Black Gram

Masha (Black Gram/Urad) is the heaviest among pulses — exactly opposite in properties to Mudga. It is sweet, heavy, unctuous, and hot in potency. It is the best Vata-pacifying pulse and a powerful aphrodisiac. It increases Kapha and Pitta. Black gram is extensively used in Vata disorders, weakness, low back pain, and male reproductive disorders. It is a traditional ingredient in strengthening preparations. Urad dal cooked with ghee and spices is highly nourishing. The black variety is stronger than the white. Externally, black gram paste is applied in painful joints and Vata conditions. It should be avoided in Kapha and Pitta disorders, obesity, and diabetes. Verses: 38-40.

• Vrishya (aphrodisiac)
• Balya (strength-giving)
• Brimhana (nourishing)
• Vatahara (pacifies Vata)
• Shukrala (increases semen)

Food prepared with wheat flour, black gram products of sugarcane and of milk, food prepared from freshly harvested corn, muscles, fat and edible oils should be partaken as food.

— Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Ritucharya adhyaya Seasonal

17-18 a वरो अ मु गो अ पचलः, कलाय राजमाषो अ नलकरो व तवातलः १८ ो बहुशकृ गु ः Among them, mudga (green gram) is best, it causes mild increase of chala (vata): kalaya (round pea) causes vata and dryness, produces more faeces and is hard to digest 18 Rajamasha (big sized black gram) increases Vata, it is dry, heavy to digest and increases bulk of faeces.

— Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Annaswaroopa Food

20 Masha – Black gram benefits: माषः ि न धो बल ले म मल प तकरः सरः २१ गु णो अ नलहा वाद ुः शु व ृ वरे ककृत ् Black gram is Snigdha – unctuous, Balya – increases strength, increases kapha and Pitta Malakara – increases bulk of faeces, Sara – laxative, Guru – not easily digestible, Ushna – hot in potency, Vatahara – mitigate Vata, Madhura – sweet in taste, shukra vruddhikara, Virekakrut – increases semen and promotes ejaculation strength.

— Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Annaswaroopa Food

Examples: अनूपमा मषं माष ौ व ीर व ढकैः यते सह बसैमलक ू े न गड ु ेन वा वशेषा पयसा म या म ये व प चल चमः Anupa mamsa with Masha, Kshaudra, Ksheera and Virudaka – Meat of animals of marshy regions is incompatible with black gram, honey, milk and germinated grains.

— Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Anna Raksha Vidhi

(Kukkuta) Chicken and Spotted deer should not be taken along with curds Uncooked meat along with bile radish along with black gram Sheep meat along with leaves of Kusumba herb Germinated grains along with Bisa Lakucha Phala along with black gram soup (masha supa) Banana along with butter milk is not recommended Curds along with Tala phala (Palm date) Pippali, Maricha and honey Kakamachi along with jaggery Black pepper along with fish or during digestion of fish - 33-36.

— Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Anna Raksha Vidhi

Black gram/masha (aphrodisiac, hot, heavy, anti-vata).

— Charaka Samhita, Sutra Sthana — Fundamental Principles, Chapter 27: Classification of Food & Beverages (Annapanavidhi Adhyaya / अन्नपानविधि अध्याय)

For example, the prakriti of black gram or pork is heavy, while that of green gram or deer meat is light.

— Charaka Samhita, Vimana Sthana — Specific Medical Principles, Chapter 1: Taste Assessment (Rasa Vimana / रस विमान)

Then those leaf-buds should be added to curd and blended with either two good grains of masha (Phaseolus radiatus Linn - black gram) or white mustard seeds, and then given to the expectant mother to drink.

— Charaka Samhita, Sharira Sthana — Human Body & Embryology, Chapter 8: Guidelines for Lineage (Jatisutriya Sharira / जातिसूत्रीय शरीर)

the use of vyapanna madya (contaminated wine) or excessive liquor or heat inducing raga (condiments) and sadava (confectionery), the use of vidahi (causes burning), shaka (vegetables) and harita (lashunadi harita group dravya), kilata (cheese), kurchika (inspissated milk) and mandaka (immature curd), the use of sandaki (fermented wine), as also of paistika (one made up of pistamai padarth or pastries) and oils made of sesame, black gram and horse gram, the use of flesh of domesticated, wet land

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

pupavarti quite fatty and filled with flesh and ginger and pupilika made of black gram.

— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 24: Alcoholism Treatment (Madatyaya Chikitsa / मदात्ययचिकित्सा)

Milk, Masha (Vigna mungo/black gram), the kernel of Bhallataka (Semecarpus anacardium), and Amalaki (Emblica officinalis) — these are described as both generating and promoting the flow of semen.

— Sharangadhara Samhita, Purva Khanda, Chapter 4: Dipana-Pachana Adikathanam (Digestive Actions etc.)

Also: tender shoots of Ashvattha (Ficus religiosa), Padmabija (lotus seeds — Nelumbo nucifera), Punarnava (Boerhaavia diffusa), fruits of Kashmarya (Gmelina arborea), and Masha seeds (black gram — Vigna mungo).

— Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 9: Snehakalpana (Oleaginous Preparations - Ghrita and Taila)

Similarly, sudation can be performed using heated Masha (black gram) and similar substances on which the patient lies.

— Sharangadhara Samhita, Uttara Khanda, Chapter 2: Sveda Vidhi (Sudation Therapy)

Along with curd, Sauvirakta (fermented gruel), sesame, and herbs like Kulattha (horse gram), Masha (black gram), Godhuma (wheat), Atasi (flaxseed), Tila (sesame), and Sarshapa (mustard).

— Sharangadhara Samhita, Uttara Khanda, Chapter 2: Sveda Vidhi (Sudation Therapy)

Yava (barley), Masha (black gram), Atikola, and Kulattha (horse gram) — each one Prasrita.

— Sharangadhara Samhita, Uttara Khanda, Chapter 5: Sneha Basti Vidhi (Oil Enema Therapy)

Harmful: Masha (Vigna mungo / black gram), Kulattha (Macrotyloma uniflorum / horse gram), heavy/sour/salty foods, curd, alcohol, and sesame.

— Sushruta Samhita, Sutra Sthana, Chapter 20: Hitahitiya Adhyaya - Beneficial and Harmful Factors

from consuming barley-chaff, alkalies, sour substances, kulattha (horse gram), and black gram (masha);

— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 1: Aupadravika Adhyaya (Chapter on Complications / Secondary Eye Diseases)

Circular rims around the eyes should be made with moistened black gram (masha) flour.

— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 18: Chapter 18

In kaphaja type, after oleation with ghee and gruel of sesame and black gram, emesis should be induced.

— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 24: Chapter 24

At night, one should eat mudga (green gram), kulattha (horse gram), and masha (black gram) alone.

— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 26: Chapter 26