how is tandulodaka used in ayurvedic treatments?

Question

I recently heard about a preparation called Tandulodaka, made from rice water, being used in Ayurvedic therapies. It’s supposed to have soothing and cooling properties, but I’m not sure how it’s typically applied or what conditions it’s used for.

Can someone explain the uses of Tandulodaka in Ayurveda? Is it taken internally, or is it used as a topical application? What benefits can I expect from using it?

Dr Sujal Patil · Accepted Answer

Tandulodaka is an Ayurvedic preparation made from rice water, often used for its soothing, cooling, and digestive properties. It is commonly used in Ayurveda to balance Pitta dosha (the heat principle) and is especially helpful for conditions related to inflammation or excess heat in the body.

Uses of Tandulodaka in Ayurveda:
Internal Use:
Digestive Health: Tandulodaka is often consumed to improve digestion, soothe gastritis, and alleviate acid reflux. It helps cool the digestive tract and relieves burning sensations in the stomach or esophagus.
Hydration and Detoxification: It is hydrating and helps flush out toxins, supporting kidney function and overall detoxification.
Relieving Diarrhea: Rice water helps in treating diarrhea or loose stools, as it has a mild binding effect, helping to absorb excess water in the intestines.
Cooling the Body: In cases of fever, heat-induced stress, or inflammatory conditions, it can act as a natural coolant, reducing internal heat and bringing balance.
Topical Use:
Skin Irritations: Rice water, in the form of Tandulodaka, is often used externally for soothing skin irritations, burns, or rashes. It has a mild astringent property, which can help in reducing inflammation and itchiness.
Facial Cleanser: It is also applied as a toner for the skin to treat sunburns, acne, or pimple scars, due to its cooling and antibacterial properties.
How to Prepare Tandulodaka:
Preparation: To make Tandulodaka, wash a handful of uncooked rice thoroughly. Boil the rice with water until the water turns milky, then strain the water. This milky water is the Tandulodaka.
Dosage: For internal use, drink about 1 cup of rice water once or twice a day. For topical use, it can be applied directly to the skin.

Dr. Ayush Varma · Answer

Ah, Tandulodaka, that’s an interesting one and actually, it has quite a multi-faceted role in Ayurveda. So, you're right—it's basically rice water, specifically the drained water from cooked rice. It holds a special place in Ayurvedic practices for its soothing and cooling properties, and it’s mostly linked to pitta pacification, which is fancy talk for balancing the heating energy or dosha in the body.

Internally, tandulodaka is ingested to calm down excess Pitta, especially in conditions like acidity or heartburn, where there's excess heat in the body. You might drink it cool to soothe the digestive tract, which is kinda essential if you’re dealing with those fiery issues. Also, it can be hydrating and mildly nutritive, since rice itself is light and easy on digestion.

Externally, it’s more of a natural astringent, used to relieve inflammation or minor skin irritations. If you have a mild rash or some irritation, applying chilled tandulodaka can have a calming effect, kind of like pressing a pause button on the heat. It's super gentle, so it’s not like you’re gonna end up feeling sticky or anything weird.

As for preparing it, just consider soaking a handful of rice in water for a couple of hours, then strain it. Some folks might even use the leftover water from cooked rice — you decide. But you’d wanna make sure it's not too concentrated; the aim is for a mild, soothing effect, not anything overwhelming.

Oh, and one thing: though tangy or spontaneous treatments can sound fun, it's best to keep a balance. If symptoms are serious or chronic, getting some guidance from a practitioner wouldn’t hurt, just to make sure you’re on the right track and not missing anything critical. This is especially true if you've got a whole cocktail of symptoms.

But yup, tandulodaka could indeed be a refreshing ally in your Ayurvedic toolkit. I hope that sheds some light! Remember, natural doesn’t mean absent of any cautions, but it does make things feel kinda earthy and wholesome.

how is tandulodaka used in ayurvedic treatments? - #2013

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