Kankasav

Kankasav is an Ayurvedic bhaishajya preparation which is helpful in many conditions especially in controlling the symptoms related to the respiratory system. Aasav are the Ayurvedic preparations which are formed using the technique of fermentation. Fermentation is done using coarse powder of various herbs and Saccharum officinarum (Gur). After adding gur the mixture is left for a month inside a mud pot so that the process of fermentation can be easily carried out. The aasav does not involve preparation of decoction with the help of heat. In this article we will discuss the main action, ingredients, action of each ingredient, method of preparation and dosage of Kankasav.

Introduction

Asav and arishta both are alcoholic preparations or therapeutic alcoholic preparation which contains self generated or naturally generated alcohol. The basic difference is the involvement of heat which is present in one case and is absent in another case. The self generated ethyl alcohol they contain which is harmless and does not cause any kind of side effect in patients after its intake. But facilitates absorption of active ingredients and thus is very safe.

Ingredients

1. Adusa (Adhatoda vasica) 2 Part
2. Pippali (Piper longum) 1 Part
3. Choti Kateri (Solanum surattense) 1 Part
4. Talish Patra (Abies webbiana) 1 Part
5. Sonth (Zingiber officinale) 1 Part
6. Datura (Datura metel) 2 Part
7. Nagkeshar (Mesua ferrea) 1 Part
8. Bharangi (Clerodendrum serratum) 1 Part
9. Munakka (Vitis vinifera) 10 Part
10. Dhatki Pushpa (Woodfordia fruticosa) 8 Part
11. Mulethi (Glycyrrhiza glabra) 1Part
12. Madhu 25 Part
13. Gur (Saccharam officinarum) 50 Part
14. Water (Aqua) 256 part

Reference – Bhaishajya Ratnavali / Ayurvedic Formulary of India (Part – 1)

Main Action

The main action of this formulation is that it works in every respiratory disorder and is really effective as an anti-inflammatory agent as well as has analgesic properties. It also has constriction property.

Ingredients Description

1. Adusa (Adhatoda vasica) – Adusa is a very well known herb in Ayurveda as well as unani medicine. It is used for the treatment of various conditions especially the ailments related to respiratory tract. The adhatoda vasica is really helpful in the management of bronchitis, cough, expectoration, common cold and even in tuberculosis. The soothing actions of this herb helps in reducing irritation in the throat and the expectorant will help loosen the deposited phlegm deposits in the airway. Adusa is also called as vasa and in hindi it is called as vasaka. In English it is commonly called as malabar nut and has potential in pacification of pitta dosha as well as kapha dosha. It also works on the accumulated ama or endotoxins in the body and helps in removal of these endotoxins. All over the herb is a potential supporter for the healthy working of the whole respiratory system.       
2. Pippali (Piper longum) – This belongs to pippali kula. The synonyms of pippali are  krishna (black), chapala (giving instant action), kana (having kan or grains), ushna (hot), upkoolya (grows near water). It has inherent properties (Guna) like laghu (light), tikshna (sharp) and snigdha (unctuous). The taste or rasa of long pepper or pippali is katu (pungent) and its vipak (after digestion effect) is madhur. Herb is having anushnasheeta veerya which means it is not having either hot or cold effect on the body. Piper longum has kapha and vata dosha pacification properties.
3. Choti Kateri (Solanum surattense) – Choti Kateri is also called kantakari. The fruit of this herb is pungent in taste and has a bhediya karma on digested food. Kateri is also called 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. 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.
4. Talish Patra (Abies webbiana) – Talish patra is called as himalayan silver fir and in sanskrit it is called madhuparni. The plant belongs to the pinaceae family. The Most used part of the plant is leaves and these leaves are really effective in all kinds of respiratory diseases. They have bronchodilator, expectorant and anti-inflammatory properties. The talish patra also has properties like antiviral, antibacterial and antimicrobial effects. It is also having antispasmodic, carminative and astringent properties. These leaves also have mucolytic, antitussive and expectorant action. The herb helps in dissolving thick mucus accumulated in the lungs. It helps in reducing symptoms related to chronic bronchitis and asthma.
5. Sonth (Zingiber officinale) – Sonth is the dried form of ginger and belongs to haridra kula and its family is scitamineae. When Ginger is in fresh form it has inherent properties like tikshna (sharp), guru (heavy) and ruksha (dry). But in dry form it has laghu (light) and snigdha (unctuous) properties. The rasa (taste) in both states is the same, which is katu (pungent), veerya (potency) is ushna (hot) and vipaka (after digestion taste) is madhur (sweet). When used internally it stimulates nerves and improves impulse transmission and has an excellent effect as an appetizer, antiflatulent and antispasmodic herb.As it has kapha pacification properties it works greatly on the body as it opens the blockage in micro channels.
6. Datura (Datura metel) – Datura is called a thorn apple and belongs to the solanaceae family. The purple flower species of datura is extensively used in Ayurvedic medicines. This herb is only used after the purification so that any kind of poisonous effects can be ignored. It works best in asthma and cough. The plant also bears analgesic properties which means it helps in relieving pain. The herb is placed in upvisha varga by the acharyas. In charak samhita and raj nighantu it is written that datura is used in treating various problems like weaken digestion, helps in improving digestive fire, stimulates appetite, amahara property which means it digests endotoxins and prevents vamana (emesis) along with works as a rasayan.
7. Nagkeshar (Mesua ferrea) – Nagkesar is really helpful in managing conditions like indigestion, it also reduces fever and is a very helpful herb in bleeding disorders like bleeding piles, Menorrhagia and epistaxis. Nagkesar also reduces swelling of swollen piles and helps in reducing pain present with swelling.
8. Bharangi (Clerodendrum serratum) – Bharangi is a herb which is used especially for the treatment of common cold. The herb is having very amazing effects in sinusitis and allergic rhinitis. The bharangi is also an excellent dry cough remedy and is very effective in relieving fever. With kantakari and shirish it can be used as a home remedy for respiratory disorders. 
9. Munakka (Vitis vinifera) – Munaka has synonyms like swadfal, draksha, gaustani and many others. The fruits are sweet and astringent in taste making it a very beneficial pitta pacifier and thus relieving symptoms like flatulence, bloating and also bear purgative properties. It has a very good effect on excessive thirst too.
10. Dhatki Pushpa (Woodfordia fruticosa) – Dhataki is called as downy grislea in english and in sanskrit it is known by the names as dhataki, vahnipushpi, tamrapushpi, dahani, parvati, kumuda, madani and pramadani. It is generally found all over India but preferably on hilly areas. The herb is believed to be pitta and kapha shamak. If used internally, then on the digestive system, due to its astringent properties, it has a very good effect.
11. Mulethi (Glycyrrhiza glabra) – Mulethi, which is often called as liquorice root, has potential in clearing the respiratory tract and freeing it from all kinds of accumulated mucus or kapha dosha. The mulethi is a very good kapha pacifier and hence can be used in all kinds of respiratory conditions successfully. In sanskrit it is called as yashtimadhu and also has many skin benefits as well. The herb is known for its marvelous anti-inflammatory as well as  antioxidant property. In females, especially in the menopausal phase it has a very good effect and relieves menopausal symptoms like hot flushes, sleeplessness, hormonal imbalance and many others.   
12. Madhu – Madhu is having sandhana property that is property of union. The tropical or local application of honey over the wounds and mouth ulcers is really beneficial as it has healing properties too. It is really useful in the common cold, shodhana (purification), roopana (healing) and manages sore throat as well as cough as well.
13. Gur (Saccharam officinarum) – Gur is the key ingredient for fermentation and also helps in the enhancement of digestion. It aids glucose control and weight loss. 
14. Water (Aqua) – Water here, as an ingredient, is basically the medium. As mentioned before that asav are in liquid form, so no liquidity can be there without water.

Method Of Preparation

• The whole plant of datura is taken along with its stem, leaves, fruit and roots. Then the plant is roughly chopped or grind.
• Then 2 parts of vasa root are taken along with 1 part of coarse powder of mulethi, pippali, choti kateri, nagkesar, sonth, bharangi and talis patra.
• Then 8 parts of dhataki pushpa and 10 parts of munakka is added to the mixture.
• To this mixture, 256 parts of water and 50 parts of sugar or khand is added. Then 25 parts of madhu or gur are added.
• Now it is added to a mud pot and is left for fermentation.
• Fermentation is done for a complete one month and then the liquid is filtered and is kept in an airtight glass jar.

Medicinal Uses

The formulation has following medicinal uses:

• The intake of this decoction helps in relieving shwas, kasa, tuberculosis, chronic fever and rakta pitta.
• It can be used as a general tonic to enhance the overall health of the respiratory system.
• When there are aggravated symptoms of any respiratory condition then its use is capable of relieving such symptoms like breathlessness, increased cough etc.
• It helps in reducing the pain in chest which is common during or after a asthamatic attack.
• It is very effective in reducing inflammation of the bronchioles and can be effectively used in bronchitis as well.
• The formulation is used in pacification of all three doshas.

Dosage

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

Contraindications

• This syrup may have minor effects on overdose so it is better to take this medicine under the physician’s advice.
• Keep it away from the children
• In Children, pregnant and lactating women to be administered under the guidance of Expert Ayurvedic physicians.
• Not be taken more than the prescribed dose.

Conclusion

In the above mentioned article we have discussed all the main actions, ingredients along with their description, medicinal uses and dosage of kanakasav. The formulation as mentioned before in the article is really effective and does not have any kind of side effects. It helps in keeping the digestion process in good condition which further helps in controlling the frequency of stools. The ingredients in this formulation also have healing properties and are very well capable for the pacification of pitta dosha. Moreover, arishta are more palatable or easy to consume as they have good taste and are more effective as they are easily digestive.