Lehyam (Sanskrit:लेह्य,romanized: Lēhya,lit. 'food to be licked'),[1] also referred to asLekiyam (Tamil:லேகியம்,romanized: Lēkiyam) refers to a traditional Indianelectuary or confection.[2][3]
Classified as a product ofSiddha medicine, lehyam is regarded to be a healthy body tonic, consumed to resolve digestive and respiratory problems, comprising ingredients that are easily absorbed by the body.[4][5]
Lehyam is prepared using powdered medicine,jaggery, sugar, honey, in an aqueous medium of water.Ghee is often added as a preserving agent, and after preparation, the food may be rolled into small balls and left to harden within a vessel, edible for up to a year.[4][5]
Various forms of lehyam exist, and are named for their ingredients, and offer different properties. For instance, inTamil Nadu,inji lekiyam, for which the salient ingredient isginger, is offered to a new mother shortly after her delivery.[6]Thaneervittan (type of asparagus calledshatavari)legiyam andsowbhagiyasundi (dry ginger powder)legiyam are used similarly.[7]Nellikai lekiyam, for which the salient ingredient isstar gooseberry, is offered to children to boost their immunity.[7]
In South India, lehyam is often prepared and purchased on the occasion ofDeepavali to aid the digestion, and counteract the effects, of eating sweets during the festival.[8] According toThe Hindu, Deepavali legiyam, or Deepavali marundhu, is popular inChennai, and made in many households at festival time.[9]
Ciṭṭukkuruvi lēkiyam, prepared fromsparrow meat, was once consumed foraphrodisiacal purposes.[10]
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