Ayurmed Info

Ashwagandharishta Uses, Ingredients, Dose, Side Effects

Ashwagandharishta is a liquid Ayurveda medicine used in the treatment of sexual disorders, depression etc. Ashwagandharishta contains about 5 – 10 % of self generated natural alcohol in it. This self generated alcohol and the water present in the product acts as a media to deliver water and alcohol soluble the active herbal components to the body. This is also called as Asvagandharishtam.

Dosage

  – 12 – 24 ml. one or two times a day, usually advised after food.
If needed, equal quantity of water can be added before consumption.
Traditional dose is – 24 ml.

With western medicines
Seek your doctor’s advice if you are taking this product along with other western (allopathic/modern) medicines. Some Ayurvedic herbs can interact with modern medicine.
If both Ayurvedic and allopathic medicines are advised together, then it is best to take allopathic medicine first, wait for 30 minutes and then, after a gap of 15 – 30 minutes, take Ayurvedic medicine or as directed by the physician.

Can this be used while taking Homeopathic medicine?
Yes. This product does not react with homeopathic medicine.

With supplements like multivitamin tablets, Omega 3 fatty acids etc?
Yes. Generally, this product goes well with most of the dietary supplements. However, if you are taking more than one product per day, please consult your doctor for an opinion.

Uses

General uses

Aswagandharishtam is used in the treatment of  feeling tired all the time psychiatric conditions, dullness, loss of memory, sluggishness, epilepsy, stomach problems like low digestion power, emaciation, Piles and Vata imbalance diseases. This increases ojas, nourishes all dhatus.
It is also used as a nervine tonic.

Traditional uses

Traditional uses of Indian medicine – Aswagandharista
Recurrent fainting, episodes of unconsciousness – Murcha
Epilepsy – Apasmara
Emaciation, leanness, weight loss – Shosha, Karshya
Hemorrhoids – Arsha
Weak digestion – Mandagni
Neurological disorders, arthritis, hemiplegia, palsy, headache,
vertigo, lack of sleep. – Vataroga – Vata induced disorders
Lumbar spondylosis, cervical spondylosis, neck pain, low back pain – In these conditions, it relieves inflammation and improves strength of joints, tendons and ligaments.

Sexual weakness, low libido, oligospermia, male and female infertility.
Depression, anxiety, insomnia, fibromyalgia
Feeling tired all the time, fatigue, tiredness, lethargy,
Lassitude, heaviness of the body, sluggishness
Lack of focus, lack of alertness, lack of physical agility.
Autoimmune Hypothyroidism, Hypothyroidism

Low immunity, recurrent fever, cold, cough
Anxiety, nervousness, nervous weakness, depression.
Perimenopausal symptoms (PMS)
Parkinson’s disease, tremors – Useful along with combination of other products, to improve muscle and nerve strength. Not very effective as a standalone medicine.

Some advice this for improving testosterone level in men and for beard growth.
Even in women, it is advised to influence secretion of growth hormone.

In tuberculosis, to improve liver activity and to improve body strength and appetite, this is advised as a supplementary product.

Weak memory – if caused by depression, lack of sleep and anxiety, then it is useful.
Doctors also use this for the treatment of
Celiac disease.

Watch video

for heart health

Ashwagandharishta for heart:
Ashwagandha is a very good anti oxidant and acts as a heart tonic. It can also be useful in high BP and to relieve stress. But it is not a very effective medicine for hypertension. Hence, usually not used as a standalone anti hypertensive product.

weight loss

For weight loss –
Generally it is used in doses above 10 ml for weight gain. But in a dose below that, it can even be used for weight loss. Obese people are suggested this medicine in low dose so that, their fatigue and body weaknesses are taken care and they are encouraged to take up exercise.
So, along with exercise, this can be a very good medicine for weight loss, in low dose for 1 – 2 months time.

Arthritis

For arthritis –
It is useful for strengthening tendons and ligaments and by reducing swelling and inflammation.

For gym goers

This product can be taken by people going to gym regularly. It helps to strengthen joints, nerves, muscles and tendons. It accelerates the injury healing process due to potent anti inflammatory, anti oxidant, anti stress and analgesic properties.

Is it advised only for men?
No. It is recommended for both men and women.

In hypothyroidism

Ashwagandha is highly recommended in Hypothyroidism. Hence, this product can be taken in such a patient. It also helps the patient to improve strength and useful to correct immunity.

What is the one medicine that you would recommend for people with hypothyroidism and depression? 
Answer by Dr JV Hebbar: 
There are no magic formulas to cure chronic diseases in Ayurveda. The choice of medicine depends a lot on the patient’s body type, digestion, tolerance  capacity, chronicity of disease etc. Hence, the below answer should not be considered as a sure-shot cure for any disease. 

All things considered, I think Ashwagandharishtam is a very effective Ayurveda product for the said two conditions. It is a fermented medicine in liquid form. 

Ashwagandha is very well known for treating hypothyroidism. 
Hypothyroidism patients offer suffer with depression. To cure depression in such patients, thyroid hormone normalization is the recommended step. 
Giving Ashwagandha directly causes stomach disturbances, mood changes, worsening of Anxiety etc. symptoms in many patients.
Read related: Ashwagandha uses, side effects 
Hence, it is best to administer Ashwagandharishtam, in which Ashwagandha is the main ingredient. 
People with depression often suffer with weight gain, especially if they are given modern anti-depressants.
People with depression and hypothyroidism also often suffer with sexual weakness. 
Ashwagandharistam is also effective against both weight gain and sexual weakness. 
Read related: Obesity tips

Side effects

 A very high dose of 50 ml or more may cause stomach irritation.
Some people observe increased body warmth with this product. They can mix equal quantity of water, just before taking.
People with very high Pitta and sensitive stomach may experience constipation, acidity and sore throat problem
One person has reported nausea with this medicine. In that case, it should be taken strictly after food.

Can it be used in people with diabetes?
If only sugar is under good control, this product is prescribed by the doctor for other health benefits, mentioned above.

How long to use?
Based on doctor’s prescription, this medicine can be used for 2 weeks to 4 months.
Can it be taken for a very long time?
Only if your doctor suggests it, in low dose of less than 5 ml per day.
Safe for kids?
It is safe to use this medicine in lower dose, in children above 5 years of age.

Q: Should I store Aswagandharista in fridge?
There is no need to refrigerate any Arishta or asava, including Ashwagandharishta. Shelf life is 10 years from the date of manufacturing, even while it is stored at room temperature. Self generated alcohol and honey act as preservative in them. Read more about Asava – arishta dosage forms 

Q: How is it useful in arthritis and spondylosis?
By strengthening tendons and ligaments and by reducing swelling and inflammation.

Can it cause liver problems, as it has alcohol?
The self generated alcohol acts as a medium and solvent for the active principles of the herbs. It already contains many liver protective herbs such as Rubia cordifolia, Cyperus rotundus etc. Hence, there is no chances of it causing liver problems, if taken in the prescribed dose for the suggested time.

Can it be used by normal people?
Based on doctor’s advice, it can be used for a few weeks time, even in normal persons, without any health issues.

Pregnancy and lactation –
During pregnancy, it is best to avoid this / take this only under medical supervision.
During lactation period, it can be taken in lower doses, based on doctor’s advice to strengthen lower back and uterus.

Effect on Tridosha –
Overall, it balances all the three Doshas, mainly kapha and Vata Dosha.

Ashwagandharishta Vs Ashwagandha powder or capsule:
In people with very weak digestion and metabolism, Asgandh powder / capsule is not very effective. In them, Ashwagandarisht is better. Some people experience increased anxiety with just Ashwagandha. Such a phenomenon is not usually seen in case of this Arishta. The multiple herb synergy nullifies the adverse effects of each other.

Ingredients


Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)  – Root – 2.4 kg
Mushali (Chlorophytum tuberosum) – Root – 960 g
Manjishta (Rubia cordifolia) – Root – 480 g
Haritaki (Terminalia chebula) – Fruit – 480 g
Nisha – Turmeric – rhizome – 480 g
Daruharidra (Berberis aristata) – Stem – 480 g
Yashtimadhu – Licorice – Root – 480 g
Rasna (Pluchea lanceolata) – Root / leaf – 480 g
Vidari (Pueraria tuberosa) – Root – 480 g
Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna) – stem bark – 480 g
Mustaka (Cyperus rotundus) – Rhizome – 480 g
Trivrit (Ipomoea turpethum) – Root – 480 g
Sariva (Indian sarsaparilla – Hemidesmus indicus) – Root – 384 g
Krishna Sariva (Cryptolepis buchanani) – Root – 384 g
Shweta Candana  (Santalum album) – heart wood – 384 g
Rakta Candana  (Pterocarpus santalinus) – heart wood – 384 g
Vacha (Acorus calamus) – Rhizome – 384 g
Chitraka  (Plumbago zeylanica) – Root – 384 g
water for decoction – 98.304 liters
Boiled and reduced to 12.288 liters.
Madhu – Honey – 14.4 kg
Prakshepa –
Dhataki  Woodfordia fruticosa – Flower – 768 g
Shunti – Ginger – Rhizome – 96 g
Maricha – Pepper – fruit – 96 g
Pippali – Long pepper – 96 g
Twak – Cinnamon – 192 g
Ela – Cardamom – 192 g
Patra (Cinnamomum tamala) – leaves – 192 g
Priyangu ( Callicarpa macrophylla) – Flower – 192 g
Nagakeshara  (Mesua ferrea) – Stamen – 96 g

Method of manufacturing:
The coarse powder of first set of herbs is added with water, boiled and reduced to 12.288 liters, filtered. It is added with honey and prakshepa powders are added and kept in an air tight container for one month for fermentation. After a month time, it is filtered and preserved.

Reference

Bhaishajya Ratnavali – Murcha Rogadhikara 13-17, AFI Part I

Shloka- Sanskrit verse

ashwagandharishta

Manufacturers: Baidyanath, Dabur, AVN, AVP, Vaidik Herbs, Kottakkal,
Nagarjuna – Ashwagandhaarishtam

Baidyanath Ashwagandharishta special

Along with Ashwagandharishta, Baidyanath also manufactures a special Ashwagandharishta called as Ashwagandharishta special.
It contains,
Ashwagandha – Withania somnifera
Musali – Chlorophytum tuberosum
Indian madder – Manjishta – Rubia cordifolia
Licorice – Yashtimadhu – Glycyrrhiza glabra
Turmeric – Haridra – Curcuma longa
Trikatu – Long pepper, black pepper and ginger
Sandal wood – Chandan – Santalum album
Vacha – Acorus calamus
Sarsaparilla – Sariva – Hemidesmus indicus
Chaturjat –
Cinnamon – Twak – Cinnamomum zeylanicum
Patra – Cinnamomum tamala
Cardamom – Ela – Elettaria cardamomum
Nagakeshara – Mesua ferrea
Nishoth – Operculina turpethum
Priyangu – Callicarpa macrophylla
Dhataki – Woodfordia fruticosa
Vidara – Pueraria tuberosa
Jaggery – Guda

Ashwagandharishta special can be given in the dose of 10 to 50 ml with equal quantity of water or as directed by the physician.

Ashwagandharishta special is used as nervine tonic and sedative. It relieves mental tension & induces natural sleep. It is also indicated in nervous debility, epilepsy and weak memory. 

Expiry date: 10 years from the date of manufacture.
Storage: Store in a cool place in tightly closed amber coloured bottle, protect from light and moisture.

Research:
Standardization –
Total ash content  0.2 g
Acid insoluble ash – 0.23 g
water insoluble ash – 0.11 g
Thin Layer Chromatography – Benzene : EthylAcetate Rf value – 0.8 (1)

Study on anti microbial activity was noted against Staphylococcus aureus ()
Cardio-protective activity of this product, prepared with traditional and modern methods were studied. Experimental study was conducted with isoproterenol (ISO) induced myocardial infarction (MI) in albino rats. The test showed improved serum lipid profile ()

Can this product be taken along with Allopathic medicines (English medicines)?
Usually it is well tolerated with allopathic medicines. However, consult your doctor for the right advice. When English and Ayurvedic medicines are advised together, it is best to take English medicine first, give a gap of half an hour and then take Ayurvedic medicines.  

It is sold in plastic bottles. Is it fine?
If the quality of the bottle material is very good, it should not be problem, if stored for a short period of time.

Habit forming

Is this medicine habit forming? Does it create dependence? Can we stop it after a few months of usage?
This medicine is not habit forming. After using for the prescribed period, your doctor would gradually decrease the dose and eventually stop it. Follow your doctor’s instructions for gradual decrease of dose and stopping. Usually it does not cause any ill effects.

Please consult your doctor before taking this medicine.
This article is written by Dr. Janardhana V Hebbar BAMS, MD (Ayu), PGDPSM, Managing Director, Easy Ayurveda Hospital.
It is reviewed by Dr. Raviganesh Mogra BAMS, MD (Ayu), Chief Medical Officer, Easy Ayurveda Hospital

8 thoughts on “Ashwagandharishta Uses, Ingredients, Dose, Side Effects”

  1. Hi Doctor!
    I have been taking Ashwagandhaarishtha off and on for couple of years. I wanted to share my experience here:
    1. It has helped me to reduce my tensions and think straight.
    2. I have been able to maintain abstinence for a period of two months.
    3. I feel that I am more focused and more energetic.
    4. I was a late riser. Now I get up at 5 and go for an hour long morning walk.

    This thing has helped me a lot. And this is the only way I could thank our forefathers.

    Cheers!
    ASA

    Reply
  2. Hello, does this kadha help control anxiety episodes like faster heart beat caused due to vertigo. As I am suffering cause of vertigo and want to go Ayurvedic to avoid side effects.

    Reply
  3. Hi sir
    Im suffering from vaathaja madhumeha.
    Lot of stress and tiredness
    Insomnia and feeling always dullness.
    So can I use ashwagandharist.
    Plz reply me.
    thank you

    Reply
  4. are there any uses of Ashwagandha leaves ,i have a ashwagandha plant at home but not enough roots to harvest , i only have berries and leaves .

    Reply

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