Mukhwas is a colorful South Asian Ayurvedic[1] after-meal snack or digestive aid widely used as a breath freshener, especially after meals.[2] As per Agamas, Mukhwaas forms one of the components of sixteen upcharas (offerings) to a deity in a Puja, the Hindu mode of worship or prayer.[3] It can be made of various seeds and nuts, often fennel, anise, coconut, coriander, and sesame. They can be savory or sweet in flavor and are highly aromatic due to added sugar and the addition of various essential oils, including peppermint oil. They are coated in sugar and brightly colored.[4]
 | |
| Place of origin | India and other South Asian countries |
|---|---|
| Main ingredients | seeds and nuts, essential oils (peppermint) |
History and etymology
editThe word is an amalgamation of the Sanskrit words mukha (mouth) and vāsa (to stay/to keep).[3] Mukhwas forms an essential part of Hindu tradition of Shodash Shringar (sixteen embellishments); the Hindu poet Keshavdas mentions Mukhwas as one of the sixteen embellishments.[5] Mukhwas initially evolved as an ayurvedic remedy which was used for freshening the mouth after a meal. Apart from use as a breath freshener, it also serves as a postprandial digestive aid.[citation needed] Ancient Sanskrit literature and Medieval Hindu literature in Hindi, Rajasthani[6] and Gujarati contain frequent references to Mukhwas.[citation needed]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Patel, Ramesh (1997). The Mandeer Ayurvedic Cookbook. Psychology Press. ISBN 978-0-7007-0686-0.
- ^ "Why are candy-coated fennel seeds served at Indian restaurants?". The A.V. Club. 5 March 2018.
- ^ a b www.wisdomlib.org (31 May 2018). "Mukhavasa, Mukhavāsa, Mukha-vasa: 7 definitions". www.wisdomlib.org. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
Mukhavāsa is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms mukha and vāsa (वास).
- ^ Pursell, JJ (2015). The Herbal Apothecary: 100 Medicinal Herbs and How to Use Them. Portland: Timber Press. p. 36. ISBN 9781604696622. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
- ^ Dasa, Syamasundara (1965–1975). "Hindi sabdasagara". dsal.uchicago.edu. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
- ^ "राजस्थानी सबदकोश". www.rajsabadkosh.org. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
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