Review of Ayurvedic Health Drinks and Liquid Nutrition Explained in <i>Kshemakutuhala</i>

Abstract

Kshemakutuhala is a remarkable text by Kshema Sharma, the Royal physician of King Vikrama during the 16th century A.D., based on culinary science. This text is a compilation of varieties of foods and drinks, both vegetarian and non-vegetarian, and their characteristics and nutritional value. This work is divided into 12 chapters, and each chapter is named an Utsava. The author has also given importance to liquid nutrition and dedicated two separate Utsava to that. The 11th Utsava describes various appetiser preparations. Different types of appetisers are prepared with main ingredients such as orange, lemon, citron, sesame paste, mango and lotus fibre. The explanation had been given where all of these ingredients have been proven to be a good carmin ative. In the 12th chapter, he mentioned various milk preparations, cool drinks, beverages, buttermilk etc. Different types of Panaka (sweet drinks) were prepared out of the main ingredients like raw mango, ripened mango, lemon, tamarind, and the fruits of Syzygium cumini, which balance taste and health, were included in it. He mentioned the natural colouring agents like saffron, red sandalwood, and sprinkling spices like cardamom, clove, camphor, Indian bay leaf, black pepper so on, which are used to add flavours to food and drinks. This review helps to explore the scientific aspect of Ayurvedic health drinks and their indication to the modern world. Unhealthy drinks are common in the present time, and it is necessary to trace back to the ancient classical Ayurvedic text, which explains healthy, nutritious drinks. By adopting these healthy drinks and liquid preparation, we can maintain and enhance human health. However, further research is needed to confirm this.

Keywords

• <i>Kshemakutuhala</i>
• culinary science
• ayurvedic health drinks
• liquid nutrition
• <i>Panaka</i>