Shri Nathji was particularly
fond of ‘Rooh Afza’. This was one soft
drink that Shri Nathji enjoyed and praised it for its refreshing taste and health
benefits. Shri Nathji transcribes the name, Rooh Afza’ as meaning: “That which
elevates the soul.”
Rooh Afza is a
non-alcoholic concentrated squash made with fruits, herbs and vegetable
extracts. It was formulated by Hakeem Hafiz Abdul Majeed in 1906 in Ghaziabad,
India and manufactured by the companies founded by him and his sons, Hamdard
(Wakf) Laboratories. Some other companies formulate the same un-patented recipe
in India and Pakistan. The specific Unani recipe of Rooh Afza combines several of
popularly-believed cooling agents, like rose, and used as remedy for loo, - hot
Indian summer winds. Its original recipe consist of the following natural ingredients-
Herbs: purslane
("Khurfa seeds", Portulaca oleracea), Chicory, wine-grape raisins
(Vitis vinifera), European white lily (Nymphaea alba, blue star water lily
(Nymphaea nouchali), lotus, Borage and Coriander
Fruits: orange, citron, pineapple, apple,
berries, strawberry, raspberry, loganberry, blackberry, cherry, concord grapes,
blackcurrant, carrot and watermelon
Vegetables: spinach, mint and mướp hương
(Luffa aegyptiaca)
Flowers: rose, keora (Pandanus fascicularis),
lemon flower and orange flower
Roots: vetiver (Chrysopogon zizanioides)
Rooh Afza is sold
commercially as a syrup to flavor drinks called Sharbet. It is also added in cold
milk drinks, ices and cold desserts, such as the popular falooda.
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