Gond Katira: a mandate summer drink to keep you cool with many health benefits

Summers are back again with lots of fun, enjoyment, water splashes, yummy popsicles, and yes, of course, heat waves and scorching sun rays! Summers are both enjoyable and hectic for many. What are the common summer discomforts? The heating rays, rising body heat (both external and internal), heat stroke, and general exhaustion.

What if I told you about a magical ingredient that can help erase many of these summer-related issues? No, no, it’s not expensive at all. Friendly on your pockets and soothing for your health, this magical ingredient is Gond Katira.

What is Gond Katira, and how is it produced? 

Gond katira, also known as tragacanth gum, is a natural and edible gum obtained from trees and shrubs of the Astragalus genus. How is it produced? Is it made in laboratories? No. Is it grown like apples and oranges on trees? Not exactly. Is it an animal product? No. This is truly a miracle of nature!

The plant releases a sticky, translucent gum that collects on the tree’s bark. Once it dries, it is carefully harvested by farmers. In the natural atmosphere, this gum hardens and forms crystal-like structures. After harvesting, it is cleaned, broken into small crystals, and then packed and sold by various agro companies.

Benefits of Gond Katira

Well, if you start counting the benefits of Gond Katira, you’d do an injustice to this incredible ingredient! There are numerous benefits of Gond Katira. Some of the most important and remedial ones are listed below.

Good for people with constipation

Constipation is one of the leading problems these days and is often the root cause of many stomach issues. Gond Katira, when soaked, is rich in soluble fibre, which promotes healthy bowel movements by softening stool. This gel-like Gond Katira also helps keep the digestive system healthy by preventing the stool from becoming hard. Consuming soaked Gond Katira with lukewarm water in the morning can be beneficial for people dealing with constipation and related digestive problems.

Good for skin health

Healthy skin means hydrated skin! When your cells are properly hydrated from the inside out, a real glow naturally appears. So, dear beauty enthusiasts, adding Gond Katira to your routine is a beauty treatment in itself. It hydrates the skin, making it look plump and radiant. You can also add a teaspoon of soaked Gond Katira to your face pack for additional benefits.

A natural body coolant

Scorching heat, heat waves, inner body heat, itchiness, sweating, and uncontrollable temperature rises, these are just a glimpse of summer. During this season, almost all of us experience this heat. While air conditioners and coolers can provide temporary external relief, what about internal heat? The answer is Gond Katira! Gond Katira is a natural summer coolant, and when paired with soaked basil, it works wonders. It also helps prevent heatstroke and combat dehydration, both major concerns during the summer.

A strengthening tonic to treat weakness

Did you know that Gond Katira is a popular health tonic that can help with fatigue, weakness, postpartum recovery, stamina, and much more? According to Ayurveda, it balances the Pitta, which helps regulate body heat and strengthens the body. Gond Katira is highly nutritious and can help reduce weakness, especially after childbirth. Soaking Gond Katira in milk and adding dry fruits and seeds creates a healthy tonic that provides energy and aids in healing internal wounds.

Aids in Digestion  

Good digestion means a healthy body. When your digestion is healthy and working well, your overall health is obviously going to be good and fit. Gond Katira, rich in fibre, supports healthy digestion. It also helps with nutrient absorption in the body and supports overall health.

How to use Gond Katira?

1. First, we should know that Gond Katira should be soaked in water overnight or for 5–6 hours before using it. It swells to almost three times its original size, looking like jelly or crushed ice. 
2. There are several ways to use Gond Katira. You can add it to your shikanji, falooda, summer drinks, desserts, curd, milk, and many more dishes.
3. When we mix soaked Gond Katira with curd or milk, it helps strengthen the body. Adding it to lemon water or rose water provides hydration and refreshment. 
4. We can also use it as an ingredient in face packs for anti-ageing, hydration, and skin softening.

How much Gond katira is safe to consume?

The safe amount of Gond Katira for an adult is about 1–2 teaspoons (around 5–10 grams) per day. About 1–1½ teaspoons of Gond Katira should be soaked overnight, yielding a jelly-like or crushed-ice-like texture. You can then use it by mixing it into curd, milk, lemonade, juices, or other drinks. It is considered a natural coolant and also works as an appetiser.

Is Gond Katira safe for everyone to consume?

Not every healthy thing may be healthy for everyone. This applies to almost all natural edibles and products. 

1. Gond Katira is indeed a natural ingredient with abundant health benefits, but it also has some exceptions. 
2. If a person is taking heavy doses of medication, it should be avoided or used only after consulting the concerned doctor. 
3. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid it or talk to their gynaecologist before using it.

Where can we get Gond Katira?

Now, how can we find and get gond katira? You can easily find it in dry fruit shops, grocery stores, or supermarkets. It is available under different brands. If you are still unable to find gond katira in local shops, there’s a very convenient option: online platforms. You can easily check and order it online as well.

Shelf life of Gond Katira:

Gond katira is a dry, crystalline substance that can easily last for 2–3 years when stored properly in an airtight container. It should be kept away from direct sunlight and moisture. Once soaked, the gel remains fresh for 1–2 days when stored properly refrigerated. Gond katira is pale and whitish in appearance. If you notice a brownish or blackish colour along with a foul smell, it should not be used. It may be old or stale.

Isn’t gond katira a versatile ingredient, a true bliss of Mother Nature! It should be a part of our diet, as it offers multiple benefits and uses. Hope you liked the post and found it useful. If you have any doubts or queries, feel free to ask in the comments section below. Eat well and live well!