Drakshasava (Sanskrit: द्राक्षासव) is a traditional Ayurvedic tonic made from grapes. Drakshasava is a weak wine because the grape juice is usually only partially fermented. It is also sometimes prepared by using raisin concentrate. The tonic is claimed to be beneficial for maladies such as lethargy, weakness and heat exhaustion. Drakshasava is believed to address health imbalances arising from an excess of the Vata-Vayu Dosha and is said to be useful in curing cardiac disorders and hemorrhoids in the Ayurvedic system.
Etymology
Draksha is the Sanskrit word for grape. "Asava" means "distillate", "juice" or "extract". 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Historical references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.
See also
References
- ^ 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 ' ...
- 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 ...
- ^ 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. ...
- ^ 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 ...
- "Sanskrit - Asien.net".
- Suśruta, Yādavaśarmā Trivikrama Ācārya, Narayan Ram Acharya, Ḍalhaṇa, Gayādāsācārya (1998), Suśrutasaṃhitā, Kr̥ṣṇadāsa Akādamī, ISBN 9788121800112, retrieved 2010-05-04,
... द्राक्षासव ...
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