Beating the summer heat naturally

Ice apple known as Tadgola/Targola in Hindi (Sanskrit: Tāla, Latin: Borassus flabellifer) is best suited to beat the summer heat naturally. It is a translucent, jelly-like soft, and highly refreshing fruit of the palmyra palm tree.

Properties: 

1. Taste (Rasa): Sweet (Madhura rasa).
2. Qualities (Guna): Cooling (Sheeta guna).
3. Dosha: Pitta shamana.
4. Karma: Restorative tonic, Aphrodisiac.
5. Anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, diuretic.

Benefits:

1. Nutritive, cools the body during summer.

Uses:

1. Fever.
2. Urinary disorders.
3. Prevents scurvy.
4. Fresh, non-alcoholic sap from palm trees (Neera) helps combat dehydration and muscle cramps.
5. Fermented palm sap has probiotic properties and may boost digestion and stamina.
6. Starchy flour made after drying tender nut (Taalatan) is used to make porridge for patients. 

Dosage:

1. Fresh sap (Neera): 50–200 ml daily, empty stomach in the morning (use: cooling, hydration as electrolyte rich).
2. Palm jelly: 10–20 gm after meals (Use: digestive aid).
3. Dried kernel powder: 3–6 gm mixed in warm water or honey, taken once or twice a day (Use: Rasayana)

Safety:

1. Usually well-tolerated.
2. Sap should be collected in sterilized containers and filtered. It should be consumed within a few hours.
3. Consumption of excess or stale/improperly stored sap may cause mild gastrointestinal upset (bloating, diarrhea).
4. Limit intake and under professional guidance especially for pregnant women who have hyperglycemia.  

Contraindications:

• To be used under professional guidance by patients suffering from Diabetes mellitus (possible interaction with hypoglycemic drugs) and Kidney disease (possible increase in serum potassium due to high potassium content, potential risk of electrolyte imbalance in patients on diuretics).

Note: 

1. There is a significant difference in the sap content and hence corresponding impact of coconut and date palm sap.

References:

1. Borassus Flabellifer, Askayurveda (Url)