Sura

Sura is a grain-based alcoholic beverage, similar to beer or grain wine. It is prepared by fermenting rice, barley, or other grains with specific herbs and Kinva (fermenting agents/yeast). Sura is classified into several types: Madhulika Sura (honey-based), Gaudi Sura (jaggery-based), Paishti Sura (flour-based), and others. Properties include sour, sweet, and astringent taste, hot potency, and it is light, sharp, and penetrating. It kindles digestive fire, promotes appetite, pacifies Vata, causes intoxication, is absorbent, and has scraping (Lekhana) action. It is useful in digestive disorders, Vata diseases, and as a vehicle for certain medicines. However, excessive use leads to numerous diseases. The preparation method involves cooking grain, adding Kinva (yeast/ferment), and allowing fermentation in earthen vessels for specified periods. Sura that is properly fermented is clear and has a pleasant aroma. Immature Sura (under-fermented) and over-fermented Sura are both harmful. Verses: 10-14.

• Deepana (appetizing)
• Rochana (relish-promoting)
• Vata-shamaka (pacifies Vata)
• Mada-kara (intoxicating)
• Grahi (absorbent)
• Lekhana (scraping)

The body is exposed to the fumes of aguru (Aquilaria agallocha) Since the digestion power is high, heavy-to-digest food such as meat soup mixed with fats, meat of well nourished animals, wine prepared with jaggery, supernatant part of wine (Sura) should be had more.

— Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Ritucharya adhyaya Seasonal

Suppression of Semen ejaculation: शु ा त ह वणं ग ु यवेदना वयथु वराः १९ यथामू स गा गभ गव ृ य मष ढताः Suppression of ejaculation causes Sravana – oozing of semen Guhya Vedana – pain in groin Shvayathu – oedema, inflammation Jvara – fever Hrid Vyatha – cardiac pain, distress Mutrasanga – Obstruction to the flow of urine and difficulty Angabhanga – bodyache, myalgia Vruddhi – Hernia Ashma – stone formation Shandata – Impotency Treatment: ता चूडसुराशा लब बि तशु य य ग अवगाहनम ् २० करैः स ं भजे

— Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Roganutpadaniya

Sura (beer) :गु मोदराश हणीशोष त ् ने हनी ग ु ः सुरा अ नल नी मेदो अस ृ त यमू कफावहा ६७ Sura is useful in abdominal tumors, enlargement of the abdomen, heamorrhoids, duodenal diseases, is lubricating, hard to digest, mitigates Vata, causes increase of fat, blood, milk, urine and Kapha.

— Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Drava Vigyaniya Drinkables

Notes :- Sura is prepared by fermenting a mixture of water, flour of rice, jaggery (treacle) etc.

— Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Drava Vigyaniya Drinkables

नानानुलेपन हमा नलख डखा यशीता बुद ु धरसयूषसुरा स नाः सेवेत चानु शयनं वरतौ रत य त यैवमाशु वपष ु ः पन ु रे त धाम After the act, the man should indulge himself in bath, applying scented paste, exposure to cool breeze, drinking of syrup prepared from sugar candy, cold water, milk, meat juice, soup, Sura – fermented liquor prepared from grains, Prasanna – clear supernatant fluid of Sura and then go to sleep;

— Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Anna Raksha Vidhi

), maireya, and alcoholic beverages (sura, and asava).

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

Food comprising rakta shali (Oryza sativa), yava (Hordeum vulgare), mudga (Phaseolus radiatus), meat soup of dry land animals, milk, cow’s urine, asava (fermented infusions), arishtha (fermented decoctions), honey, sidhu (alcoholic preparation from sugarcane juice) and sura (alcoholic preparation made by fermenting a mixture of water, flour of rice and jaggery).

— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 13: Abdominal Diseases Treatment (Udara Chikitsa / उदरचिकित्सा)

The powders of yava (Hordeum vulgare), kola (Zizypus jujuba) and kulattha (Vigna unquiculata) is added with decoction of brihat panchamula (roots of five big plants), sura (alcoholic preparation made by fermenting a mixture of water, flour of rice and jaggery) and sauviraka (alcoholic beverage prepared from dehusked barley either raw or cooked) and ghee.

— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 13: Abdominal Diseases Treatment (Udara Chikitsa / उदरचिकित्सा)

In case of anaddha vata (obstructed vata in the abdomen) this narayana churna should be given with sura (alcoholic preparation made by fermenting a mixture of water, flour of rice, jaggery).

— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 13: Abdominal Diseases Treatment (Udara Chikitsa / उदरचिकित्सा)

Peya prepared by adding gunjanaka and sura (a type of alcohol), sizzled with ghee and oil cures of raktatisara, colic pain, pravahika (dysentery) and edema.

— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 14: Hemorrhoids Treatment (Arsha Chikitsa / अर्शचिकित्सा)

It is predominantly Tamasic in quality, like wine (Madya), Sura (fermented grain drink), and similar substances.

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

One Shana dose should be given with Mastu (whey), Takra (buttermilk), or Sura and Asava (fermented preparations).

— Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 6: Churnakalpana (Powder Preparations - Extended)

Definitions of various fermented beverage types: Sura is that which is produced from fully fermented Sandhana (grain-based fermentation).

— Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 10: Asavarishta-Sandhanakalpana (Fermented Preparations)

Prasanna is the clear supernatant liquid obtained from Sura.

— Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 10: Asavarishta-Sandhanakalpana (Fermented Preparations)

The residue (Jagala) is the sediment from Sura;

— Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 10: Asavarishta-Sandhanakalpana (Fermented Preparations)

In vartaka (eggplant), shigru (moringa), vandra, sura, patola (pointed gourd), and kirataka fruits and bitter herbs — tara, saindhava, tuttha, and rochana cooked and applied through a metal tube.

— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 11: Kaphabhishyanda Pratishedha Adhyaya (Chapter on Treatment of Kapha-type Conjunctivitis)

Shringavera (ginger), devadaru (cedar), musta, saindhava, srishti (a mineral), and jasmine buds — ground with sura (fermented liquor) — this anjana is declared beneficial for itching and swelling.

— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 11: Kaphabhishyanda Pratishedha Adhyaya (Chapter on Treatment of Kapha-type Conjunctivitis)

Juice of shirisha (Albizia) flowers with sura (fermented liquor), maricha (pepper), and earths — combined with honey, gairika (red ochre) is beneficial as collyrium.

— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 12: Raktabhishyanda Pratishedha Adhyaya (Chapter on Treatment of Blood-type Conjunctivitis)

Sura (liquor), Sauviraka (a fermented drink), Kushtha, orpiment (Haritala), and realgar (Manashila) (should also be used).

— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 33: Andhaputanapratishedha

Sura (liquor) with seeds and fermented grain-water (Dhanyamla) are recommended for sprinkling.

— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 36: Naigameshapratishedha