Panchajeeraka Gudam

Reference – Sahasrayogam Guda Yoga Prakaranam 15/ 7

Abstract

Panchjeerak gudam is a semi solid jam like formulation, as its name suggests it contains jaggery as binding agent. The cow’s ghee is used as a base drug infused with many herbal medicines which helps in detoxifying the uterus and prevents collection of ama (toxins) in the body. It is beneficial in various gynaecological disorders, promotes strength, prevents viral infections, dyspnoea, acts as galactagogue and helpful in post delivery care. In this article we will review about Panchjeerak gudam ingredients, method of preparation, indications and its dosage.

Introduction

It is an ancient formula of herbal ingredients in the texts of Sahasrayogam prepared from a combination of many drugs. It is considered as a health tonic or supplement especially to the females. This formulation corrects digestive, reproductive ailments and postnatal conditions. It is the combination of ghee and milk infused with 18 herbal drugs. This formulation also corrects common ailments like fever, infection, cough, asthma, anaemia and postpartum debility and fatigue.  Jeera (cumin seeds) is the primary ingredient of this preparation having lots of medicinal properties.

Classical Indication

Pancha Jeeraka gudam is described as a semi solid consistency medicine in classics. Among all dosha vata, pitta and kapha it helps in pacification of vitiated vata dosha. It is used for female reproductive health, digestive and respiratory issues. The indications mentioned in classics are as follows-

  • Sutika (postnatal care)
  • Yonivyapada (vaginal disorders)
  • Kasa, swash (cough, breathlessness)
  • Jawar (fever)
  • Kshaya (tuberculosis)
  • Halimaka (obstructive jaundice)
  • Pandu (anaemia)
  • Daurgandhya )bad odour)
  • Mutarkrich (dysuria)
  • Vataj disorders.

Ingredients

The list of ingredients are listed below-

  • Jeerak (Cuminum cyminum)- 40g
  • Hapusha (Juniperus communis)-40g
  • Dhaniya (Coriandrum sativum)-40g
  • Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus) -40g
  • Badar (Ziziphus jujuba)-40g
  • Yavani (Trachyspermum ammi)- 40g
  • Ajmoda (Apium graveolens)- 40g
  • Hingu (asafoetida)-40g
  • Kasmard (Cassia angustifolia)-40g
  • Pippali (Piper longum)-40g
  • Vashpika/ tulsi (Ocimum sanctum)- 40g
  • Chitrak (Plumbago zeylanica)-40g
  • Ksheruk (Scirpus grossus)- 160g
  • Nagar (Zingiber officinalis)- 40g
  • Kustha (Sausseria lappa)– 40g
  • Guda (jaggery)- 4kg
  • Goghrita (cow’s ghee)- 640g
  • Gokshura (cow’s milk)- 1.28 litres

Benefits Of Ingredients

  • Jeerak (Cuminum cyminum)- Cumin seeds are used as they are antioxidants with low calories and improve digestion. It reduces inflammation and helps in reducing weight in obese patients. It acts as a natural laxative and prevents infection and has strong healing properties.
  • Hapusha (Juniperus communis)- It is used to manage cough, cold and shortness of breath. Its seeds maintain skin diseases and reproductive health. It increases blood circulation and correctsGI related problems like indigestion, bloating, and flatulence.
  • Dhaniya (Coriandrum sativum)- Coriander acts as diuretic and flushes extra sodium from the body and maintains blood pressure. It maintains cholesterol, sugar levels and prevents various infections. It promotes eye, skin, hair, heart and brain health.
  • Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus)– It boosts the immune system, helps in hormonal balance and promotes lactation. It reduces inflammation, boosts immunity, removes toxins from the body and corrects menstrual, postpartum disorders.   
  • Badar (Ziziphus jujuba)- It is a rich source of nutrients, vitamin A, C, it has laxative properties and reduces fever, bacterial infections. It improves muscle strength, weight and has great wound healing properties.  
  • Yavani (Trachyspermum ammi)- Yavani seeds are used to promote digestion and come over anorexia. It is aromatic, having hot potency and manages constipation,bloating, abdominal pain, indigestion, worm infestations, etc.
  • Ajmoda (Apium graveolens)- Ajmoda is very useful for urinary tract disorders, cardiac health and digestive disorders. It reduces inflammation, prevents infections, indigestion, bloating and vataj disorders.
  • Hingu (asafoetida)- It reduces inflammation of blood vessels, reduces headache and has abortifacient properties. It is mainly used for digestive and respiratory disorders like cough, cold, indigestion, flatulence, spams.
  • Kasmard (Cassia angustifolia)- It improves reproductive health and balances all three dosha vata, pitta, kapha. It is used as a laxative and diuretic agent having hot potency. Traditionally it was used as purgative, tonic and anti helminthic.
  • Pippali (Piper longum)- It acts as decongestant, expectorant and bronchodilator so corrects cold, cough and asthma like conditions. It reduces mental stress, anxiety and improves both male and female reproductive health.
  • Vashpika/ tulsi (Ocimum sanctum)- It reduces metabolic and psychological stress. It is a rich source of vitamin C and zinc, preventing various infections, microorganisms. It lowers blood sugar, cholesterol levels and joint pain.  
  • Chitrak (Plumbago zeylanica)- Chitrak helps in managing jaundice, urinary calculi, skin diseases and internal abscess. It is effective in GI disorders, cardiac and hepatic ailments. It has antiseptic and anthelmintic properties.
  • Ksheruk (Scirpus grossus)- This plant extract is used for managing diarrhoea, thirst, jaundice and strengthens cardiac muscles. It promotes lactation, reduces fever and burning sensation.
  • Nagar (Zingiber officinalis)- Ginger boosts digestion, immunity and pain related symptoms. It has anti-inflammatory properties and prevents PMS symptoms. It corrects upset stomach and cold, cough-like symptoms.
  • Kustha (Sausseria lappa)- It has an antimicrobial effect on the intestine and promotes digestion. It helps in blood purification so it corrects dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, etc. It acts on all vata, pitta and kapha dosha.
  • Guda (jaggery)- It promotes weight loss, digestion and eliminates acidity. Jaggery is a good source of potassium and electrolytes to boost metabolism, strengthens muscles. It manages anaemia and menstrual problems.
  • Goghrita (cow’s ghee)- Ghee is rich in various vitamins and nutrients so boosts immunity, metabolism. It has healthy fats which proves beneficial to postnatal mother and child care as it reduces pitta-vata in the body.
  • Gokshura (cow’s milk)- Milk contains proteins, calcium and proteins so it improves bone health. It provides hydration, reduces stress and calms nervous system stress.

Method Of Preparation

The steps for preparation of Panchjirak guda are as following-

  • Firstly collect all the drugs mentioned above and wash them properly.
  • Fine powder of all the drugs are prepared and filtered through a mesh.
  • Then powdered drugs are fried in go ghrita till it attains light red colour.
  • Now cow’s milk is boiled and by adding jaggery till it attains linctus form.
  • Add goghrita bharjita churna to linctus by continuous stirring.
  • Mix the solution properly and store it in a clean airtight glass container, keeping away from direct sunlight.

Properties

The properties of Panchjeerak guda are given as follows-

  • It corrects digestive disorders, act as carminative.
  • Maintains respiratory ailments.
  • Provides postnatal care to mothers.
  • Corrects female health related issues.
  • Regulates metabolic activities.
  • Promotes nourishment to the foetus.
  • Has anti spasmodic, appetiser properties.

Indications

The indications of Panchjeerak guda are given as following-

  • Postpartum disorders
  • Cough, cold, fever
  • Asthma
  • Anaemia
  • Indigestion
  • Anorexia
  • Vaginal disorders
  • Body strength
  • Attain body weight
  • Postnatal care

Contraindications

  • Prevention should be taken by diabetic and dyslipidemic patients.
  • Not given during pregnancy.
  • No other side effects are not seen.

Dosage / Usage

10 grams twice daily after meals.

Anupana

With warm milk.

Taste

Sweet, Bitter (Madhur, Tikhat)

Smell

Like Jaggery

Conclusion

The above mentioned formulation is collected from ancient ayurvedic resources, which work as a tonic to the females with many health benefits. It manages reproductive disorders, respiratory disease, digestive ailments, etc. Among all dosha it mainly works on pacifying aggravated vata dosha and its related disorders. So this formulation can be administered by females in the postpartum period, for any concern you may consult to the physician.