Dashmularisht

Abstract

Dashmularisht is an Ayurvedic preparation which is also available in syrup or decoction form.It is prepared with extract of dashmoola. Dashmoola is the group of ten herbs whose roots are being used for making dashmularisht.  The formulation is potent enough to pacify all three doshas and is known to have enormous health benefits. Arishta preparation is best explained in rasashastra and is an Ayurvedic alcoholic preparation, prepared with the method of fermentation.  The Dashmularisht is basically a very impressive formulation to be used in respiratory conditions and also is a general health tonic. The decoction also has carminative and flatulence relieving properties. In this article we will mainly focus on ingredients, action, method of preparation, medicinal uses and dosage of dashmularishta.

Introduction

As mentioned before arishta are formed or prepared by the process of fermentation. So basically it is clear that the arishta is a naturally generated alcohol. Thus this alcohol acts as the medium for active ingredients of the herbs to dissolve in it. Arishta are naturally-generated alcohol but are still safe to be consumed. A wide variety of arishta are used in  management of a wide range of diseases. These are having a really good effect and dashmularishta is one of them. Dashmularishta is a very effective formulation in digestion related problems, respiratory conditions as well as in anorectal conditions. Along with it helps in balancing vata dosha, skin diseases and anemia.

Ingredients

1. Bilva (Aegle marmelos)
2. Sonapatha (Oroxylum indicum)
3. Gambhari (Gmelina arborea)
4. Patola (Stereospemum suaveolens)
5. Agnimanth (Premna integrifolia)
6. Shalparni (Desmodium gangeticum)
7. Badi kateri (Solanum indicum)
8. Prishniparni (Uraria picta)
9. Kateri  (Solanum surattense)
10. Gokshura (Tribulus terrestris)

(These 10 are dashamoola whose roots are exclusively used for the preparation of dashmularishta)

11. Chitrak (Plumbago zeylanica)
12. Pushkarmool (Inula racemosa)
13. Lodhra (Symplocos racemosa)
14. Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia)
15. Amalaki (Emblica officinalis)
16. Yavasa (Alhagi camelorum)
17. Khadir (Acacia catechu)
18. Vijaysar (Pterocarpus marsupium)
19. Harad (Terminelia chebula)
20. Kusht (Saussurea lappa)
21. Manjistha (Rubia cordifolia)
22. Devdaru (Cedrus deodara)
23. Vaividang (Embelia ribes)
24. Mulethi (Glycyrrhiza glabra)
25. Bharangi (Clerodendrum serratum)
26. Kapittha (Feronia limonia)
27. Baheda (Terminalia bellerica)
28. Punarnava (Boerhavia diffusa)
29. Chavya (Piper retrofractum)
30. Jatamansi (Nardostachys jatamansi)
31. Priyangu (Callicarpa macrophylla)
32. Sariva (Hemidesmus indicus)
33. Kala jeera (Bunium persicum)
34. Nishoth (Operculina turpethum)
35. Sambhalu bheej (Mucuna pruriens)

Reference – AFI Formulations – Volume 1 / Bhaishajya Ratnavali – Agnimandyadi Rogadhikara

Main Action

Strengthens body, strengthens uterine in postpartum stage, digestive effect, bony pains.

Ingredients Description

1. Bilva (Aegle marmelos) – Aegle or bilva belongs to shothahara ganan which means it is potent enough to alleviate any kind of swelling. The family of bilva is Rutaceae and it has bengal quince as its English name. In Sanskrit the bilva is known as shalatu, which means unripe. Another name given to this herb is shalya which means having thorns, hridya gandha, a specific odor of leafs and fruit, shiva druma, it is loving to god shiva, trishikha, has three leaves and also called as duraroha, the tree cannot be climbed due to thorns. If we talk about properties, then it has dry and light inherent properties, kashaya (astringent) and tikta (bitter) taste along with ushna (hot) potency and katu (pungent) post digestion taste. The herb is kapha shamak with laghu guna, kashaya and katu rasa and is vata shamak due to the ushna property or hot property. The herb is very beneficial as a tranquilizer and is used in vata disorders extensively. The unripe fruit of bilva is an appetizer, digestant and astringent in taste.
2. Sonapatha (Oroxylum indicum) – Sonapatha is a shyonak and it belongs to bignoniaceae. In English it is called an Indian trumpet flower and in Sanskrit it has various names like shyonak, shukanasa, ruksha, kitwanga, katanbhar, aralu, kutannata etc. Shyonaka is easily available all over India and Sri lanka. The properties of shyonak include laghu and ruksha guna, along with bitter and astringent rasa and katu vipaka. The potency of the herb is cold, which makes it a perfect pitta shamak herb. As it has tridosha shamak property, then due to its laghu and ruksha guna it pacifies kapha dosha and it helps with avrutta vata. The herb is also having its effect on ama dosha. It is an extraordinary ingredient of brihat panchmool and has anti inflammatory as well as antipyretic effects. Usually the root of the plant is used and it has its effect on various systems of the body like bladder, joints, respiratory system and also on various channels.
3. Gambhari (Gmelina arborea) – The herb belongs to nirgundi kula and has the verbenaceae family. In Sanskrit the herb is known by various names like mahabhava, shriparni, madhuparni, kashmiri, pita rohini, kashmiri and madhurasa. The properties of gambhari are guru guna, madhur (sweet), tikta (bitter), kashya (astringent) rasa and sweet post-digestion taste. The veerya or potency of this herb is hot but the ripened fruit is cold in potency. Gambhari is tridosha shamak and is pitta shamak by astringent and bitter taste and vata kapha shamak by ushna veerya or hot potency. Therefore it is very useful in conditions which involve aggravation of all three doshas. The bark of plants is a bitter tonic but has nutritive and rejuvenating  properties. The bark is generally used in post pyrexial debility. 
4. Patola (Stereospemum suaveolens) – The herb belongs to shyonaka kula and as we all know now it is part of dashamoola too. The Sanskrit name of the herb is patala as it has red flowers, krishnavrunda as it has balck stalk, it is also called as madhu dooti, tamrapushpi, amogha and many others. It has laghu and ruksha guna, astringent and bitter taste, katu vipak and hot potency. But its flowers and fruits are astringent, sweet and cold in potency. The gulkand of its flower is helpful in general weakness. The herb also has tridosha ghana properties. The roots and flowers of this plant have an anti-inflammatory effect and have a very great effect in acid peptic disorder.
5. Agnimanth (Premna integrifolia) – The agnimantha  is called as agnimantha as when the two of its branches are rubbed together they generate fire. It is also known as jaya due to its winning property over all diseases, shriparna, as it has beautiful leaves and it is also known as vata ghani as it alleviates vata dosha. The plant is found throughout India and has ruksha and laghu as its inherent properties. The rasa or taste of herbs are tikta (bitter), katu (pungent) and kashaya (astringent) along with madhur (sweet). The potency of the herb is hot and has a kapha vata shamak effect. Its ushna property helps in clearing the obstruction of the channels and thus acts as an anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect. The paste of its leaves is also used in sprains. Being bitter tonic, the juice of leaves and decoction of bark are used in post pyrexial debility and is also useful in anaemia to enhance tissue vitality. The herb is also having its effect on respiratory and digestive systems.
6. Shalparni (Desmodium gangeticum) – Shalparni belongs to the shimbi kula and leguminosae family. The herb is generally found in all himalayan foothills and also all over India in plains. The herb has guru and snigdha guna, madhur and tikta rasa and hot potency.  The herb is tridosha shamak. Due to its snigdha guna and hot potency it is vata shamak and due to its madhur rasa it is pitta shamak. But as it also has a bitter taste and hot potency, it acts as kapaha shamak too. On the digestive system it has digestive, carminative, appetizing and deworming effects while on the reproduction system it has an aphrodisiac effect. It is aso having diuretic properties and is also used as an rasayan in weakness and kshaya which can be understood as malnutrition and bodyache.
7. Badi kateri (Solanum indicum) – Bruhati belongs to the solanaceae family and in Sanskrit it is known as bruhati, mahati, bahupatri, kantatanu, dorali, sinhi and many others. The properties of this herb are laghu, ruksha and tikshna, it has katu and tikta rasa, katu vipaka and ushna veerya. Being ushna in veerya it has kapha and vata shamak or nashak effect. It also has analgesic and antipruritic effects. The herb is having its effect on skin due to its blood detoxification effect and generally the root, seed and fruit is used. The herb is potent enough to reduce cough in asthma and is an excellent remedy for rhinitis, sore throat and hiccups.
8. Prishniparni (Uraria picta) – The family to which this herb belongs is leguminosae and it has kakashi, dhamani, mekhala,shrugali as its synonyms. The properties of this herb include laghu and snigdha guna, madhur and tikta rasa, madhur vipak and ushna veerya. The dosha on which it acts includes all three doshas that are vata, pitta and kapha. Hence The herb can be used in all the diseases that include involvement of all three doshas. It acts as a nervine tonic, has an appetizing effect, is an effective de flatulent agent and due to its astringent taste it can be successfully used in dipsia, diarrhea, bleeding piles and sprue. It is also very well used in stomatitis. Prishniparni is very helpful in seminal debility and also has aphrodisiac effects. Due to its diuretic effect, it is effective in dysuria or painful urination. Generally the whole plant or root of this plant is used in a formulation. It also has binding and anti-pyrexial properties.
9. Kateri  (Solanum Xanthocarpum) – Kateri is also called kantakari. The fruit of this herb is pungent in taste and it has a piercing property, which means it has a bhediya karma on digested food. Kateri is also called choti kateri, katali, katyali and laghu katai. The decoction of its root is effective in getting rid of emesis if mixed with alcohol, difficulty in urine passage, bladder stones, asistis and in dental caries too. It is an effective remedy with rheumatoid arthritis if given with black pepper or just the paste of its leaves is applied over the affected area. Even about shwet kateri it is mentioned in texts that if a female drinks its crushed root with milk on the fourth day of her menstrual cycle then she can conceive.
10. Gokshura (Tribulus terrestris) – Gokshura is a herb which is very well known as gokhru. It is also known by other names like trikant, swadukantak, ikshu gandhika and many others. These are all the Sanskrit names of gokshura. The gokshura is cold in potency and is very well known for its diuretic effect. The herb also has anti-inflammatory properties. Along with this it also provides strength to the body. It is successfully used in night dreaming, urinary disorders and behaves as a vajikaran agent.
11. Chitrak (Plumbago zeylanica) – Chitrak is known for its effect on the digestive system and has a pungent post-digestive effect. It enhances the digestive fire and has ushna or hot potency. In addition the herb is really easy to digest due to its light inherent property and is beneficial in skin disorders, parasitic infestation, piles, swelling. It is a vata, pitta and kapha pacifier. In agni mandya, it is given with vayavidanga and musta. In external use, oil with chitrak is very useful in cases of amavata, joint pain and blow to any organ.
12. Pushkarmool (Inula racemosa) – Pushkarmoola is very good and proves to be a supporting tonic. The herb is very effective in relieving symptoms related to respiratory conditions like difficulty in breathing and coughing. It is also used in management of hiccups and is a brilliant expectorant. In Chinese medicine the herb is also used in the animals as an expectorant. Pushkarmool is very effective in heart disorders too and is likely to maintain a healthy condition of the heart.
13. Lodhra (Symplocos racemosa) – Lodhra belongs to the lodhra kula and symplocaceae family. It’s latin name is Symplocos which means connection and racemosus means like a cluster of grapes. In Sanskrit, lodhra is known as shabr, galav, hema and tilwaktaru. In English it is called a lodh bark tree. The herb has ruksha and laghu (dry and light) guna (inherent properties), kshaya (astringent) taste, katu (pungent) vipak and sheeta potency. Due to its kashaya and sheeta guna it is best for the pacification of kapha and pitta and also in diseases occuring due to aggravation of these doshas. Lodhra is very beneficial in decreasing the swelling or inflammation.
14. Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia) – Giloy is being termed as vyavasthapan herb which means it increases the life expectancy if consumed on a regular basis. Guduchi is a synonym of giloy which means it protects the body and improves various metabolism working in it. Giloy basically has an anti inflammatory and anti secretory effect on the respiratory system which means it reduces mucus production and thus relieves breathlessness. Tinospora also has an antipyretic effect hence is very effective in relieving fever and post effects of fever like general weakness, anorexia, headache etc. It is a marvelous herb or can be called as a magical herb of Ayurveda which also helps in increasing, maintaining  and boosting immunity of one’s body. Giloy helps in maintaining healthy glucose levels in blood.
15. Amalaki (Emblica officinalis) – The guna or qualities that amla bears are heaviness and coolant properties along with five tastes that are sour, bitter, astringent and pungent except salt. Sour is the dominant taste. It has madhura vipaka and sheeta potency. It is tridosha nashak and vata nashak by sour taste, pittanashak by madhur taste and sheeta potency and kapha naashak by ruksha property and kashay taste.  Mainly, it is pittanashak but also has the tridosha ghana effect. If used externally it behaves as a refrigerant, is a known hair tonic and also enhances complexion. Internally, it strengthens the nervous system, bone marrow and sense organs. Amla also bears digestion enhancement properties and in large doses it is a laxative. In the reproductive system it has fantastic effects as it acts as an aphrodisiac and also has hemostatic properties. Generally, its leaves, fruit and leaf juice are used.
16. Yavasa (Alhagi camelorum) – It lowers the risk of constipation and works by improving digestion. In addition the herb is really helpful in hemorrhoids or piles. It works by reducing the symptoms related to piles like irritation, itching, redness, soreness and also reduces the swelling around the anus. The herb has pitta and kapha dosha balancing properties and hence maintains the overall health of the body.
17. Khadir (Acacia catechu) – Khadir is known as kattha and mainly its wood and bark are used. The plant is commonly found in himalayan region. The herb is known for its effect on respiratory problems and skin conditions. It has strong healing activity along with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant or antimicrobial traits. In Ayurvedic texts   khadir is mentioned as an herb that stimulates weight loss by triggering the metabolism and antidiarrheal properties that help in the management of diarrhoea.
18. Vijaysar (Pterocarpus marsupium) – The vijaysar has extensive anti glycemic and anti oxidant properties. It also has anti-inflammatory effect and generally vijay sar is best known to manage blood sugar levels and also prevents damage of pancreatic cells and also reduces excess fat from the body. It is really helpful in enhancing digestion, treating bleeding disorders and also has its effect on many conditions of skin associated with inflammation like dermatitis, eczema etc. But its best effect is seen in diabetes due to its sugar lowering effects.
19. Harad (Terminelia chebula) – Haritaki is defined under the rasayan varga and belongs to triphala gana. It has a combretaceae family and is also known by the names like abhaya and harad. The role of haritaki is being mentioned in many disorders like open wounds, eyes, digestion related problems and some texts call it sarva roga nashak. This means that haritaki or harad is potent enough to deal with almost all diseases. In classical texts the haritaki or abhaya is called as kushta ghana, meaning it is effective in skin disorders too.
20. Kusht (Saussurea lappa) – Kushtha belongs to the compositae family and in English it is called as costus. The medicinal properties of this herb are tikta (bitter), katu (pungent) and madhur (sweet) rasa (taste), katu (pungent) vipaka and ushna (hot) veerya (potent). It has laghu (light), ruksha (dry) and tikshan (sharp) inherited properties. Kushtha is a uterine stimulant and enhances ovulation. This herb is a fantastic agent which improves semen quality and also acts as an aphrodisiac. It is very useful in painful menstruation and also in postpartum (after delivery) conditions in females.
21. Manjistha (Rubia cordifolia) – Majishtha is a very impressive herb which is commonly known as Indian madder in English. It has synonyms like harini, gauri, Rohini, vijaya and manjusha. It bears properties like guru (heavy) and ruksha (dry) guna (inherited properties). Rubia cordifolia has kashaya (astringent), tikta (bitter) and madhur (sweet) taste. The vipak of this herb is katu (pungent) and veerya (potency) is ushna. It has uterus stimulating properties and increases menstrual flow. This has a very good effect in uterus purification.
22. Devdaru (Cedrus deodara) – Devdaru is basically found in himalayan region and has Sanskrit names like indradaru, devakashta, suradaru and surahva. The meaning of deodar is that it grows in place of gods. The chemical constituents of this herb are capable of supporting many respiratory conditions, have anthelmintic effect, helpful in skin disorders, pacifies vata dosha, removes endotoxins from body, has antipyretic effect, reduces excessive sugar levels in body, relieves constipation, useful in running nose and also has a effect on itching. It is also used in treating obesity.
23. Vaividang (Embelia ribes) – Vaya vidanga also called as vidanga belongs to vidanga kula and also has sanskrit names chitra tandul, jantunashan, vatari, jantughna and many more. The vidang has inherent properties like katu (pungent) and ushna veerya (hot potency). Due to its hot potency the herb has kapha and vata pacification effects. If used externally it is bactericidal, kushtaghna and shiro virechana. It is very helpful in dental caries and toothache. The herb is called a nervine tonic as when it is administered with hot milk and garlic then it has a very good effect in brain related disorders. In the digestive system vidang has deepan, pachan and anuloman. Due to its purgative property it tends to flush out all the parasites from the intestines with fecal matter.
24. Bharangi (Clerodendrum serratum) – Bharangi is a very useful herb which is used especially for the treatment of common colds. Even the herb is having very amazing effects in sinusitis and allergic rhinitis too. Bharangi is also an excellent dry cough remedy and is very effective in relieving fever. If used in a combination with kantakari and shirish it acts as a brilliant anti histamine agent and thus is really effective in asthma attacks. The bharangi has katu and tikta rasa, laghu and ruksha guna, ushna veerya and katu vipaka. Charak has mentioned it under puresha sangrehniye herbs which increases the bulk of feces.
25. Kapittha (Feronia limonia) – Kapitha which is also called wood apple is a very useful ayurvedic herb which is used in treatment of nausea and vomiting. It also acts as an antidote against some poisons and improves taste perception. The herb is really effective in cardiac muscle strengthening, it clears phlegm from the throat and reduces difficulty in breathing along with excessive thrust.
26. Baheda (Terminalia bellerica) – Bibhitaki belongs to jwarhar and virechnopag gana. It has the combretaceae family and is known by various names like karsh phala, aksh, kali drum, bheda and many more. If discussed about the properties of bibhitaki then it has inherent properties like dry and light along with astringent taste, sweet post digestive taste and hot potency. The herb is generally potent for pacification of all three doshas. Basically the oil of bibhitaki is used in skin disorders.
27. Punarnava (Boerhavia diffusa) – Punarnava is known as Boerhavia in latin after the name of it’s discoverer and diffusa means something that spreads widely. In English it is known as spreading hogweed and is available in almost every part of india. Punarnava has multiple effects in various conditions but its most important property of acting as a diuretic is appreciable from decades. It helps in getting rid of accumulated water inside of the body. Water retention is generally an associated complaint with liver disorders but punarnava helps in either preventing water retention in the body or in getting rid of accumulated water in the body. It behaves as a natural tonic and acts on both the liver and kidney. It marvelously results in reducing external and internal swelling.
28. Chavya (Piper retrofractum) – Chavya is one of the panchkola group of herbs. Generally the root and fruit of chavya are being used in management of various diseases. The english name of chavya is java long pepper root or balinese pepper and in hindi it is called chavya and chaba. In Sanskrit it is known by the name gaja pippali and its root is called as gaja pippali  mool. Hasti magadha and gaja krushna are also its Sanskrit synonyms. The herb has laghu and rooksha properties along with a typical pungent taste. The veerya of this herb is hot and has kapha vata pacification properties.
29. Jatamansi (Nardostachys jatamansi) – Jatamansi is a very useful herb whose roots and rhizomes have been used in management of hysteria, syncope, epilepsy and many other mental weakness disorders. In addition the herb also has or exhibits cardio protective or heart protective effects and is also very useful in neurological conditions too. The herb is useful in pacification of pitta dosha and also helps in purification of blood. It is having a significant result in skin disorders and also is well known for resolving gynecological issues in females especially amenorrhea.
30. Priyangu (Callicarpa macrophylla) – The herb belongs to the nirgundi kula and verbenaceae family. In Sanskrit it is called priyangu, phalinee, parnabhedini, peeta, mangalaya and shreyasi. The properties of priyangu include guru (heavy), ruksha (dry) along with bitter, astringent and sweet taste. The potency of this herb is cold and it also has tridosha pacification properties.
31. Sariva (Hemidesmus indicus) – Sariva is known as Indian sarsaparilla and in ayurveda it is widely used in treatment of oligospermia, gastritis, anorexia and menorrhagia. The vernacular names of sariva are anantamul, kapuri (because root smell resembles camphor), in sanskrit it is called as ananta, anantamul, asphota, uthpala, sariva, krsodari, gopi and gopavalli. The herb is mentioned by both Acharya Charaka and Sushruta. They also explained its two varieties that are shweta and krishna sariva. Both the varieties are having therapeutically the same action. The taste of this herb is sweet and bitter and its qualities are heavy and unctuous. The potency is sheeta or cold.  
32. Kala jeera (Bunium persicum) – Kalonji is known as kala jeera and in English is very well known as black cumin. From ancient times kalonji has been known for its medicinal properties. In fact the herb is termed as a natural remedy for everything from bronchitis that is inflammation of bronchioles and diarrhea.  It is packed with antioxidants, the substances that neutralize the harmful free radicals and prevent oxidative damage to cells. The kalonji seeds are known to lower cholesterol and studies have shown that it may have cancer protective properties as well. It has anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties as well. One can easily add it to their routines.
33. Nishoth (Operculina turpethum) – Nishoth, which is commonly called as trivrit, is known as tribhandi, triputa, sarala, suvaha, rechani, kumudha and gandhini in Sanskrit. In English it is called Indian jalap, saint thomas ipod, turpeth root etc. In Hindi it is called nishoth or nishottar. If we talk about the properties of trivrit then it has tikta and katu rasa or bitter and pungent taste along with laghu, rooksha and tikshan properties. The potency of the herb is ushna or hot and its vipaka is katu. The nishoth pacifies kapha and pitta dosha and increases vata dosha. It has a very good effect on edema, has purgative action and is most effective in resolving hemorrhoids.
34. Sambhalu beej (Vitex negundo) – The sambhalu beej are basically the seeds of nirgundi plant and are really useful in treatment of muscular or joint pain, and are very effective for gouty arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis when applied locally. It works by supplying the materials to rebuild the cushion in joints which thus results in lowering the levels of friction and pain while moving.

Method Of Preparation

• Take the dashamoola ingredients in quantities of twenty pal each.
• Then take chitrak mool, pushkar mool, giloy and lodhra in quantities of one sair each.
• Take amla in a quantity of 64 tola and yavasa, khair saar, vijaysar and harad in 32 tola each.
• Rest of the ingredients are to be taken in a quantity of 8 tola each and then coarse powder of all the herbs is mixed with 8 times of water.
• Then the mixture is kept over flame and is heated till it reduces to one fourth of the actual quantity.
• Add the kwath of munakka along with honey and jaggery. Keep it inside a mud pot and wait for fermentation for one month.
• After that, it is filtered and stored in a glass bottle.

Medicinal Uses

• The formulation is really useful in indigestion, lack of taste and respiratory conditions as well.
• Dashmoolarishta can be given to females having constipation during pregnancy.
• It is a great health tonic
• The formulation has anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects.
• It has digestive effects, anti-flatulence and carminative properties.
• The formulation has very good results when given on arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. The reason for this is the vata pacification property of its ingredients along with it also helps in removal of endotoxins or ama from the body.
• In females, it can be given during mid-cycle spotting. In addition, its use can also be done during painful periods due to its analgesic properties.
• It also enhances overall immunity and strength of the body.

Dosage

3 teaspoon twice a day with an equal amount of water or as directed by the physician.

Contraindications

• The formulation can be given in children as well as in adults.
• It is to be given under expert advice.
• In lactating and pregnant women its use must be done with Ayurvedic expert advice.

Conclusion

Dashmularishta is one of the most ancient and very popular formulations in Ayurveda. The formulation is very well known for its results in various digestion related disorders and is known best for its effect on various systems of the body. The dashmularishta gives really great results in children as well as adults when it comes to the conditions that depict physiological errors or dosha imbalance. The formulation basically acts as a general tonic agent and also bears anti-inflammatory as well as analgesic properties. It also promotes body strengthening as it nourishes the muscles and is a good choice for arthritis also.