Dairy Products
In Ayurveda, milk is considered sampurn aahar and is satmya – i.e. easily absorbed by the body, increases vitality and strengthens immunity.
Classic Indian texts describe 8 types of milk: cow’s, buffalo’s, goat’s, camel’s, sheep’s, elephant’s, donkey’s and human’s.
They balance Vata and Pitta energies and can be used as a natural laxative.
Types of milk and their properties according to Ayurveda
The most used milks in the Ayurvedic diet are cow’s, buffalo’s, goat’s and human’s.
The rest are used according to the region – for example, camel’s milk is consumed in desert areas.
- Cow’s milk is the most sattvic (it brings peace, balance, balance and joy), it is also an aphrodisiac.
- Water buffalo milk is best for insomnia, but it is very difficult to digest.
- Goat’s milk is lighter and can be taken instead of breast milk when it is impossible to breastfeed.
Ayurveda considers breast milk to be the most complete food for the child and stimulates long-term natural breastfeeding – up to 2, 3 or even 4 years of age.
How to consume milk according to the Ayurvedic diets?
Raw milk is difficult to digest, so various herbs, spices and other additives are added to it, such as:
- Dried ginger
- Turmeric
- Ashwagandha
- Cardamom
- Cinnamon
- Saffron
- Coconut oil
- Honey and others.
These ingredients enrich the taste and help the body absorb milk more easily.