🌾 Masūra (मसूर)

Botanical Name: Lens culinaris Medik. (Syn. L. esculenta Moench., Ervum lens Linn.)
Family: Fabaceae (Leguminosae)

1. Synonyms (पर्यायनामानि / Classical Names)

🪷 Interpretation:
The term “Mangalyaka” signifies purity and wholesomeness — a śāka (legume) considered beneficial, sattvic, and auspicious in the Indian diet and rituals.

2. Regional Names

3. Botanical Description

4. Chemical Constituents

Major Phytochemicals:

• Phenolic compounds: Indolyl acrylic acid, trans-ferulic acid, syringic acid, trans-p-coumaric acid
• Flavonoids: Luteolin, Tricetin, Kaempferol, 5-deoxy-kaempferol, Proanthocyanidins, Delphinidin glycosides, Variabilin
• Alkaloids: Lenticin (minor)
• Enzymes: Amylase, Proteolytic enzymes, Phosphatase, Phytase
• Saponins: Esculentin (isolated in appreciable amount)
• Proteins: High-quality vegetable protein (25–26%), but deficient in methionine, tryptophan, and threonine
• Carbohydrates: Starch, Hemicellulose, Stachyose, Reducing sugars
• Vitamins: B-complex group (B₁, B₂, B₃, B₆), folic acid
• Minerals:
• Calcium – 38.6 mg/100 g
• Phosphorus – 242 mg/100 g
• Iron – 7.6 mg/100 g
• Potassium – 673 mg/100 g
• Magnesium – 76.5 mg/100 g
• Sulphur – 122 mg/100 g
• Trace elements – Iodine, Bromine, Zinc, Copper, Manganese

5. Ayurvedic Properties (गुण, रस, वीर्य, विपाक, दोषप्रभाव)

6. Properties & Therapeutic Uses (गुण एवं उपयोग)

7. Modern Nutritional and Medicinal Uses

• Excellent source of plant protein (second only to Bengal gram in nutritive value).
• Good source of B-vitamins and dietary fiber.
• Low glycemic index — suitable for diabetic diets.
• Aids in muscle recovery and boosts stamina.
• Improves hemoglobin levels due to high iron content.
• Lentil soup (Masoor dal) recommended in convalescence and fever.

8. Dose (मात्रा)

 Powder (Cūrṇa)       10–15 g  
                           
Boiled with water or made into thin gruel.

9. Formulations & Combinations

• Used in pathya preparations for fever, anaemia, and weakness.
• Cooked with ghee and spices for vāta balance.
• Combined with old rice, ghee, and rock salt for easily digestible diet during convalescence.
• Sometimes used in medicinal khichri with mung dal for light nourishment.

10. Classical References

11. Summary

🌿 Masūra (Lens culinaris) — known as Mangalyaka in classical Ayurveda — is an auspicious, cooling, light, and nutritive legume.
It balances Kapha–Pitta, promotes strength, tissue nourishment, and recovery from illness.
With its high protein, iron, and vitamin B content, Masura is both a food and medicine, widely recommended for convalescence, fevers, anaemia, and digestive health.