CHYAVANAPRASH

It is a traditional form of medicine used since ancient times prepared from multiple natural herbs. Chyawanprash is a natural health supplement and immune booster which is considered as Rasayana in classics (means having rejuvenating properties). The origin of the name of this formulation is as it was firstly prepared by a rishi (saint) named ‘Chayawan’ so known as Chyavanprash. It possesses multiple health benefits like immunity booster, longevity, respiratory disorders, digestive problems and improves memory, intellect. The main aim of the great sage Chawayan rishi in this preparation was to be younger, improve vitality and strength. So in this article we will review about Chyavanaprasam basic ingredients, method of preparation, benefits and dosage.

Chyavanprasha is a rasayana formulation which is purely herbal in nature and aims to anti ageing, antioxidant and immune booster properties. It contains amla (Emblica officinalis) as its main ingredient and it was first mentioned by Acharya Charka in classical texts. There are multiple benefits of Chyawanprash for health such as providing strength, nourishment, vitality, preventing recurrent viral infections like cold, cough, and reducing stress & anxiety. The word Chyavanprash is made of two words ‘Chyavan’ and ‘prash’, Chyavan is the name of a sage/ saint and ‘prasha’ means ‘specifically prepared food’. This formulation is prepared by processing extract from 48 numbers of drugs having jam-like consistency

According to classical texts, there are different views about Chyavanaprasam by different Acharyas but each considers it as Rasayana and balances all dosha i.e. vata, pitta and kapha. It is beneficial for everyone such as young ones, old age, emaciated, traumatised persons also. The indications mentioned in classics are as follows-

• Kaas (Coughing)
• Swash (breathlessness)
• Jawar (fever)
• Shoath (swelling)
• Hridroga (heart disorders)
• Vatarakta (gout)
• Mutardosha (urinary disorders)
• Shukardosh (seminal disorders)
• Swarveda (difficulty in speaking)
• Medha, samriti- Intellect, memory
• Aarogya (healthy)
• Dirgahayu (longevity)
• Kanti vardhak (complexion)
• Indriya shakti (improves sense organs)

Ingredients

The list of ingredients are given below-

Kwatha Dravya (Decoction Material)

• Bilva (Aegle marmelos)
• Agnimanth (Premna mucronata)
• Shaynoga (Oroxylum indicum)
• Patla (Stereospermum suaveolens)
• Gambhari (Premna integrifolia)
• Brihati (Solanum indicum)
• Kantakari (Solanum xanthocarpum)
• Gokshura (Tribulus terrestris)
• Prishniparni (Uraria picta)
• Shalparni (Desmodium giganteum)
• Bala mula (Sida cordifolia)
• Nagarmotha (Cyperus rotundus)
• Pippali (Piper longum)   
• Jeewak (Malaxis acuminata)
• Rishbhak (Manilkara hexandra)
• Kamal (Nymphaea caerulea)
• Mashparni (Teramnus labialis) 
• Mudgaparni (Phaseolus trilobus) 
• Shringi (Pistacia integerrima)
• Meda (Polygonatum cirrhifolium)
• Bhumi amalaki (Phyllanthus niruri)
• Jeevanti (Leptadenia reticulata)
• Agaru (Aquilaria agallocha)
• Chandana (Ocimum sanctum)
• Draksha (Vitis vinifera)
• Pushkarmool (Inula racemosa)
• Shati (Hedychium Spicatum)
• Punarnava (Boerhavia diffusa)
• Kakoli (Fritillaria roylei) 
• Kshir kakoli (Lilium polyphyllum)
• Haritaki (Terminalia chebula)
• Kaknasa (Myrtinia annua)
• Amrita (Tinospora cordifolia)
• Vidarikand (Pueraria tuberosa)
• Vasa (Adhatoda vasica)
• Amalaki (Emblica officinalis)
• Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)
• Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus)
• Varahikand (Dioscorea bulbifera)

Prakshep Dravya (Paste Drugs)

• Madhu (honey)
• Vanshlochan (Bambusa arundinacea)
• Pippali (Piper longum)
• Twak (Cinnamoum zeylenica)
• Ela (Elettaria cardamomum)
• Tejpatr (Cinnamoum tamala)
• Nagkesar (Mesua ferrea)

Sneha Dravya

• Cow’s ghee
• Til taila (Sesame oil)

Benefits Of Ingredients

• Bilva- It helps in balancing vata and kapha dosha, it is bitter in taste and corrects metabolism. It has anti-inflammatory properties and enhances digestion.
• Agnimanth- It is very beneficial in vataj disorders, reduces neurological and muscular pains. It relieves severe pain and boosts digestive fire.
• Shaynoga- It prevents microbes, infections, swelling and removes toxins from the body. It has an anti arthritic and analgesic effect.
• Patla- It protects all nerves, muscles of the body and boosts the metabolic rate of the body. It improves heart and respiratory functioning, removes vitiated kapha dosha.
• Gambhari- It strengthens cardiac muscles, reduces pain, inflammation and toxins. It is beneficial in digestion, weakness and nervous disorders.
• Brihati- It is very beneficial for digestive disorders like appetite, indigestion and worm infestations. It increases appetite, strengthens heart and lungs.
• Kantakari- It manages diabetes, liver damage, inflammation, asthma and brain disorders. It has antioxidant properties and aids digestion.
• Gokshura- It is helpful in cough, asthma, headache or any type of pain. It manages conditions like PCOS, UTI, prostate or any inflammatory conditions.
• Prishniparni- It purifies blood circulation and manages gout, piles, diarrhoea, cough, bronchitis like conditions. It protects the cardiovascular and respiratory system.
• Shalparni- It is helpful in enteric fever, respiratory problems and boosts the immune system. It provides strength to muscles, bones and circulatory system.
• Bala mula- It acts as a nervine tonic for vataj disorders, purifies blood, and provides foetal growth and development. It is helpful for infertility and reproductive disorders.
• Nagarmotha- It aids digestion, weight loss and lactation. It fights against infections, indigestion and respiratory disorders. It acts as a good appetiser and helps in digestion.
• Pippali- It reduces inflammation, pain, swelling and removes toxins from the body. It prevents stress, depression, and epileptic attacks.
• Jeewak- It manages bronchitis, balances vata dosha and has rejuvenating properties. It is useful in diarrhoea, bleeding disorders and burning sensations.
• Rishbhak- It is a good anti oxidant and it balances vata, pitta dosha. It has cooling action so beneficial for reproductive health and immunity.
• Kamal- It stimulates blood circulation and oxygenation. It boosts digestion, corrects constipation and nutrient absorption.
• Mashparni- It provides overall strength and prevents weakness. It is a rich source of potassium, calcium and magnesium.
• Mudgaparni- It corrects digestive disorders like acidity, diarrhoea, burning sensation, etc. Also helpful in gout, neuropathy and worm infestations.
• Shringi- It balances vata, pitta dosha and acts as mucolytic. It is beneficial in pneumonia, influenza and common cold, cough.
• Meda- It increases physical strength, nourishes body tissues, nerves and acts as galactogogues. It reduces inflammation, boosts metabolism.
• Bhumi amalaki- It acts as hepatoprotective, antioxidant and viral. It prevents gastric ulcers and boosts brain functioning.
• Jeevanti- It manages ailments like emaciation, cough, dyspnoea, fever, burning sensation and diarrhoea. It increases memory, longevity and immunity.
• Agaru- It is beneficial for skin conditions like eczema, blisters, rashes, itching and inflammatory changes. It has good healing properties and prevents microbes.
• Chandana- It is very beneficial for skin, eye and blood related disorders. It is used as disinfectant to mucus membranes of genito urinary tract and respiratory systems.
• Draksha- It acts as nutrient, somatic and demulcent in properties. It acts as a laxative, improves appetite,dyspepsia and improves liver functioning.
• Pushkarmool- It clears respiratory pathways and has a rejuvenating property. It acts as an antiallergic and corrects asthma, bronchitis and cough.
• Shati- It acts as a stimulant and health tonic to the body. It is very good for reproductive health and proves beneficial during pregnancy. It is also helpful in nausea, vertigo-like symptoms.
• Punarnava- It strengthens cardiac muscles and helps in oxygenation, circulation of blood. It helps in blood purification so it is beneficial in anaemia and best for diabetic patients.
• Kakoli- It is helpful in arthritis, fever, diabetes, and urinary problems. It acts as an immuno modulator and receiver from general debility.
• Kshir kakoli- It is useful in inflammation, burning sensation and arthritis. It boosts immunity, heart functioning and reproductive health.
• Haritaki- It protects digestion, nerves, muscles and acts as carminative. It is very helpful in cardiac and liver disorders. It detoxifies the body and relieves constipation, indigestion.
• Kaknasa- It provides strength to the liver and improves bile flow in ducts. It acts as a laxative so improves indigestion, constipation and anorexia.
• Amrita- It is a cardio tonic and acts as an expectorant, clears mucus from the respiratory tract. It also acts as diuretic and proves very beneficial in diabetic patients.
• Vidarikand- It acts as tonic and boosts reproductive health. It helps in nervous debility, skin disorders and hepatic conditions. It also improves digestion.
• Varahikand– It relieves from gas, acidity and stomach ulcers like conditions. It manages skin disorders like eczema, psoriasis and intestinal parasites. 
• Vasa- It acts as an expectorant so helpful in asthma, bronchitis, pharyngitis. It prevents colds, coughs, inflammatory changes, infections.
• Amalaki- It is a rich source of Vitamin C so it acts as a   good oxidant in the body and boosts the immune system. It acts as a rejuvenator and neuro tonic, hepato and cardio protective.
• Ashwagandha– It acts as an aphrodisiac and provides strength to the reproductive system. It removes toxins from the body and boosts memory and intelligence power.    
• Shatavari- It is a good tonic, nutrient for lactating mothers and potent galactagogue. It has antioxidant properties and boosts the immune system.
•  Madhu- It is a mild laxative, anti-bacterial and has antiseptic properties. It prevents cold, cough, sore throat and mouth ulcers, improves digestion. 
• Vanshlochan- It strengthens bones and heals bone fractures. It is useful in reducing inflammation, arthritis-like conditions. It has a good cooling effect and is hemostatic.
• Pippali- It is beneficial in general debility disorders and provides strength. It is useful in dispepsia, flatulence and manages respiratory tract disorders.
• Twak- It helps in blood circulation and is so beneficial in anaemia. It is useful in generalised body weakness, anorexia and improves digestion.
• Ela- It is used in abdominal and digestive disorders like flatulence, bloating, anorexia, indigestion. It acts as a general health tonic in debility.
• Tejpatr- It helps in general debility and provides strength to the metabolic system. It is helpful in loss of appetite or indigestion like conditions and also acts as a uterine stimulant.
• Nagkesar- It is very beneficial for liver disorders and improves appetite. It manages piles, ulcers, bleeding disorders, inflammation and acts as disinfectant.
• Cow’s ghee- It is a rich source of vitamins, helps in cellular functioning and growth. It improves memory, eyesight, immunity and muscular strength.
• Til taila- It is a tonic, nutrient and helpful in respiratory disorders like cough, asthma and lung disease. It prevents inflammation, ulcers, migraine and vertigo.