Article By: Dr. Shilpa Ramdas
Chia seeds – Small oval formed seeds which might be 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 beneficial 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 aren’t talked about in classical Ayurvedic textual content books.
Botanical identify: Salvia Hispanica L.
Household: Lamiaceae (Mint Household)
Title in several 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 coloration, organized in whorls.
Seeds – White to grayish black in coloration, 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 provides chia-based meals and drinks a gel-like texture.
Properties
Though Chia seed and their qualities aren’t talked about in Classical Ayurveda Texts, their rasa (style) and different properties may 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 Parts
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: Vital for mind well being, present neuro protecting well being by decreasing oxidative stress.
Fiber: Helps digestion, relieves constipation
Calcium & Magnesium: Strengthen bones and muscle groups, helpful for vata-related issues like joint ache.
Medicinal properties
Since it’s a gluten free and fibre wealthy meals it is suggested for IBS sufferers and those that 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 necessary for coronary heart well being. Magnesium helps to decrease blood strain.
Pores and skin illness – Latest research have proved that it has the efficiency to remedy Lichenification, and Itching by enhancing the pores and skin moisture.
Liver illness – Efficient in sufferers with non-alcoholic fatty liver illness. Chia seeds within the food regimen could scale back intrahepatic fats.
Neuroprotective Impact
Oxidative stress performs a significant function within the activation of neuronal demise mechanisms. Chia seeds are among the finest plant-based sources of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), which play a important function in sustaining mind well being by stopping oxidative stress. It may be utilized in supportive therapy for despair and Nervousness.
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 assist 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 scale back irritation, which is essential to stopping coronary heart illness.
Helps Weight Loss
Excessive in Fiber and Protein: Chia seeds broaden once they soak up water, rising emotions of fullness and satiety, which will help scale back calorie consumption.
Dwelling Cures
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 vitality bars
Oatmeal Biscuit Sprinkle chia seeds on oatmeal whereas baking give additional crunchiness.
Analysis research
Based on epidemiological research, CS can be useful for the prevention of cardiovascular ailments, diabetes and metabolic issues (Andersonetal.,1994; Ayerza&Coates, 2001; Marlettetal.,2002; Andersonetal.,2009).
Uncomfortable side effects
In some folks it might trigger allergic signs like pores and skin rashes, itching and so forth. It might decrease blood strain, so those that are taking BP decreasing 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’ll have it in a restricted amount by mixing it with spices like ginger to keep away from extra cooling.
Precautions: Chia seeds soak up plenty of water, so they need to at all times be soaked earlier than consuming to keep away from digestive discomfort.
Interactions with medicines
It might work together with anticoagulants, antiplatelets, anti-hypertensive medicines.
Sthanika karma
Digestive system
The dietary fiber content material of Chia helps the correct functioning of the digestive system. Hepatoprotective.
Cardiovascular System
Chia seeds comprise quercetin, an antioxidant that may scale back your danger of coronary heart illness. It’s cardio proactive on account of its capacity to decrease levels of cholesterol.
Urinary System
It’s efficient in managing diabetes mellitus; as it might 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, on account of its content material of alpha-linolenic acid, a key precursor of physiologically necessary polyunsaturated fatty acids.
Nonetheless, standardized protocols for extraction and figuring out efficient doses are obligatory to make sure its secure and efficient large-scale use in people, supported by scientific proof.
