HALIM - Garden cress seeds

HALIM 

(Garden cress)


HALIM, in Sanskrit known as Chandrashoor is again an ingredient used in food as well as ayurvedic medicine.

Halim , mainly seeds are used for medicine. It is slightly pungent to taste, snigdha and guru according to Ayurveda.

 Hence helpful in balwardhan that is, it improves strength and immunity. It helps in reducing vata and kapha ailments. As it has hot potency it should be avoided by pregnant women. It should be taken with caution by people who have a pitta pradhan body type. According to modern nutrition it is rich in Calcium, iron and Vitamin A. it is also rich in anti-oxidants.

It is very helpful in reducing cramps during periods. It is helpful to increase lactation when given to lactating mothers. It also helps in reducing hair loss.

 1 teaspoon halim seeds soaked overnight in warm water or milk and taking it early morning on empty stomach is beneficial in irregular menstrual cycle. 

This  is also useful as a tonic to increase strength  and also rejuvenating especially in people who do lots of exercise and athletes.

While giving to lactating mothers it is preferred to boil it in milk and give with a bit of jaggery or milk making it in a porridge form.

Chaturbeej Churna a traditional Ayurvedic medicine has halim as main ingredient along with Ajwain, fenugreek and Kalonji (onion seeds) mixed taking each in same proportion. This churna taken half teaspoon after meals, helps to reduces bloating and indigestion especially gas trouble. Also reduces pain caused by vata ailments.

The halim seed powder can also be locally applied to joints by mixing in warm water and a pinch of lemon juice to reduce pain. Especially useful, in Gout pain.

One of the traditional recipes is Halim laddoo,

Halim, about 4 teaspoon are soaked in hot milk for about 3 to 4 hours. When they get soaked they bulge up soaking up all the milk. Once soaked ; equal amount of grated coconut and jaggery is added to the mixture. It is then heated on low flame while keeping on mixing till the jaggery melts. A pinch of Cardamom powder is added for taste. Then they are rolled into ladoos. These are specially made during fasts and also in winter season.

These laddoos are specially traditionally  used as a rejuvenation  in postpartum care. 

--Dr. Pradnya Bedekar

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