Leveraging Ancient Indian Medicinal Wisdom: A Case of Almonds

Dr. Padma Venkat is an Ayurveda researcher at the Transdisciplinary Institute in Bangalore, India who pioneered strategic areas for trans-disciplinary research such as Rasayana and wellness (concepts and products).

The number of Ayurveda teaching institutes around the globe has increased significantly in the last decade, including in countries like the U.S. and the U.K. Additionally, there has been an exponential increase in the sale and use of products based on Ayurvedic knowledge and in the adoption and incorporation of Ayurvedic practices, such as yoga, into everyday life.

Ayurveda, a combination of Sanskrit words ‘Ayus’ (Life) and ‘Veda’ (Science), translates to ‘Science of Life’ and is a 3000-year-old traditional Indian medicinal system. It is one of the most well documented medicinal systems, with several publications that are duly recognized by the Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India. Charaka Samhita, a codified manuscript that captures the teachings of Ayurveda, is considered the oldest and most authentic published text on the subject. Another Sanskrit text, Susruta Samhita, is a compilation of surgical procedures and is attributed to Sushruta, who is believed to be the first individual to describe rhinoplasty. The cardinal principle of Ayurveda is that the macrocosm (environment) and microcosm (the individual) share common elements, with the Panchmahabhutas (the five elements) being air, water, fire, Earth, and space. According to the Tri-dosha doctrine, different combinations of these elements form three doshas (Vata, Pitta, Kapha) or ‘mind-body types’ (Image 1) and predominance of one or two defines the Prakriti or ‘mind-body constitution’ of an individual.

With the understanding that treatment for body and/or mind must be administered based on an individual’s mind-body constitution, Ayurveda uses a tailored approach to treat mind-body imbalance. This tailored treatment is attained not only by adjusting proportions of therapeutic foods used in a treatment recipe, but also by altering treatment dose and administration method and time of the day or even season of the year. The medicinal or therapeutic effects of the natural foods and herbs recorded in Ayurveda are based on painstaking observations over years of practice. As a result, centuries before modern science could outline the need for human clinical trials to prove the efficacy of various herbs and foods and their respective health benefits, Ayurveda had identified their physical, functional, and therapeutic properties and used them to treat disease causing imbalances in the body. One such food item identified by Ayurveda for its multiple health benefits is almonds.

The fact that almonds feature in Indian culture and traditions just as prominently as they do in Ayurvedic texts is not a mere coincidence. In terms of Indian culture and tradition, almonds are one of the few natural foods that enjoy the halo of being used as an offering to the Gods and as coveted gifts to friends and family on festive occasions. Almonds are also used in various recipes during several auspicious and important events. A widely-practiced custom of serving almond-laden milk to the groom on his wedding night has its roots in a commonly held belief that almonds not only act as an aphrodisiac but also help increase vitality. Ground almonds in milk are considered a healthy protein source and are consumed by traditional wrestlers to help improve strength and energy. Mothers ensure that their school-aged kids consume almonds daily to help improve their cognitive and academic performance. Since these practices have their roots in the Ayurvedic text, a comprehensive search of published Ayurveda and related traditional medicinal texts is imperative for a better understanding of all health related almond benefits.
As Ayurveda experts from the Trans-Disciplinary University (TDU), Bangalore, India, and at the behest of the Almond Board of California (ABC), Dr. Subrahmanya Kumar and I set out on a quest to review published Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani texts approved by the Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India, to document almond related health benefits. Interestingly, apart from the known health benefits of almond consumption, we discovered many others that most consumers know little about. For instance, although almonds are widely known as a rejuvenator, tonic and nutritive nutraceutical product (functional food) when used in food preparation, the ancient codified Indian medical systems also mentioned it as an ingredient in many compound medicinal formulations with pharmacological effects. For instance, “A medicated ghee [Mahamayura ghrta] prepared with almonds and other drugs like madhūka, akṣoḍa munjāta, abhiṣuka etc., is helpful to treat the functional decline of various tissues, sensory organs and voice, dyspnoea, cough and facial paralysis” (Aṣtāngasamgraha uttaratantra, śirorogapratishedha adhyāya, 30).

In Ayurvedic texts, almonds are generally referred to as ‘Vatada’ or ‘Badma’ or ‘Vatma’ and are considered to be ‘madhura’ or sweet and to have ‘snighdha’ or unctuous properties. In terms of their action on doshas (Dosha Karma), they are known as ‘vata-pittahara’ as they help reduce ‘Vata’ and ‘Pitta’ doshas and ‘kaphakara’ as they help increase kapha dosha and are used accordingly in cases of dosha imbalance. Based on their pharmacological actions outlined in Ayurveda, almonds are used as a ‘Poshaka’ or tonic to help support all tissues, for ‘Brimhana’ or enhanced body bulk, for ‘Balya’ or enhanced muscle strength, as ‘Vatanadi uttejaka’ or nervous system stimulant, as ‘Vatanadi balya’ or nerve tissue nourisher, as ‘Vrshya’ or aphrodisiac, and for ‘Varnya’ or enhanced complexion and skin health protection. Almonds are used therapeutically in the treatment of weakness of the brain and central nervous system as well as senile sensory loss, chronic constipation, debility and weakness because of diabetes, burning micturition, chronic cough, dysmenorrhea and menorrhagia, paralysis, facial paralysis, and palsy. The therapeutic prescription of almonds is also considered in cases such as ‘Kshata ksheena’ or debility and weakness occurring from chronic illness and ‘Shukra daurbalya’ or infertility resulting from diseases of the semen.
In addition to suggested uses for internal administration, Ayurveda also suggests external application of almond seed paste in cases of skin discoloration due to all causes. Use as toothpaste to treat tooth and gum diseases is also recommended.
Unani, the Arabic system of traditional medicine, refers to almonds as ‘Mita Badam’ or ‘Laujulhayo’ and suggests their role in promoting intellect and providing unctuousness to brain tissue, apart from nourishing reproductive tissues in both males and females. Use of almond paste and almond oil is also prescribed for relief from skin inflammation and as a remedy for dry hair. Similarly, the Siddha system of medicine, considered to be consolidated teachings of eighteen spiritual adepts from Tamil Nadu, South India, prescribes the use of almonds to treat gastric irritation, constipation, and even joint inflammation and refers to almonds as ‘Adappam’ or ‘Adambu’ or ‘Vaadumai’.
This evidence demonstrating the use of almonds by traditional Indian medicinal systems to impart health benefits, indicates that almonds have been used for medicinal purposes for centuries, well before the inception of modern medicine and science. Leveraging the wisdom of these ancient systems in conjunction with the findings of modern science will provide us with a greater understanding of the use of almonds and other natural foods for optimally attainable health benefits for a healthier lifestyle.