Jaggery is an important ingredient in many ayurvedic medicines. It is recommended for cystitis, UTI, low body weight, constipation, and migraine. It is not advisable in PCOS, Diabetes, and obesity for weight loss therapies.
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Ayurveda medicinal properties of jaggery
Ayurveda Health Benefits of Jaggery
Jaggery in Ayurveda
Gur or jaggery is prepared from sugar cane juice. This is used as a sweetening agent in many Indian traditional dishes. Jaggery contains plenty of nutrients as it is not completely refined like sugar. Texts of Ayurveda eulogize this delicious substance as “Guda”.
Ayurveda classifies jaggery based on its processing.
- Raw jaggery or unwashed jaggery
- Refined jaggery or washed jaggery
- New jaggery (which is just prepared)
- Old jaggery (jaggery which is older than a year)
All these types of jaggery have their own medicinal value and are used in different conditions.
Ayurveda medicinal properties of jaggery
Texts of Ayurveda explain the medicinal properties of jaggery as follows
Medicinal Properties of Raw or Unwashed or Unrefined Jaggery
This balances Vata Dosha and Pitta dosha. But increases Kapha dosha and meda dhatu (body fat). It is little bit alkaline (sakshara). Mildly body coolant. If impurities are more in this jaggery it increases chances of Kapha disorder in, bone marrow (majja dhatu), blood (rakta dhatu), fat tissue, and muscles (mamsa dhatu). It also reduces strength of bones (asthi dhatu).
Medicinal Properties of Refined or Washed Jaggery
Guda which is made white by washing is used in many health conditions. It increases the volume of urine and stools. It does not increase Kapha considerably.
The medicinal properties of new jaggery are similar to unrefined ones.
Old jaggery pharmacological properties
- It is sweeter than new ones.
- It increases the moistness of tissues (snigdha).
- Light to digest and increase body fire or agni. Brings taste to the palate.
- It is the best cleansing agent for the body. It cleanses the bladder, rectum, and stomach
- and relieves tiredness and weakness.
Ayurveda Health Benefits of Jaggery
Unrefined Jaggery Benefits
It increases the bulk of body tissues and detoxifies the urinary bladder. Hence it is administered in ayurvedic remedies for UTI and Cystitis. It also purifies blood (rakta dhatu). When consumed in excess it increases body weight and increases intestinal worms. It is recommended for persons who need ayurvedic brimhana therapy or weight gain therapy. Ayurveda recommends this for persons who have low energy and stamina. It acts as an aphrodisiac (vrushya) and helps as an ayurvedic remedy for erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation.
Refined or Washed Jaggery Uses
Well-prepared jaggery is a storehouse of nutrients. According to Ayurveda acharyas, It eases bowel movement. It can be used as a natural remedy for constipation. and acts as a diuretic. Guda which is made white by washing is used in many health conditions. Since it increases the volume of urine and stools, it is recommended for UTI, Cystitis, and constipation.
Old jaggery Health benefits
Guda or jaggery kept for a long time is very good for health and acts as a cardiac tonic and good for the heart, and should be consumed. It also nourishes the body. So, jaggery should be at least one year old for its usage. It increases energy and freshness in the body. Since it increases appetite, it can be given to children who have sluggish digestion. It can be used in Vata and pitta imbalance. It boosts the health of the blood, and hence can be used in anemia. Since it increases body weight it is
Jaggery for PCOS,
We usually do not recommend jaggery in our clinical practice for PCOS/PCOD patients. As it may lead to obesity and aggravate the condition. This can not be used as an ayurvedic kitchen herb for PCOS and Weight loss
Jaggery for diabetes
We do not recommend this sweetener for diabetes as it has almost the same glycemic index as sugar. When we recommend a diabetic vegetarian diet for south Indians we ask them to avoid this as a substitute for refined sugar
Uses of Jaggery in Ayurveda
- Jaggery is also used in the preparation of ayurvedic Lehyams. Lehyams are ayurvedic herbal sweet jam preparations that are made palatable using ghee and jaggery.
- Gur is rich in several important vitamins and minerals like potassium, magnesium, iron, zinc, selenium, calcium and phosphorus, and antioxidants.
- It supplies instant energy. Juices prepared using this as a sweetening agent are healthy and reviving.
- The iron content in this sweetener helps to boost blood hemoglobin levels. Hence its use in pregnancy can be beneficial. But this can not be used during weight loss regimen after delivery
- The potassium in gur helps to control blood pressure.
- It helps in digestion and nullifies free radicles.
- Acharya Charaka recommends using jaggery along with Haritaki – Terminalia chebula.
Home remedies with jaggery:
Common Cold and Cough:
Mix 1 teaspoon of powdered gur with 2 teaspoons of beetle leaves juice. Add ½ cup of warm water and sip slowly.
Grind 1 teaspoon jaggery with 2-3 black peppers. Keep this paste on the tongue and slowly chew it to get relief from the cough.
Menstrual problems.
Consuming 1 small piece of jaggery daily, on empty stomach with a glass of water helps to relieve menstrual problems.
Anemia
Regular use of this helps to reduce incidences of anemia.
Migraine
Grind ½ teaspoon of gur, ½ teaspoon sesame seeds, and a few drops of milk to a fine paste. Applying this paste on the forehead helps to relieve migraine headaches. Consumption of jaggery relieves headaches.
Note: Diabetic patients should be careful while using this as it may increase blood glucose levels.
Author – Dr.Savitha Suri
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