Garden cress seed (halim) (Chandrashura): Ayurvedic Properties (Rasa, Virya, Dosha) & USDA Nutrition

Garden cress seed (halim) Chandrashura

Also known as: halim, aliv, haleem seeds

Chandrashura is the classical postpartum and strength seed — iron-dense red kernels that swell like sabja but warm like mustard; aliv laddus rebuild new mothers.

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Garden cress seed (halim) — Ayurvedic Seed & USDA Nutrition

Garden cress seed (halim) — Rasa: Pungent, Bitter · Virya: Heating · Vipaka: Pungent · — kcal per 100g (USDA).

Vāta: Strongly Pacifies (-2) Pitta: Mildly Increases (+1) Kapha: Pacifies (-1)

Rasa (Six Tastes)

Pungent, Bitter

Vīrya (Potency)

Heating

Vipāka (Post-Digestive)

Pungent

Guṇas (Qualities)

Light, Oily, Penetrating, Slimy

Digestibility & Agni

3/5 · Agni 1

Seasons & Timing

Hemanta, Shishira · Morning

Classical Ayurvedic Profile & Preparation

Chandrashura is the classical postpartum and strength seed — iron-dense red kernels that swell like sabja but warm like mustard; aliv laddus rebuild new mothers.

Traditional Preparation (Samskara)

Soak in milk or water until gelled, then into laddus or drinks; a teaspoon carries a day's iron tradition.

Classical Provenance: Bhavaprakasha (chandrashura); Maharashtrian postpartum tradition.

Synergistic Combinations (Samyoga)

aliv laddu with coconut and jaggery (Maharashtrian postpartum)
soaked in milk overnight
halim drink with lemon (iron absorption)

Contraindications & Viruddha Āhāra (Food Incompatibilities)

Contraindication: pregnancy (uterine stimulant — postpartum is the tradition, pregnancy is not)
Contraindication: high pitta (excess)
Contraindication: always soaked (swelling seeds)