Buffalo Milk

Buffalo milk (Mahishi Dugdha) is heavier, more unctuous, and colder than cow's milk. It is particularly sleep-inducing (Nidrajanana) and is beneficial for those suffering from insomnia. However, being very heavy, it is difficult to digest and is contraindicated in persons with weak digestive fire. It has more fat content than cow's milk. It aggravates Kapha more than cow's milk. It is useful in excessive hunger (Atikshudha) and conditions of Pitta with Vata. Buffalo milk should be consumed warm and in moderate quantities. Verses 9-10.

• Nidrajanana (sleep-inducing)
• Guru (heavy)
• Sheeta (cooling)

Buffalo milk mixed with sugar and cooled by moonlight and the stars should be used for drinking.

— Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Ritucharya adhyaya Seasonal

20-21 Goksheera –(cow milk benefits):अ ग यं तु जीवनीयं रसायनम ् त ीण हतं मे यं ब यं त यकरं सरम ् म ममदाल मी वासकासा दत ृ जीन वरं मू कृ ुधः ं र त प तं च नाशयेत ् Cow’s milk Jeevaneeya – promotes long life, Rasayana – anti aging, rejuvenating Kshataksheena hita – good for those emaciated after chest injury Medhya – increases intelligence, Balya – strengthening Stanyakara – promotes breast milk production Sara – helps easy movement of the bowels Relieves Shramahara – exhaustion, Bhramahara

— Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Drava Vigyaniya Drinkables

Supplementary verses (Anukta Samgraha Shlokas) — Purification of Jayapala (Croton tiglium): Jayapala seeds are freed from their outer skin and internal impurities, then purified by processing with buffalo milk and specific cleansing procedures.

— Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 12: Rasadishodhana-Maranakalpana (Mercury and Rasa Preparations)