Drakshasava

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Historical references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.[6]

See also

• Churna
• Chyawanprash
• Dabur
• Dabur Research Foundation
• Grape syrup
• Rasayana
• Triphala

References

1. Chandrashekhar Gopalji Thakkur (1974), Introduction to Ayurveda, the science of life, ASI Publishers, 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. 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. 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. http://spokensanskrit.de/index.php?tinput=Asava&script=&direction=SE&link=yes
6. Suśruta, Yādavaśarmā Trivikrama Ācārya, Narayan Ram Acharya, Ḍalhaṇa, Gayādāsācārya (1998), Suśrutasaṃhitā, Kr̥ṣṇadāsa Akādamī, retrieved 2010-05-04, ... द्राक्षासव ...CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)