Article By: Dr. Shilpa Ramdas
Chia seeds – Small oval formed seeds which are obtained from the plant Salvia Hispanica. In recent times, Chia seeds have gained worldwide recognition for his or her dietary advantages and medicinal properties. It has excessive dietary worth and is a wealthy supply of omega 3 fatty acids, nutritional vitamins and minerals. It has Cardioprotective, Hypotensive, Anti-inflammatory and Hepatoprotective, motion. It’s even really helpful for breastfeeding moms because it has properties that improve breast milk manufacturing. It’s a good supply of Dietary fiber.
Its seeds are Hygroscopic, and have the flexibility to soak up water. Chia seeds and their properties usually are not talked about in classical Ayurvedic textual content books.
Botanical identify: Salvia Hispanica L.
Household: Lamiaceae (Mint Household)
Title in numerous language
English: Candy basil seed
Malayalam: kasa kasa
Hindi: Sabja
Bengali: Tokma
Spanish: Chían, Semillas de Chía
French: graine de chia
Arabic: meramia
German: Chia-Samen
Italian: Semi di Chia
Portuguese: Sementes de Chia
Russian: Semena Chia
Morphology
Native to Central and South America. It’s an annual plant which grows as much as 1- 1.5 meter in size generally cultivated in South and Central America.
Leaves – Are elongated and serrated, reverse venation.
Flowers – Bisexual, white or purple in shade, organized in whorls.
Seeds – White to grayish black in shade, Oval in form and measure 1–2 mm in size.
The seeds are hygroscopic, have the capability to soak up water, and kind a mucilaginous layer that offers chia-based meals and drinks a gel-like texture.
Properties
Though Chia seed and their qualities usually are not talked about in Classical Ayurveda Texts, their rasa (style) and different properties could be inferred from their motion.
Rasa – Madhura (Candy), Kashaya (Astringent)
Guna – Guru (Heavy), Snigdha (Unctous)
Virya – Sita (chilly in efficiency)
Vipaka – Madhura (Candy)
Motion on Dosha – Vata Pitta samaka
Chemical Elements
Omega-3, alpha-linolenic acid, carbohydrates, fibers, lipids, proteins, nutritional vitamins, and minerals. The oils are wealthy with β-caryophyllene, globulol, β-pinene, α-humoleno, germacren-B, Flavonoids and Phenolic compounds.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Essential for mind well being, present neuro protecting well being by lowering oxidative stress.
Fiber: Helps digestion, relieves constipation
Calcium & Magnesium: Strengthen bones and muscular tissues, helpful for vata-related issues like joint ache.
Medicinal properties
Since it’s a gluten free and fibre wealthy meals it’s endorsed for IBS sufferers and people who have gluten allergy.
Promote weight reduction – Fibre current in chia seed present feeling of satiation
Anti diabetic property – Chia seed improves insulin sensitivity, thus helps to cut back blood sugar stage.
Cardio protecting and Anti-Hypertensive – Magnesium and Potassium current in chia seeds are vital for coronary heart well being. Magnesium helps to decrease blood strain.
Pores and skin illness – Current research have proved that it has the efficiency to treatment Lichenification, and Itching by bettering the pores and skin moisture.
Liver illness – Efficient in sufferers with non-alcoholic fatty liver illness. Chia seeds within the weight loss plan might cut back intrahepatic fats.
Neuroprotective Impact
Oxidative stress performs a serious position within the activation of neuronal loss of life mechanisms. Chia seeds are top-of-the-line plant-based sources of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), which play a crucial position in sustaining mind well being by stopping oxidative stress. It may be utilized in supportive remedy for melancholy and Anxiousness.
Antihyperlipidemic Impact- The chia seed was discovered to be efficient in decrease triacylglycerol ranges in rat serum.
Pharmacological Motion
Anti-oxidant
Hypoglycemic
Anti hyper tensive
Cardio protecting
Motion On Doshas
Vata –Its snigdha (unctuous) high quality helps to cut back vata dosha
Pitta – Their cooling nature helps to steadiness Pitta
Kapha – It will increase kapha dosha owing to its snigdha -slimy nature.
Motion on Ojas – Since it’s wealthy in phytonutrients and helps to help immunity, vitality and power.
Motion On dhatus – Vata, Pitta samaka
Dosage
1–2 tablespoons per day
Makes use of per Ayurveda
Chia seed for intestine well being
Intestine Well being: Soluble fiber in Chia seeds varieties a gel-like substance when soaked, which acts as a prebiotic to feed wholesome intestine micro organism
Anti-inflammatory Properties: Omega-3 in chia seeds cut back irritation, which is essential to stopping coronary heart illness.
Helps Weight Loss
Excessive in Fiber and Protein: Chia seeds develop once they soak up water, growing emotions of fullness and satiety, which will help cut back calorie consumption.
Dwelling Treatments
Chia Porridge:
Soak chia seeds in water or milk for few hours and add spices like cardamom whereas consuming to boost the style.
Chia Natural Infusion:
Combine soaked chia seeds with herbs like ashwagandha for an energy-boosting drink.
Chia seed Smoothie:
Baking: Use chia seeds as an egg substitute in vegan baking or add them to breads, muffins, or power bars
Oatmeal Biscuit Sprinkle chia seeds on oatmeal whereas baking give additional crunchiness.
Analysis research
In keeping with epidemiological research, CS can also be helpful for the prevention of cardiovascular ailments, diabetes and metabolic issues (Andersonetal.,1994; Ayerza&Coates, 2001; Marlettetal.,2002; Andersonetal.,2009).
Unwanted effects
In some folks it could possibly trigger allergic signs like pores and skin rashes, itching and so on. It might probably decrease blood strain, so those that are taking BP reducing medicines ought to take precautions.
People who find themselves struggling with bronchial asthma, recurrent coldsshould keep away from extreme consumption, as chia is cooling. They will have it in a restricted amount by mixing it with spices like ginger to keep away from extra cooling.
Precautions: Chia seeds soak up numerous water, so they need to at all times be soaked earlier than consuming to keep away from digestive discomfort.
Interactions with medicines
It might probably work together with anticoagulants, antiplatelets, anti-hypertensive medicines.
Sthanika karma
Digestive system
The dietary fiber content material of Chia helps the right functioning of the digestive system. Hepatoprotective.
Cardiovascular System
Chia seeds include quercetin, an antioxidant that may cut back your threat of coronary heart illness. It’s cardio proactive attributable to its capability to decrease levels of cholesterol.
Urinary System
It’s efficient in managing diabetes mellitus; as it could possibly enhance insulin sensitivity therefore decrease blood sugar stage.
Conclusion
Quite a few researchers have targeted on evaluating the potential well being advantages of chia as a dietary complement, attributable to its content material of alpha-linolenic acid, a key precursor of physiologically vital polyunsaturated fatty acids.
Nevertheless, standardized protocols for extraction and figuring out efficient doses are essential to make sure its protected and efficient large-scale use in people, supported by scientific proof.
