The Ayurveda Experience October 05, 2018
Chyawanprash is a time tested Ayurvedic herbal formulation gaining immense popularity worldwide as an immunity booster. In addition to boosting the immune system, chyawanprash has other wonderful health benefits. It falls under the rasayana category of herbs which means, it has the ability to rejuvenate the mind and body. This formula contains around forty herbs and some other ingredients. Amalaki or Indian gooseberry is its main ingredient.
Here’s what we’ll cover in this article.
About Chyaanprash
Chyavanprash Benefits
Clinical Studies On Chyavanprash
How Chyawanprash Is Made
Properly Made Chyavanprash
Facts Related To The Preparation Of Chyawanprash
How To Take Chyawanprash
Precautions And Contraindications
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The first historically documented recipe of chyawanprash appears in the Charak Samhita, the renowned Ayurvedic text book. Following this, many other respected Ayurvedic text books have described the method of making chyawanprash. There are some alterations. These minor amendments are acceptable however because the basic method remains the same and they all share the similar core benefits of chyawanprash.
Chyawanprash consists of two words, ‘chyawan‘ and ‘prash‘.
The mythological story behind the nomenclature is of Chyawan, a sage. This herbal formulation was concocted by the divine twin Ayurvedic physicians for the sage Chyawan to restore his youth and vitality. In Sanskrit, ‘prash’ means specially prepared food. That is why this formulation got the name chyawanprash.1
Some brands have a picture of an old sage doing meditation on the jar of chyawanprash. This picture is devoted to the sage Chyawan.
This formulation looks like a jam. It is dark brown in color.
The benefits of chyawanprash according to the renowned Ayurvedic text books are described below.2
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A six month clinical study conducted in 2015 in India was done on school-going healthy children between 5 to 12 years old. The children were divided into two groups. One group had chyawanprash with milk daily for six months and the other group continued their normal, routine diet.
The group having daily chyawanprash with milk showed more than two times protection from immunity-related illnesses. This group also showed improvement in energy levels, physical fitness, strength, stamina and quality of life.3
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Ingredients And Preparation Of Chyawanprash4
In the Ayurvedic text books there is mentioned a group of eight herbs called ashtavarga. These herbs are jivaka, rishabhaka, meda, maha meda, kakoli, ksheer kakoli, ridhi and vridhi. But these plants fall under the category of rare medicinal plants. They are still a subject of botanical research. A lot of research has been done based on their identification and according to medicinal properties. Yet a lot of work still has to be done. They are not available easily and everywhere.
So according to the Ayurvedic textbooks, the above representative herbs can be used in their place. These representative herbs have many qualities in common. They are shatavari (Asparagus racemosus), vidari kanda (Pueraria tuberosa), varahi kanda (Dioscorea bulbifera) and ashwagandha (Withania somnifera).5
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This method of preparation is derived from the Ayurvedic text book, Bhaishjya Kalpana, The Ayurvedic Pharmaceuticals.6 The step by step preparation of chyawanprash is explained below.
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Here’s how to check whether the mixture formed is correct or not.
The mixture will have a pleasant smell. Drop 8 to 10 drops of this mixture into a bowl full of water. It should sink immediately and will not spread. This indicates that the chyavanprash was made correctly.
Vanshlochan (Bambusa bambos)- 200 gms
Badi pippali or long pepper (Piper longum)- 100 gms
Dalchini (Cinnamomum zeylanicum)- 50 gms
Ela (Elettaria cardamomum)- 50 gms
Patra (Cinnamomum tamala)- 50 gms
Nagakesara (Mesua ferrea)- 50 gms
Make a fine powder of all of these herbs and combine it into the above jam, mixing it well. Allow it to cool down completely. Once cooled, add 300 grams of honey and mix well. Now it is ready to serve. Store in an airtight container.
The honey, ghee and sesame oil in chyawanprash serve as yogavahis. A yogavahi is a Sanskrit term which means catalytic agent. It carries the qualities of that thing or substance with which it is associated in the combination, along with it own qualities. This helps to carry the herbs deep into the tissues.
Sugar added to the chyawanprash is considered a samvahaka dravya. Samvahaka means which acts as a preservative substance. It helps in maintaining the efficacy of the main ingredient.
You can take 1-2 teaspoons of chyawanprash once or twice daily with lukewarm milk, or as recommended by your Ayurvedic practitioner. Milk is considered an anupana or vehicle which helps to carry its qualities deep into tissues.
Children should take half a teaspoon of chyawanprash. It can be started after three years of age. Certainly follow the advice of your Ayurvedic practitioner or health care provider before giving supplements to your children.
Some people use chyawanprash as a jam spread over bread or toast. But the ideal and authentic method is to take it along with milk.
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In general there are no side effects associated with chyawanprash. But keep these things in mind while taking it for the first time.
Some side notes about chyawanprash:
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References
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