ASHWAGANDHARISHT

Introduction

This is a medication which is in liquid form made from the decoction of different herbs and then the decoction is fermented for some time to make it in the aristha form. This has a main ingredient as ashwagandha. There are many formulations of ashwagandha. Why make it in aristha form? The answer to this is that the medications which are in aristha form are the best and can travel in all the minute channels in the body and these aristha forms are also good for removing the blockages from the channels of the body and have a greater action than any other form of medications.

Ingredients

There are a total of 19 ingredients which are used for making decoction and 10 ingredients which are used for the making of ashwagandharisht:

Kwath dravya (Herbs which are used for making the decoction form)

1. Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)
2. Musli (Chlorophytum borivilianum)
3. Manjishtha (Rubia cordifolia)
4. Haritaki (Terminalia chebula)
5. Haridra (Curcuma longa)
6. Daruharidra (Berberis aristata)
7. Madhuka (Glycyrrhiza glabra)
8. Rasna (Pluchea lanceolata)
9. Vidari (Pueraria tuberosa)
10. Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna)
11. Mustaka (Cyperus rotundus)
12. Trivrit (Operculina turpethum)
13. Anant (Hemidesmus indicus)
14. Krishna sariva (Hemidesmus indicus)
15. Shveta chandan (Santalum album)
16. Rakta chandan (Pterocarpus santalinus)
17. Vacha (Acorus calamus)
18. Chitrak (Plumbago zeylanica)
19. Water for decoction

Prakshep dravya (Herbs which are added after the decoction is made and than it is left for fermentation)

1. Shunthi (Zingiber officinale)
2. Kali mirch (Piper nigrum)
3. Pippali (Piper longum)
4. Dalchini (Cinnamomum zeylanica)
5. Badi elaichi (Amomum Subulatum)
6. Tejpatra (Cinnamomum tamala)
7. Priyangu (Callicarpa macrophylla)
8. Nag Kesar (Mesua ferrea)
9. Dhatki (Woodfordia fruticosa)
10. Honey

Each 10 ml. contains aqueous extract derived:-

Sr. No.	Indian Name	Botanical Name	Parts Used	Quantity
1.	Ashwagandha	Withania somnifera	Root	25 Parts
2.	Safed Musli	Chlorophytum tuberosum	Rhizome	10 parts
3.	Vidarikand	Pueraria tuberosa	Stem	5 parts
4.	Arjuna	Terminalia arjuna	Bark	5 parts
5.	Manjishtha	Rubia cordifolia	Root	5 parts
6.	Mulethi	Glycyrrhiza glabra	Rhizome	5 parts
7.	Haldi	Curcuma longa	Rhizome	5 parts
8.	Nagarmotha	Cyperus rotundus	Root	5 parts
9.	Daru Haldi	Berberis aristata	Wood	5 parts
10.	Nishoth	Operculina turpethum	Root bark	5 parts
11.	Rasna	Pluchea lanceolata	Root	5 parts
12.	Badi Harad	Terminalia chebula	Fruit	5 parts
13.	Vacha	Acorus calamus	Root	4 parts
14.	Chitrak	Plumbago zeylanica	Root bark	4 parts
15.	Rakta Chandan	Pterocarpus santalum		4 parts
16.	Shweta chandan	Santalum album	Stem	4 parts
17.	Krishan sariva	Ichnocarpus frutescens	Root	4 parts
18.	Safed sariva	Hemidesmus indicus	Root	4 parts
19.	Dhatki Pushpa	Woodfordia fruticosa	Flower	8 parts
20.	Priyangu	Callicarpa macrophylla	Seed	2 parts
21.	Dalchini	Cinnamomum Zeylanicum	Bark	2 parts
22.	Badi Elaichi	Amomum subulatum	Dried Fruit	2 parts
23.	Tejpatra	Cinnamaomum tamala	Leaf	2 parts
24.	Shunthi	Zingiber officinale	Rhizome	1 part
25.	Kali Maricha	Piper nigrum	Seed	1 part
26.	Pippali	Piper longum	Whole Plant	1 part
27.	Nagkesar	Mesua ferrea	Flower	1 part
28.	Madhu (Honey)			150 parts
29.	Water for decoction	Aqua	Flower	1024 parts

Reference: Bhaishajya ratnavali/AFI

Description Of The Ingredients

All the herbs in this aristha are having certain properties due to which they are added in this

1. Ashwagandha – This herb is the main ingredient in this and it’s root is used in this, It is balya (Strengthening), sleep producing, brihaniya (nourishing), its name means it makes a person strong and energetic like a horse, it is light and snigdha (smooth), and it has sweet, astringent and bitter taste. This herb is the best kapha and vata pacifying but does not increase pitta dosha. This also acts as a nerve tonic and sedative agent, It can also be used in weakness. It also has action against the heart as it purifies blood and reduces oedema from the body. It also has antihistamine properties. This herb is a very well known aphrodisiac agent.
2. Musli – Root of this herb is used, this has unctuousness in property, having sweet and bitter taste, It is helpful in maintaining the overall health of the person and also a good aphrodisiac agent, and can also be used in generalized weakness, in ayurveda it is known as the good rejuvenating agent which also acts as anti-ageing agent. This herb is a vata-pitta pacifying agent and acts on increasing the shukra dhatu (sperm count and quality). It is a nourishing herb which also helps in increasing the weight and strength of the person.
3. Manjistha – This herb in ayurveda kept in varnya (improves complexion), jwarhar (antipyretic), pittashamak (herbs which pacify pitta dosha), this herb is kapha and pitta pacifying properties due to which it acts as anti-inflammatory agent and heals the wound and skin disorders, It helps in giving relief to the brain and can be used in nervous system disorders. It’s stem part is used in this aristha which is really good for the nervous disorders.
4. Haritaki – It’s fruit part is used in this arista and it has light and drying properties, it contains all the 5 tastes (sweet, sour, astringent, astringent, bitter and except salty taste), and this acts on all the three doshas. It can be used in weakness of nerves and brain and also in disorders related to the vata dosha. This is also used in disorders related to the digestive system like pain in the abdomen, constipation, hepatomegaly, splenomegaly etc.This can also be used in the weakness of the heart muscles and disorders of the blood. This herb is best known as a rejuvenating herb as it acts by eliminating the toxins from the body.
5. Haridra – It’s rhizome part is used in this aristha and this herb is kapha vata nashak (pacifying vata and kapha dosha), and pitta sarak (removes excess of pitta dosha). This herb has anti-inflammatory, analgesic properties. It also acts on the nervous system as it ushna veerya (hot potency) so acts as analgesic, It can also be applied locally for the analgesic effects. This also helps in haemopoiesis and acts as a hemostatic agent. This is also helpful in treating weakness. This is also good for the digestive system so it is helpful for indigestion and digesting the toxins from the body. This herb is also good for the jaundice as it helps in promoting digestion.
6. Daruharidra – Stem of daruharidra is used in this aristha and this herb is kept in arshoghan (Herbs which treat piles), kandungan (Prevents itching), Lekhaniya (have scraping properties). This herb is kapha and pitta dosha pacifying and can be used for the diseases which are arising from the kapha and pitta dosha. This can be used in wounds. This herb is a good appetizer, liver stimulant so it can be used in conditions like agnimandya, dysentery, jaundice, and some liver disorders. This herb can also be used for the treatment of piles. This herb is strengthening and can be used in general debility.
7. Madhuka – It’s stem is used for making this aristha, which is good for providing strength and immunity to the body. It enhances the color and complexion of the skin. It has anti-inflammatory properties so used in healing wounds and ulcers, It can be used for wasting and degenerative disorders, This is also helpful in improving immunity by increasing the levels of interferons in the body. This is helpful in pacifying vata and pitta dosha. This is the herb which gives strength to the nerves so it is helpful in vata disorders. This has rasaynik effects which means it has rejuvenating effects.
8. Rasna – It’s roots are used for making this arishtha. It is mainly used in vata disorders, and can be used in various painful conditions. It is also used for Rheumatoid arthritis, tuberculosis, asthma, and chest pain. As it is used in vata disorders it is also used in conditions in which there is obstructed flow so it is used in amenorrhoea, dysmenorrhea. It is also used to strengthen the body and can be used for generalized weakness.
9. Vidari – It’s root part or tuber is used for making this aristha and it is kept in groups like balya (herbs providing strength), bruhan(nourishing), varnya (Improves complexion), pitta shamak (Pacifying pitta dosha). It has heavy and oily properties so it provides strength and nourishment to the body tissues. It is also used for nourishing the nerves and brain tissues. It has a sweet taste so it acts as an aphrodisiac agent and can be used for general weakness and debility. It has anabolic activities so it acts as a good rejuvenating agent.
10. Arjuna – This is the herb it’s bark is used for making this formulation which is kept in groups like udardprashman (treats skin diseases), nygrodhadi varga and salsaradi gana. It has light and drying properties and also acts as a cardiac tonic. It helps in strengthening the cardiac muscles, it acts as a kapha and vata shamak agent. It acts as a sedative and nerve tonic due to which it helps in calming the brain and can be used in conditions like fainting, giddiness and due to the calming effect it can be used in insomnia. It also has a good effect on the digestive system and also purifies blood. Together with the ashwagandha it can be used for the purperal back pain and also acts as a good aphrodisiac agent.
11. Mustak – It’s rhizome part is used for making this formulation and in ayurveda this herb is kept in groups like trupti ghana (nourishing group of herbs), trushna nigrahan (pacifies thirst), lekhaniya (herbs having scraping properties), kandu ghana (herbs which provide relief from itching), stanya shodhan (Purifies breast milk) etc. It has light and drying properties, also it has bitter and pungent taste, It also pacifies vata and kapha dosha. It has analgesic effects and also elevates swelling. It has a very good effect on the digestive system as it improves the taste and can be used in anorexia, emesis, loss of appetite and in indigestion.
12. Trivrit – Root of this herb is used for making this formulation. This herb has mild laxative properties and it is also used for children and weak patients or the patients are weak or have weak immunity. This herb is kapha and pitta shamak. This herb is used for the virechan in ayurveda which means to clean the body from within. This can also be used for skin disorders as it purifies the body.
13. Shweta and krishna sariva – Root of these herbs are used in this aristha formulation. It is kept in groups of herbs like stanya shodhan (herbs purifying breast milk, Purishsangrahniya, jwarahara, dahaprashman etc. this herb is known as tridosha shamak, which means it pacifies all the three doshas. It has heavy, and oily properties. Its taste is sweet and bitter due to these properties. It has anti-inflammatory properties and can be used in burning sensation. It has a really good effect on the digestive system as it acts as a good appetizer, helps in digestion and also has laxative properties. It is the best rejuvenator for the skin and can be used for weakness, anemia and tuberculosis. This herb helps in pacifying all the three doshas. This helps in increasing the body tissues and is a good aphrodisiac agent.
14. Shweta chandan – Heartwood of this herb is used in this formulation. This herb is kept in dahaprashman (giving relief in burning sensation), angmardprashman (pain in body), trishna nigrahan (herbs that quench thirst) varnya (Improves complexion), etc. This helps in pacifying the pitta and kapha dosha so it can be used in disorders induced by pitta and kapha dosha.This is very helpful in nervous system disorder as it can be used in mental irritability, mental debility and brain impairment. It helps in elevating generalized body aches.
15. Rakta chandan – This herb’s heart wood is used in this formulation. This herb is helpful in pacifying kapha and pitta dosha. And helps in increasing the rasa dhatu of the body also, It is aphrodisiac in nature. This acts on the alimentary system, lymphatic system, and circulatory system.
16. Vacha – Rhizome of this herb is used for making this formulation and it is kept in groups like virechan (Purgative), lekhaniya (scrapping), arshoghna (For the treatment of piles). This herb has light, sharp and flowy properties and also it is having a bitter and pungent taste. It is very useful in nervous system disorders like mania, epilepsy, and some other brain disorders. It’s nasya is used in clearing out the air passages and helps in elevating the heaviness in the head, lassitude, lethargy and in excessive sleep. This herb is a vata and kapha pacifying herb.
17. Chitrak – This is the herb whose root part is used in this formulation and in ayurveda it is kept in groups like deepniya (relieving anorexia), truptighan (nourishing), shoolaprashmana (pain relieving), bhediya etc. This herb has teekshna (sharp), light, drying properties. It has a pungent taste after digestion. It pacifies kapha and vata dosha and increases the kapha dosha. It is a nervous system stimulant in low doses and sedative in higher doses. It can be used to treat the weakness of the nervous system.
18. Shunthi – Rhizome part of this herb is used for making this formulation. It is kept in groups like trupti ghana (Nourishing), Arsho ghana (Herbs which treat piles), deepniya (Increases digestive fire) etc. This herb has light, and sharp qualities. Due to its uhna and snigdha properties it can be used in diseases occuring due to the kapha and vata dosha. This herb helps in stimulating nerves. Best herb for the vata disorders so it helps in improving the nerve impulse transmission.
19. Kali marich – Its fruit part is used in this formulation and in ayurveda it is kept in groups like deepniay (Increasing digestive fire), shoolprashmana (elevating pain from the body) trushna (Three herbs having hot potency) etc. It has light and sharp properties and due to which it is helpful in increasing the appetite and clearing the channels of the body. It is useful in nervous weakness and acts as a stimulant for the nerves.
20. Pippali – This herb’s fruit part is used in this aristha and according to the acharyas it is kept in groups like kasahar (Herbs used for treating cough), hikkanigrahan (Relieves hiccoughs), deepniya (Increases digestive fire), trupti ghana (Nourishing) etc. It is an herb which decreases the vata dosha and acts as a brain tonic. It can also be used for the weakness of the brain. This herb acts as an appetizer and also has analgesic effects. It has a special property that it’s veerya is neither cold nor hot; it is known as anushansheeta. This herb is helpful in treating many GIT related disorders like it helps in reducing hepatomegaly, splenomegaly. It also helps in treating chronic fever, typhoid, agnimandya, and vibandha. Pippali acts as a gud rejuvenator for the blood tissue.
21. Dalchini – Stem and bark of this plant is used in this formulation. This herb has light, drying and sharp properties and it is pungent, bitter and sweet in taste due to which it helps in calming the vata and kapha dosha and increases the pitta dosha. This acts as a stimulant and an analgesic. It can be used in neural disorders like neural debility and paralysis. It can be used in reproductive issues as this herb has aphrodisiac properties so it is used in conditions like amenorrhea, infertility etc.
22. Badi elaichi – elaichi seeds are used for the making of this formulation. This herb is very useful for the treatment of vata disorders. This herb has pain relieving properties. This herb is vastly used in digestive disorders as it is appetizer, digestive, cholagogue and carminative actions. It can also be used in conditions related to the urinary tract as it acts as diuretic and can be used in dysuria.
23. Tejpatra – It’s leaves are used for making this formulation. Tejpatra has hot and light properties so due to this it acts as a good appetizer. This herb is helpful for pacifying kapha dosha. So It will also be helpful in cleaning minute channels of the body. It also eliminates the excess vata dosha from the body.
24. Priyangu – Fruits of the priyangu are used for making this formulation which have properties like lightness, dryness and sharpness. It has bitter, astringent and pungent tastes in it. This herb is helpful in balancing all the three doshas from the body.
25. Nagkesar – Its flowers are used for making the formulation of ashwagandha arishtam. This herb also has light and dry properties, astringent and pungent in taste so it helps in pacifying kapha and pitta dosha. This herb is also helpful in treating many nervous disorders like brain debility and hysteria as it acts as Brain tonic. This herb also helps in increasing the digestive power of the gut so it is also available as a spice in the market. This herb has haemostatic properties so can be used in many bleeding disorders like bleeding piles, nasal bleeding etc.
26. Dhatki – Dhatki’s flowers are used in this formulation. This herb is helpful in pacifying the kapha and pitta dosha. Dhatki is put in this formulation as this is the herb which helps in fermentation of the arishtas and also acts as a dying agent. It acts as a hemostatic agent and also helps in increasing the majja dhatu (Bone marrow).
27. Honey – Honey acts as a sweetening agent and also helps in the fermentation of the arishta. Honey helps in enhancing the taste of this arishta and also eliminates the kapha dosha and also cleans the minute channels of the body from any blockages.

Method Of Preparation

Following method is used for the preparation of the ashwagandharishth

• All the kwath dravya are broken into smaller pieces or made into coarse powder form.
• It is then boiled in 98 liters of water on a medium flame till it is reduced to 12 liters.
• Then this decoction is filtered out and the remaining decoction is put in a clear glass jar.
• All the prakshep dravyas are added in this decoction as mentioned and than it is kept in a dark room for about one month to ferment it and after that it is ready after filtering out.

Medicinal Properties

This medication has numerous benefits and can be used in many disorders like managing stress and anxiety as it contains ashwagandha which has antistress properties. It has many herbs which act on the central nervous system due to which it can be used in many central nervous disorders like epilepsy, seizures, weakness of the nerves and also increases the intelligence of the person. This formulation is helpful in treating the vata disorders as it reduces the vata dosha from the body and calms down the symptoms arising from the vata dosha like pain in the body, weak digestion, insomnia, vertigo etc.

It is also helpful in managing many digestive health related issues like indigestion, constipation, acidity, nausea, vomiting etc. It can also be used when a person is feeling tired all day. It is useful for many painful conditions like arthritis as it strengthens the tendons and ligaments and also helps in reducing the inflammation. This helps in fast recovery of the muscle injury and strengthens the muscles also it acts as anti-inflammatory agent so it reduces the swelling. This can be used in emaciation and hypothyroidism and can be given in low immunity.

Dosha Karma

• Ashwagandha arishtam is helpful in pacifying the vata dosha from the body.

Classical Indications (Rogadhikar)

Classically it is recommended in diseases like murcha (Vertigo), apasmara and unmada (Mental disorders), karshya (Emaciation).

Indications

This arishta contains the main ingredient as ashwagandha which is well known for its rejuvenating properties and also has a calming effect on the brain. It is helpful in pacifying vata dosha so it will be helpful in relieving the painful conditions and helps in healthy nervous conduction due to which it is helpful in treating many nervous conditions. This formulation has so many ingredients which act on the CNS and will prevent any disorder which is creating any problem in the functioning of the CNS. As the ashwagandha acts as a rejuvenating agent and helps in formation of the new tissues in the body so it will be helpful in the karshya (Emaciation), ashwagandha and other ingredients in this formulation are also helpful in increasing the sperm count of the person so it acts as an aphrodisiac agent.

Dosage

10 to 20 ml with equal quantity of water, one to two times a day after meals or as advised by physician.

Side Effects

Most of the ayurvedic formulations don’t have any side effects but taking these more than the recommended dosage can cause side effects like taking more than 50ml of this can lead to stomach irritation, nausea, acidity, constipation etc.

Conclusion

As we read about this arishtam which is a classical formulation and is really easy to take which has numerous benefits, as this formulation is in liquid form so it will travel in the minute channels of the body and treat the upper mentioned diseases. For more information visit www.planetayurveda.com

Note :- This is pure classical Ayurvedic medicine and should be strictly consumed only after prescription of an Ayurvedic doctor and to be taken under medical supervision only.