Pregnancy is the only time in a woman’s life when she gets to experience both the highest levels of pleasure and the highest levels of risk. Food is one area where there are many contradictions in opinion. And if you are an Indian, you are likely to have heard and tasted the divine Panchamrut many times. However, Panchamrut is one of those sacred things that is not up for debate.
Five ingredients, namely, milk, curd, honey, ghee, and sugar, are used to prepare Panchamrut. The mother and child can benefit from this sacred “prasad,” which is served at all celebrations and rituals. However, as with all foods during pregnancy, there are certain matters to be taken into consideration. Let’s take a look at the other guidelines for consuming panchamrut during pregnancy.
What Is Panchamrut?
Panchamrut as the name indicates is made of five ( panch) main ingredients that are ghee, jaggery, honey, milk, and curd. It originates from the Sanskrit word “panch” which means five and “amrut” meaning “God’s nectar.” Panchamrut during pregnancy is considered sacred and has some excellent health benefits for both the mother as well as the baby. All five ingredients balance each other and are nutritious as well.
Each ingredient stands for something. Let’s take a quick look at it.
Curd epitomizes family as well as prosperity1
Curd contains an ideal ratio of carbohydrates, fats, proteins, minerals, and vitamins. In terms of health advantages2:
- Fresh curd made with starter curd is an excellent source of bioavailable vitamins, minerals, and folate
- Curd is probiotic and helps to increase the body’s strength and nourish the muscles as well.
- Having it on regular basis helps in keeping one healthy
- As per Ayurveda, it helps in balancing the pitta dosha which is responsible for monitoring the heat in the human body3
- Since curd is rich in amino acids, calcium, and phosphorus, it offers a cooling effect on the body4
- Pregnancy is a time when digestion is low in the beginning so having curd helps with digestion
Related Reading: Curd And Yogurt During Pregnancy- Benefits, And Precautions
Milk indicates purity5
Milk is an essential part of the human diet because of the abundance of essential nutrients it provides. More than 800 million tons of cow’s milk are produced every year, making it one of the most widely consumed dairy products worldwide6. Also,
- Cow milk is full of nutrients like Vitamin D, A, and B12
- It is also rich in fats and protein and minerals like potassium, phosphorous, and calcium
- Milk also has other benefits like keeping the body mass in control
- Calcium, phosphorus, vitamin D, and protein are all found in milk, all of which contribute to healthy bones
- Having cow milk also helps to boost the immunity of the baby as well as the mother
- Research says cow milk is the next best alternative after breast milk
- Cow milk also helps in reducing problems of obesity as per this source
- Raw cow’s milk has been shown to reduce the risk of asthma, allergies, and other respiratory illnesses
Related Reading: Soy Milk During Pregnancy – Benefits, Risks And Precautions
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Ghee symbolizes victory as well as intelligence7
Traditional Indian cooking often calls for ghee, a type of clarified butter fat. Ghee is a superfood. As a sacred food, it is used in Ayurvedic healing practices and religious ceremonies. Because of its high nutritional value and distinct flavor and aroma, it has gained widespread popularity in India and abroad. Also, as per this source,
- Ghee is rich in the essential fatty acids linolenic acid and arachidonic acid, as well as the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K
- Ghee that is prepared from cow’s milk has anti-inflammatory properties and is even rich in butyric acid
- Ghee aids digestion by encouraging the production of gastric acid
- It helps in detoxification and is good for smoothening bowel movements
- This ghee is also good for the eyes, skin, heart, eyes, etc.
- It even helps with emotional balance, intelligence, and memory
- During pregnancy ghee in panchamrut has vitamins K, D, A, and E with Omega 9 and Omega 3 fatty acids which make it a complete meal8
Related Reading: 12 Best Foods For Baby Brain Development
Honey denotes sweet speech9
Throughout ancient times, honey has been one of nature’s greatest gifts to humanity. Honey is used for a wide variety of medical purposes, from wound healing to cancer treatment, making it more than just a nutritional supplement. It is well known for its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties.
- As per the Ayurvedic science, honey is referred to as Yogavahi
- Honey’s healing and cleansing properties, both externally and internally, as well as its antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, anti-anemic, antiallergenic, antimicrobial, antipyretic, antitoxic, sedative, laxative, antioxidant, healing and cleansing, and blood-purifying properties, have been the subject of extensive scientific study and experimentation10
- Honey contains a number of bioactive molecules, including antioxidant flavonoids and polyphenols
- The quality of all other ingredients used for making Panchamrut like ghee, sugar, curd, and milk is improved by honey
- Being antiseptic honey helps in healing faster and keeps all other infections at bay.
- It helps to boost the immune system as well
Related Reading: 11 Simple Ways To Boost Immunity During Pregnancy
Jaggery indicates happiness and bliss11
Sugarcane and/or palm tree juices are concentrated to make jaggery, a natural sweetener. A variety of desserts can be made with jaggery as the main ingredient. It’s a good source of protein, vitamins, and minerals (including iron and copper, among others).
- Jaggery helps to reduce weakness and gives instant energy
- The iron in jaggery aids in keeping anemia at bay, and its anti-allergic properties make it useful for dealing with stress and asthma
- Dryness of the body is also reduced by sugar intake in the form of Panchamrut
- Jaggery contains small amounts of calcium, phosphorus, and zinc, all of which work together to improve health and strengthen the immune system
- Jaggery converts to acetic acid in the stomach, increasing stomach enzymatic activity and thereby promoting digestion12
Panchamrut may be prepared slightly differently from one region to the next, but the basic recipe remains the same. In some preparations, you’ll find basil leaves, dried fruits, and even bananas.
Related Reading: 11 Foods That Give You Energy While Pregnant
Is Panchamrut Good During Pregnancy
Panchamrut is one of the many wonderful and wholesome food options that a pregnant woman ought to select as one of her meals throughout her pregnancy. Two to four teaspoons of panchamrut on empty stomach taken first thing in the morning during pregnancy gives both mother and child a boost of energy. It’s also a great brain tonic.
It has the goodness and balance of the five ingredients, whose combination makes it divine. Panchamrut may also comprise five types of dry fruits, which are good for the mother as well as the baby. Dry fruits have high nutritional value and are a healthy option as well.
Benefits Of Panchamrut During Pregnancy
Panchamrut is a sweet mix of five different ingredients that are used in most Hindu ceremonies and rituals. It is sweet and divine in taste. It is nutritious and helps in the development of the fetus as well. It also enhances the brain, muscles, etc. as per this source. Traditionally, a silver bowl is used to prepare panchamrut. This metal has been shown to have curative effects on wounds and also fights bacteria and viruses.
There is a plethora of ways in which Panchamrut helps pregnant women.Some of Panchamrut benefits in pregnancy are discussed as under.
Related Reading: 10 Teas That Are Best Avoided During Pregnancy
1. It helps in improving the complexion of the mother as well as the baby
- Panchamrut offers a natural glow to the skin of the mother as well as the baby. Natural skin cleansers in panchamrut help to nourish skin cells and promotes a natural glow13
- As Ayurveda suggests, it improves the kanti or the complexion
- It is also responsible to make your baby beautiful during pregnancy
- It is a cleanser for the skin
- It offers nutrients that help in promoting the growth of skin cells
- It takes away all the stress and tiredness experienced by the mother during pregnancy
2. It helps to counter the ‘Pitta‘
If the body has excess heat that settles in the body tissues, it is said to be pitta predominant. If it is not removed properly, it can throw the body out of balance and even stop it from working.
- Having Panchamrut tonic helps in removing the excess heat from the and helps to soothe the pitta14
- Ayurveda suggests consuming Panchamrut in the pre-conceiving period to offer strength to the reproductive parts.
- It’s helpful during pregnancy because it reduces the discomfort of hormonal shifts, nausea, and other symptoms15
Related Reading: 8 Common Pregnancy Skin Problems
3. It helps in relieving fatigue
Jaggery, when coupled with yogurt and honey, provides continuous energy rather than the brief surge you get from other types of sugar.
- Panchamrut offers energy to mothers to stay active and fit during pregnancy16
- It helps to boost power in the first leg of pregnancy
4. It is good for the emotional as well as mental Health
The brain tonic effects of panchamrut are real. Your ability to focus will increase as a result. The ability to understand things are improved, and mental wellness is enhanced.
- Panchamrut is good for the intellect, memory, and brain of the baby
- Ghee is like motor oil for your brain17. It is believed that the ghee in panchamrut revitalizes the brain, improves memory and grasping ability, and even fosters artistic and creative abilities
- Panchamrut has a good combination of dry fruits and other dry fruits, which helps with mental as well as emotional health
5. It helps to boost the immune system18
Yogurt, ghee, and honey are all components of Panchamrut that have been shown to strengthen the immune system.
- Yogurt is a probiotic that promotes digestive health, and studies have shown that those who regularly eat probiotics like yogurt are less likely to become sick with colds and flu.
- Vitamins A, D, E, and K are fat-soluble vitamins that boost immunity and may be found in abundance in ghee
- As an immune system enhancer, honey is well recognized for its high levels of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals
Related Reading: 9 Things To Do When You Don’t Feel Like Eating During Pregnancy
How To Prepare Panchamrut?
The nutritional advantages of Panchamrut are so great that you shouldn’t wait for a holiday, a pooja, or a trip to the temple to enjoy them. Panchamrut, especially when freshly cooked, is beneficial for the overall growth of both mother and child. Even a little bit every day may help you stay healthy for the long haul.
This beautiful and nourishing dish may be made using the panchamrut recipe provided below.
Method19:
- Take one teaspoon of curd, two teaspoons of ghee, one teaspoon of honey, one teaspoon of sugar, and five teaspoons of milk in any vessel and mix well
- Whisk all the ingredients well and add a few foxnuts, dry coconut pieces, charoli seeds also known as chironji or cuddapah almonds, and raisins. Once the desired consistency like liquid is attained, it can then be garnished
- Garnish with washed holy basil leaves, a few chopped almonds, and saffron threads, totally depending on one’s taste
- This can then be refrigerated if necessary. One can even add a few chopped ripe bananas to enhance their taste
- The ingredient measurement can be changed if the quantity of panchamrut quantity is more.
- Panchamrut is ready to consume now
- This divine drink or amrut shaktara must be taken on a regular basis, only two to four teaspoons
Risks And Precautions Of Panchamrut During Pregnancy
- Panchamrut during pregnancy even though a divine drink yet has a few precautions that one must be aware of. Panchamrut side effectsare zero but there are a few things that one must not overlook
- It is advisable to take freshly made panchamrut as it is beneficial only when taken in a few hours. It cannot be kept and consumed later
- Panchamrut should always be prepared in silver or steel utensils
- Never attempt to make panchamrit in plastic or other metal utensils
- The quantity of ghee used for preparing panchamrut must be higher than that of honey. As per Ayurveda, the quantity of honey and ghee must not be the same
- Blood glucose levels might increase with the intake of Panchamrut, so it is best to consult a doctor before start consuming it, especially if have gestational diabetes
- The only fruit that can be added to panchamrut for enhancing taste is banana
Thus, panchamrut during pregnancy is a great choice. It is a natural tonic and exceptionally good for both the mother as well as the baby. It is extremely easy to prepare, and it must be consumed regularly to reap its maximum benefits. The five ingredients used in its preparation are highly recommended and balance each other well and are good for the development of both the mother-baby duo.