The Materia Medica of the Hindus, compiled from Sanskrit Medical Works c5.s10.t5.14

c5.s10.t5.14

Mudga, ordinarily known as moong ká dál, and especially its green variety, is considered most wholesome and suited to sick persons. A soup made of this pulse is often the first article of diet prescribed after recovery from acute illness. The following varieties are also considered wholesome and suited for use by convalescent persons, namely, *masura*, *chanaka*, *kulattha* and *makushtha*. *Vicia Lens* or lentils, which take rank first among the pulses as containing the largest proportion of flesh-forming matter, are regarded by the Hindus as highly nutritive, and useful in bowel complaints. A poultice made of this pulse is an effectual domestic medicine for checking secretion of milk and reducing distension of the mammary glands. *Cicer arietinum* is perhaps the most favourite pulse with the natives, and is used as an article of diet in a great variety of ways. It is taken raw, or cooked in its green as well as ripe state. Gram is made into *dál*, is roasted and ground into meal and is prepared in many other ways.