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Mishri – or rock candy – is a commonly used form of sweetening in Ayurveda due to its potential health benefits and the science behind how the body processes different types of sugars. While modern science classifies the process by way of measuring calorific value and glycaemic index, Ayurveda delves into the details of the heating and cooling potencies of different sources – jaggery, mishri, granulated sugar, etc. This perspective also enables to take into account the healthy properties and tissue penetrative tendencies of each one.
Mishri is commonly used to prepare beverages like sherbet or lemonade and traditionally made by reducing sugarcane juice and the sap of the palmyra tree, before being poured into drums consisting of threads tied across the length on the inside. As the solution cools and dries around the threads, it turns into rock candy crystals.The golden-brown crystals or desi mishri, is also known to possess various health benefits like the following:
Digestive Aid
Chewing on a few small pieces of mishri after meals is a common practice in Ayurveda to promote better digestion. Eating a few cubes after a meal, mixed with fennel seeds, is believed to aid in digestion by helping stimulate the secretion of digestive enzymes, which improves the digestive process. It is also said to get rid of bad breath and prevents gastric issues like bloating or indigestion.
Cough & Cold Relief
In Ayurveda, mishri is often used as a natural remedy for cough and cold symptoms. Mixing mishri with ginger juice or warm water can help soothe a sore throat. Placing a few cubes of rock candy in one’s mouth or mixing some into a warm kadha, provides relief from incessant coughing. Consuming a drink made of ground black peppercorns and mishri mixed with warm water before bedtime allows for the expulsion of mucus and cure a sore throat.
Energy Booster
Mishri is a source of quick energy due to its high sugar content. Ayurvedic practitioners recommend it for individuals who need an energy boost, especially during physical activities or when feeling fatigued. For women, consuming a small quantity of mishri mixed with warm water has been known to boost energy during post-menopausal mood swings, along with improving memory and decreasing mental fatigue.
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Respiratory Health
Mishri, while being one of the only sweeteners to nourish all the body tissues or dhatus, as described in Ayurveda, is also thought to have beneficial effects on the respiratory system. It helps relieve congestion and promote clearer breathing, making it a useful remedy for respiratory ailments. Those who face difficulties in breathing due to sputum collection in the respiratory system have been known to find relief in mixing misri crystals into their warm milk or water.
Stress Reduction
Ayurveda suggests that mishri can help calm the mind and reduce stress when consumed in moderation. Its sweet taste is believed to have a soothing effect on the nervous system. Having a glass of water that has mishri powder mixed into it, is effective in calming anxiety. Rich in vitamins, minerals and amino acids, mishri water also balances the electrolyte levels in the body, while relaxing the senses.
Natural Coolant
Drinking a glass of lemonade or sherbet sweetened with mishri during the peak summer season is considered to be cooling and hydrating for the body. Along with providing instant energy, increases blood sugar levels for those who experience a dip and feel faint due to the excessive heat. Mishri also allows for the haemoglobin levels in the body to increase and facilitates blood circulation throughout the body.
