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When navigating through the sometimes-curious nuances of Indian cultural traditions, many of us look to our family members for guidance. This is especially true for new moms or mothers-to-be as they embark on this new journey in their lives. They are told to eat and drink a variety of different ‘special concoctions’ which will help achieve different positive outcomes and help ease the transition into motherhood. Many of these recipes and suggestions have been passed down through the generations and although there isn’t always hard scientific proof that they do indeed work – generations of women follow the rituals non-the-less.
City Saheli has had a chance to sit down with some of our own mothers to find out exactly why we are told to eat and drink certain concoctions during this exciting and overwhelming time in our lives. We have chosen to list a few that were most commonly referenced by our ‘expert’ sources:
Raab – This liquid mixture, made of a combination of cloves, ajwain (carom seed) powder, ginger powder, jaggery, ghee and water, is an internal cleanser that helps reduce your stomach. It also is supposed to increase your energy and strengthen your back, which is much needed after all the pushing and heavy lifting you have done for the past 9 months! It should be taken first thing in the morning for approximately 2 weeks post partum for the desired effects to be achieved.
Gundar Pak – A form of mithai (Indian sweet) made of gur (jaggery), gundar (gum), almonds, coconut, white poppy seeds, and ginger powder. Similar to Raab, this mithai is meant to be taken post partum and functions as an internal cleanser and increases your energy level to help with all those sleepless days/nights ahead! It should be eaten daily in the early morning for approximately a month after delivery.
Methi (fenugreek) – Used in many cultures, methi is taken by pregnant woman to help induce labor by stimulating contractions, and post partum to increase milk production in breast-feeding moms. Although it can be consumed in an array of different forms (it comes as a seed, leafy green, or in pill form), our sources all say it is best taken mixed into a laddu (Indian sweet in a shape of a ball) and eaten daily.
Kesar (saffron) – In a culture where the fairness and brightness of ones skin is emphasized, it is logical that there is a concoction given to pregnant women to improve their complexion in the hope it will impact their baby’s complexion as well. A mixture of kesar, ground almonds, ground pistachios, cardamom powder, and sugar are mixed into a cup of hot milk and should be drunken daily after the 7th month in hopes of a “brighter outcome” on “d-day”.
Ghee (clarified butter) – Ghee is one of the most common ingredients found in an Indian household, and lucky for all you pregnant moms out there – it supposedly helps you to have an “easy/slippery” delivery! A spoonful should be melted and mixed with enough milk and sugar to ensure you can take it down, and it should be taken towards last month of pregnancy.
City Saheli was lucky enough to have some of these home recipes passed along to us so that we could share them with Y-O-U!!! Of course, every household may have variations on how these home remedies are made so feel free to change them as per your family’s traditions.
* As with all diets, please check with your physician before starting any new regime or if you have questions as to what can be safely consumed during pregnancy.
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