Kanji

Kanji (Kanjika) is a fermented sour liquid preparation made from rice or other grains. It is described as the foremost among sour fermented preparations. Its properties include: sour taste, hot potency, light, and sharp. It kindles digestive fire (Deepana), aids digestion (Pachana), is cardiotonic (Hridya), promotes relish (Rochana), and pacifies Vata and Kapha doshas. It is absorbent (Grahi) and useful in conditions of weak digestion, abdominal distension, and loss of appetite. Kanji is prepared by allowing cooked rice or grain to ferment naturally in water for several days. It should not be consumed when too old or when improperly fermented, as it can cause harm. The commentary notes that Kanji should be used within a reasonable time — neither too fresh nor too old. Kanji prepared from different grains has slightly different properties. It alleviates abdominal diseases, hemorrhoids, and is used as a vehicle for many Ayurvedic medicines. Verses: 1-2.

• Deepana (appetizing)
• Pachana (digestive)
• Hridya (cardiotonic)
• Rochana (relish-promoting)
• Vata-Kapha-shamaka (pacifies Vata and Kapha)
• Grahi (absorbent)

Make paste of panchamoola (bilva, shyonaka, gambhari, patala and gambharika), abhaya, trikatu, pippalimoola, saindhava, rasna, two kshara (sarjika and yavakshara), ajaji, vidanga and sati and prepare medicated ghee with sukta, juice of matulunga and ardraka, suṣkamoolaka, kolambu, chukrika, pomengranate, butter milk, mastu (supplement liquid portion in the curd/yoghurt), suramanda (indigenous beer beverage prepared from fermented cereals) sauviraka (acidic fermented liquid obtained from wheat),

— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 15: Digestive Disorders Treatment (Grahani Chikitsa / ग्रहणीचिकित्सा)

Vāyu nA bhagne | Medicated oil is prepared by taking 64 tolas (768 gm) of oil and cooking it in equal quantities of radish juice, milk, sour curds, and sour kanji, the paste of sida, chitraka, rock salt, pippali, ativisha, rasna, chavika, agaru, shigru, bhallataka, vacha, kushtha, shvadamishtra, vishvabheshaja, pushkara, shati, bilwa, shatahva, nata, and devadaru.

— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 28: Vata Disorders Treatment (Vatavyadhi Chikitsa / वातव्याधिचिकित्सा)

While still hot, quench them successively in the following liquids: Taila (sesame oil), Takra (buttermilk), Gomutra (cow's urine), Kanji (sour gruel), and Kulattha Kashaya (decoction of horse gram — Dolichos biflorus).

— Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 11: Dhatushodhana-Marana (Purification and Calcination of Metals)

A paste (Pralepa) made by grinding Punarnava (Boerhavia diffusa), Daru (Cedrus deodara), Shunthi (dry ginger, Zingiber officinale), Siddharta (white mustard, Sinapis alba), and Shigru (Moringa oleifera) with Kanji (fermented rice water) conquers all types of swelling (Shotha).

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

Kanji as the grinding medium adds its own penetrating quality.

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

Ajaji (Cuminum cyminum, cumin), Hapusha (Juniperus communis, juniper berry), Kushtha (Saussurea lappa), Gomeda (hessonite/cow's urine stone), with Badara (Ziziphus jujuba, jujube) — ground with kanji (fermented rice water), this paste is the supreme destroyer of Bradhna.

— Sharangadhara Samhita, Parishishtam, Chapter 27: Various Diseases (Vividha Roga)

Ajaji (Cuminum cyminum, cumin), Hapusha (Juniperus communis, juniper berry), Kushtha (Saussurea lappa), Gomeda (hessonite/cow's urine stone), with Badara (Ziziphus jujuba, jujube) — ground with kanji (fermented rice water), this paste is the supreme destroyer of Bradhna.

— Sharangadhara Samhita, Parishishtam, Chapter 32: Various Diseases (Vividha Roga)