Ashwagandharishta – Benefits, Usage, Indications and Dosage
Reference – Bhaishajya Ratnavali, Murcha Rogadhikara (For anxiety and low energy in body)
Introduction
Ashwagandharishta is a fermented herbal formulation of dark brown color contains self-generated alcohol 5 to 10 percent. It is known as great medicine for neurological and mental problems. The main ingredient of this herbal formulation is Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera). Word Ashwagandha stands for the smell of a horse. This name of the herb is due to its root which smells like a horse urine. Its roots are loaded with fruitful chemical compounds like alkaloids, lactones, phytosterols, saponins and more. These provide plant the properties such as liver and reproductive tonic, anti-tumor, adaptogenic, sedative, anti-inflammatory, nervine, aphrodisiac, anti-anemic, immune-modulatory and analgesic.
Ingredients
| S. No. | Name | Latin Name | Part Used | Quantity |
| 1. | Water for decoction | 98.304 litres | ||
| 2. | Honey (Madhu) | 14.400 kg | ||
| Kvatha dravyas (herbs for decoction) | ||||
| 3. | Ashvagandha | Withania somnifera | Root | 2.400 kg |
| 4. | Musali | Chlorophytum tuberosum | Root | 960 g |
| 5. | Vidari | Pueraria tuberosa | Root Trace | 480 g |
| 6. | Arjuna | Terminalia arjuna | Stem Bark | 480 g |
| 7. | Manjishtha | Rubia cordifolia | Root | 480 g |
| 8. | Mulethi | Glycyrrhiza glabra | Root | 480 g |
| 9. | Haridra | Curcuma longa | Rhizome | 480 g |
| 10. | Mustaka | Cyperus rotundus | Rhizome | 480 g |
| 11. | Daruharidra | Berberis aristata | Stem | 480 g |
| 12. | Trivrit | Ipomoea turpethum | Root | 480 g |
| 13. | Rasna | Pluchea lanceolata | Root/Leaf | 480 g |
| 14. | Haritaki | Terminalia chebula | Pericarp | 480 g |
| 15. | Vacha | Acorus calamus | Rhizome | 384 g |
| 16. | Chitraka | Plumbago zeylanica | Root | 384 g |
| 17. | Rakta chandana | Pterocarpus santalinus | Root | 384 g |
| 18. | Krishna sariva | Cryptolepis buchanani | Root | 384 g |
| 19. | Shveta chandana | Santalum album | Heart Wood | 384 g |
| 20. | Shveta sariva | Hemidesmus indicus | Root | 384 g |
| Prakshepa dravyas (Herbal additives for aroma and for accelerating process of fermentation) | ||||
| 21. | Dhataki | Woodfordia fruticosa | Flower | 768 g |
| 22. | Priyangu | Callicarpa macrophylla | Flower | 192 g |
| 23. | Ela (Sukshmaila) | Elettaria cardamomum | Seed | 192 g |
| 24. | Tvak | Cinnamomum verum | Stem Bark | 192 g |
| 25. | Patra (Tejapatra) | Cinnamomum tamala | Leaf | 192 g |
| 26. | Shunthi | Zingiber officinale | Rhizome | 96 g |
| 27. | Maricha | Piper nigrum | Fruit | 96 g |
| 28. | Nagakeshara | Mesua ferrea | Stamen | 96 g |
| 29. | Pippali | Piper longum | Fruit | 96 g |
Method of Preparation
- Take the ingredients of kvatha dravyas (Decoction herbs), wash, dry and convert them in to boorish powder from by passing it through the 44 number sieve.
- Next take the ingredients of Prakshepa dravya except Dhataki (Woodfordia fruticosa) clean, clear and get in a powder form by passing through 85 number sieve individually.
- Add specific amount of water to kvatha dravya (Decoction herbs), soak whole night and heat up to its one fourth volume. Then filter it through muslin cloth.
- Now add Dhataki (Woodfordia fruticosa) and honey. Seal the container mouth and ferment the mixture.
- After its completion, filtrate the fermented material and pour in an air tight container.
- Keep in a cool and place free from moisture and light.
Dosage
10 to 20 ml with equal quantity of water, one to two times a day after meals.
Indications
- Fatigue
- Malnourishment
- Depression
- Anorexia
- Sleeplessness
- Neurological problems – migraine, vertigo, memory loss and loss of neurons in brain
- Joint problems – inflammation in joints, osteoarthritis
- Male and female infertility
- Erectile dysfunction
- Uterine weakness
Contraindications
- Avoid to use in case of infants and pregnancy.
- Sour throat
- Ulcers in mouth
- Heartburn
- Stomach irritation
