Takra: Buttermilk, The divine healer
“He who uses takra daily does not suffer from diseases, and diseases cured by takra do not recur; just as amrita (divine nector) is for the gods, takra is to humans.” Bhavaprakasha Chpt 6.7
Daily intake of Takra keeps the person healthy by virtue of its agni deepak and tridosha shamak properties. In combination with different drugs, Takra is indicated in various disorders.
Takra or buttermilk, not to be confused with the buttermilk we buy already prepared by other methods in the store, is a liquid preparation prepared by continuously churning yogurt in water. This preparation is used in many diseases and is overall quite healthy for the human being. It is a great treatment for IBD and Crohn’s disease as well as poor digestion, hemorrhoids, tumors, oedema, diarrhea, anemia, urinary diseases and many more.
When taken in the correct quantity, takra cleanses the channels of circulation (srotas), as a result of which rasa, the end product of digestion of food, reaches the tissues properly. It creates proper nourishment, strength, and complexion. It cures one hundred diseases including those of vata (80 in number) and kapha (20 in number).
There is no medicine better than buttermilk for treatment of hemorrhoids cause by vata and kapha. – Charaka Samhita CS. Chpt 14
The microchannels carrying nutrients to all cells in the body, when they get clogged or blocked due to any reason, the particular organ or system suffers in efficiency due to lack of nutrition. It is essential to remove such blockages. The herbs or their combinations which tackle these problems are termed “Rasayana” in Ayurveda. The forces which cause the blockage or resistance must be removed. The channels which cause transport are termed “strotas”. Charaka states that buttermilk removes such blockages and purifies the “strotas”. This causes better movement (ayana) of the nutrients (anna-rasa). When adequate nutrition is obtained by cells (koshas), they start working with full force. Due to saturation or ageing of strotas during old-age, the control systems of the body do not get adequate nutrients, which causes aging symptoms such as reduction of memory (dementia), reduced vision, wrinkles on the skin, graying of hair, etc. But those who take buttermilk regularly, slow aging, keep their arteries flexible for a longer time. Thus buttermilk is an elixir (param-amrutam) which keeps `Jara’ (oldage) and `Vyadhi’ (disease) away. The ayurveda treats buttermilk as an excellent food to keep cholesterol related problems miles away.With all of that said, you see how great takra is for health of digestion and this means the entire health of the body and mind.
There are three types of Takra according to Acharya Charaka.
1. with all of the butter removed or skimmed or put through a strainer
2. with half of the butter removed
3. With no butter removed
These are used as per the individual’s health and constitution mainly based upon their ability to digest.
The properties of takra are:
Taste: Astringent, sour, and sweet
Secondary taste: Astringent
Potency or energy: Hot
Post digestive effect: Sweet
Quality: Binding, light, dry
Actions: digestive, promotes intellect and nourishes the brain tissues, promotes immunity, pacifies vata, and gives satisfaction.
Sushruta Samhita states that the properties of buttermilk is of 2 types based on the taste viz., madhura and amla (sweet and sour) with kashaya anurasa (astringent in secondary taste); laghu (light), ruksha (dry) in nature; ushna veerya (hot in potency) and madhura vipaka (sweet at the end of digestion) and kindles the digestive power
Types of buttermilk based on Fat content
|
Type of buttermilk |
Method of preparation |
Indication |
|
Ruksha Takra |
Churned curd from which fat is completely removed |
Mandatama Agni (poorest digestive capacity), Adhama bala(least body strength), increased Kapha dosha |
|
Ardhodruta sneha Takra |
Churned curd from which half of the fat is removed |
Mandatara Agni (poorest digestive capacity), Madhyama bala (moderate strength), increased Pitta dosha |
|
Anudhruta sneha takra |
Churned curd from which fat is not at all removed |
Manda Agni(poor digestive capacity), Uttama bala(strong body strength), increased Vata dosha |
Types of Buttermilk based on Method of Preparation and Water content
|
Type of buttermilk |
Method of preparation |
Properties and Actions |
|
Ghola |
Churned curd without adding water and without removal of fat |
Mitigates Vata pitta, gives contentment when mixed sugar |
|
Mathita |
Churned curd without adding water but devoid of fat |
Pacifies Kapha and pitta |
|
Takra |
Churned curd by adding one-fourth quantity of water to it |
Light for digestion and kindles digestive |
|
Udashvita |
Churned curd by adding half part of water to it |
Kaphakaraka (Increases kapha), balya (strengthening) |
|
Chachika |
Devoid of fat by churning and then added with more quantity of water |
Pacifies Pitta and Vata, relieves thirst, tiredness, kindles digestive fire by adding saindhava lavana |
Contraindications of taking takra:
Even though buttermilk is well-advised diet in many diseases, sour fat free buttermilk cannot be used in conditions like trauma/wounds, ushna kala (hot seasons –ushna kale sharad greeshmayo) krisha (debilitated persons) and sutika (puerperium); sour buttermilk in fainting, giddiness, burning sensation & disorders of rakta and pitta; sweet full fat buttermilk in aggravated kapha which is situated specially in chest, throat and head. In the warm, the vital functions of lactic acid bacteria accelerate and they convert more milk sugar into lactic acid. As a result, the taste of the product becomes more sour then maybe not acceptable to the palate of many people.
How to make it:
Buttermilk is prepared by churning the curd in a vessel by adding 1/4th to 1/2 parts of water. The fat called butter is separated. The liquid portion that is neither too thick nor too thin is considered as buttermilk
– Sushruta Samhita, Sutrasthana; Dravadravyavidhimadhyaya: Chapter 45, Verse 85.
This is really easy. Just take a small amount (1/5th) fresh whole yoghurt and add it to 4/5th water. The easiest way in the West I have found to do the churning is to put it in a bottle, make sure the lid is screwed on tight and shake the mixture for a couple minutes. The butter will separate from the curd and float and make dry looking bubbles. This is the part you might be skimming off the top if the digestion is really weak. It changes the properties of the buttermilk to make this in the blender. Do both and try them side by side for yourself to create that discernment of how actions have their results with substances. It is a good example.
To this mixture many herbs can be added as per the desired effect for treatment of different ailments. As a general drink it is good with a little of roasted cumin and some rock salt. Another delicious way to have it is with some coriander and a little salt. My favorite is with a bit of rock sugar added. (pitta) A classical way to mix is using asafoetida (hing) and rock salt.
How to use:
For general digestive problems this little drink can be taken for breakfast. As for treatment of other diseases it is best to see a real ayurvedic doctor for diagnosis and treatment.
The buttermilk made by adding water 25% by volume of curd is “warming”, called “Takra”, and therefore should not be taken in late summer and fall when pitta is accumulating and going into excess (note here that Western Ayurveda is incorrect in teaching that pitta is high in summer due to it being hot. This idea of pitta being in prakopa in summer is the normal Western superficial teaching and wrong understanding of Ayurveda with no depth of the details. This contraindication of taking buttermilk proves this.). Excess diluted buttermilk (100% water added to equal quantity butter) is “cooling” in nature.
Care is necessary to see that curd is not sour (yogurt bought in the store is excessively sour) and water added should be taken warm in winter and cold in summer. Buttermilk is not recommended after sunset. Especially for asthmatics. If must, make a special recipe by adding a little chickpea flour, turmeric powder, green chillies, to kill its Kapha promoting tendency.
In general, takra can be simply modified in cases of…
Increased Vata Dosha – Sour buttermilk + rock salt (Saindhava) OR Sour Buttermilk + dry ginger+ rock salt
Increased Pitta Dosha – Sweet buttermilk + Sugar candy(Sita)
Increased Kapha Dosha – Sweet buttermilk + Trikatu (Shunti, Maricha, Pippali) + Alkali(Kshara)
Butter milk detoxifies body and cleanses the intestines, relieves constipation and helps to replenish intestinal flora. It has less fat compared to milk and is rich in calcium, potassium and vit B12.
Each 100 grams of Buttermilk consists of the Nutrient Values in below mentioned proportions
|
Calories |
40 kcal |
|
Water |
90.13 g |
|
Macronutrients |
|
|
Carbohydrates |
4.79 g |
|
Protein |
3.43 g |
|
Fats |
0.51 g |
|
Micronutrients – Vitamins |
|
|
Vitamin A |
47 IU |
|
Vitamin C |
1.0 mg |
|
Vitamin B 6 |
0.034 mg |
|
Vitamin D |
1 IU |
|
Thiamin |
0.034 mg |
|
Riboflavin |
0.154 mg |
|
Niacin |
0.058 mg |
|
Micronutrients – Minerals |
|
|
Potassium |
151 mg |
|
Calcium |
116 mg |
Buttermilk contains various proboitics mainly L. lactis subsp. lactis, L. lactis subsp. lactis var. diacetylactis, L. lactis subsp. Cremori. The probiotics are the ‘live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amount confer health benefits to the host. The presence of Lactic Acid Bacteria and Lactic Acid in buttermilk inhibit the growth of many pathogenic organisms. Continuous consumption of Lactic fermented milk may help to change the intestinal flora and prevent the growth of putrefactive organisms. Lactic fermented milk products are more readily digested than unfermented milk by persons suffering from intestinal disorders. They not only improve intestinal tract health but also do various functions like suppressing the endogenous pathogens and exogenous pathogens, enhancing the immune system modulation, cholesterol reduction, synthesizing and enhancing the bioavailability of nutrients, aid in lactose digestion, small bowel bacterial overgrowth, urogenital infection, decreasing the prevalence of allergy in susceptible individuals, decreases the production of a variety of toxic or carcinogenic metabolites and aid absorption of minerals, especially calcium, due to increased intestinal acidity. It was also found to protect against colon cancer by Sphingomyelin which is specifically responsible for the reduction in the number of apoptosis- resistant cells. Drinking buttermilk also significantly lowers blood pressure on regular consumption.
https://irjponline.com/admin/php/uploads/1624_pdf.pdf
http://www.iamj.in/posts/images/upload/3397_3400.pdf
http://oaji.net/articles/2017/1791-1532441514.pdf
https://ijapr.in/index.php/ijapr/article/download/401/433
Thank you for this informative article. Would I have to first make the yoghurt myself? Or can I buy organic yoghurt (does it need to be full cream?) and make the buttermilk from the bought yoghurt, adding jaggery and himalayan rock salt? I’m a Vata/Pitta, but have a Pitta illness at the moment, yet my Ayurvedic practitioner recommended buttermilk. Thank you.
Namaskar.
Cindy, thank you for your comment and your time. Making the yogurt yourself is like night and day difference compared to the stuff you buy in the store. Think of fresh squeezed juice by your hands vs frozen concentrate. Get the point?
There is a post on making your own. Just reposted it for you. https://trueayurveda.wordpress.com/2014/10/10/once-again-real-ghee-it-is-not-what-you-are-buying-in-the-store/
Always whole milk and whole cream. All normal unadulterated food. Always. No non fat or low fat. That was a thing of the Western nutrition of the 70’s that I have no idea why there is still stuff on the shelves in the store.
The more and more we cheat by being lazy and thinking we can’t make stuff ourselves, the more we cheat, the more we cheat our health?
You are totally welcome.
Is it OK to take Bittermilk with Achaar?
Please elaborate your question.
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are there any incompatible food combinations with buttermilk? (Meat, beans, paneer, eggs, etc.)? Should it be consumed before, during or after a main meal? If before or after, how much time before or after the meal?
From my memory one major incompatibility is with monkey face tree/ kampilaka. Don’t have any of that do ya? It is a herb called Mallotus philippinensis. I would not worry much about it as most of what is eaten and the way it is eaten is already not proper. This one is not a biggie. 1/2 cup to a cup after a meal is fine. And just so that you understand, this is all in general. Everything in Ayurveda is as per the individual or in other words, I can’t possibly tell you how much or when to take without knowing what your situation is. Hope that helps.
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Hi. thank you for posting this informative article. I am about to start a small buttermilk joint and would like to know the ratio of buttermilk to water that i can add. Is it 100:100 ratio or something else. It is start of the summer in bangalore (India) now. and how can i make it tasty and very healthy. Please help me.
Sujay,
There are 11 different types of buttermilk all with their own reasons for being made as per ayurveda and what they are good for and for whom and why. There are many many many recipes with their amounts and details for many diseases. If you are opening a place, please do not call it Ayurveda or Ayurvedic without knowing what you are doing and why. It is not ethical nor would that ba Ayurveda. You are totally safe with a 1:5 ratio curd to water. Takra itself is only one of those 11.
Good luck with your business and keep it on the up and up.
Hi, thanks for your reply. I will surely keep 1:5 ratio in mind. I have one more question which is about the spices. I was planning to add coriander, mint leaves, curry leaves with chopped ginger, chopped green chillies, hippLi, cumin powder, hing. Could you please guide if all these are fine to add and can be given to any one who comes or should I eliminate some.
There are two posts on buttermilk and you will find enough information there. I would advise you to stick to the basics and not make up stuff. I may do another posting on buttermilk soon. Buttermilk is not to be consumed in early summer and Autumn. or when there is open wounds as it will stop the wound from healing. Other contraindication are if one as burning sensations, fainting, pulmonary consumption, and bleeding diseases in general. Ayurveda does not make one thing for everyone. it is all within the details of understanding the details that makes it a medicine or a poison. That is with everything. Not just buttermilk.
Buttermilk is not to be consumed in the early summer and autumn? On other places on your blog you say it should not be consumed in late summer, aswell as just “summer”. I’m a bit confused..
Late summer.
Hi I am suffering from Pitta imbalance. What type of butter milk I can take? Is 1:1.5 OK?
Sekhar.
Are you self diagnosing and treating?
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Hi,
I have high pitta dosha.I am trying to reduce the heat in my body by avoiding sour foods.Confused by the articles on buttermilk in google.As per this article,Curd with a lot of water (100%) is a cooling one but with 25% is warming.Could you clarify ,is it ok to have buttermilk.
Also ,is brown rice ok because I have seen quite different views.Some say it increases pitta and others say its fine.
Thanks Sir.
Add rose water and a little sugar to the takra. Simple.
Brown rice does not increase pitta.
I am suffering from IBS, and i cannot take dairy products, whenever i take i get loose motions, this happens with curd, milk, butter milk and lassi. all sort of products, i know that chaach is the only effective way to heal IBS but it creates problem for me, it gives gas and loose motions to me, i even remove all sort of butter from it but it still creates problem. I am already on ayurvedic treatment where my doc is giving me Kutaj and Vatsakadi vadi. What to do?
Nitesh,
Thanks for your comment and question.
I do not have a proper intake or any information to really say anything, specially if you are already under treatment.
Takra is grahi, so having it create loose motions is highly unlikely. I would have to ask if you are making it properly and what that is?
Also there are herbs to be added to it that will help as well.
What else are you doing besides taking these herbs that you mentioned?
I am an Ulcerative Colitis patient. Will Buttermilk taken at 1:5 ratio with Achaar to flavour the drink do any good?
Nope. It will do harm. Why is a UC rogi eating pickles?
For the flavour! WIll even small quantities just to give flavour do damage?
Follow the recipes on the blog. There is too much to explain in depth with rasa to get into it for your condition.
Also read the post on grahani
Is takra the same as lassi in India?
No
Continually churning yoghurt in water is lassi?If not then what is the difference?
Lassi will have a different meaning where ever you go. mango lassi is not healthy from ayurvedic view.
I make lassi putting 40 ml dahi in 200 ml water and churn for 5-7 minutes.Is that lassi or buttermilk?
That is buttermilk. Generally.
namskar,
I am facing lot of problems with short breathing, constipation, heavy weakness. Doctors have diagnosis as vit B 12 difficiency. Now asthama is detected. is all happening due to digestion problems. Can I use curd or buttermilk to get some better resuls.
Yogesh,
Appreciate the reaching out but the seriousness of your situation requires diagnosis, get it from a doctor one on one in person and not over the net. Yes, curd could actually help the respiratory problems possibly. Your asking me to answer a question without having enough information too, understand that k? The whole health history needs to be understood as well as everything that is going on right now.
I could name hundreds of things that could possibly help like even pippalimula but is it going to be what is needed or is it actually going to harm because other stuff is going on.
Hi, I’ve been suffering from ibs for past 8 years, last year i was diagnosed with strictures in ileum and ileocecal valve, my doctor thought it was crohn’s disease but it was negative and instead i was diagnosed wiyh sibo. I was gived antibiotics which totallu cured my digestive problems a d i could eat anything, but now the symptoms have returned and antibiotics aren’t working anymore. I’ve been to a ayurvedic practitioner who said I’ve vataja grahani and he gave me meds for a month but it made no difference. Now after doing a lot of research related to sibo and takra chikitsa I’ve concluded to stay on a liquid diet for 7 to 10 days and takefreahly made takra only. Along with oregano oil for bacterial infection.
Could u suggest if taking buttermilk for a week would help with my situation. And what else i can take for bacterial infection and mand agni. I would really appreciate your help.
I would advise not blending or following different realms of knowledge. If your going to do the takra, do not do the oregano oil.
And antibiotics obviously did not cure anything, I hope you see that.
If you want to work with me that is fine, I do one on one sessions. This is not a free advice clinic. Thx.
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Hi,
What is the difference between curd and yogurt? I read that takra was made with curd.
Thanks in advance.
Yogurt and curd are the same. Best to make your yogurt fresh though. Big difference from buying it in the store.
hey! i have a vata imbalance and some digestion weakness, my ayurvedic doctor recommended drinking buttermilk(1/3 yogurt and 1 water) right after lunch, does that make sense? also, i buy organic goat yogurt and the drink is very sour(i add cumin and mint) is that ok?
thanks a lot!
Hi.
Can’t give a response except to say in general it sounds fine. Would need to know more of what vata imbalance and weak digestion means. Were you instructed to use goat yogurt and add cumin and mint?
Takra would be different as per season, as per individual and if it is being used specific per disease.
Great and detailed info… thanks
Hi. I have imbalance of all three doshas with pitta and vata predominance. My body in general is typical pitta type. How should I make my buttermilk for the same. I have poor digestion, acidity and too much bloating problem.
Ankur, if you read the disclaimer, you will find that free advice is not on this blog because from your question, there is not enough information, also, this is my profession. You are welcome to do an intake with me.
Good Afternoon,
maybe my english is not good enough but reading the preparation guidance for buttermilk i understand in the chapter
“How to make it”
§1/…. churning the curd in a vessel by adding 1/4th to 1/2 parts of water (= dilute e.g. 100g (/or ml ?) with 25g … 50g water)
§2/ …. amount (1/5th) fresh whole yogurt and add it to 4/5th water (= dilute 20g yoghurt/curd with 80g water)
For me §2 is the other way round or am I completely mistaken?
The other thing was “ghola”: this is simply churned yoghurt? The positive effect comes from churning compared to unchurned yoghurt?
Happy to get an answer!
~lutz
In general take 1 part curd to 4 parts water.
Yes it is churned curd. And yes, it is very different.
Namaste Sir,
Love your blog and comments. At one point in your article you introduced the concept of sweet yogurt alongside sour yogurt. Kindly explain what you mean by each. Thank you.
Welcome to the blog. I’m glad that you enjoy.
Sweet yogurt would be fresh yogurt that you would have to make yourself. Yogurt you were purchasing the store would be sour because it’s aged more. There’s quite a difference. Yogurt that is left out for sometime gets more and more sour very quickly. You can simply do this yourself to experience the difference. They have quite different qualities to them. The tastes will change the qualities.
Thank you for your reply. This sentence captivates me: “When taken in the correct quantity, takra cleanses the channels of circulation (srotas), as a result of which rasa, the end product of digestion of food, reaches the tissues properly. It creates proper nourishment, strength, and complexion. It cures one hundred diseases.” Please do tell us what is the correct quantity to achieve this miracle?
Also, am i correct to think that this should not be taken in evening and during certain times of year like curds, or is it suitable at all times?
Really, my mind is blown by the concept of takra being so healing. Thank you.
Hi.
In general, have a regular size cup of it with meals, room temp.
Briefly, as I can explain…..
There is a great vastness to all this knowledge.
First, A substance that is healing like this can as easily destroy. Everything is like this. Simply, you can drown from drinking water. You will find lots written about water being the most healing substance in books and on the web, yet for a diabetic water is deadly.
The verses from the text go into explaining things to give the importance or the strength of such things. Nothing by itself is going to do this or if everything else is contrary to the healing process there is not something to take that will do anything negligible. This is something to really hear and take in deeply. The example is using the western paradigm. The western world has grown up on taking a pill given from the doctor to get over a malady. There is no real understanding of why the illness is there in the first place in which one has created by their own doing. Just take something and this is going to make everything better. Everything in that western context is this. The science supports it as well. The culture promotes then its consumerism in needing to take something or buy something to be something else; whatever is being promised. Yet nothing actually works because the life, the actions, the intake (and I mean sensory as well) all have to coincide to the correct direction or path. And this western way has grown now in India as well as Western medicine is prefered over Ayurveda most everywhere. No time to take responsibility, no desire to as well. Used to have the knowledge but now it is pretty much lost.
So yes, the texts say that Indra is jealous of humans because he has the immortal nectar to drink but humans get takra. It is a sentence marked by hyperbole. But yet it is not. This is why ayurveda states that every poison is amrit in the hands of the wise and every medicine is a poison in the hands of fools.
In evening it can be taken with food, it is not like curd.
In general, because of its qualities, it does miraculous sounding things. Simply put, it is vata anulomik which means it keeps vata moving in the proper direction. It cleanses the channels while its previous manifestation before the churning, curd, clogs channels. And a lot more.
Pretty amazing. Thank you for making it clear and for the important warnings as well.
Welcome. There is actually a ton more detail. Anything that is done to a substance adds to it is some way. Taking a mineral and turning it to ash and used as a medicine. Just an example. A very deep and beautiful science Ayurveda is.