What the texts say
Sushruta opens the list by saying these things become like poison (viṣatulyāni) when combined. Curd shares the list with sour fruits, salt, oil and liquor. The verse is about eating the two together, not about setting milk to make curd.[1]
The modern view
We have not found a modern study that tests eating milk and curd together. 'Like poison' is the text's own description, not a finding from toxicology.
From the classical texts
Questions people ask
What happens if you eat milk and curd together?
Sushruta says the foods in this list become like poison when eaten with milk, and curd is one of them.[1]
Does the rule give a waiting time between milk and curd?
Sushruta's word is naikadhyam, 'not together'. The rule is about eating the two in the same meal.[1]
Related
Curd (dahi) at night
Charaka and the Ashtanga Hridaya both say not to eat curd at night. Charaka lists fever, skin disease and jaundice among the illnesses that follow.
FoodHeating curd (dahi garam karna)
Charaka says curd should not be eaten hot, and the Ashtanga Hridaya says the same in its passage on curd.
FoodMilk and salt
Sushruta lists salt among the things that become poison-like when eaten with milk. Vagbhata's Ashtanga Sangraha names the pair too.
FoodMilk and fish
Charaka says fish and milk clash in potency and can spoil the blood. Sushruta and Vagbhata give the same rule.
Sources
Updated 4 November 2026