Aragwadharishtam

Reference – Ashtanga Hridayam Sutra 15/ 17-18

Abstract

Aragwadharistham is a liquid preparation categorised under ‘Aristha’ means prepared by natural fermentation process. Cassia fistula along with other drugs helps in healing skin ulcers, wounds and removes toxins (ama) from the blood. It has blood purifying and appetite stimulating properties. Primarily this formulation can be used in fever, abdominal disorders and various skin infections. In this article we will discuss Aragwadharishtam composition, method of preparation, properties, indications and dosage.

Introduction

It is a classical ayurvedic poly herbal, alcoholic formulation. It is named Aragwadharishtam as the name suggests Aragwadh is the main ingredient of this formulation. It is very effective in skin diseases like scabies, vitiligo and helps in healing chronic wounds. It contains 5-7% of natural alcohol in it. Among all three doshas it pacifies pitta, vata dosha from the body. It is made by using ingredients of Aragwadhaadi gana mentioned in Ashtanga Hridaya.

Classical Indication

Aragwadharishtam is liquid herbal preparation mentioned by Acharya Vaghvata in classics. It has been described in various conditions, among all three dosha vata, pitta and kapha it helps in pacifying pitta and vata dosha. Some of classical indications are as follows-

  • Induce vomiting (vaman karma)
  • Leprosy (kustha)
  • Poisoning (visha)
  • Fever (jwara)
  • Kapha predominance (Kaphaj roga)
  • Itching (kandu)
  • Diabetes (prameh)
  • Healing chronic wounds (dushta vrana shodhan)

Ingredients

Kwath Or Decoction Drugs

  • Aragwadha (Cassia fistula)
  • Indrayava (Hollorina antidysentrica)
  • Patala (Stereospermum suaveolens)
  • Kaktiktha/ karanja (Trichosanthes tricuspidata)
  • Nimba (Azadirachta indica)
  • Amrita (Tinospora cordifolia)
  • Murva (Moringa oleifera)
  • Sruva Vriksha/ palash (Butea frondosa)
  • Patha (Cyclea peltata)
  • Bhunimba (Andrographis paniculata)
  • Saireyaka (Barleria prionitis)
  • Patola (Trichosanthes cucumerina)
  • Karanja (Pongamia pinnata)
  • Saptaparna(Alstonia sclopluris)
  • Chitrak (Plumbago zeylanica)
  • Karvella (Momordica charantia)
  • Sharpunkha (Tephrosia purpurea)
  • Madanaphala (Randia dumetorum)

Madhur Dravya (Sweetening Substance)

  • Gudam (Jaggery)

Prakshep Dravya (Powdered Drugs)

  • Indrayava (Hollorina antidysentrica)
  • Aragwadha (Cassia fistula)
  • Amrita (Tinospora cordifolia)
  • Saptaparna (Alstonia sclopluris)

Benefits Of Ingredients

  • Aragwadha (Cassia fistula)-  Aragvadha helpsin maintaining the body’s function by removing toxins (ama) and helps in blood purification. It is useful in inflammatory swellings, wounds and ulcers.
  • Indrayava (Hollorina antidysentrica)- kutaj is effective in abdominal, urinary and kidney stones. It corrects all digestive problems and also helps in managing jaundice and diabetes.
  • Patala (Stereospermum suaveolens)-    This drug helps in indigestion, vomiting, diarrhoea and corrects all liver functions. It balances all vitiated tridosha (vata, pitta and kapha)
  • Kaktiktha (Trichosanthes tricuspidata)-  The seeds of karanja are very beneficial for skin related issues like boils, eczema, abscess, ulcers. It has the strong property of wound healing and reducing inflammation.
  • Nimba (Azadirachta indica)- Neem leaves have anti-inflammatory, antifungal and antibacterial properties. This drug also acts as antipyretic and analgesic.
  • Amrita (Tinospora cordifolia)- Also known as guduchi, has anti periodic, antispasmodic, anti inflammatory and anti allergic properties. Traditionally it is used for debility and dyspepsia disorder.
  • Murva (Morus alba)- Murva helps in managing skin disorders like psoriasis, dermatitis and other conditions like fever, anaemia, diabetes melitus. It helps in blood purification and has purgative properties.
  • Sruva Vriksha (Butea frondosa)- It is a variety of palash tree which helps to prevent microorganisms due to its anthelmintic property. It has an antimicrobial effect and removes toxins from the body.
  • Patha (Cyclea peltata)- Patha has anti inflammatory, analgesic and antioxidant properties. It helps in healing chronic ulcers, sinuses and wounds. It also manages poisonous bites and intestinal worms.
  • Bhunimba (Andrographis paniculata)- It mainly acts on aggravated kapha dosha so helps in relieving respiratory symptoms. It is beneficial in indigestion, anorexia, constipation like abdominal disorders.
  • Saireyaka (Barleria prionitis)- Barleria is beneficial in various disorders like urinary infections, cough, fever, gastrointestinal conditions. It has antiseptic and diuretic properties.
  • Patola (Trichosanthes cucumerina)- Patola leaves are used as a purgative and strengthens respiratory system, cures chronic cough. It plays a very important role in skin diseases. It improves the taste of the mouth and helps in digestion.
  • Karanja (Pongamia pinnata)- This drug is chiefly used to treat skin disorders especially in curing leprosy. It has medicinal purposes in treating constipation and maintaining gut mortality.
  • Saptaparna (Alstonia scholaris)- Saptaparna tree bark is used traditionally for various types of fever, diarrhoea, dysentery and asthma. It has blood purifying properties so beneficial in skin disorders.
  • Chitrak (Plumbago zeylanica)- Chitrak  drug is effective in the lower gastrointestinal tract as helpful in urinary calculi, any internal abscess, cures from skin infections and weakness.
  • Karvella (Momordica charantia)- The karela is a rich source of Vitamin A and carotenoids so it is very effective in weight loss and increases body metabolism. It prevents skin infections like itching, psoriasis, and ringworm.
  • Sharpunkha (Tephrosia purpurea)- It helps in managing skin conditions and prevents liver, kidney and spleen disorders. It helps in healing wounds and acts as tonic, laxative.
  • Madanaphala (Randia dumetorum)- Madanaphala is used to reduce pain, inflammation and skin diseases (have wound cleansing properties). It reduces running nose, rhinitis and cough-like symptoms.
  • Gudam (jaggery)- jaggery manages blood sugar level, reduces body weight and removes toxins from body. It increases blood circulation and prevents worm infestations, acidity.

Method Of Preparation

The steps for preparation of Aragwadharistham are given as following-

  • Firstly, collect all the drugs mentioned above and wash them properly. Prepare decoction from kwath dravyas mentioned.
  • Decoction is made by boiling coarse kwath drugs into water and then reduced to one fourth of the amount.
  • Strain the decoction into an earthen pot.
  • Then add all the prakshep dravya to the decoction.
  • At the end all gudam (jaggery) to the solution.
  • Now the pot is covered with a lid and covered tightly with some cloth.
  • Place the pot closed for fermentation for at least one month.
  • After one month an arishtam is obtained, the vessel is obtained and liquid is strained again.
  • It should be used after one month.

Properties

The properties of Aragwadharishtam are given as following-

  • Act as blood purifying tonic.
  • Balances tridosha (vata, pitta, kapha).
  • Prevents skin allergy or infections.
  • Improves digestion and gut health.
  • Increases blood circulation.
  • Have antihistamine and anti inflammatory properties.

Indications

The various indications of Aragwadharishtam are as following-

  • Skin diseases
  • Dermatitis
  • Ulcers
  • Chronic wounds
  • Rosacea
  • Vitiligo
  • Poisoning
  • Allergic condition
  • Fever 
  • Itching
  • Diabetes

Contraindications

The conditions when Aragwadharishtam are given as follows-

  • Diarrhoea
  • Ulcerative colitis
  • IBS (Irritable bowel syndrome)

(As it has laxative property)

There are no such side effects of this formulation as administered with proper dosage. It will be better to avoid it during pregnancy.

Dosage / Usage

15 – 25 ml according to age, disease, digestion, etc.

Anupana

Equal amount of water.

Taste

Sweet, Astringent (Madhur, Kashya)

Odour

Sharp like alcohol

Conclusion

Above mentioned formulation is alcoholic in nature having antihistamine and anti-inflammatory effects on the skin related issues. It eliminates excessive toxins from the body and balances doshas (vata,pitta and kapha) by reducing burning sensation from skin. It has properties of all the drugs infused in it which helps in blood purification. So for any skin related issues you must try this, if any severity must concern the physician.