Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences

2025 Volume 10 Number 8 August
Publisherwww.maharshicharaka.in

Review on therapeutic uses of Takra w.s.r. to Medoroga - A Conceptual Study

Khandhdiya A1*, Keswani L2, Jain S3, Jadhav R4
DOI:10.21760/jaims.10.8.33

1* Ankit Khandhdiya, Post Graduate Scholar, Dept of Samhita Siddhant, Pt Khushilal Sharma Govt Ayurveda College and Institute, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India.

2 Lajwanti Keswani, Professor, Dept of Samhita Siddhant, Pt Khushilal Sharma Govt Ayurveda College and Institute, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India.

3 Salil Jain, Associate Professor, Dept of Samhita Siddhant, Pt Khushilal Sharma Govt Ayurveda College and Institute, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India.

4 Rohit Jadhav, Post Graduate Scholar, Dept of Samhita Siddhant, Pt Khushilal Sharma Govt Ayurveda College and Institute, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India.

Ayurveda, originating from ancient India, is a holistic system of medicine that has gained significant attention for its comprehensive approach to health and well-being. In Ayurveda, obesity is conceptualized as "Medoroga," where "Meda" refers to adipose tissue and "Roga" denotes disease. According to Ayurvedic principle, Medoroga is a Kapha predominant Vyadhi yet the involvement of Vata and Pitta cannot be neglected. So, all the three Doshas are involved in the pathogenesis of Medoroga. A dietary approach to cure Medoroga is intake of Takra in individual’s diet. It is prepared by churning yogurt or curd with water, it is considered to pacify aggravated Doshas, particularly Vata and Kapha, due to its Madhur Kashaya Rasa, Ushna Virya and Laghu-Ruksha Guna. Takra is believed to stimulate the digestive fire (Agni) without aggravating Pitta. By utilising Samanya Vishesh Siddhant and Ashraya Ashrayi Bhava Takra remove the obstruction of the Srotas by balancing Doshas and Agni.

Keywords: Medoroga, Dosha, Agni, Srotas, Samanya-Vishesh, Ashraya-Ashrayi Bhava

Corresponding Author How to Cite this Article To Browse
Ankit Khandhdiya, Post Graduate Scholar, Dept of Samhita Siddhant, Pt Khushilal Sharma Govt Ayurveda College and Institute, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India.
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Khandhdiya A, Keswani L, Jain S, Jadhav R, Review on therapeutic uses of Takra w.s.r. to Medoroga - A Conceptual Study. J Ayu Int Med Sci. 2025;10(8):203-207.
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https://jaims.in/jaims/article/view/4679/

Manuscript Received Review Round 1 Review Round 2 Review Round 3 Accepted
2025-06-15 2025-06-27 2025-07-07 2025-07-17 2025-07-27
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© 2025 by Khandhdiya A, Keswani L, Jain S, Jadhav R and Published by Maharshi Charaka Ayurveda Organization. This is an Open Access article licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ unported [CC BY 4.0].

Download PDFBack To ArticleIntroductionLiterature ReviewDiscussionConclusionReferences

Introduction

Human body is considered as Trayodasha Purush which composed of Tridosa, Sapta Dhatu and Trimala. Dosa are functional component of the body when remain in equilibrium it take care of all the functions of our body and if it vitiated then it responsible for the diseases, Dhatu which bears or support and provide nourishment, growth, and structure to the entire body, mala are the three excreta of the body these three are formed on daily basis and keep the body healthy and fit by getting excreted out of the body at proper time and in right quantity. If they remaining the body they would cause many diseases. Takra, also known as buttermilk, is a fermented dairy product that has been an integral part of Indian cuisine and Ayurvedic medicine for centuries. It is made by adding bacterial cultures to milk, which ferments the lactose and produces lactic acid, giving Takra its characteristic tangy flavor and thick, creamy texture. Takra is considered a Tridoshic food in Ayurveda, meaning it can balance all three doshas (Vata, Pitta, and Kapha). It is believed to possess numerous health benefits, including Enhancing digestion and gut health, boosting immunity and energy, supporting bone health and calcium absorption, aiding in detoxification and cleansing, Providing probiotics and beneficial bacteria. Takra is used to treat various health conditions, such as digestive disorders, fever, and skin problems. It is also consumed as a refreshing beverage, often flavored with spices and herbs, to promote overall well-being and vitality.

Literature Review

All the literatures related to “Medoroga and Takra " will be collected from Brihatrayi, Laghutrayi, Nighantu's & other classical text of Ayurveda, and the modern literature including recent advances in this field will also be review.

Takra - Ayurveda is not only based upon medicine but diet is also playing an important role to cure many diseases, In Kashyap Samhita Ahar is Consider as Mahabhaishjya which signifies that Ahar is the best medicine, Different Acharya's have mentioned Takra in different Vargas such as Raj Nighantu mentioned in Kshiradi Varg whereas Bhava Prakash Nighantu independently mentioned Takra in Takravarga.[1]

Different Types of Takra[2-5]

SNCharak SamhitaBhava PrakshMadanpal NighantuRaj Nighantu
1.SnehayuktaGholaGholaMathita
2.ArdhasnehayuktaMathitaMathitaUdasvit
3.SneharahitTakraSvetaMastu
4.UdasvitUdasvit
5.ChacchikaTakra

Preparation of different types of Takra

SNTypesPreparations
1.GholaCurd churned along with supernatant water (Dadhimastu) without adding plain water.
2.MathitaCurd churned without the supernant water (dadhimastu) without adding plain-water.
3.SvetaCurd churned with equal quantity of plain water.
4.UdasvitCurd churned with half the quantity of plain water.
5.TakraCurd churned with 1/4th quantity of plain water. Some physician consider curd with half quantity of water.
6ChacchikaCurd from which butter has been churned first and then churned again by adding more quantity of clean water.
7MastuCurd water

Rasapanchak of Takra[6]

Rasa - Kashaya-Madhura 
Guna - Laghu, Ruksha, Vikashi
Virya - Ushna
Vipaka - Madhura

Properties of Takra[7]

Grahi, Agnideepak, Viryavardhak, Truptikarak, Balya, Prinana

Doshic properties of Takra[8]

VataPittaKapha
Due to Amla Rasa, Ushnavirya, Agnideepak, Viryavardhak and Truptikarak act as Vata NashakDue to its Madhura Vipaka act as Pitta NashakDue to Kashaya Ras, Ushnavirya, Vikashi and Ruksha Guna act as Kafa Nashak

Meda Dhatu

Among all the Panch Mahabhut Dravya's, Meda Dhatu is made up of Prithvi and Jala Mahabhut also by the action of Medagni on Mansa Dhatu takes place then Meda Dhatu is formed. It is a well lubricates system, with oily and soft hair, skin and efficient eyes. Nourishes Asthi Dhatu and is governed by Kapha. When Medas Dhatu is depleted then it leads to spleen enlargement, difficult joint movements, emaciation at abdomen, desire to consume fatty food. When Medas Dhatu is in excess then person gets tired,


fat increases at abdomen, thighs, neck etc, and foul smell in sweat, shortness of breath etc.[9]

Srotas

Srotas are the channels in the body which the transportation of Asthayi Dhatu takes place which leads to the formation of Sthayi Dhatu. The major role of Srotas in pathogenesis is explained by Acharyas in their texts.

Types of Srotas[10-13]

Charak Samhita13
Sushrut Samhita11 Pairs
Kashyap Samhita2
Sharangdhar Samhita9 + Bramrandra in male,
12+ Bramrandra in female

Sroto Dushti Lakshan[14]

The main signs of the vitiation of the channels are

1) Atipravrutti: Increased flow of contents or over functioning of the Srotas (channel).
2) Sanga: Obstruction or stagnation of the flow of content of the Srotas (channel).
3) Siragranthi: Appearance of nodules in the Srotas (channel).
4) Vimargagamana: Diversion of the flow of the contents to an improper Srotas (channel) or flow in the path other than its own.

Medovaha Srotas

Medovaha Srotas plays a key role in the transportation of the transforming Meda Dhatu as well as the transudation of nutrients essential for Meda Dhatu metabolicity.

Medovaha Srotas Moola

1. Charaka Acharya and Vagbhata Acharya - Vrikka, Vapavahanam
2. Susruta Acharya - Kati, Vrikka

Charaka Acharya lists both Vrikka and Vapavahanam in the Panchadasha Koshtanga. It is claimed that Rakta and Medo Prasada are responsible for the organogenesis of Vrikka.

Causes of Medovaha Strotodushti

अव्यायामाद्दिवास्वप्नान्मेद्यानां चातिभक्षणात् |
मेदोवाहीनि दुष्यन्ति वारुण्याश्चातिसेवनात् ||

The etiological factors that lead to Medovaha Srotodushti is lesser energy expenditure than input which include lack of exercise,

day sleeping, eating fatty foods, excess intake of alcohol etc. increase Medadosa which leads to Atisthoulya.

Samprapti of Medoroga[15]

Nidan Sevan

Medo Dhatu Vikruti

Strotorodha

Koshthashirt Saman Vayu Vriddhi

Increases Jatharagni

Kshudhadhikya and Trushnadhikya
(If not fulfill the Dhatupachan occur)

Rapid digestion of food and starts voracious eating

Overload on Agni and Medo-Dhatwagni

Formation of Vikrut Medo Dhatu

Causes Medoroga

Sthoulya Samprapti according to Acharya Charaka, due to Avarana (obstruction) in the Strotas (channels) by the Meda, there is Vriddhi of Koshtashrit Samana Vayu, which in turn causes Ati Sandhukshana of Jatharagni. The iincrease in Jatharagni leads to rapid digestion of consumed food and leaves the person craving for more food. If at all due to some reason the person doesn’t receive more food the increased Agni causes Dhatu Pachana which may lead to various complications. But because of the hunger the persons tend to eat more and the cycle continues. In this way it becomes a vicious circle creating excessive improperly formed Medo Dhatu with giving rise to various symptoms. Because of such condition of Strotorodha, the other Dhatus are not nourished properly causing Shaithilya (flabbiness) of Dhatus prior to Meda Dhatu and depletion of Dhatus next to Medo Dhatus.

Discussion

Role of Takra in Medoroga

Among all the thirteen Agnis Jatharagni is the most superior Agni. Jatharagni is composed of Saman Vayu, Pachak Pitta and Kledaka Kafa,


and Jatharagni Dushti depend on all these three factors, Kledaka Kafa fine heads the chewed Ahar where saman Vayu illuminated Pachak Pitta which is responsible for digestion of Ahar.

1. Balances Jatharangni[16]

In Case of Medoroga Jatharagni as well as Medagni both are deteriorated, Takra due to is Kashaya Rasa, Ushnavirya, Vikashi and Ruksha Guna balances Kafadosha i.e., Kledaka Kafa and Amla Rasa, Ushnavirya, Agnideepak properties balances Vatadosha i.e., Saman Vayu and if Saman Vayu remain in its balance state it does not over illuminate Pachak Pitta also Takra has Laghu Guna and Mala Sangrahak so it does not aggravate Pitta Dosha.

2. Remove the obstruction of Srotas

By the concept of Ashraya Ashrayi Bhava[17] and Samanya Vishesh Siddhant[18] the inter-relationship among Kafa Dosha with Rasa, Mansa and Meda also with other Dhatus and the causative factor for Medoroga is the excessive intake of Kafaj Ahar Vihar so it redouble the Rasa, Mansa and mainly Meda Dhatus when Kafa doshas are aggregate it obstruct the Medovaha Srotas and further only Medo Dhatu formation takes place and by the law of Samanya Vishesh, Dravya Vishesh action of Takra takes place due to its Kashaya Rasa, Ushna Virya and Laghu Ruksha Guna which deplete the Kafa Dosha and remove the obstruction of the Srotas through which Strotas get cleaned. As the Amrita or nectar is good for the gods,[19] similarly the Takra is useful for the human beings. Takra is like elixer (Amṛta) during Śītakāla (winter) as well as in case of Kapha-Vātarogas, Srotorodha and Mandāgni. Takra should never be taken during Grīşmartu (summer) and Saradrtu (late autumn) as well as in case of Dourbalya, Bhrama, Mūrchā, Raktapitta, Mada and Śotha. Takra from which ghee/butter is removed is always good for health and is Laghu in nature. If ghee/butter is partially removed, such buttermilk is Vrşya, Guru and Kapha Hara in nature.[20] In Vataprakopa sour buttermilk is to be given along with rock salt. In Pittaprakopa sweet butter milk shall be given along with sugar (Sarkarā). In Kafa Prakopa Takra should be given along with Rūkşa, Trikatu, Kşāra substance etc.[21]

Conclusion

Takra with fat is heavy, causes lethargy and sleep.

It increases belly. The Takra with 1/2 fat contents is considered ordinary and the Takra entirely devoid of fats is light and wholesome. The action of Takra in obesity underscores its multifaceted therapeutic potential within the realm of Ayurvedic medicine. Takra offers a holistic approach to addressing the complex interplay of factors contributing to Medoroga.

By balancing the Doshas, enhancing digestion, and supporting gut health, Takra not only aids in weight management but also promotes overall well-being.

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