve at room temperature.

Home remedies using buttermilk:

1. Mix a pinch of  Saindhava salt, ½ tea spoon ginger juice and crushed cumin seeds to a glass of butter milk. This relieves acidity, constipation and symptoms of piles.

2. Add a pinch of Saindhava salt, a tea spoon of sugar to a glass of butter milk diluted with water. This acts as a very good rehydrating formula in diarrhea and dehydration. It supplies energy instantaneously and reduces frequency of stools.

1. It is a healthy drink for people who suffer from obesity, piles and inflamed colon or IBS.
2. 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.
3. Regular consumption of butter milk strengthens the digestive system and keeps it free from infections.