Buttermilk Benefits, Side Effects, Usage, Home Remedies
By – Dr JV Hebbar
Buttermilk is one of the widely used diet article, in Ayurvedic treatment. Buttermilk is called Takra in Sanskrit. There is a simile given for buttermilk. Nectar is for Gods and Goddesses, buttermilk is for human beings.
Table of Contents
Benefits of buttermilk
Butter milk benefits –
Ayurveda uses buttermilk both to maintain health and to treat diseases.
Butter milk is easy to digest, has astringent and sour tastes and is hot in nature.
Buttermilk improves digestion and mitigates kapha and vata.
In Ayurvedic treatment, it is useful in the treatment of inflammation, digestive disorders, gastro intestinal disorders, lack of appetite, spleen disorders and anaemia.
Buttermilk is highly beneficial during winter, in indigestion and in Vata imbalance related disorders.
It is given in cases of excessive ghee consumption.
Benefits of buttermilk derived from cows milk
It helps to stimulate the digestive fire, imparts intellect, checks hemorrhoids and vitiation of all the doshas.
How to make buttermilk?
How to make buttermilk from milk:
- Milk cream is collected for a few days and churned to prepare the butter. The leftover liquid is buttermilk.
- Another method is, Curdle the milk -> get the curd -> churn it to get butter and buttermilik
- Take 400 ml of curds. Add 100 ml of water to it. Churn the curds just for one to two minutes. You can churn it in a bottle / jar / mixer.
- This 100:25 = Curds : Water ratio buttermilk is the most widely used type of buttermilk. There are a few other types of butter milk.
Types of buttermilk
There are five types of making buttermilk.
Full cream buttermilk: Curds is prepared from milk with cream. Such curd is churned without adding any water.
No cream buttermilk: Curds is prepared from milk devoid of cream. Such curd is churned without adding any water.
Buttermilk: Prepared from the above-mentioned method.
Half water buttermilk: Take 100 ml curds add 50 ml of water and churn it to get half water buttermilk.
No fat buttermilk: Churn curds till it becomes butter. Remove butter. The remaining watery part is no fat buttermilk. It is also commonly used as buttermilk.
Each of these can be used interchangeably as buttermilk substitute to one another.
Types of buttermilk
Full cream buttermilk: Full cream buttermilk added with sugar calms Vata and Pitta. Very nourishing and coolant in nature. It is similar to curds in qualities.
Buttermilk: Qualities are explained above.
Half water buttermilk: Improves strength and digestive power.
No fat buttermilk: Increases Pitta Dosha, hot in nature, calms Vata and Kapha.
According to Ayurveda, Curd at night is contra indicated. During night, curd is substituted with buttermilk.
Types and properties as per Bhojana kutuhala
According to Bhojana Kutuhala as mentioned by Susena it is of four varieties-
Ghola – Buttermilk without water but with the presence of cream (creamy part of curds), Curd churned with the retention of cream without adding water is called Ghola. It is useful in alleviating vata and pitta dosha.
Mathita – Curd churned without cream or added water is mathita. Treats shwasa and vitiated kapha dosha.
Udasvit – It is with one- fourth water, helps in curing vitiated pitta and kapha.
Takra – It is with one- half water and is considered to be the best among the above mentioned types, it helps in stimulating the digestive fire, anorexia etc,It alleviates vata by its sour taste pitta by its sweet taste and kapha by its astringent taste, hence buttermilk is said to be the best drink for all beings.
Special properties: Sweet buttermilk is aphrodisiac in nature, improves taste perception, vitiates kapha and mitigates pitta dosha. Sour one alleviates vata and vitiates pitta and kapha dosha.
Ayurvedic reference
Buttermilk – Takram
शोफार्शोग्रहणीदोषमूत्रग्रहोदरारुचौ|
स्नेहव्यापदि पाण्डुत्वे तक्रं दद्याद्गरेषु च||२२९||
śophārśograhaṇīdoṣamūtragrahodarārucau|
snehavyāpadi pāṇḍutve takraṃ dadyādgareṣu ca||229|| – Charaka Samhita Sutrasthana 27
Indications
Thakram Buttermilk is useful in
Shopha – oedema,
Arsha – Hemorrhoids
Grahani – Malabsorption syndrome, Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Mutragraha – urine retention
Udara – Ascites
Aruchi – Anorexia, lack of interest in food
Snehavyapat – in case of ghee and fat indigestion
Affliction with Gara type of poison.
Pandu – Anaemia, initial stages of liver disorders
It is also used for alleviating the complications of oleation therapy.
Contraindications
Buttermilk contra indication:
Since Buttermilk is hot in nature, it is to be avoided
– during summer,
– in persons with injury
– in debilitated persons
– person suffering from giddiness, and in diseases related to Pitta imbalance.
Ayurvedic reference on Buttermilk benefits (Thakra):
Takram laghu Kashaya amlam deepanam kaphavatajit |
Shopha udara arsha grahani dosha mootragraha aruchihi |
pleeha gulma ghritavyapat gara paandu aamayaan jayet || – Ashtanga Hrudaya Sutra sthana – 5th chapter
Buttermilk home remedy for hemorrhoids
Ayurvedic medicines to be taken along with buttermilk (Takra)
In following Ayurvedic medicines, buttermilk is advised as a co-drink.
Kutajavaleha, Chinchadi Lehyam, Mandoora Vatakam, Punarnava Mandoor
Ayurvedic medicines
Ayurvedic medicines with buttermilk as ingredient:
Takrarishta – Used in the treatment of low digestion strength, piles, Irritable bowel syndrome etc. It is a fermented product
Punarnavadi Tailam – Ayurvedic herbal oil, used for the treatment of swelling and inflammation. It is used for external application only.
Buttermilk for rheumatoid arthritis
Is Buttermilk useful in rheumatoid arthritis?
As per Ayurveda, Rheumatoid Arthritis is commonly compared with Amavata.
Ama refers to impaired digestion and metabolism. This leads to stiffness of joints, constipation and indigestion problems.
Vata refers to impaired, imbalanced Vata Dosha leading to joint pains and deformity.
There are different types of buttermilk, based on level of cream. If it is full cream buttermilk, it is not useful. But if the cream is removed partially or fully in the buttermilk, then such a buttermilk has the following features as per Ashtanga Hrudaya Sutra sthana – 5th chapter
Takram laghu Kashaya amlam deepanam kaphavatajit |
So, buttermilk is
Laghu – light to digest – a very desirable quality in Rheumatoid arthritis, where heaviness and stiffness of joints is a feature,
Deepana – improves digestion strength and acts against Ama.
Kaphajit – Kapha also contributes to stiffness of joints. Buttermilk pacifies Kapha, hence relieves stiffness of joints.
Vata jit – pacifies Vata and hence relieves pain.
With these features, buttermilk is very useful in rheumatoid arthritis.
Buttermilk for ascites
Fatless Buttermilk for the treatment of ascites – Udara roga:
Reference: Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana 13th chapter
Buttermilk, which is not very thick, which is sweet (not sour) and which is free from fat is useful for the patient suffering from Udara Roga.
If the patient is suffering from Sannipatika Udara Roga, then he should take buttermilk along with Trayusana (ginger, pepper, long pepper) Alkalies and Rock salt
The patient of Vatika type of Udara Roga should take
• Buttermilk along with Pippali – Piper longum and Rock- salt.
In Paittika type of Udara Roga, the patient should take
• Buttermilk which is freshly churned and sweet and added with sugar and the powder of Madhuka (liquorice).
For the patient suffering from Kaphaja type of Udara Roga, buttermilk added with Yavani, Rock salt, cumin seeds and Trikatu (ginger, pepper and long pepper) and it should not contain much of fat.
The patient of Plihodara (abdominal swelling caused by the enlargement of spleen) should take
• Butter milk along with honey, oil and the powders of Vata, Sunthi, Shatahva (dill), Kustha and rock salt.
The patient suffering from Udakodara (Ascites) should take
• Buttermilk prepared from well formed curd along with the powder of Trikatu (ginger, pepper and long pepper).
For the patient suffering from Baddhodara (enlargement of abdomen because of intestinal strangulation), butter- milk added with Hapusha, Yavani, cumin seeds and rock salt is useful.
The patient suffering from Chidrodara (abdominal swelling caused by intestinal perforation) should take
• butter milk along with Pippali and honey
Butter milk is like nectar for people suffering from heaviness, anorexia, suppression of the power of digestion, diarrhoea and diseases caused by aggravated Vata and Kapha. [101 ½ – ½ 107]
Buttermilk for haemorrhoids
Fat-less buttermilk for sitz bath in haemorrhoids:
To the pile mass, sesame oil is applied. Buttermilk is heated to lukewarm. The patient is made to take sitz bath in the buttermilk for 5 – 10 minutes. Due to astringent properties of buttermilk, it reduces pain, itching and size of the pile mass.
Harad along with buttermilk is administered for piles.(Charaka Samhita Chikitsa Sthana 14th chapter).
Buttermilk for piles: Charaka chikitsa 14th chapter
The inner wall of an earthen jar is smeared with the paste of the root bark of Chitraka – Plumbago zeylanica, and in this Jar, curd is prepared. Intake of this curd or the butter milk prepared out of it cures piles.
There is no medicine, better then butter- milk for the cure of piles caused by the predominance of aggravated Vayu and kapha depending upon the Dosha involved, it is taken along with fat (for Vayu) or in an unctuous form(for Kapha).
The physician acquainted with the specifications of the strength of the patient as well as the nature of the season is given butter-milk for either one week or for 10 days or for 15 days or for a month.
If the Kayagni (power of digestion and metabolism) of the patient is very weak, then he is given only butter- milk [both morning and evening], other- wise Takravalehika (linctus prepared by adding buttermilk to the flour of fried paddy) is given in the evening. After the buttermilk (taken in the morning) is digested, [in the evening] the patient is given Takrapeya (thin gruel prepared by adding buttermilk) along with rock salt, thereafter, Takraudana (rice mixed with butter milk) added with fat is given and butter milk is given to such a patient as after-meals drink.
As food, he may be given vegetable soup or meat soup along with butter- milk. Alternatively, vegetable soup and meat soup prepared by boiling with butter- milk can be given to him.
The physician acquainted with the time (Kala) and procedure of administration (Krama) is discontinuing butter- milk all of a sudden.
Butter milk is administered up to 1 month, and thereafter, it is gradually withdrawn. It is withdrawn gradually in the same quantity in which it was increased [in the beginning].
While reducing butter- milk, the patient’s total food intake is reduced. Adoption of this procedure will promote and maintain his energy, maintain the strength of his digestive power and promote his strength, plumpness as well as completion.
Butter- milk is of 3 types. Viz
1) From which fat is completely removed
2) From which half of the fat is removed and
3) From which fat is not at all removed.
The physician acquainted with the nature of the Doshas involved in the causation of the disease, Agni (power of digestion and metabolism) of the patient and his strength should administer any of the above mentioned 3 types of butter – milk appropriately.
Piles in the anus, once cured by the administration of butter- milk, does not recur. When sprinkled over the ground, butter- milk burns all grass thereon let alone the dry type of piles in a patient who’s Agni (power of digestion and metabolism) has been kindled through this therapy.
Butter- milk cleanses the channels of circulation as a result of which Rasa (end product of the food after digestion) reaches [the tissue elements] appropriately. This produces proper nourishment, strength, completion and exhilaration, and cures 100 diseases including those caused by Vayu (80 in number) and Kapha (20 in number). There is no medicine better than butter- milk, for the treatment of piles caused by Vayu and Kapha. [76- 88]
Buttermilk for IBS
Buttermilk for Irritable bowel syndrome (Grahani)
Reference: Charaka Chikitsa Sthana, 15th chapter.
For a patient suffering from grahani, butter milk is an excellent drink because it stimulates the power of digestion. It is grahi – absorbent, bowel binding, useful in IBS, diarrhoea (constipative) and light for digestion.
It is sweet in vipaka (the taste that emerges after digestion) and therefore, it does not cause aggravation of pitta. Because of its astringent taste, hot potency, vikasitva (which relieves the stiffness and causes looseness of joints and ununctuousness, it is useful for counteracting the aggravated kapha.
Because of the sweet and sour tastes and density, it is useful for counter-acting aggravated vayu.
When freshly prepared, it does not cause burning sensation. Therefore, all the recipes of buttermilk described for the treatment of Udara (ascites) and piles is used for the treatment of Grahani.
Sour Buttermilk for Constipation
By Dr MS Krishnamurthy MD (Ayu), PhD
Sour buttermilk is well known for its good digestive (pachana), carminative (deepana) and absorbant (grahi) nature. Most of Ayurvedic text books prescribe buttermilk in digestive disorders such as diarrhea (atisara), IBS (Grahani), flatus (apanavata rodha), haemorroids (arshas), distention of abdomen (adhmana) etc.
Here are few extra benefits of sour buttermilk which is less practiced. Secondly as sourness is not liked by all its use is restricted only among ‘sour lovers’ only.
Buttermilk, by nature itself is a acid fermented product. As it is a fermented beverage, it is not spoiled very easily. Hence it can be preserved for as long as 8-10 days without any additives and even without refrigeration. At the maximum it may sour; but such a sour buttermilk has multiple advantages as mentioned below
Buttermilk for constipation
(200-300 ml) is mixed with a pinch of salt and 2-3 grams of fine powder of cumin seeds (fried with ghee) and Ajwain (Trachyspermum ammi) seeds. To give flavor, curry leaves may be added. This is administered during night, bed time. As the sour buttermilk is laxative (where as sweet buttermilk is absorbant, opposite to the laxative action) the individual will pass the bowel freely, next day morning.
Also, common complaint which are persisting in case of other laxative drugs like abdominal cramps. pain, twitching sensation will not be there. In addition, digestive and carminative benefits are also contributed well and immediately after defecation person will feel good hunger and taste. Meanwhile rate of absorption of micro-nutrients is also significantly increased. The flatus also fully relieved.
Buttermilk for bloating
In case of bloating of abdomen and repeated gurgling sound of intestine, fine paste (a pinch) of garlic is added to buttermilk and served. For the taste, rock salt is also added.
As the buttermilk possesses lactobacilli, it improves the strength of the gut. Hence ultimately multiple benefits of sour buttermilk are obtained at a time by these simple recipes.
Other conditions
Buttermilk in work exhaustion
2 cups (300 ml) of buttermilk or curd is taken. To this 15-20 grams of sugar candy or jaggery is added and dissolved or churned. This is given to drink.
Buttermilk for diarrhoea
Nutmeg (Jatiphala –Myristica fragrans) is rubbed well with buttermilk or lemon juice and administered repeatedly.
Takrapanaka
As per mentioned in Bhojana Kutuhalam in the context of cool drinks, Curd which is very sour and thick preferably derived from buffalo’s milk added with fourth of its quantity of water and is sieved through a pure cloth into an earthen vessel, to this the powder of fried asafoetida, cumin seeds, salt and a small quantity of mustard is added and severed. This cool drink improves taste perception, stimulates the digestive fire, promotes digestion, nourishes the body and checks the abdominal disorders. To overcome the discomforts induced after consumption of foodstuff that causes it one must drink milk at the end of the meal.
Takradhara
Buttermilk for Takradhara:
Takradhara is a traditional Ayurvedic treatment used for the treatment of psoriasis, hypertension etc. Here, medicated buttermilk is poured over a particular body part for a specified amount of time.
Read more about methodology and benefits of Takradhara treatment
Market available buttermilk variants
Milk, buttermilk, fluid, cultured, lowfat
Taste – astringent, sour
Qualities – light
Potency – hot
After digestion taste transformation (After digestion taste transformation (Vipaka)) – pungent
Effect on Doshas
Vata balancing – due to sour taste, hotness, pungent After digestion taste transformation (Vipaka)
Kapha balancing – due to astringent taste, lightness, hotness, pungent After digestion taste transformation (Vipaka)
Pitta increasing – due to sour taste, pungent After digestion taste transformation (Vipaka), hot potency
Milk, buttermilk, dried
Taste – astringent, sour
Qualities – light
Potency – hot
After digestion taste transformation (After digestion taste transformation (Vipaka)) – pungent
Effect on Doshas
Vata balancing – due to sour taste, hotness, pungent After digestion taste transformation (Vipaka)
Kapha balancing – due to astringent taste, lightness, hotness, pungent After digestion taste transformation (Vipaka)
Pitta increasing – due to sour taste, pungent After digestion taste transformation (Vipaka), hot potency
Refrigerated Buttermilk
Refrigerated Buttermilk Is Hot Or Cold?
Answer by Dr JV Hebbar:
Buttermilk is explained as slightly hot in nature in Ayurveda textbooks. It is a fermented product. Most of the fermented products are able to open up the blocked channels, help in digestion and hence considered hot.
Read: Buttermilk benefits, side effects
Buttermilk has some amount of fat in it as well (unless you remove the fat from it entirely). This fat brings in the nutrition component to buttermilk. This unique combination made Master Charaka exclaim that, for the patients of chronic liver disorders such as ascites, associated with Vata and Kapha Dosha, buttermilk is a nectar (ambrosia).
तक्रं वातकफार्तानाममृतत्वाय कल्पते|१०७|
takraṃ vātakaphārtānāmamṛtatvāya kalpate|107| Charaka Chikitsa 13/108
Read: Ayurvedic management of ascites
Now we know that buttermilk is hot. But what will happen if it is refrigerated?
Refrigeration brings in some coolant factor to the buttermilk. But at the core, it is still a fermented product and it retains its hotness. The coldness of refrigeration can only slightly decrease its hotness. Other ways to reduce the hotness of buttermilk are – adding milk, adding water, adding sugar, adding coolant herbs such as Amla or coriander seeds.
Cooked foods, when refrigerated lose its freshness, become heavier to digest and have the potential to block the body channels.
Cow milk or water, which are naturally coolant liquids become cooler when refrigerated.
Right time to consume buttermilk
What is the right time to consume buttermilk?
Buttermilk supports / increases Pitta dosha and balances Vata and kapha Doshas.
तक्रं वातकफार्तानाममृतत्वाय कल्पते|१०७|
takraṃ vātakaphārtānāmamṛtatvāya kalpate|107| Charaka Chikitsa 13/108
It is explained as ambrosia for Vata and Kapha disorders such as respiratory diseases, cold, cough, bronchitis, asthma, joint disorders with stiffness, digestion complaints such as lack of hunger with bloating etc.
Buttermilk benefits are –
So, buttermilk is
light to digest
improves digestion strength, useful in weak digestion
decreases Kapha Dosha
decreases Vata
Read: Buttermilk Benefits, Side Effects, Remedies
Buttermilk is astringent dominant. Sour is the secondary taste in it.
In the explanation of order of consumption of food, it is told, the food should be consumed in the following order.
Sweet, sour, salt, spicy, bitter and astringent.
Sweet tasting foods should be consumed first and astringent tasting foods such as buttermilk should be consumed as the last part of meal.
So, it is good to consume buttermilk at the end of the meals. With its astringency, it helps to satiate hunger and helps to
a. Prevent hunger dissatisfaction, feeling of stomach not full enough
b. Helps to initiate the digestion process with its deepana – digestive fire kindling properties.
The above rule is for healthy people.
For patients with sluggish digestion / Irritable Bowel Syndrome, buttermilk can be given before starting meals as well.
Which time of the day?
During breakfast time, in the morning hours, Kapha dosha is dominant. Hence, it is a good time to take buttermilk to counter Kapha.
During afternoon times, Pitta dosha is dominant. Buttermilk can increase Pitta, so, for healthy people, it can be avoided or taken in lesser quantities.
Read: Natural Dosha Increase During Day And Night
During evening hours, Vata Dosha is dominant and there is a reference that curd is not good to have at night, but in place of that, buttermilk is good. So, at the end of the dinner, is also a good time to have buttermilk.
Read: Curd at night is not good
In what dose?
Half a cup of buttermilk can be had raw or you can eat cooked rice with buttermilk.
60 comments on “Buttermilk Benefits, Side Effects, Usage, Home Remedies”
A-kay
Is there any specific way in which the buttermilk should be prepared?
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)
Hi, please visit this page. I have explained in detail – https://www.easyayurveda.com/2011/01/02/how-to-make-buttermilk-types-ayurvedic-method/
Suresh
I am not sure if you could say buttermilk is hot and to be avoided in summer.. while Curd is hot – buttermilk isnt – is what I have been told by folks around.
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)
I am just speaking what the ancient Ayurveda says. It is told to be avoided in Summer, it is told to have sour and astringent properties. Hence it is hot.
Dr. Rahul
Do not misguide people, It does not mean if anything is sour and astringent in properties, it will be hot. Amla is most likely sour, but it is cool. Arjuna is astringent and cool. There are many several examples.
Gaurav
I don’t think Astringent taste increases pitta, but sourness does.
https://www.easyayurveda.com/2013/06/27/astringent-taste-qualities-health-benefits-side-effects/
https://www.easyayurveda.com/2013/06/18/sour-taste-qualities-health-benefits-side-effects/
One who has heat boils on the body and takes very sour buttermilk (mistakenly thinking it is cooling) will realize the benefit of this guideline. It is helpful to avoid excessively sour buttermilk if one is already Pitta-overprone (or at least take care to have it with balancing cooling spices like mint…).
Ayurvedically speaking, Amla has 5 out of 6 tastes (excluding bitter, including sour), so it is constitutionally very different from (particularly sour) buttermilk.
Rahul
Dear Dr Rahul,
Amla is an exception as sour is not the only taste. Infact amla has all tasted except salty, so the end result is something that is sheeta and pittahara even when sourness is part of it.
Curd on the other hand has only two tastes: sour and sweet. Its end result is heating and pittakara.
This is why amla is ok in summer and curd is not.
Please have some almonds every morning so you can process Ayurveda knowledge better.
Your Truly,
Rahul (not a doctor)
Abhishek Sharma
Hey doctor, you said that one should avoid buttermilk in summer … But I think it is very much beneficial in summers and very much used .
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)
Hi,
the original fat-less buttermilk is hot in nature and is to be avoided in summer.
But the buttermilk that is available in the market are added with sugar, which makes it less hot and brings in coolant properties.
Dr. Rahul
Hey, man sugar is also hot that available in the market.
Gaurav
Some spice mixes to use with buttermilk for various things such as constipation, bloating, indigestion, lack of digestive power, etc…would be helpful to know…
Is it okay to mix ‘tadka’ (spices fried in oil or ghee) in buttermilk or is that a bad food combination?
thank you
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)
Noted the suggestion for buttermilk combination.
It is fine to mix tadka to buttermilk. But the oil / ghee used in tadka should be minimal.
Gaurav
Not directly related, but is it okay to have “Arishtha” medicines (having alcohol) soon after meals in which curd/buttermilk is included?
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)
Better to keep a gap of minimum 20-30 minutes.
Gaurav
Can buttermilk (with salt, cumin, cilantro, mint, etc…) be consumed soon after having sweets like wheat-halwa (with jaggery)?
Also, it’ll help to understand the reason why buttermilk is contra indicated for debilitated persons.
Thank you,
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)
Buttermilk can be taken with said combination.
Generally speaking, Buttermilk tends to slightly increase Pitta. Hence, if taken in very weak person, may cause increased burning sensation.
Gaurav
Is buttermilk (or curd) contraindicated along with (meals containing) bitters like bitter gourd…?
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)
I do not think buttermilk is contra-indicated with bitter substances like bitter gourd.
In fact, buttermilk is slightly hot in potency, (slightly increases Pitta) and bitter herbs like bittergourd decrease Pitta. So, this combination makes buttermilk more usable in Pitta condition.
Dilip S
Dear Dr. HebbAr,
Please recheck on whether “bitter-gourd decreases Pitta”. Because another article in easyayurveda says it is of uShNa-vIrya:
https://www.easyayurveda.com/2016/09/20/bitter-gourd-karela-benefits-remedies-research-side-effects/
Kind regards,
Dilip S
98801 16961
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)
Namaste.
As given in the Shloka,
It is Ahima (neither a coolant, nor hot, as per Kaiyadeva Nighantu), Cold, as per Bhavaprakasha.
Both Kaiyadeva and Bhavaprakasha have mentioned Pitta balancing activity.
Dilip S
Namaste Doctor,
Thank you very much for clarifying.
Vinod
Is it true that fairly diluted(of course with water) buttermilk is diuretic ?
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)
It is a very mild diuretic.
Devang
When buttermilk turns sour, does it become bad?
Are there any changes in it’s properties?
Devinder Tandon
In Summers in Delhi when temp goes beyond 40 cc generally ppl suggests each other to have 1-2 glass of (Chaach or Lassi) every day to overcome the heat Here they suggest to have salted Lassi for better effects Sweet Lassi is not that much good as person feel drowsiness after drinking it that it is true also
I am surprised by reading your article salted butter milk is not good in summers
Can you explain me which type of butter milk is good for intake in summers temp
above 40cc
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)
Hi, The lassi that you are referring to, has some amount of fat in it, which acts as coolant, and can surely be taken along with salt.
The buttermilk I am referring to, is fat less liquid that we get after churning the curd to extract butter. It is fat less and is hot in nature, hence advised to avoid during summer.
Gurtaj Singh
I am a dairy farmer and i have to work hard in summer. I consume many litres of fat less lassi with food and after hard wory in summer. In fact we cannot think of remaining healthy without lassi in punjab in summer days. I can never agree that butterless lassi is hot when digested.
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)
Hi,
1. Buttermilk is prepared like this in Ayurveda – https://www.easyayurveda.com/2011/01/02/how-to-make-buttermilk-types-ayurvedic-method/
2. There is a rule in Ayurveda, that, even if something is contra indicated, if it becomes habitual (Satmya), the body accepts and adjusts to the habit without causing any ill effect.
roopa
sir,you have mentioned fat free buttermilk is hot in nature in opinion column.But you have mentioned in the article two separate lines fat-free buttermilk and no cream buttermilk which says calms kapha and pittta and natural coolant.
also in curd benefit article you have mentioned curd from fat free milk is natural coolant.
Please clarify is fat free(no cream) buttermilk and fat free curd are hot in nature or natural coolant..
I am pitta-vata type.should i consume buttermilk and curd made from full cream milk or from fat free milk..
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)
Hi, there were a few mistakes in the article, which are now corrected.
For a Vata Pitta person, it makes sense to take buttermilk / curd with cream.
roopa
My previous comment is not answered.
In some place it is given buttermilk is hot in nature. But in other place it is given as buttermilk calms pitta.which is good for pitta type either full cream butter milk or no cream buttermilk. is fat-free curd good for pitta.? Will full cream curd without sugar increase pitta?
roopa
1.Again no fat buttermilk says natural coolant. Even in curd article it’s given as curd from fat free milk is natural coolant. Its confusing. Please cross check all your articles under buttermilk and curd to make any required corrections.
2.What I have understood is both curd and buttermilk which are fat free increases pitta but decreases vata.
3.But you have explained in other articles vata being light and dry in nature opposite qualities are required to balance it like heavy and fat. Similarly fat increases pitta. Please clarify my doubts
and simplify the curd and buttermilk articles to avoid confusions. What type of curd and buttermilk good for each dosha separately.
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)
Buttermilk, if it contains full fat, and if is sweet in nature or is made sweet by adding sugar etc, is coolant in nature. Other than this, all other forms of buttermilks, even if it contains semi fat, is hot in nature, hence improves digestion.
Roopa
Thanks for clarification
pankaj kumar
is buttermilk useful in rheumatic arthritis..?
s
can lemons be added to buttermilk?
jagansingh36@gmail.com
buttermilk is far better and more beneficial than modern cold drinks
jacinta
can you add lemon to milk to make buttermilk?
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)
No. Usually previous day’s buttermilk is added.
achyuthmenon
useful article and revealing healthy question answer session. thank u v.much
Rahul
To make partially or no fat buttermilk, can we start by taking milk that has little to no fat, turn it into curd and then into buttermilk? Will that have same effect as removing butter after churning buttermilk?
Thank you
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)
Better to take whole milk with fat, make the buttermilk and then decide on amount of fat to reduce it.
The fat in the milk contributes its own effects to the buttermilk made, despite being not present in the final buttermilk.
Dharmendra
Sir,
Is it ok to boil DAHI or buttermilk.. If not then Gujarati Kadhi (Boiled Buttermilk with Bengal Gram Flour and Jaggery) is OK for everyone..
Further, What is Ayurvedic logic behind cooking Rice or Green Gram in Dahi for digestive issue..
And can we use jaggery with it or will it be Abhishyandi or create any Ama in body..??
Thanks….
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)
Ayurveda has contra indicated heating of dahi or buttermilk. But there are many dishes which are done with heating of them. If one is accustomed to it, then no harm in continuing.
Excess intake of jaggery can cause ama in the long run.
dharmendra patel
Thanks a lot..Sir,
One more question..
Is cooking with buttermilk alter drying(Ruksha) property of gain like rajgira, maize, green Gram, Bengal gram or other lentils..
Will it alleviate vayu property of food..?
dharmendra patel
THANK YOU for guiding to THE right way..Sir..
msn
does buttermilk draw out the bad out of meat.
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)
No.
ABU SAAD
Greetings Dr.
I have an aggravated pitta. Is chaach good for people with excess of pitta. If its good, then how to prepare it.(ratioes etc). Pls suggest some fluids to balance excess pitta.
Thank you
Arpana
Doctor, I am very underweight and feel weak. I am having problems digesting milk which gives me abdominal pain. In the past I had no issues with dairy and drank a lot of milk. As I would like to have diary in my diet I am trying to make lassi at home keeping the cream after mixing, and even though homemade lassi is not so sour I get a slight burning sensation in my abdomen and tongue. Should I continue to try to make yogurt so it turns out sweet or is it just not suitable for me? I was hoping to continue with dairy as I desparate need to gain weight. If I am unable to have dairy products would something like eggs be fine for me to digest or are they too heavy? My digestion is poor and I tend to get bloating. Since giving up milk and yogurt my weight has continued to fall.
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)
Hi, it appears that fatless buttermilk or eggs are fine to you.
Include a pinch of ginger and turmeric in all your meals.
Karl
Is it ok to mix buttermilk with whey protein powder?
ayus
can a person with skin diseases still consume takra (modified with anti pitta spices)?
Because, as per my understanding, takra acts as a probiotic and hence may have positive therapeutic effect on acne (better digestion, lower inflammation etc.)
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)
Yes.
Bhuvanesh
Does it has an anulomana property
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)
No. It is Grahi – absorbent.
Rahul Samel
Please tell what is right time to drink buttermilk? is it before or after meals??
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)
At the end of meals, prefereably at night.
praveena
Namaskaram,
Is Kadhi with Besan flour ok for celiac sprue patients?
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)
Kadhi – prepared with besan flour and buttermilk or curd is gluten free.
But the curd should not be added with anything extra, while preparing. Better to prepare the curd at home only.