Acharya Charaka says that the properties of alcohol are the same as venom.
Negative Effects of alcohol on your body –
Severe physical distress, mental confusion, Cardiac pain, Anorexia, Continued thirst, constant bouts of fevers and chills, Pains like an electric shock, tremors, exhaustion, chest pains, disorders of mouth, stiffness, vomiting, diarrhoea and many more.
According to Ayurveda consumption of alcohol with an empty stomach or inordinate quantity will act as a poison.
Positive Effects –
Destroys grief, Destroys Fear, Helps with Restlessness, Relieves Tension.
Consumption of alcohol in proper quantity, and paired with different food items especially cooked rice and cooked meat or any other unctuous food is good for health. It increases strength and vigour.
Consumption of alcohol according to Prakriti –
A person with predominant Vata dosha should consume alcohol after a head bath and massage with castor, coconut or sesame oil. Hot and unctuous food should be eaten before the consumption of alcohol.
A person with Pitta dosha predominance should eat sweet, oily and cold food before consuming alcohol.
And Kapha dosha predominant people should perform heating exercises, eat food made with barley, wheat and black pepper before consuming alcohol.
Suitable alcohol according to one’s dosha –
Vata – grain and jaggery based alcohol.
Kapha and pitta – wine made with grapes, honey and fruits.
Preparations in Ayurveda –
Two popular preparations mentioned in Ayurveda are:
- Asav
- Arishta
Asav and Arishta are Ayurvedic medicines and they have been in use for thousands of years now. Generally, they have 5 to 10 per cent of naturally generated alcohol.
This does not mean that you get the license to drink. Alcohol is highly addictive and highly dangerous for your health. By no means we are promoting it.
By.
Rajvi Goyal ( Ayurvedic Nutritionist and Dietician )