Mare's Milk
अश्वदुग्धम्
Mare's milk (Ashva Dugdha or Vadava Dugdha) is sweet-sour-saline in taste and hot in potency. It is relatively light and has strengthening properties. It is particularly used for alleviating Vata disorders. The text notes this milk is not commonly available for therapeutic use but has specific indications. It may cause slight aggravation of Pitta due to its heating nature. Verse 15.
What is Mare's Milk (Ashva Dugdha / अश्वदुग्ध)?
Mare's milk (Ashva Dugdha or Vadava Dugdha) is sweet-sour-saline in taste and hot in potency. It is relatively light and has strengthening properties. It is particularly used for alleviating Vata disorders. The text notes this milk is not commonly available for therapeutic use but has specific indications. It may cause slight aggravation of Pitta due to its heating nature. Verse 15.
Source: Bhavaprakash Nighantu, Varga 13
Therapeutic Actions (Karma)
- Vata-shamaka (alleviates Vata)
- Balya (strengthening)
Source: Bhavaprakash Nighantu, Varga 13
References in Sushruta Samhita
The milks described are: cow's milk (gavya), goat's milk (aja), camel's milk (chaushtra), sheep's milk (avika), buffalo's milk (mahisha), mare's milk (ashvaya), woman's milk (narya), and elephant's milk (karenu) (verse 47).
— Sushruta Samhita, Sutra Sthana, Chapter 45: Dravadravya-vidhi Adhyaya - On Liquid Substances
Mare's milk (single-hoofed animal) is hot, strengthening, and removes extremity-Vata disorders.
— Sushruta Samhita, Sutra Sthana, Chapter 45: Dravadravya-vidhi Adhyaya - On Liquid Substances
The milks described are: cow's milk (gavya), goat's milk (aja), camel's milk (chaushtra), sheep's milk (avika), buffalo's milk (mahisha), mare's milk (ashvaya), woman's milk (narya), and elephant's milk (karenu) (verse 47).
— Sushruta Samhita, Dravadravya-vidhi Adhyaya - On Liquid Substances
Mare's milk (single-hoofed animal) is hot, strengthening, and removes extremity-Vata disorders.
— Sushruta Samhita, Dravadravya-vidhi Adhyaya - On Liquid Substances
Source: Sushruta Samhita, Sutra Sthana, Chapter 45: Dravadravya-vidhi Adhyaya - On Liquid Substances; Dravadravya-vidhi Adhyaya - On Liquid Substances
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