Tikta Ghrita: Benefits, Dosage, How To Use, Side Effects

Tikta Ghrita is an Ayurvedic medicine, in herbal ghee form.This medicine has ghee as its base. It is used for preparatory procedure for Panchakarma and also as medicine, used mainly for skin diseases. Tikta refers to bitterness. It is also known as Tiktaka Ghrita and Tiktaka Ghritam

Uses

Tikta Ghrita benefits: 
It is used as medicine and also in preparatory procedure called snehakarma for the treatment of skin diseases, leprosy, visarpa, carbuncles, burning sensation, dizziness, itching, anemia, vomiting, non healing wound, wound with pus, sinus, abscess, blisters, inflammation, psychosis, heart diseases, eye diseases, malabsorption syndrome, leucoderma, jaundice, fistula, leucorrhea, piles.

Tikta Ghrita is traditionally administered as a part of Ayurveda autumn regimen, because it helps to balance Pitta.

Effect on Tridosha – Calms Pitta

Dose

Tikta Ghrita dosage: 
As medicine – quarter to half teaspoon with water, usually before food, once or twice a day, or as directed by Ayurvedic doctor.
For Panchakarma preparation – Snehana procedure, the dose depends on the disease status and the judgement of Ayurvedic doctor.

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.

Pathya

Broken rice with boiled vegetables and buttermilk.
Rock salt, ghee, bitter gourd elephant yam, plantains, green gram, ginger are good to take.
Better to avoid chili, tamarind and excess salt.

Side Effects

There are no known side effects with this medicine. However it is best to use this product under medical supervision. Self medication with this medicine is discouraged.
People with diabetes, high cholesterol, heart diseases and high BP should exercise precaution.
In very high dose, it may cause diarrhea and indigestion.

Principle:
In this herbal ghee, the herbs are infused in the medium of ghee along with herb water decotion. Then the solid waste herb materials are filtered out. Thus, this herbal ghee contains oil soluble and water soluble phyto-active principles of medicinal herbs.

Bitter Herbal Ghee (Tikta Ghritas) in Psoriasis, Skin Diseases

Contents

Tiktaka Ghritam Ingredients: 
Patola – Trichosanthes dioica – Plant – 48 g
Nimba – Neem – Stem bark – 48 g
Katuka – Picrorrhiza kurroa – 48 g
Darvi – Berberis aristata – Stem – 48 g
Duralabha – Alhagi pseudalhagi – Plant – 48 g
Parpata – Fumaria indica – Plant – 48 g
Trayamana – Gentiana kurroo – Plant – 48 g
Water for decoction – 6.144 liters boiled and reduced to 768 ml
Trayanti – Gentiana kurroo – Plant – 12 g
Musta – Cyperus rotundus – Rhizome – 12 g
Bhunimba – Andrographis paniculata – Plant – 12 g
Kalinga – Holarrhena antidysenterica – Seed – 12 g
Kana – Long pepper – Piper longum – Fruit – 12 g
Sarpi – ghee – 576 g

Method of Preparation

Coarse powder of ingredients from Patola to Trayamana is boiled with specified quantity of water to prepare decoction. Ingredients from Trayanti to Kana are powdered separately and ground together with sufficient quantity of water to prepare paste. Ghee is heated with the prepared paste and decoction with continuous stirring. Heating is stopped when all moisture content gets evaporated, froth subsides and when paste is rolled it forms wick (varti).

Reference

Ashtangahrudayam Chikitsasthana 19/2 – 7

Manufacturers:

Thikthaka Ghrutham – Nagarjuna

Tiktak Ghrita Basti

Many research works have proved that panchatikta ghrita i.e. ghee processed with bitter tasting herbs, when administered in the form of enema, have an important role in treating osteoporosis. The classical references do not directly indicate use of this medicated ghee for treating asthi kshaya i.e. loss of bone mass i.e. osteopenia and osteoporosis.

Another preparation of ghee with bitter herbs i.e. Panchatiktaguggulu Ghrita / Guggulutiktakam Ghrita has been indicated for treating joint pains and gout.

Both these ghee have been used in traditional Ayurveda practice for both oral and enema administration to effectively treat osteoporosis and osteopenia. They are also used to prevent loss of bone mass and to preserve and maintain bone health. Therefore the mentioned compounds have both preventive and curative role in the said conditions.
Read – Basti Chikitsa: Benefits, Routes, Types, Indications, Equipment