Reviewed by medical experts • For informational purposes only
Apricot known in Ayurveda as Urumana is a fruit classified in the Charaka Samhita alongside nutrient dense nuts like almonds and walnuts. It possesses a Sweet taste with Heavy and Unctuous qualities and a Hot potency. These properties make it highly effective for alleviating Vata dosha though it can aggravate Kapha and Pitta if consumed in excess. Therapeutically it acts as a powerful restorative tonic known as Balya and is valued for its Brimhana action which helps build body bulk and nourish tissues. It is also classified as Vrishya or aphrodisiac supporting sexual vigor. Due to its heavy nature it should be consumed in moderation particularly by individuals with weak digestion or Kapha imbalance.
Apricot, identified in Ayurvedic texts as Urumana, is a fruit categorized alongside other nutrient-dense nuts and fruits like almonds (Vatama) and walnuts (Aksota). In Ayurveda, it is valued for its rich, nourishing qualities. It is considered a powerful tonic that builds body tissues, promotes vitality, and specifically calms the Vata dosha (air element), though it must be eaten in moderation by certain body types due to its heating nature.
In Ayurveda, the Apricot (Urumana) is described as a heavy and unctuous fruit that provides deep nourishment to the body. It is grouped with high-energy foods like walnuts and almonds, indicating its role as a restorative food rather than a light fruit. It is traditionally used to build strength, enhance sexual vigor, and combat dryness and weakness in the body.
According to Charaka Samhita:
(General guidance based on its classification as a heavy fruit in Charaka Samhita):
Apricot (Urumana) is generally safe when consumed as a fruit. However, due to its potent qualities (hot and heavy), it is not considered "Tridosha Shamaka" (balancing for all); it specifically targets Vata while increasing others.
World Health Organization – WHO Guidelines on Good Agricultural and Collection Practices (GACP) for Medicinal Plants
https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/42783
Nutritional composition and antioxidant properties of apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) – Food Chemistry
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16076137/
Phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity of apricot fruits – Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16719523/
Health-promoting properties of apricot fruit and kernels – Molecules
https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/23/9/2154
Amygdalin in apricot kernels: Pharmacological and toxicological aspects – Food and Chemical Toxicology
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24731362/
Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential of Prunus armeniaca – BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies
https://bmccomplementmedtherapies.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1472-6882-14-33
Role of apricot consumption in cardiovascular health – Nutrition Research Reviews
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23061565/
Antimicrobial activity of apricot extracts – African Journal of Biotechnology
https://academicjournals.org/journal/AJB/article-full-text/7F9C6C640511
Q. Can it be taken daily?
It can be taken daily by those looking to gain weight or pacify Vata (dryness/cold). Those with high Kapha (weight issues) or Pitta (heat) should avoid daily excess.
Q. When should it be taken?
It is best eaten as a snack or part of a meal when the digestive fire is strong (e.g., mid-day), as it is heavy to digest.
Q. Can it be taken with milk?
While not explicitly forbidden with milk in the text, fruits are often eaten separately. However, tonics (Vrishya foods) are sometimes combined with milk for restorative therapy; consult a physician for specific combinations.
Written By
Sathyaprek
BDS
Reviewed By
Dr. Varun Gupta
MD Pharmacology, MBBS
Last updated on
27 Sep 2022 • 06:23 PM (IST)
Read Our Editorial Policy
Want to know more?
Have issue with the content?
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Reviewed by medical experts • For informational purposes only
Apricot known in Ayurveda as Urumana is a fruit classified in the Charaka Samhita alongside nutrient dense nuts like almonds and walnuts. It possesses a Sweet taste with Heavy and Unctuous qualities and a Hot potency. These properties make it highly effective for alleviating Vata dosha though it can aggravate Kapha and Pitta if consumed in excess. Therapeutically it acts as a powerful restorative tonic known as Balya and is valued for its Brimhana action which helps build body bulk and nourish tissues. It is also classified as Vrishya or aphrodisiac supporting sexual vigor. Due to its heavy nature it should be consumed in moderation particularly by individuals with weak digestion or Kapha imbalance.
Apricot, identified in Ayurvedic texts as Urumana, is a fruit categorized alongside other nutrient-dense nuts and fruits like almonds (Vatama) and walnuts (Aksota). In Ayurveda, it is valued for its rich, nourishing qualities. It is considered a powerful tonic that builds body tissues, promotes vitality, and specifically calms the Vata dosha (air element), though it must be eaten in moderation by certain body types due to its heating nature.
In Ayurveda, the Apricot (Urumana) is described as a heavy and unctuous fruit that provides deep nourishment to the body. It is grouped with high-energy foods like walnuts and almonds, indicating its role as a restorative food rather than a light fruit. It is traditionally used to build strength, enhance sexual vigor, and combat dryness and weakness in the body.
According to Charaka Samhita:
(General guidance based on its classification as a heavy fruit in Charaka Samhita):
Apricot (Urumana) is generally safe when consumed as a fruit. However, due to its potent qualities (hot and heavy), it is not considered "Tridosha Shamaka" (balancing for all); it specifically targets Vata while increasing others.
World Health Organization – WHO Guidelines on Good Agricultural and Collection Practices (GACP) for Medicinal Plants
https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/42783
Nutritional composition and antioxidant properties of apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) – Food Chemistry
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16076137/
Phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity of apricot fruits – Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16719523/
Health-promoting properties of apricot fruit and kernels – Molecules
https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/23/9/2154
Amygdalin in apricot kernels: Pharmacological and toxicological aspects – Food and Chemical Toxicology
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24731362/
Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential of Prunus armeniaca – BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies
https://bmccomplementmedtherapies.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1472-6882-14-33
Role of apricot consumption in cardiovascular health – Nutrition Research Reviews
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23061565/
Antimicrobial activity of apricot extracts – African Journal of Biotechnology
https://academicjournals.org/journal/AJB/article-full-text/7F9C6C640511
Q. Can it be taken daily?
It can be taken daily by those looking to gain weight or pacify Vata (dryness/cold). Those with high Kapha (weight issues) or Pitta (heat) should avoid daily excess.
Q. When should it be taken?
It is best eaten as a snack or part of a meal when the digestive fire is strong (e.g., mid-day), as it is heavy to digest.
Q. Can it be taken with milk?
While not explicitly forbidden with milk in the text, fruits are often eaten separately. However, tonics (Vrishya foods) are sometimes combined with milk for restorative therapy; consult a physician for specific combinations.
Written By
Sathyaprek
BDS
Reviewed By
Dr. Varun Gupta
MD Pharmacology, MBBS
Last updated on
27 Sep 2022 • 06:23 PM (IST)
Read Our Editorial Policy
Want to know more?
Have issue with the content?
Report Problem