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Draksha द्राक्षा
Vitis vinifera · Vitaceae
Also known as: Mridvika, Dry Grapes, Munakka, Raisins, Munnaka
Part used: Fruit
Draksha (Vitis vinifera) is the grape, and dried as raisins it is one of Ayurveda's gentlest nourishing drugs. Sweet and cooling, it is used for dry cough, thirst, burning, constipation and convalescence, and is safe enough for children, the elderly and pregnancy.
| Rasa (taste) | Tikta (Bitter), Kashaya (Astringent) |
|---|---|
| Guna (qualities) | Laghu (Light), Ruksha (Dry) |
| Virya (potency) | Ushna (Hot) |
| Vipaka | Katu (Pungent) |
| Dosha | Balances Kapha & Vata |
| Prabhava | Classical systemic action |
Key takeaways
- Botanical name: Vitis vinifera
- Part used: Fruit
- Dosha action: Balances Kapha & Vata
- Typical dose: Fresh fruit, raisins, or Drakshasava; soaked raisins are a classic gentle tonic.
Draksha in other languages
Introduction
Draksha (grapes/raisins, Vitis vinifera) is a sweet, cooling and nourishing fruit used to restore strength, ease thirst and soothe the respiratory and digestive tracts. Dried as Mridvika (raisins/munakka), it is a gentle Rasayana.
Classification
Of the Vitaceae family, Draksha is grouped among the Brihana (nourishing), Rasayana and cooling dravyas. Its sweet taste, heavy-unctuous qualities and cooling potency nourish and pacify Vata-Pitta.
Uses & benefits
Raisin is the gentlest of the restoratives, described as Jivaniya and Brimhaniya. It is used in thirst, burning, dry cough and hoarseness, and in the weakness that follows fever, where a heavier tonic would not be tolerated. It is also mildly laxative and forms the sweet base of several arishtas.
Draksha for dry cough
Sweet and demulcent, it soothes a dry irritable throat where a drying Kapha herb would make things worse.
Draksha for constipation
Raisins soaked overnight are a gentle household laxative, safe in pregnancy and for children.
Draksha for thirst and burning
A classical Trishnanigrahana and Dahaprashamana drug, used in fever with heat and restlessness.
Draksha for convalescence
Nourishing and easy to digest, given during recovery when appetite is poor and strength is low.
Draksha for Raktapitta
Cooling and blood-settling, used in bleeding disorders of Pitta origin.
Draksha for anaemia
Traditionally given in Pandu, soaked raisins being a standard domestic remedy for low blood.
Draksha for hoarseness
Used where the voice is rough or lost, its sweetness lubricating the throat.
Draksha in Draksharishta
The lead drug of the classical fermented preparation used for weakness, cough and poor appetite.
Draksha for the liver
Used in Kamala within compounds, its cooling sweetness suiting an inflamed liver.
Draksha as a Vrishya drug
Named among the reproductive tonics, consistent with its general nourishing classification.
Dosage — how much to take
Fresh fruit, raisins, or Drakshasava; soaked raisins are a classic gentle tonic. Follow your Vaidya's advice.
Dosage varies with age, constitution and condition — confirm with a qualified Vaidya.
Traditional uses — questions answered from the classical texts
Answers are drawn from the citations and properties recorded for this drug. No chapter-and-verse reference appears that the record does not carry.
Which classical texts describe Draksha?
The citations held for Draksha in this catalogue are: Charaka Samhita (Rasayana & Trishna context); Bhavaprakasha Nighantu (Amradi Phala Varga).
What does the Charaka Samhita record about Draksha?
Cited for strength and thirst. Reference: Charaka Samhita — Rasayana & Trishna context.
What does the Bhavaprakasha Nighantu record about Draksha?
Described as Brihana and Rasayana. Reference: Bhavaprakasha Nighantu — Amradi Phala Varga.
What is Draksha traditionally used for in Ayurveda?
Raisin is the gentlest of the restoratives, described as Jivaniya and Brimhaniya. It is used in thirst, burning, dry cough and hoarseness, and in the weakness that follows fever, where a heavier tonic would not be tolerated. It is also mildly laxative and forms the sweet base of several arishtas.
What are the Ayurvedic properties of Draksha?
Rasa Tikta (Bitter), Kashaya (Astringent), Guna Laghu (Light), Ruksha (Dry), Virya Ushna (Hot), Vipaka Katu (Pungent). Dosha action: Balances Kapha & Vata. Prabhava: Classical systemic action.
Why is Draksha classified the way it is?
In dravya-guna a drug's dosha action follows from its taste, qualities, potency and post-digestive effect. Draksha carries Ushna (Hot) virya and Katu (Pungent) vipaka, which together give the recorded action: Balances Kapha & Vata.
Which part of Draksha is used medicinally?
The part used is Fruit.
How much Draksha is taken, and how?
Fresh fruit, raisins, or Drakshasava; soaked raisins are a classic gentle tonic. Follow your Vaidya's advice. Dosage varies with age, constitution and condition — confirm it with a qualified Vaidya.
When should Draksha be avoided?
Very safe as a food; a common convalescent tonic.
Where does Draksha grow?
Grapes are cultivated across the warmer regions of India, especially Maharashtra and the north-west; raisins are the dried fruit.
Classical references
- Bhavaprakash Nighantu — Amradi Phala Varga
Described as Brihana and Rasayana. - Charaka Samhita — Rasayana & Trishna context
Cited for strength and thirst.
Modern research
-
Review of the pharmacological effects of Vitis vinifera (Grape) and its bioactive compounds
(see source). Phytotherapy Research (2009)
A review of the pharmacological effects of Vitis vinifera (Draksha / grape) and its polyphenols, including antioxidant, cardioprotective and hepatoprotective actions.
View study doi:10.1002/ptr.2761
Safety & precautions
Very safe as a food; a common convalescent tonic.
Where it grows
Grapes are cultivated across the warmer regions of India, especially Maharashtra and the north-west; raisins are the dried fruit.
Frequently asked questions
What is Draksha used for?
Draksha — grapes, usually as raisins — is used for dry cough, constipation, thirst and burning, anaemia, hoarseness and recovery after illness. It is one of the gentlest drugs in the materia medica and suits children, the elderly and pregnancy.
How do I take raisins medicinally?
Soak 10–20 raisins in water overnight and take them with the water in the morning. This is the classical method for constipation and for building strength. Draksha powder 3–6 g or Draksharishta 15–30 ml after meals are the other forms.
Are raisins good for constipation?
Yes — soaked overnight they are a gentle, well-established laxative, safe enough for children and in pregnancy where stronger purgatives are contraindicated. They work by softening and bulking rather than by irritating the bowel.
What is Draksharishta?
A classical fermented preparation built on grapes, used for weakness, poor appetite, cough and anaemia. Like all Arishtas it generates a small amount of alcohol during fermentation, which acts as the carrier.
Can Draksha be taken in pregnancy?
Soaked raisins are traditionally given in pregnancy for constipation and strength, and are considered safe. Draksharishta contains self-generated alcohol, so ask your physician before taking that form.
Is Draksha good for dry cough?
It is one of the better choices for a dry, irritable cough, because it is sweet and demulcent rather than drying. A wet congested cough needs the opposite kind of herb.
Are there side effects of Draksha?
Very few — it is essentially a food. Being sweet and heavy it may aggravate Kapha and is less suited to congestion or obesity. Diabetics should account for the sugar content.
