By Tricitynews Reporter
Chandigarh 21st
July:-
Ayurveda is a form of alternative medicine which
seeks to treat and integrate body, mind, and spirit using a comprehensive
holistic approach especially by emphasizing diet, herbal remedies, exercise,
meditation, breathing, and physical therapy[i].Since this form of medicine is deeply rooted in our culture, as
is the tradition of almond consumption, Dr. Padma Venkatasubramanian and
Dr. Subrahmanya Kumar of Trans-disciplinary University (TDU)reviewed published
Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani texts and documented the usage and health benefits
of almonds.
Dr. Padma Venkatasubramanian, Lead author of the review
Trans-Disciplinary University (TDU) said that almonds have been
considered beneficial to health for many years now. It is understood that it
stems from a strong belief in the nutritional properties of almonds. However,
with the progress made by modern medicine, people tend to move towards lab
produced medicines even for simple illnesses or conditions that that may be
improved, by natural foods and traditional practices like Ayurveda, Siddha or
Unani. For example, according to Siddha, a main function of almonds is to tone
up all body tissues, especially the reproductive. According to Siddha practice,
almonds are also thought to have a therapeutic effect on lifestyle conditions
such as gastric irritation and debility in diabetes patients.
She added that one of the most
fascinating discoveries through this review was that according to both Ayurveda
and Unani, almond consumption also has a therapeutic effect on male infertility
and decreased sexual performance, a condition growing at a fast pace in today’s
world.
Ritika
Samaddar, popular Delhi based nutritionist said that with an increased awareness
of lifestyle diseases today, people are more willing to do what it takes to
lead a healthier life. I have been recommending daily snacking on a handful of
almonds (30 grams/ 23 almonds) to stay energized through the day and for its
heart health [ii], weight[iii] and diabetes management[iv], benefits that are supported by
scientific literature. However, this review also reminds us that Indian medical
traditions have long recommended almonds for multiple benefits in addition to
those supported by existing scientific evidence. It is interesting to see these
texts speak about almonds’ role in promoting skin and hair health in addition
to being an aphrodisiac, an area rarely ever spoken about with regards to
almonds.
Namrata
Shirodkar, Actor and Celebrity said that she have always believed in
natural foods and their goodness. Since she has grown up hearing about the multiple
benefits of almonds, she ensures her entire family eats a handful of these nuts
every day. This review echoes what she has grown up hearing
and believing about almonds. What is most satisfying for her as a mother is
that the Ayurveda and Unani texts suggest that consumption of almonds nourishes
the brain, nerve tissues and promotes intelligence. This is a big reason she
include almonds in her child’s daily diet and would continue to do so.
The aim of the review was
to see how almonds fit into traditional health/medicine practices and belief
systems in India by reviewing traditional texts. For the purpose of the review,
TDU reviewed texts from the three traditional medical practices, all published
texts approved by the Ministry of AYUSH (Ayurveda), yoga and Naturopathy,
Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy), Government of India. Texts from the three
traditional medical systems referred to almonds frequently and spoke about the
varieties, parts used, functional properties, pharmacological actions,
therapeutic indications and usage of almonds. In addition, the texts refer to
multiple compound formulations using almonds as an ingredient.
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