Dadima is one of the common herbs described in all Sanskrit sacred writings of Ayurveda. The herb is used for edible as well as medicinal purposes. It has been described as an appetite stimulant, antidiarrheal and antiemetic by Susruta. Charaka has mentioned it as atisaraghna or grahi — antidiarrheal and sramahara that relieves fatigue while Susruta mentioned it as a heart tonic.
It is also described as arucighna which eases distaste, medhya – nervine tonic, chardinasaka – anti-emetic and krmighna — vermicidal. Hence, the herb has various medicinal importance in Ayurveda.
The botanical name of Dadima is Punica granatum, which belongs to Punicaceae family. Dadima is the Sanskrit name of the herb and is commonly called pomegranate in English. Some other Sanskrit synonyms are Madhuramlaphalam, Kharakam, Dandabeejam and Kuchaphalam. The fruit is rich in glucose, fructose, starch, maltose, oxalic acid, pectin, amino acids and Vitamin C.
Ayurvedic Properties of Dadima –
It has the following Ayurvedic properties –
- Rasa : Madhura, Amla, Kashaya
- Virya : Ushna
- Guna : Lakhu, Snigda
- Vipaka : Madhura
It also has the following other important properties –
- It is sweet, sour and astringent.
- Sweet or sour helps alleviates vata and kapha doshas.
- It also possesses light and oily properties.
- It is an appetizer, anti — diarrheal, nervine tonic, digestant and also improves quality of seminal fluid.
Medicinal Properties of Dadima –
- Provides relief from tapeworm infestation
- Tridosha pacifier
- Alleviates fatigue and thirst
- Increases digestive power
- Aphrodisiac
- It prevents diarrhea
Dadima fruit has pleasant and calming effect on the heart and mind. It is beneficial for stopping bleeding, hence it benefits heart diseases, raktapitta and anemia. It soothes vata and pitta doshas and also provides nourishment to rasa and rakta dhatus. Hence, it boosts energy.
Ayurvedic Preparation of Dadima
The following Ayurvedic medicines are prepared from Dadima –
- Dadimavaleha
- Dadimadi ghrita
- Dadimastaka churna
- Dadimadya taila
