Ayurveda medicinal properties of Draksha or Grapes ( Vitis Vinifera )
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Draksha or Grapes ( Vitis Vinifera )
Ayurveda medicinal properties of Draksha or Grapes ( Vitis Vinifera )
Common Grape Vine ( Vitis Vinifera ) is known as Draksha in
ayurveda. This is widely grown in western parts of India,
Punjab, Kashmir, central Europe, Turkey, Morocco and Portugal .
The grape vine has long, woody stems rooted to ground. Stems are
covered with flaky bark. The grapevine usually grows up to 35
meters. It has alternative, broad, palmate leaves. The unripe
fruit is usually green and ripe fruit is dark purple in color.
Ripe fruits are covered with light grey wax coat.
Grape vine has acquired numerous names by virtue of its shape
and medicinal properties. These names have been coined by
ayurveda acharyas. It is known as “Draksha” as it is liked by
one and all. Due to its medicinal properties it increases the
moistness of our body tissues and softens the dried ones. Hence
the name “Mrudweeka”. Grapes get the name “Gosthani” as the
shape of fruits resemble mammary glands (udder) of cow.
Chemical Composition of Grapes
Grapes contain 70 to 80%
water and numerous organic and inorganic compounds. These are
sugars, organic acids, phenolic compounds, nitrogenous compounds,
aroma compounds, minerals, pectic substances. They are also good
source of bioflavonoids
Grapes are sweet to taste and act as body coolant. They are soft,
heavy to digest and increase the moistness of body tissues.
By virtue of these properties this fruit alleviates
vata and
pitta. Hence these berries are used in diseases which arise due to
vitiation of vata and pitta.
Usefulness of grape berries on different organ
systems are given below.
Nervous system: Due to their property
of alleviating vata the use of grapes is recommended as nervine . It
boosts memory
power and acts as a brain tonic.
Digestive system: Vata and pitta
regulate functions of digestive system. Since grapes alleviate vata
and pitta, they are widely used in digestive disorders like
constipation,
jaundice and thirst.
Circulatory System: These berries act
as cardiac tonic. They strengthen the muscles of heart and increase
the nutrient components (hemoglobin) of
blood.
Grapes are very useful in diseases which arise due to vitiation of
rakta (blood) and pitta . Therefore the use of this fruit is
recommended in Gout
and allergies.
Respiratory System: Draksha or grapes
help to strengthen lungs. Expectoration of kapha or Phlegm can be
very easily achieved with the help of this fruit. Thus grapes are
used as main ingredients in ayurvedic preparations which are
administered in respiratory conditions like Tuberculosis, cough,
bronchitis etc.
Urinary System: Grapes act as diuretics
and increase frequency and volume of urine. It soothes the inner
layers of bladder. For this reason grapes are recommended in burning
micturition and cystitis.
Reproductive system: Grapes help to
increase fertility of Men and women. It
increases
quality and quantity of semen,
sperm
count and sperm motility. It also helps to strengthen the female
reproductive system. These berries are known as “Vrishya”, which
means they help in
erectile
dysfunction and premature ejaculation.
Effect on skin: Grapes help to reduce
burning sensation of
skin and
skin
allergies. It boosts the immunity of
skin and help
to prevent various
skin
diseases.
General health: Grapes facilitate a
good supply of nutrients for recuperating patients. This fruit is of
immense help to persons who want to increase their body bulk.
This article is copyrighted. This article is copy righted. The author Dr.SavithaSuri is an Ayurvedic Physician and web master of http://www.ayurhelp.com .
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