Carrot

Gajar (Carrot) is a root vegetable available in all seasons. The root is orange or red, elongated and tapering. It is widely used raw in salads and cooked as a vegetable, or made into halwa (sweet). It is sweet in taste and heavy for digestion. The orange-red color is due to Carotene which is converted to Vitamin A in the body. It is particularly beneficial for the eyes. Gajar contains a compound called Capsularin. The juice is nutritious and is used in convalescence. Chemical analysis shows significant Carotene, Vitamin A and C content. Verses: 53.

Carrots are sweet, pungent and heating with a pungent vipak. They are calming for vata and kapha and may stimulate pitta if taken in excess. Carrots are digestive and laxative, and can detoxify the body.

• Anemia: Mix ½ cup each of fresh carrot and fresh beet juice with a pinch of cumin powder. Take twice a day on an empty stomach.
• Hemorrhoids: Take 1 cup of carrot juice mixed with 2 teaspoons of cilantro juice twice a day on an empty stomach.
• Chronic sprue: Take 1 cup carrot juice with a pinch of trikatu 2 times a day.
• Chronic indigestion: A glass of carrot juice with 1 pinch of ginger powder.
• Anticancer program: Mix ½ cup each of carrot juice and aloe vera juice. Take twice a day.

• Deepana (appetizer)
• Grahi (absorbent)
• Chakshushya (beneficial for eyes)

111 ½ कफवाताशसां प यः वे दे अ यवहतौ तथा ती णो गु जनको ा ह पि तनां हतकृ न सः Grinjanaka (carrot) is best suitable to persons suffering from haemorrhoids of kapha Vata origin, for fomenting (the pile masses) and eating;

— Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Annaswaroopa Food