Mustakarisht

Nowadays, unhealthy and improper diet and lifestyle lead to various digestive disorders like indigestion, dyspepsia, gastritis, IBS, etc. Digestive problems are increasing and most common among people. Generally, people start taking Antacids and other digestive stimulants leading to their dependency, which have later side effects too. In Ayurveda, digestive problems are managed by herbal formulations and diet modifications. Ayurveda has many types of formulations among them Asava – Arishta. Asavas and arishtas are Ayurvedic medicinal formulations made by soaking the herbal drugs, in a solution of jaggery or sugar, for a specific period, during which it undergoes a process of fermentation generating alcohol.

Introduction

Mustakarisht is an ayurvedic herbal formulation in arishta (fermented medicated herbal liquid) form. It has a sweet as well as a bitter taste. Mustakarisht balances the Vata and Kapha doshas. This formulation comes under the class of Asava-Arishtas, which means it is prepared by the ayurvedic fermentation method. The Arishta is stimulant, stomachic, astringent, and tonic. This is a traditional Ayurvedic formulation and is used in digestive problems like indigestion, anorexia, vomiting, bloating, dyspepsia, malabsor[ption syndrome, IBS, etc.

Classical Indication

Agnimandya Rogadhikara (For Low Digestive Fire)

Ingredients

1. Mustaka (Musta) – Cyperus rotundus – 100 Part
2. Dhataki – Woodfordia fruticosa – 8 Part
3. Yavani (Yamani) – Trachyspermum ammi – 1 Part
4. Shunthi – Ginger – Zingiber officinale – 1 Part
5. Maricha – Black pepper – Piper nigrum – 1 Part
6. Lavanga – Clove – Syzygium aromaticum – 1 Part
7. Methi – Fenugreek seeds – Trigonella foenum graceum – 1 Part
8. Chitraka – Plumbago zeylanica – 1 Part
9. Jiraka – White Caraway seeds – Carum carvi – 1 Part
10. Jaggery – Guda – Saccharum officinarum – 148 Part
11. Water for decoction

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

Description Of The Ingredients

1. Mustaka (Musta) – Cyperus rotundus – belongs to the Cyperaceae family. Properties of Mustaka are – Rasa – kashaya (astringent), tikta (bitter), katu (pungent), Guna – Laghu (light), ruksha (dry), Virya – sheeta (cold), Vipaka – Katu (pungent), balances Kapha and Pitta doshas. It has antibacterial, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, laxative, contraceptive, antidiabetic, and antioxidant properties.
2. Jaggery – Guda – Saccharum officinarum – also known as Guda, is mainly used in Indian kitchens and also in various Ayurvedic formulations. Jaggery has many health benefits. It increases the volume of urine and feces and is also good for the heart, purifies the blood, and promotes good digestion.
3. Dhataki – Woodfordia fruticosa – belongs to the Lythraceae family. Properties of Dhataki are  – Rasa – kashaya (astringent), Guna – Laghu (light), ruksha (dry), Virya – katu (pungent), balances Kapha and pitta doshas. It has antibacterial, immunomodulatory, anti-diarrhoeal, anti-inflammatory properties.
4. Yavani (Yamani) – Trachyspermum ammi – commonly known as Ajwain, belongs to the Apiaceae family. Properties of Yavani are – Rasa – Katu (pungent),  tikta (bitter), Guna – laghu (light), rooksha (dry), tikshna (sharp), Virya – ushna (hot), Vipaka – katu (pungent), balances Vata and Kapha doshas and increases Pitta doshas. It has antimicrobial, analgesic, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, and bronchodilator properties.
5. Shunthi – Ginger – Zingiber officinale – belongs to the Zingiberaceae family, commonly known as Adrak.  Properties of Shunthi are   – Rasa – katu (pungent), Guna – guru (heavy), ruksha (dry), tikshna (sharp),  Virya – ushna (hot), Vipaka – Madhur (sweet), balances Kapha dosha. It has anti-inflammatory, appetizing, and antioxidant properties.
6. Maricha – black pepper – Piper nigrum – belongs to the Piperaceae family, commonly known as kalimirch. Properties of maricha are – Rasa –  katu (pungent), Guna – laghu (light), tikshna (sharp), sukshma (minute), Virya  – ushna (hot), Vipaka –  katu (pungent), balances Kapha, and Vata doshas. It has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antioxidants, anthelmintic, analgesics, antispasmodic, antipyretic, anti-cancer, antidiarrheal, carminative, and anti-diabetic properties.
7. Lavanga – Clove – Syzygium aromaticum – – belongs to the Myrtaceae family. Properties of Lavanga or clove are – Rasa – katu, tikta, Guna – laghu, tikshna, snigdha, Virya – sheeta, Vipaka – katu, balances Kapha, and Pitta doshas. It has stimulant, aphrodisiac, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, and carminative properties.
8. Methi – Fenugreek seeds – Trigonella foenum graceum – belongs to the Leguminosae family. Properties of methi are- Rasa – katu, tikta, Guna – laghu, snigdha, Virya – ushna, Vipaka – katu, balances Kapha and Vata doshas.
9. Chitraka – Plumbago zeylanica – belongs to the Plumbaginaceae family. Properties of Chitraka are –  Rasa – Katu (pungent), Guna – Laghu (light), Ruksha (rough), Tikshna (sharp),  Virya – Ushna (hot), Vipaka – Katu (pungent), balances Vata and Kapha doshas. It has anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, antioxidants, deepana (appetizer), pachana (digestion), and anti-microbial properties and is also used as Rasayana in Ayurveda.
10. Jiraka – White Caraway seeds – Carum carvi – belongs to the Umbelliferae family. Properties of Jiraka are – Rasa – katu, Guna – laghu, ruksha, Virya – ushna, Vipaka – katu, balances Kapha and Vata doshas. It is a good appetizer and digestive stimulant.

Method Of Preparation

• The coarse powder of Mustaka or Musta is prepared and added to 49.152 liters of water. It is boiled and reduced to 12.288 liters and then filtered.
• This Herbal Decoction is further added with Jaggery, along with other above-mentioned ingredients in a clean vessel and seals the mouth of the container, and kept sealed for one month in the fermentation room.
• Check for the signs of completion of the fermentation process constantly.
• After a month, the fermented material is filtered through a clean muslin cloth.
• Stored this finally prepared Mustakarisht in an air-tight container, away from sunlight and moisture, allowing it for maturation.
• It is advised to take this after 1 year of its preparation.

Medicinal Properties

Mustakarisht is a fermented ayurvedic liquid preparation, made with herbal ingredients used for a wide range of digestive disorders such as indigestion, gastritis, loss of appetite, diarrhea, IBS, etc. This formulation balances the Vata and Kapha doshas and is s Pitta dosha Vardhak which means it improves the secretion of gastric juice and supports better digestion. It has antidiarrheal (gives relief in diarrhea), antidysenteric (prevents and treats dysentery), antioxidant (neutralizes the oxidant effect of free radicals and other substances), antispasmodic (used to relieve spasm of involuntary muscle), appetizer (improves appetite), astringents (constrict tissues), carminative (preventing the formation or causing the expulsion of flatulence), digestive, stomachic (stimulates gastric activity) properties.

Indications

• Agnimandya (digestive impairment)
• Ajirna (dyspepsia)
• Bloating
• Diarrhea, dysentery
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Digestive disorders
• Flatulence
• Gastroenteritis
• Gastro-enteritis with piercing pain
• Grahani (malabsorption syndrome)
• Indigestion
• Loss of appetite
• Malabsorption syndrome in children, poor digestion, diarrhea, low appetite
• Obesity
• Vomiting
• Vomiting and anorexia in children

Dosage

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

Contraindications

• Overdosage of Mustakarisht may cause gastritis.
• In case of increased Pitta, it should be avoided.
• It is advised to avoid it in diabetic people.

Conclusion

Mustakarisht is widely used to enhance digestive strength as it increases Pitta dosha and hence increases the digestive fire too. However, this medicine should be avoided in diabetic people or given in lower doses if the blood sugar level is under control. For better results, it is advised to take Mustakarisht by Planet ayurveda. Planet ayurveda products are 100% pure, vegetarian, effective, and natural. We hope the above-mentioned details and benefits of Mustakarisht will be beneficial for you.

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.