Benefits of Buttermilk/ Chaas/ Takra according to Ayurveda.

    Buttermilk is made by combining water and  curd . It is prepared in every indian household. It is usually consumed after a heavy meal. In summers if we have long outdoor activities it is adviced to drink buttermilk regularly. It helps to regulate all the 3 dosha in the body.

                             

Ayurveda has some details description of Takra/Buttermilk. Various scholars in Ayurveda have suggested various types of takra / Buttermilk.

• Scholar Vaidya Charaka suggests 3 variants , full fat removal, half fat removal and no fat removal from curd.
• Vaidya scholar Shusrut suggests to take 1 kg curd and mix 500ml water in it and churn well to remove the makkhan/ butter residue that floats on top and use it for consumption. It is a combination of sweet, sour in taste . It helps to reduce pitta dosha.
• Vaidya Bhavmishra has given 5 types of variety :

1. Ghol: When no fat is removed from curd after churning it independently without adding water it is called Ghol. It reduces vata and pitta dosha in the body. It is tasty , digestive  and cold in nature.
2. Mathita: When fat is separated from curd and then churned it is called Mathita. It is reduces kapha and pitta dosha .
3. Takra: Take 1 kg curd and add 250ml water and churn it well. Dont remove fat from this mixture. This is Takra. It reduces pitta and vata dosha . It also acts as anti inflammmatory .
4. Udsveta:  Take 1 kg curd and mix 500ml water to it and churn well. Do not remove the fat that separates after churning the mixture. This is Udsveta. It increases kapha dosha. Provides strength and is aam nashak ( reduces toxins ) in body.
5. Chachikka: Mix 500ml water to 1 kg curd churn it well and separate the fat from it. This is Chachikka. It is cold, light in digestion , reduces pitta and thirst.

Ayurvedic benefits of buttermilk:

1. It is sweet and sour in taste and a little astringent .
2. It generates hot energy in human body.
3. It helps in digestion
4. It also reduces kapha and vata doshas
5. It helps in curing diseases like Inflammation, vomiting, salivation, stomach ache.
6. It helps in urinary disorders like burning sensation while urination, bad smell in urine, pain during urination.
7.  It is given along with the medicine of heart disorders for their better and fast absorption in body.
8.  Acidity disorders , burning sensation in stomach  reduce due to consumption of Takra.
9. In Obesity disorder Takra is given to reduce excess kapha dosha in body along with fat reducing herbs.
10. It is used for shirodhara panchkarma for stress release . Shirodhara itself is a pitta and vatta dosha reducing activity. 

Who cannot take Takra as per Ayurveda:

Person suffering from chest diseases, food or substance poisoning, heat stroke affected , should not be given Takra as it may not reduce the aggrevated doshas.

Who must be given Takra:

During indigestion , obesity , in urinary system disorders . Takra is advice in these disease. It is also adviced for daily consumption in limited quantity. (200ml). This quantity may vary as per body weight and digestion capacity.

So say CHEERS TO BUTTERMILK .