Seasonal Fruit Singhara (Trapa Natans) Ayurvedic Importance of Singhara
In Ayurveda, substances that support conception and pregnancy are called "Prajastapan" (procreation-supporting). These substances help eliminate disorders that hinder pregnancy and assist in conception. Singhara (water chestnut) is considered one of these beneficial substances. It is an aquatic fruit grown in ponds across India, especially in states like Bihar, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh.
During winter, fresh Singhara is widely available in markets. The soft, raw fruit kernels are used in vegetable preparations, consumed directly, or boiled before eating. The dried pulp of the fruit is available year-round at general stores and is often ground into flour to make rotis or halwa. It is highly nutritious and is also consumed during fasting when grains are prohibited.
Physical Characteristics of Singhara
Singhara fruits are triangular in shape, green when raw, and turn black when ripe. They have two large spines on the corners. After peeling the outer shell, the inner nut is revealed, which is milky and juicy when fresh but hardens when dried. In Sanskrit, it is called Shringataka, and in English, it is known as Water Caltrop with the Latin name Trapa Natans.
Nutritional Composition
Singhara primarily contains starch and manganese. It is also rich in essential minerals like calcium, phosphorus, copper, magnesium, sodium, potassium, and iodine. It provides vitamins A, B, and C, making it a highly nutritious fruit.
Health Benefits of Singhara
Singhara is naturally sweet and slightly astringent in taste, with a cooling property (Sheetavirya). It helps pacify Pitta(excess heat) while increasing Vata (air element) and Kapha (water element). Due to its cooling nature, it is especially useful in treating heat-related disorders.
For Women’s Health:
It strengthens the uterus and helps women who struggle with conception.
It prevents miscarriage and supports a healthy pregnancy.
Regular consumption is believed to enhance the chances of giving birth to a fair-complexioned baby.
For Men’s Health:
Singhara is beneficial for increasing sperm count and vitality.
It strengthens the reproductive system and is helpful in treating conditions like thin semen.
It is also beneficial for thyroid gland disorders.
For General Health: It helps individuals gain weight and improves overall physical strength.
Singhara helps in controlling excessive bleeding, whether it is from hemorrhoids, dysentery, nosebleeds, or menstrual disorders.
It relieves fever symptoms, excessive thirst, and restlessness.
It improves digestion and helps in cases of constipation.
Singhara flour mixed with wheat flour makes highly nutritious and tasty chapatis, especially beneficial for children, pregnant women, and weak individuals.
Medicinal Uses of Singhara
Leucorrhoea (Shwetpradar):Mix 50g dry Singhara, 25g black cardamom seeds, 25g tamarind seeds, and 100g sugar candy.
Grind into a fine powder and take 5g with honey in the morning and with milk at night.
Menorrhagia (Excessive Bleeding):
Mix 50g dry Singhara, 20g lotus seeds, 10g small cardamom seeds, 20g bamboo silica, and 100g sugar candy.
Take 5g with rice water twice a day.
Uterine Weakness:Prepare Singhara flour halwa by roasting 50-60g flour in ghee and adding sugar syrup.
Consuming this regularly strengthens the uterus. Adding cinnamon and black cardamom enhances its benefits.
Miscarriage Prevention:
Add 5-7g Acacia gum and crushed small cardamom seeds to the Singhara halwa.
Eat with sweetened cow’s milk to prevent miscarriage.
For Increasing Sperm Count:
Mix equal parts Singhara powder and husked black gram flour, roast in ghee, and add sugar.
Take 20g of this mixture with 10g honey and 5g ghee in the morning and evening.
Nightfall (Nocturnal Emissions):
Mix 250g Singhara, 100g Amla powder, 100g Harad powder, 50g turmeric, and 300g sugar candy.
Take 5g of this mixture 2-3 times a day.
Memory Enhancement:
Soak one Singhara, five almonds, and five black peppercorns overnight.
Grind and roast in ghee, then mix with milk and consume.
Vomiting in Pregnancy:
Take 5-7g Singhara powder and 2g roasted black cardamom powder mixed with honey.
Burning Urination:
Eat fresh Singhara or mix Singhara flour with water and sugar for relief.
Diabetes-Related Issues:
Take 5g Singhara powder and 3g coriander seed powder.
Acid Reflux (Amlapitta):
Eating raw Singhara helps relieve acidity.
Throat Disorders:
Due to its iodine content, it helps in throat-related issues like tonsillitis.
Drinking a decoction of Singhara peels provides relief.
Nosebleeds (Raktapitta):
Drinking fresh Singhara juice helps stop nosebleeds and other bleeding disorders.
Excessive Thirst:
Eating fresh Singhara or drinking its juice helps reduce excessive thirst.
Diarrhea (Atisara):
Drinking Singhara flour mixed with water, salt, soda, and sugar prevents dehydration.
Urinary Disorders:
Boil Singhara in water, strain, and drink the decoction for better urination.
Hair Health:
The iron content in Singhara promotes healthy hair growth and prevents premature graying.
Washing hair with Singhara flour is beneficial.
Lactation Enhancement:
Singhara flour mixed with Shatavari and dry ginger in milk helps increase breast milk production.
Skin Disorders (Ringworm):
Singhara paste mixed with lemon juice helps treat ringworm.
Nail Health:
Taking 5g dry Singhara powder daily enhances nail strength and appearance.
Facial Beauty:
Applying a paste of Singhara flour and milk enhances facial glow and removes blemishes.
Important Considerations
Dried Singhara should not be stored for more than two years as it loses its potency.
Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.
People with a cold nature (Sheetal Prakriti) should consume it in moderation and combine it with warming spices like black cardamom and dry ginger.
Excessive consumption can cause bloating, stomach pain, and even kidney stones.
Consuming Singhara with sugar or rock sugar counteracts its negative effects. Adding salt and black pepper improves digestion and reduces bloating.
The ideal daily consumption is between 6g to 25g.
Singhara is a versatile fruit that serves as both food and medicine, providing numerous health benefits to men, women, and children alike.
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