Chickpea

Chanaka (Bengal Gram/Chickpea) is widely consumed in India in many forms — whole (Kala Chana), split (Chana Dal), roasted (Bhuna Chana), flour (Besan), and soaked/sprouted. It is sweet, astringent, light, and dry. It is strengthening, promotes semen, and is beneficial for hair. It is used in bleeding disorders. The black/brown (Kala Chana) and cream/white (Kabuli Chana) varieties exist. Chana is Vatakara (Vata-aggravating) in excess but when consumed with proper preparation (oil, spices), this effect is mitigated. Sattu (roasted gram flour) is a traditional cooling drink. Chana sprouts are highly nutritious. The green tender pods (Cholia) are also eaten. Protein content is significant at 18-22%. Verses: 48-50.

• Shukrala (increases semen)
• Balya (strength-giving)
• Keshya (beneficial for hair)
• Raktapittahara (alleviates bleeding)

After digestion of avalehika, one should take old shali rice with soup of green gram or lentils or Bengal gram, soured or not soured with pomegranates and added with patola (Trichosanthes dioica Roxb) and amalaki.

— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 21: Erysipelas Treatment (Visarpa Chikitsa / विसर्पचिकित्सा)

Old barley, wheat, nevara, shali and shashtika dhanya (special qualities of red rice) are good to eat and soup of flesh of vishkira (birds which scratch the ground) and pratuda (birds which pick the food and eat like pigeon) or soup of pulses, pea, bengal gram, lentils and makushtha (motha) can be taken by adding plenty of ghee, by the patients of vatarakta.

— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 29: Gout Treatment (Vatarakta Chikitsa / वातरक्तचिकित्सा)

For the over-oleated, drying therapy (Rukshana) is indicated using Shyamaka (millet), Chanaka (chickpea), buttermilk, Priyaka, and Sattu (roasted grain flour).

— Sharangadhara Samhita, Uttara Khanda, Chapter 1: Snehapana Vidhi (Oleation Therapy)

Add chickpea flour (Chanaka Saktu, Cicer arietinum) and combine all together.

— Sharangadhara Samhita, Uttara Khanda, Chapter 11: Lepa Vidhi (Topical Paste Application)

Chickpea flour (Besan) is a traditional absorbent used in Indian bathing practices (Ubtan).

— Sharangadhara Samhita, Uttara Khanda, Chapter 11: Lepa Vidhi (Topical Paste Application)

Sugar, soup of Kulthi (Macrotyloma uniflorum), Kalaya (field pea), and chickpea (Cicer arietinum), and whatever is appetizing and suited to one's constitution should be given for Amavata.

— Sharangadhara Samhita, Parishishtam, Chapter 32: Diet for Rheumatism (Amavata Pathyapathyam)

Shyamaka (Echinochloa frumentacea), Kodrava (Paspalum scrobiculatum), Udala rice, wheat (Triticum aestivum), chickpea (Cicer arietinum), Adhaki (Cajanus cajan), and Kulthi (Macrotyloma uniflorum) — old stocks of these are always wholesome for diabetics.

— Sharangadhara Samhita, Parishishtam, Chapter 41: Diet for Urinary Disorders/Diabetes (Prameha Pathyapathyam)

Chanaka (chickpea) — astringent, sweet, light, cold, promotes Vata.

— Sushruta Samhita, Sutra Sthana, Chapter 46: Annapana-vidhi Adhyaya - On Food and Drink

Chanaka (chickpea) — astringent, sweet, light, cold, promotes Vata.

— Sushruta Samhita, Annapana-vidhi Adhyaya - On Food and Drink