by Sheela Rani Chunkath
Recently in a class, a very senior professor of Ayurveda talked about Narasimha Rasayanam as if it was a favourite dessert of his. He loves it so much that he made all his students taste it so they would know how this wonderful Ayurvedic preparation tastes. Narasimha Rasayanam, while it is not quite a halva, it is one of the best tasting Ayurvedic medicines I have tasted. The shop assistant who sold me the rasayanam assured me that I was making a good buy as it would keep my hair black and help stop the ravages of time and age.
So, if you are looking for a nourishing (this is not for obese people or people with diabetics) herbal concoction, Narasimha Rasayanam is the preparation you should have. Narasimha Rasayanam is made from Acacia catechu (Khadira in Sanskrit), Dalbergia sissoo (Shisham in Hindi), Embelia ribes (Vaividangam in Tamil), Pterocarpus marsupium (Indian Kino tree), Plumbago zeylanica (Chitraka in Sanskrit), Terminalia bellerica (Haritaki in Sanskrit), Terminalia chebula (Bibhitaki in Sanskrit) and Semecarpus anacardium (Bhallatak in Hindi). A decoction is made of the above herbs and the following are added - cow's milk and juice of Eclipta alba. Triphala decoction, butter and sugar are also added. The butter gives the preparation a nice texture somewhat like the famous Mysorepa of Chennai.
The Rasayanam is a great antioxidant, adaptogen and general tonic. It is good for those who are generally feeling physically weak and for those with vata problems, muscle weakness, low backache etc. The Rasayanam improves complexion of the skin and is a great rejuvenative remedy.
Now for those who feel that this Rasayanam is not for them as they may put on weight, the same professor suggested a wonderful remedy for those who want to lose weight. It is one which most of us are familiar with. Half a glass of water at room temperature with one teaspoon of honey after food. It should be taken after food only. The honey should be pure and as far as possible unprocessed. Honey should not be heated as it loses many of its benefical properties if it is heated.
Horse gram soup (Kollu rasam in Tamil) is also an excellent preparation for those who want to lose weight. However, it is better taken during winter as it is considered to be of ushna virya or hot potency. So our professor offered remedies both for the thin and not so thin people and left all the students well satisfied with his recommendations.
--- The writer is retired Additional Chief Secretary, Government of Tamil Nadu. She can be reached at Sheelarani.arogyamantra@gmail. com. Earlier articles can be accessed at http://arogyamantra.blogspot.com/