Rock Candy (Mishri, Khadi Sakhar) Uses, Remedies, Side Effects

Crystallized Rock Sugar is called Sita in Ayurveda, the Indian system of healthcare. Sita refers to white colour. The crystallized rock sugar was used since thousands of years. In fact, it is one of the ingredients of famous Ayurvedic anti ageing product called Chyawanprash.

Hindi name – Mishri
Kannada Name – Kallu Sakkare
Sanskrit names – Sita, Khanda Sharkara, Sharakara

Introduction

It is commonly used in anti cough and anti asthma herbal products such as Sitopaladi Churna, Talisadi Churna etc.

One of those ingredients that can be used daily!
Crystallized rock sugar isexplainedas an ingredient that you can use on daily basis.
Bhavaprakasha – an ancient Ayurvedic textbook explains crystallized rock sugar as
Svabhavataha hitakara dravya – substance that is naturally congenial and healthy to the body.
The book further explains – Of all the sugarcane products, crystallized sugar is the best!

Ayurvedic Qualities of Mishri

Benefits of crystallized sugar as per Ayurveda:
As per Ayurveda, crystallized sugar is
Madhura – sweet in taste
Ruchya – improves taste
Asrahrut – useful in bleeding disorders such as nasal bleeding, heavy periods, ulcerative colitis etc
Dahahrut – decrases burning sensation, it is a natural coolant.

Benefits

It is indicated in –
Murcha – fainting, dehydration, hypoglycemia, episodes of unconsciousness – It replenishes the blood sugar level very quickly.
Chardi – vomiting – During severe vomiting, it is a common practice to keep a small piece of Khadi Sakhar in mouth and sip slowly. It relieves nausea and vomiting.
Jwara – fever – Being a natural coolant, it is useful to bring the body temperature down. It, being rich in carbohydrates keeps the body well nourished and energized during fever.

Susheeta – It is a natural coolant
Shukra Karini – it is a natural aphrodisiac. It is sweet in taste. Generally many sweet tasting substances have aphrodisiac nature, as they nourish all the Dhatus – body tissues.

As per Raja Nighantu, another Ayurvedic text book,
crystallized natural sugar is
Chakshushya – good for eyes
Useful in
Chardi – vomiting
Kushta – skin disorders
Vrana – ulcers, wounds
Kapha Shwasa – breathing difficulty with sputum collection
Hikka – hiccups
Pittasra – bleeding disorders
Doshanut – natural detoxifier

Sanskrit verse

Effect on Tridosha

Vata pittahrut – Balances down Vata and Pitta Dosha. Sweet taste helps to balance both Vata and Pitta. Being coolant, it decreases Pitta Dosha.
It can increase Kapha Dosha but only to a small extent.

Cough Remedy

Usage in dry cough –
Dryness is a Vata dosha disorder. Similarly, dry cough is also due to Vata Dosha. Crystallized sugar balances down Vata Dosha. Hence, traditionally, whenever there is dry cough, patient is asked to keep a piece of 5 grams of sugar in mouth and sip in the juice.
It helps to soothe the throat. It also helps to sputum formation and expels it out of the body.
In India, in many Ayurvedic herbal syrups, crystallized natural sugar is used as the base for preparing cough syrup.

Market available Mishri

Ayurveda explains candy sugar as Sita. Sita means white colour. But in the market of south India, white and red colour variants are available. Red ones are costlier and considered more pure and beneficial.

Jaggery (Gur) Vs Mishri

Both are coolant and both increase Kapha Dosha and decrease Vata and Pitta. But Mishri is light to digest, when compared to jaggery.
Misri does not contribute to weight gain as much as jaggery.
Misri does not worsen cough and cold, like jaggery. Both these actions are due to lightness quality of Mishri.

Side effects

It can increase blood sugar levels. Hence, not suitable for people with diabetes mallitus.

Interaction with medicines, supplements

Can this be used while taking Homeopathic medicine?
Yes. This product does not react with homeopathic medicine.

Can this medicine be continued while taking supplements like multivitamin tablets, Omega 3 fatty acids etc?
Yes. Generally, this product goes well with most of the dietary supplements. However, if you are taking more than one product per day, please consult your doctor for an opinion.

With western medicines
Seek your doctor’s advice if you are taking this product along with other western (allopathic / modern) medicines. Some Ayurvedic herbs can interact with modern medicine.
If both Ayurvedic and allopathic medicines are advised together, then it is best to take Allopathic medicine first, wait for 30 minutes and then take the Ayurvedic medicine.

How to use khadi Sakhar in diet

Wherever you use sugar, you can replace that with khadi Sakhar.