Drakshasava (Sanskrit: द्राक्षासव) is a traditional Ayurvedic tonic made from grapes.[1] Drakshasava is a weak wine because the grape juice is usually only partially fermented.[2] It is also sometimes prepared by using raisin concentrate.[3] The tonic is claimed to be beneficial for maladies such as lethargy, weakness and heat exhaustion.[3] Drakshasava is believed to address health imbalances arising from an excess of the Vata-Vayu Dosha[4] and is said to be useful in curing cardiac disorders and hemorrhoids in the Ayurvedic system.[4]

Etymology

Draksha is the Sanskrit word for grape.[1] "Asava" means "distillate", "juice" or "extract".[5] Thus "Drakshasava" means "extract from grapes".

Historical references

Drakshasava found mention in the Sushruta Samhita, a book of remedies dating to the 3rd–4th century AD/CE.[6]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Chandrashekhar Gopalji Thakkur (1974), Introduction to Ayurveda, the science of life, ASI Publishers, ISBN 9780883210055, retrieved 2010-05-03, ... the Asava which has draksha (grapes) as the main ingredient is known as ' Drakshasava ' ...
  2. ↑ Lala Sukh Dyal (1942), Tropical Fruits, Chemical Publishing Company, Inc, retrieved 2010-05-04, ...Partially fermented juices like drakshasava prepared from grapes are very popular with Indians and are said to be a great tonic ...
  3. 1 2 Linda Bladholm (2000), The Indian grocery store demystified, Macmillan, ISBN 1-58063-143-6, retrieved 2010-05-04, ... You may also find Drakshasava, an Ayurvedic tonic made from raisin concentrate. It is taken for heat exhaustion and weakness. ...
  4. 1 2 Prakash Paranjpe; Smita Paranjpe (2001), Herbs for beauty: revealing ayurvedic treasures, Chaukhamba Sanskrit Pratishthan, ISBN 81-7084-149-6, retrieved 2010-05-04, ... The use of grapewine (Drakshasava) is beneficial to reduce Vata ...
  5. ↑ "Sanskrit - Asien.net".
  6. ↑ Suśruta, Yādavaśarmā Trivikrama Ācārya, Narayan Ram Acharya, Ḍalhaṇa, Gayādāsācārya (1998), Suśrutasaṃhitā, Kr̥ṣṇadāsa Akādamī, ISBN 9788121800112, retrieved 2010-05-04, ... द्राक्षासव ...{{citation}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)



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