Takrarishta Benefits, Dose, Research, Side Effects

Takrarishta is liquid Ayurveda medicine used in the treatment of low digestion strength, piles, Irritable bowel syndrome etc. It is a fermented product and 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.

Takra means buttermilk. This is the main ingredient of this medicine.

In text books one can find many references of Takraristam. Of all, Charaka has mentioned about this medicine in great detail.

Takrarishta is useful to treat over dosage of oil, ghee and fats.

Sanskrit reference

Reference: Charaka Chikitsa Sthana, 15th chapter

Takrarista
यवान्यामलके पथ्या मरिचं त्रिपलंशिकम्||१२०||
लवणानि पलांशानि पञ्च चैकत्र चूर्णयेत्|
तक्रे तदासुतं जातं तक्रारिष्टं पिबेन्नरः|
दीपनं शोथ गुल्मार्शःक्रिमि मेहोदरापहम्||१२१||
इति तक्रारिष्टः|

yavānyāmalake pathyā maricaṃ tripalaṃśikam||120||
lavaṇāni palāṃśāni pañca caikatra cūrṇayet|
takre tadāsutaṃ jātaṃ takrāriṣṭaṃ pibennaraḥ|
dīpanaṃ śotha gulmārśaḥkrimi mehodarāpaham||121||
iti takrāriṣṭaḥ|

Another reference of Takrarishta:
Charaka Samhita Chikitsa Sthana, 14th chapter

हपुषां कुञ्चिकां धान्यमजाजीं कारवीं शटीम्|
पिप्पलीं पिप्पलीमूलं चित्रकं हस्तिपिप्पलीम्||७२||
यवानीं चाजमोदां च चूर्णितं तक्रसंयुतम्|
मन्दाम्लकटुकं विद्वान् स्थापयेद्धृतभाजने||७३||
व्यक्ताम्लकटुकं जातं तक्रारिष्टं मुखप्रियम्|
प्रपिबेन्मात्रया कालेष्वन्नस्य तृषितस्त्रिषु||७४||
दीपनं रोचनं वर्ण्यं कफवातानुलोमनम्|
गुद श्वयथु कण्ड्वर्तिनाशनं बलवर्धनम्||७५||
इति तक्रारिष्टः|
hapuṣāṃ kuñcikāṃ dhānyamajājīṃ kāravīṃ śaṭīm|
pippalīṃ pippalīmūlaṃ citrakaṃ hastipippalīm||72||
yavānīṃ cājamodāṃ ca cūrṇitaṃ takrasaṃyutam|
mandāmlakaṭukaṃ vidvān sthāpayeddhṛtabhājane||73||
vyaktāmlakaṭukaṃ jātaṃ takrāriṣṭaṃ mukhapriyam|
prapibenmātrayā kāleṣvannasya tṛṣitastriṣu||74||
dīpanaṃ rocanaṃ varṇyaṃ kaphavātānulomanam|
gudaśvayathukaṇḍvartināśanaṃ balavardhanam||75||
iti takrāriṣṭaḥ|

In a jar, the inside wall of which is smeared with ghee, butter- milk is kept. To this, the powder of
Hapusa –Juniperus communis,
Kuncika,
Dhanya – coriander,
Ajaji – Nigella sativa,
Karavi,
Shati – Hedychium spicatum,
Pippali – Long pepper fruit
Pippalimoola – long pepper root
Chitraka – Leadword – Plumbago zeylanica,
Gajapippali,
Yavani and Ajamoda – Ajowan (fruit) – Trachyspermum roxburghianum are added.
The paste of the ingredients to keep in jar will be slightly sour and pungent. When it is well fermented, the sour and pungent tastes become well manifested. This is called Takararista, which is very delicious. This drink is taken in appropriate dose during the beginning, middle and end of meals, to overcome thirst.

Ingredients, method of preparation

Takrarishta ingredients:
3 palas (144 g) each of
Yavani – Carum copticum
Amalaki (Indian gooseberry fruit – emblica officinalis gaertn)
Pathya – Haritaki – Harad
Maricha – Piper nigrum as well as one pala each of saindhava, sauvarcala
Audbhida lavana
Bida lavana
Samudra lavana are made to a powder.

Method of manufacturing:
To the above mix, butter milk is added and kept till it is fermented and becomes sour.

Benefits

Benefits:
Intake of this recipe stimulates the power of digestion and cures
Oedema, – Shotha
Abdominal tumor, distension (phantom tumor), – Gulma
Piles, parasitic infestation, – Arshas
Urinary tract disorders, diabetes (obstinate urinary disorders including diabetes) and – Meha
Ascites (abdominal disorders including ascites). – Udara

Dose, usage

Dose – 12 – 24 ml, once or twice a day, before or after food, as directed by physician. If needed, equal amount of water can be added to it, before administration.

Usage:
It stimulates digestion, improves appetite for food, promotes complexion, helps in downward movement of Kapha and Vayu, cures swelling, itching and pain in anus and promotes strength.

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.

Shelf life, side effects

Shelf life – 10 years from the date of manufacturing.

Side effects:
There are no known side effects with Takrarishta.
If one feels worsening of gastritis with sour belching, then better for him to take this after food, rather than before food.
It is best to avoid this during pregnancy.
It can be safely administered to children above 5 years of age and to lactating mothers.

Research

In vitro antibacterial activity – Takrarishta was screened for antibacterial activity against ten bacterial species namely Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi, Bacillus subtilis (MTCC 441), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MTCC 424), Proteus vulgaris (MTCC 1771), Micrococcus luteus (MTCC 1541), Bacillus cereus (MTCC 430) Escherichia coli (MTCC 739), Shigella flexneri (MTCC 1457) and Clostridium perfringens (NCIM 2677). The formulation as well as individual component exhibited antibacterial activity against different strains. The formulation has been suggested to be useful in gastrointestinal (GI) infections and in the condition of food poisoning.