What the texts say
तथा कङ्गुवनकमकुष्ठककुलत्थमाषनिष्पावाः पयसा सह विरुद्धाः
tathā kaṅguvanakamakuṣṭhakakulatthamāṣaniṣpāvāḥ payasā saha viruddhāḥ
Likewise kangu, vanaka, makushthaka, kulattha (horse gram), masha and nishpava are incompatible with milk.[1]
Charaka names kulattha, horse gram, in a short list of grains and pulses that clash with milk, right next to urad. Vagbhata gives a similar list. Sushruta puts it among the things he says become like poison when eaten with milk.[1][2][3]
The modern view
We have not found a modern study that tests horse gram eaten with milk. The rule comes from the classical texts alone.
From the classical texts
Related
Food
Milk and urad dal
Charaka lists urad (black gram) among the pulses not to take with milk.
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 curd together
Sushruta says not to eat curd with milk, and puts it in a list of foods that become like poison when combined.
Sources
- Charaka Samhita, Sutra Sthana 26.84 (Atreyabhadrakapyiya Adhyaya).
- Ashtanga Hridaya, Sutra Sthana 7.31-32, GRETIL e-text.
- Sushruta Samhita, Sutra Sthana 20.8 (Hitahitiya Adhyaya), NIIMH e-Sushruta edition.
Updated 4 November 2026
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