Ayurvedic Laddus : A Delicious Way to Boost Your Wellness

Ayurveda, the ancient science of health and wellness, has always emphasized the vitality of maintaining a healthy diet. Though exercise too is important, it is the diet that sits at the top shelf. 

Ayurveda is a stern advocate of leading a simple life. Living a righteous life, eating a nourishing diet, practising physical exercises, performing meditation and living mindfully are some of the simple essences of life, according to Ayurveda. 

Along with simple meals replete of fruits and veggies, pulses and legumes, Ayurveda also introduces recipes of precious herbs and roots that bring many medicinal benefits. One such recipe that has been passed through generations is magical Ayurvedic Laddus. 

Because of their magical medicinal benefits, Ayurvedic Laddus are used as a prasad offered to God. A must-have in the festive platter, the word laddu is extracted from the Sanskrit word ‘ladduka’ which translates to a ‘small ball’. 

Our ancient sages, blended several potent ingredients to form these small balls of Laddus. Varied in taste and flavours, they are not only a treat to the tongue but they are also the healers of many diseases.

Among many of its mystical benefits, it’s their capacity to improve immunity gives all the more reason to make these laddus a staple in the kitchen. 

Ayurvedic Laddu 

Laddu is a famous Indian dessert that comes in diverse flavours. A combination of several ingredients like flour, grains, pulses, semolina, coconut, sesame, dry fruits, ghee, butter, oil, sugar and more, Laddus are not only delicious but they also possess potent medicinal properties.

The history of laddu in India dates back to several centuries. Laddus were originally invented for medicinal purposes by the father of surgery, Susruta. Susruta used several Ayurvedic laddus as antiseptic and medicinal panacea to treat his patients.

With time, several recipes and ingredients made it to the list giving rise to a cookbook of healthy laddus. Ayurvedic Laddus curb the weakness, strengthen the pregnant, heal the wounded, solidify the body’s functions and a lot more!

Also Read: Ayurveda is the ultimate guide to your fitness goals.

Varieties of Ayurvedic Laddus

Ayurvedic Laddus come in all sizes and flavours, sweet, tangy and spicy. Prepared with a variety of ingredients, these Ayurvedic laddus bear different properties each offering potent healing potency.

Here are a few well-known Laddus that have been passed down through centuries making its way from one granny book to another. 

1. Ragi Laddu

A well-known cereal across the globe, Ragi is a bundle of nutrients. It is high in protein, minerals, calcium and anti-oxidants. 

Ragi Laddus were traditionally formulated, useful for osteoporosis, diabetes and low haemoglobin. These little balls of Ragi protect the body against typhoid-like fever, food poisoning and infections. Ladies in ancient times loved these laddus because of its anti-ageing and weight loss properties. 

How to make Ragi Laddu?

• Heat 1 tsp ghee and fry 1 cup ragi flour on a low flame. 
• Once the aroma set out, keep it aside to cool.
• Roast ½ cup peanut, ½ cup sesame seeds, ¼ cup grated coconut and 4 pc cardamom. 
• Grind these ingredients into fine Powder. 
• Grate  150 gm jaggery into powder.
• Take a large bowl and mix all the ingredients with the fried flour.
• Blend for 1 or 2 minutes and let the oil ooze. 
• Make balls when the mix is still warm. If needed add melted warm ghee.
• Store in an air-tight jar.

2. Museli Laddu

A famous aphrodisiac herb, Museli is used in the Ayurvedic medicinal system. It is crowned to conquer weakness, low stamina, degeneration, emaciation etc. This herb is high in nutritional value. It is used to enhance energy, libido, and soothe joint pain. 

Museli laddus can be prepared by blending Ashwagandha with the richness of almonds, coconut flakes, ghee, jaiphal, elaichi, dalchini, bura sugar etc. in a base of wheat flour.

How to make Museli laddu?

• Chop 10 pc cashew, 20 pc pistachio, 10 pc almond, 10 pc raisin.
• Add one cup of muesli and rose petals to the chopped dry fruits.
• Grind 250gm dates and add it to the mixture.
• Mix all the ingredients and prepare little balls using some ghee on your palm.

3. Jaape Ke Laddu

A staple for the new mother for centuries, Jaape Ke Laddu is a miracle. In ancient times, the experienced women prepared these Laddus. They give it to the new mother post-delivery. It is to assure health and stamina to the nourishing mother.

These laddus contain the properties of shunthi , supari, ajwain, kamarkas gond, jaiphal, lavanga, javitri, ghee, bura sugar and several other ingredients.  Jaape Ke Laddu helps in expelling the toxins which accumulate during the gestational period. This powerful Ayurvedic Laddu also rich in nutrition.

4. Kaunch Laddu

Prepared with Kaunch beej, it is one of the most potent aphrodisiacs, apart from building stamina and strength. These laddus help in increasing sexual desire, improve sperm count and motility. In ancient times, it was used for ailments like impotency, sexual debility, infertility and neurological disorders. 

Kaunch beej is well-known for increasing sexual desire. They can also increase the production and quality of semen. But they are also potent medicine for Parkinson’s disease and arthritis.

5. Til Laddu

Prepared with Til and Gur, Til Laddu is an amazing health booster that offers oodles of benefits. The tasty treats enhance the immunity of the body, boosts bone health and helps in curing a lot of diseases. Til Laddu triggers hair growth, enhances skin glow, boosts digestion, strengthens dental health. 

Til Laddu helps in reducing blood pressure, migraine, constipation and hypertension. Women love it for so many reasons. Its antioxidant properties fight free radicals, helps delay ageing, lose weight and even prevent cancer. But best of all is that Til Laddu boosts milk production for new mothers. This dessert is also great for busting stress and depression.

How to make Til Laddu?

• Dry roast ½ cup white sesame seeds and ½ cup black sesame seeds.
• Heat 1 cup jaggery and ¼ cup water.
• Keep the flame on low, stir well and dissolve jaggery. Let it boil for 5 minutes.
• Turn off the flame and add roasted sesame seeds.
• Next, add 2 tbsp peanuts, 2 tbsp cashews and ½ tsp cardamom powder.
• Combine everything well and allow to cool for 5 minutes till the mixture thickens.
• Grease your hand with little ghee and prepare balls of the size of your choice.

6. Semolina Laddu

It is a great energy booster that prevents overeating. Semolina Laddu helps in keeping bone and nervous system healthy. It prevents anaemia, treats haemorrhoids, sexual weakness, aches and pains, burning sensation.

Semolina also helps in clearing digestion woes and excess sweating. It aids in maintaining the health of bones and nervous system, improving heart health and preventing anaemia.

How to make Semolina Laddu?

• Heat 1 tsp of ghee on medium heat. 
• Add sooji and roast for 6-7 minutes continuously till the aroma fuses in. 
• Fry cashews and raisins in 1 tsp medium flame till it turns golden brown.
• Once the sooji has cooled down grind it using a blender. 
• Transfer it into a large bowl and add fried nuts.
• Grind granulated sugar and cardamom seeds.
• Mix grind sugar into the sooji and nuts mixture. 
• Add 3 tsp melted ghee and mix. Also, add 1-2 tsp milk for consistency.
• Press a small portion and make little laddus.

7. Gond Laddu

The delicious winter laddu is laden with nutrition and energy which makes it a perfect food in pregnancy and post-delivery. Along with gond it contains elaichi, almonds, poppy seeds, dates, fennel seeds, anise seeds, nutmeg and much more.

Apart from being a storehouse of proteins, these laddus contain adaptogenic properties that help in dealing with stress and assist the body in repairing itself. Gond nourishes the bone tissues, helps in preventing body pain, and boosts the production of breast milk.

How to make Gond Laddu?

• Heat 1 tsp ghee. Add gond and fry it in low flame until it puffs up to four sizes.
• Add remaining ghee into the pan and roast whole wheat flour on low flame.
• Let the aroma set in and then place it in a wide bowl.
• Add ginger powder and roast for about a minute. Let it cool and add it to the gond bowl.
• Dry roast coconut for a minute and transfer into the wheat flour bowl.
• Add broken jaggery pieces into the same pan and heat it until it melts.
• Once it melts completely, filter it for impurities and pour the syrup into the whole wheat flour bowl.
• Grind almonds and cashews into coarse powder and chop the pistachios. Add the nuts into the bowl.
• Crush roasted gond into very small pieces and add them to the bowl.
• Mix all the ingredients well and let the heat reduce to bearable amount to touch. 
• Make small round balls and store in an airtight container.

8. Danamethi Laddu

Danamethi Laddu is an Ayurvedic marvel that helps in maintaining a healthy gut, strong digestion and clear bowel. It strengthens the bone and muscle tissues thereby fighting degenerative joint pains. Danamethi Laddu alleviates weakness and promotes stamina and strength. 

 It is a great snack for the ageing lot, but others too can enjoy the mighty benefits. Methi laddu can also reduce hair fall, cut cancer risk, cure skin problems, help weight loss and ease the process of delivery. 

How to make Danamethi Laddu?

• Take cleaned fenugreek seeds and turn it into a fine powder.
• Put one and a half tbsp ghee in a pan and heat when oil is heat add gond.
• Fry gond in excess ghee. Let it cool and mix the ghee and fenugreek powder. 
• Add soaked fenugreek powder and fry till it turns golden brown colour.
• Add chopped cashew nuts, almonds and raisins. Mix properly and transfer this mixture into a plate
• Dry roast flax seeds and take out into a plate.
• Add grated dry coconut and dry roast.
• Heat 2 tbsp ghee add wheat flour and stir fry till it turns golden brown. 
• Melt jaggery on a low flame and keep stirring for two minutes.
• Let wheat flour turn golden brown, then add fenugreek powder and dry fruits. Mix properly before adding dry ginger powder, flaxseeds, black pepper powder, powder date. 
• Mix all the ingredients to make a fine dough. 
• Make small laddus and store it in a closed jar.

With the rainy season near approaching, its time to prepare these delicious laddus and stack in your kitchen! Apart from those said, there are a lot of benefits to these little mighty balls, one above all is that they boost immunity and help endure cold seasons without falling sick.