Panchamrit or Panchamrutham is a concoction of five ingredients (Milk, Curd, Honey, Sugar, and Ghee), typically used during a Pooja (Hindu religious worship). The word Panchamrita is a combination of two words – ‘Pancha’ means five, and ‘Amrita’ is a mythological beverage of immortality (or the Nectar of Gods). Panchamrit is a very important component in most Hindu Poojas and is considered Holy and Sacred. After offering this sweet tasting concoction to God during a Pooja, it is then distributed amongst the devotees as a Prasad to drink. According to Ayurveda, the 5 ingredients used in Panchamrit have lots of health benefits and when these ingredients are combined in the right quantity, we get an extremely nourishing Panchamrit. Panchamrit has the ability to nourish the Sapta Dhatu, the seven bodily tissues, which are mainly responsible for our immunity and vitality. Following are some of the important Ayurvedic Panchamrit Health Benefits.
Ayurvedic Benefits of Panchamrit (Panchamrutham):
- Nourishes the Skin and keeps it Healthy and Glowing
- Keeps Hair Healthy
- Boosts Immunity
- Improves Physical Strength
- Vitalizes the Brain Functions
- Balances Pitta Dosha
- Improves Sexual Potency in Males
- Good to have During Pregnancy
Mythological Symbolic Meaning and Benefits of the Five Ingredients Used in Panchamrit
- Milk (Symbol of Piousness and Purity)
Traditionally, Cows milk is used to make Panchamrit. According to Ayurveda, cows milk has a cooling effect on the body and the mind. It improves Ojas (a factor responsible for our immunity). Daily consumption of cows milk also rejuvenates our body inside out by nourishing the body tissues. It also helps improve strength and overall health.
- Curd / Yogurt (Symbol of Prosperity and Better Living)
Curd has a cooling effect on our body. It improves our digestive health. It balances Vata Dosha. Yogurt is the only ‘fermented’ food recognized as Sattvic by Ayurveda.
To know more about how Ayurveda categorizes different foods and what exactly are Sattvic foods, read my previous blog on this topic, click here: We Are What We Eat – What Is Sattvic, Rajasic, Tamasic Food In Ayurveda
- Honey (Symbol of Sweet Speech and Unity because it is Prepared Jointly by Bees)
According to the texts of Ayurveda, honey is beneficial to those with weak digestion. It improves skin complexion and its softness. Honey is an easily digestible food it enters directly into the bloodstream when consumed. This is why many ayurvedic medicines are always taken with honey. Make sure to use Pure honey with essential enzymes present in it
- Sugar (Symbol of Sweetness and Bliss)
Rock Sugar or Candy Sugar has been used in Ayurveda for many centuries. Traditionally, only Rock Sugar or Mishri was used in Ayurvedic formulas like Syrups and Churnas (powder of herbs) due to its unique herbal properties. Rock sugar
is better than refined sugar, and its Ayurvedic benefits in my next blog.
- Ghee (Symbol of Victory and Knowledge)
Ayurveda teaches us that the consumption of Ghee offers a wide range of benefits, including clarity of mind, nutrition, and good digestion.
To know more about many lesser-known benefits of consumption of Ghee read my previous blog on this topic, click here: Ghee Clarified Butter Benefits: A Gold Mine Of Nutrients For Weightloss And More
According to Ayurveda, when these five ingredients are mixed together, they improve and enhance the Gunas (good qualities) of each other.
Ayurvedic Benefits of Panchamrit:
1. Boosts Immunity And Improves Physical Strength
Panchamrit has the ability to nourish the Sapta Dhatu (the Seven Bodily Tissues) which are mainly responsible for our health and immunity. Following are the Sapta Dhatu present in our body.
- Shukra Dhatu (reproductive tissues)
- Majja Dhatu (bone marrow and nervous tissues)
- Asthi Dhatu (bone, teeth)
- Meda Dhatu (fatty tissues)
- Mamsa Dhatu (muscle tissues)
- Rakta Dhatu (formed blood cells)
- Rasa Dhatu (plasma)
2. Vitalizes The Brain Functions
Regular consumption of Panchamrit enhances intelligence, memory, grasping power, creative abilities, etc. It is a good brain tonic. If consumed during pregnancy it promotes brain development of the child.
3. Nourishes The Skin And Keeps It Healthy
Panchamrit is a natural skin cleanser. It promotes the growth of healthy skin cells. Gives proper nourishment to the skin cells and gives you healthy glow from inside out.
4. Balances Pitta
Panchamrit has a pitta balancing effect on our body. Regular consumption of Panchamrit gives relief from hyperacidity and other side effects of Pitta imbalance.
5. Keeps Hair Healthy
As mentioned above, Panchamrita gives nourishment to the Sapta Dhatu in our body. Out of the 7 dhatus, the Asti Dhatu is responsible for forming bone and teeth. The waste products of this metabolic process (of formation of bones and teeth), is in fact, our hair and nails. When Asti Dhatu is nourished properly, it leads to healthy and lustrous hair growth.
5. Improves Sexual Potency In Males
Nourishment of Shukra Dhatu (reproductive tissues) improves sexual potency in males. It also strengthens the reproductive system of females.
Traditional Ayurvedic Panchamrit Recipe:
Mix all the above-mentioned ingredients in correct proportions and stir it well.
That’s it! The sweet and delicious concoction of Panchamrita is ready!
Notes:
Always drink freshly made Panchamrita, as its shelf life is only for few hours.
According to Ayurveda, Ghee and Honey should not be consumed in ‘equal’ quantity. Refer the measurements mentioned above.
Always use a stainless steel
bowl to prepare Panchamruta. This helps avoids any chemical reaction with other reactive and harmful metals. Traditionally silver bowls were used to mix the Panchamrita for added benefits of silver metal.
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