The health benefits of raisins include relief from constipation, acidosis, anemia, fever and sexual dysfunction. They have also been known to help in attempts to gain weight in a healthy way, as well as for their positive impact on eye health, dental care and bone quality.
Raisins are madhura (sweet) in taste and have a sweet potency as well. They are nothing but dried grapes and grapes are considered superior among all the fruits according to Ayurveda. They balance Vata and Pitta dosha and are one among the ‘swadu triphala‘ or the sweet triphala according to Dhanwanthari Nighantu, an ancient Ayurvedic Classic.
In most of the Ayurvedic preparations where grapes are mentioned as an ingredient, dry grapes are used.
Dry grapes or raisin are useful in the treatment of excessive thirst, fever, respiratory problems, vomiting, gout, liver disorders, excessive burning sensation, dryness and emaciation.
Ingredients
1 cup golden raisins
1/2 cup walnuts
1/4 cup rolled oats
2 tablespoon ground flaxseeds
1 tablespoon honey
1/8 teaspoon Kosher salt
Directions
Soak the golden raisins in hot water overnight. Drain and set them aside. Blend them together in a blender with the walnuts, flaxseeds and oats. Add the drained raisins, salt and honey. Pulse until you get a thick, sticky consistency. Roll the mixture into individual small balls. Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze until they are no longer sticky. Transfer to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator or freezer.
Ingredients
1 cup cooked Basmati rice
1/2 cup seedless raisins
1 cup while milk or soy milk
1/2 tsp cinnamon powder
1 tsp dry roasted pumpkin seeds, to garnish
1 tsp melted ghee
1 tsp maple syrup or honey
Directions
Put the cooked rice, milk, raisins and cinnamon into a saucepan and cook on medium heat for 5 to 10 minutes. Add the ghee, honey or maple syrup to taste. Serve in a bowl garnished with pumpkin seeds.
Ingredients
1 cup pitted dates
1/4 cup raisins
2 tablespoons tamarind pulp
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 inch ginger, sliced
1/2 teaspoon salt, to taste
1 teaspoon roasted cumin seed powder
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon red chili powder, to taste
2 black cardamom seeds
3/4 cup water
Directions
Soak the raisins for about half an hour. Slice the dates into eight pieces. Remove the shell from the cardamom and crush the seeds. In a saucepan, combine the water with the tamarind, sugar, salt, black pepper, red chili powder, cumin powder and cardamom. Bring it to a boil and let it simmer on low heat for about two minutes.
Add the dates, raisins, and ginger. Bring it to a boil and turn off the heat. Let it sit for about an hour before serving. Chutney is served at room temperature and can be refrigerated for a month.
This sweet and sour raisin date chutney is ideal with rice and flat breads. And it’s an awesome recipe for Vata predominant people following a Vata pacifying diet.
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