Draksha is the grape, a woody vine first domesticated in the South Caucasus and Near East around eight thousand years ago. In India most grapes come from Nashik and Sangli in Maharashtra and from Vijayapura in Karnataka, eaten fresh or dried into kishmish raisins. Nashik is also the centre of India’s young wine industry. Draksha is an old name in Ayurveda, where raisins appear in many formulas.
- Botanical name
- Vitis vinifera L.
- Family
- Vitaceae
- Tamil
- Draksha
- Hindi
- Angur
- Sanskrit
- Drākṣā
- Parts used
- Fruit, Dried fruit, Leaf in some kitchens
- Habit
- Grape vine; fruit, raisins and wine
- Last updated
- 2026-10-27
How to recognise Draksha
It is a woody climbing vine with peeling bark, held up by forked tendrils opposite the leaves.
The leaves are broad, palm-veined and three- to five-lobed, with toothed edges.
Tiny greenish flowers grow in dense clusters that become bunches of berries.
The berries are round or oval, green, red or black, with or without seeds.
Indian vineyards train vines on overhead frames, called bower systems, and prune them twice a year.
Traditional use of Draksha
Kitchen
Raisins go into kheer, pulao, biryani and halwa, and fresh grapes are eaten as a summer fruit.
Indian food practice
Ayurveda
Draksha is the base of draksharishta and other formulas, and is described as cooling and nourishing.
Ayurvedic practice
Kitchen
In Greece, Turkey and the Middle East young vine leaves are stuffed with rice as dolma.
Mediterranean food practice
Modern notes on Draksha
Thompson Seedless and its selections dominate Indian table grapes and raisins.
Indian grapes exported to Europe are tested for pesticide residues under a national monitoring plan.
Grape skins contain resveratrol, studied in laboratories, but the amounts in fruit or wine are small.
Pottery residues in Georgia show winemaking about eight thousand years ago.
Draksha safety
Wash grapes well because vineyards are heavily sprayed, and cut grapes lengthwise for small children to prevent choking. Grapes and raisins can cause kidney failure in dogs.
Ecology and sourcing
The wild grape grows from Europe to Central Asia in riverside forests.
Cultivated grapes are mostly self-pollinating.
Birds and fruit bats eat ripening grapes, so vineyards are often netted.
Related plants
Questions about Draksha
Where are grapes grown in India?
Mainly Nashik, Sangli and Vijayapura.
What is kishmish?
Dried seedless grapes, or raisins.
Why should grapes be cut for toddlers?
Whole grapes can block a small child’s airway.
Are grapes safe for dogs?
No. They can cause kidney failure.
What is draksha?
The Sanskrit name for grape.
Sources
- Vitis vinifera L. — Plants of the World Online, Kew (search) (accessed 2026)
- Wikidata item Q30046 (Vitis vinifera)
Educational page about a plant. It is not medical advice, not a diagnosis, and not an offer to sell. Traditional use is historical. If you need care, ask a licensed clinician. Questions: hello@meevamed.com.