The postpartum period, often referred to as the ‘fourth trimester,’ is a critical time for a new mother’s recovery and rejuvenation.
Nutrient-dense traditional preparations made with rejuvenating herbs, healthy fats, and milk solids help in balancing Vata, enhancing lactation, and speeding recovery.
One such time-tested recipe is Sunthi Pak:
A deliciously spiced, nutrient-rich recipe that strengthens, soothes, and supports healing from within.
Ingredients
- Dry Ginger Powder (Sunthi) – 600 g
- Ghee – 150 g
- Full-fat Milk – 2 litres (to make mawa/khoya)
- Sugar ( khadi sakar ) – 800 g
- Almonds -100 g
- Pistachios -15 g
- Melon seeds( magajtari beej) -50 g
- Peeper mull powder ( long peeper root )- 15 g
- White Pepper -15 g
- Cinnamon – 4 g
- Long Pepper (Pipli) – 5 g
- Banskapur (natural camphor) – 5 g
- Mace (Javitri) – 3 g
- Clove -2.5 g
- Nutmeg -1 whole
- Green Cardamom -3 g
- Edible gum-3 pieces / 2 spoon
- Saffron – few strands (optional)
Method of Preparation
- Make fine powder of all the dry spices individually and keep aside.
- In a heavy-bottom pan, heat 3–4 tablespoons of ghee. Add dry ginger powder and roast until golden-brown and aromatic. Set aside.
- Reduce 2 litres of milk into mawa (khoya) 3–4 hours prior. Once cooled, mash and loosen it with your hands.
- Heat ghee again and roast the mawa until it turns light golden. Mix it with the roasted sunthi.
- Prepare a three-string consistency sugar syrup using sugar and just enough water to cover.
- Add the sunthi-mawa mixture into the syrup, stir well, and switch off the flame.
- Gradually add all the powdered spices and chopped dry fruits while the mixture is still hot but not on flame.
- Add cardamom, saffron, nutmeg, and mace at the end for aroma.
- Once the mixture cools enough to hold shape, pour into a greased tray, flatten, cut into squares, and store in an airtight container.
Benefits of the ingredient
Sunthi (Dry Ginger)
- Deepana-Pachana (enhances appetite and digestion), balances Vata and Kapha, reduces Ama, relieves post-delivery body ache and digestive discomfort.
- It contains gingerol, a powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant.eases nausea, boosts digestion, and relieves muscle pain.
Ghee
- An excellent Vata-pacifying.Nourishes all seven Dhatus (body tissues), supports Ojas (immunity), and calms the mind.
- Rich in butyric acid and healthy fats which supports gut health, reduces inflammation and enhances nutrient absorption.
Mawa (Khoya)
- Builds Shukra and Majja Dhatu (reproductive and nervous tissues), promotes strength (Bala), and supports lactation.
- A good source of calcium, protein, and fats which helps rebuild muscle mass and maintain bone strength.
Almonds & Pistachios
- Medhya (brain tonic), Vrishya (rejuvenative), and Snigdha (unctuous); support tissue regeneration and improve vitality.
- Provide Vitamin E, B-complex vitamins, and magnesium which support energy, brain health, and antioxidant defense.
Magaz Seeds (Melon Seeds)
- Cooling, Vrishya (fertility-promoting) which helps restore fluid balance and promote lactation.
- Packed with plant protein, zinc, and omega fats which promote lactation and support skin and hair health.
Ganthoda ( long peeper root powder)
- Vataghna (Vata-reducing), Shoolhara (pain-relieving), useful in joint pain and bloating post-delivery.
- Acts like a natural anti-inflammatory and anti-flatulent agent.
White Pepper & Pipli (Long Pepper)
- Agnideepana (stimulates digestion), Rasayana (rejuvenative), useful for enhancing nutrient absorption and clearing Kapha.
- Improve metabolism, enhance bioavailability of nutrients.
Banskapur (Edible Camphor)
- Vata-Kapha Shamak, improves Pranavaha Srotas (respiratory function), and is mildly analgesic.
Mace, Clove, Nutmeg
- Hridaya (heart tonic), Nidrajanaka (promotes sleep), and Grahi (absorptive) which support emotional balance and digestion.
- Contain essential oils with calming, digestive, and analgesic properties.
Saffron
- Tridosha-hara, improves Rasa and Rakta Dhatu quality (plasma and blood), uplifts mood, and brightens complexion
- Rich in crocin and safranal which uplifts mood, improves memory, and acts as a gentle antidepressant.
Calorie Value (Approximate)
Per piece (25 g)
120–140 kcal of calories,2–3 g of protein, 6–8 g of fats,15–18 g of carbohydrates.
Postpartum Tip – Foods That Support Healing.
Dry coconut, Jaggery, Dry ginger, Green leafy vegetables, Poppy seeds, Fenugreek, Ganthoda (long pepper root), pointed gourd,drumstick, long pepper, dry dates, ghee, garden cress seeds, jeevanti (Leptadenia reticulata), almonds, edible gum, shatavari, bottle gourd, cashews, wheat flour, ajwain, sesame seeds, wheat, pearl millet, sorghum, and barley.
Reference links for recipes:
- Gundar Pak
- Fenugreek Sukhdi
