Asoka ghrutham is an Ayurvedic medicine for many Genito-urinary diseases in women. It is also used as a nutritive supplement.
Benefits of Asokaghrutham
This combination is cooling and nourishing the body. It is beneficial in almost all types of abnormal vaginal discharges. It can be used in blue/black/white coloured discharge from vagina with or without bad odour, itching or burning sensation.
It can cure stomach-ache, hip pain, and pain in vagina & vulval area.
It cures loss of appetite, loss of taste, emaciation and anaemia.
As it regulates digestive power and improves absorption, it enhances immunity, strength of the patient and lifespan.
It can be used in chronic and recurrent cough and breathing disorders especially due to compromised nourishment and immunity. This formulation corrects any deficiency.
It is used in uterine bleeding disorders.
As it is a cooling agent and brings back high body temperature into normal temperature, it is beneficial in problems due to aggravated Pitta dosha. It should be very clear that there should not be any Ama.
It improves the strength and complexion of the body.
Indications of Asokaghrutham
Swetaneelakrishnapradaram(sarvadoshasamudbhavam) -Various vaginal discharge conditions
Kukshisoola – Stomachache
Kateesoola – Pain in hip
Yonisoola – Pain in vagina
Mandagni – Loss of appetite
Aruchi – Loss of taste
Paandu – Anaemia
Krisata – Emaciation
Swaasakaasaha – cures cough and asthma
Ayupushtikaram – Gives lifespan and strength
Ballyam – Gives stength
Balavarnaprasaadanam – Improves strength, and complexion
Ingredients of Asokaghrutham
| Ashoka tree | Ashoka | Saraca asoca |
It is used in the treatment of menstrual and gynaecological disorders like whitish discharge per vagina, excess vaginal bleeding, menstrual cramps, uterine fibroids etc. It is also found beneficial in haemorrhoids, internal bleeding, blotches, pimples, diarrhoea, and sore throats.
| Cumin | Jeeraka | Cuminum cyminum |
It is very good in improving digestive fire and immunity. It helps in curing various kinds of ulcers, IBS, diarrhoea and other disorders of the gut. It is used in the treatment of mild digestive disorders as carminative. It is useful as an astringent in Broncho pulmonary diseases.
| False daisy | Kesaraja | Eclipta alba |
It is widely used as a hair tonic. It is also used in skin diseases and liver diseases. It is hepato-protective in action.
| Jivak | Jeevaka | Malaxis acuminata D.DON |
It sweet in taste and cold in potency. It works as an aphrodisiac and a tonic. It is used in the treatment of fever, burning sensation, tuberculosis, haematemesis, seminal diseases, emaciation and general debility.
| Fly bearing malaxys | Rishabhaka | Malaxis muscifera/ Microstylis muscifera Ridley. |
It sweet in taste and cold in potency. It works as an aphrodisiac and a tonic. It is used in the treatment of fever, burning sensation, tuberculosis, haematemesis, seminal diseases, emaciation and general debility.
| Coiling leaf salmon | Meda | Polygonatum cirrhifolium ROYLE |
It is used in the treatment of loss of vigour, pain in the abdomen, kidney disorders, pain in the hips, swelling, fullness & distension of abdomen, diseases of bones & joints, skin eruptions, and respiratory diseases.
| Whorled solomon’s seal. | Mahameda | Polygonatum verticillatum (Linn.) |
It is used as a demulcent, diuretic, energiser, aphrodisiac, sedative, hypoglycemic, anti-tumor, analgesic, and a general tonic. It is a cardiac and nervine tonic,too.
| Purple roscoea lily | Kakoli | Roscoea purpurea Sm./ Roscoea procera Wall |
It is a general tonic. Sweet in taste and cold in potency, it improves strength of the body. It can be used in the treatment of diabetes, hypertension, diarrhoea, fever, male infertility, leucorrhoea and many types of inflammation.
| White lily | Ksheerakakoli | Lilium polyphyllum D.DON |
It is sweet in taste and cold in potency. It works as an expectorant, aphrodisiac, diuretic, anti-pyretic, and a general health tonic.
| Wild bean | Mudgaparni | Phaseolus trilobus |
It is good for eyes. It improves the quality and increases the quantity of sperm cells. So, it is used in many male reproductive disorders, like oligospermia. It is also used in the treatment of fever, worms, gastritis, indigestion, rheumatoid arthritis, and diarrhoea.
| Blue wiss/rabbit vine | Maashaparni | Teramnus labialis (L.) Spreng. |
It is a general tonic. Being cold in potency and sweet in taste, it gives strength to the body. It improves the quality and increases the quantity of sperm cells. So, it is used in many male reproductive disorders, like oligospermia. It alleviates fever, burning sensation, and diseases of the circulatory system. It may cause constipation in some persons.
| Leptadenia | Jeevanthi
|
Leptadenia reticulata (Retz.)
|
It is a revitalising, rejuvenating and lactogenic herb. It has anti-abortifient, anti-depressant, anti-epileptic, anti-microbial, anti-oxidant, anti-tumour, anti-pyretic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anxiolytic, diuretic, hepato-protective, and immune-modulatory properties. It is used in the treatment of haematopoiesis, emaciation, cough, dyspnoea, fever, burning sensation, dysentery, oligospermia, night blindness and other eye diseases.
| Liquorice | Madhuka/ Yashtyahwa
|
Glycyrrhiza glabra L. |
It has anti-bacterial, anti-oxidant, anti-malarial, anti-spasmodic, anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcer, anti-viral, anti-fungal, anti-hyperglycaemic and hepato-protective properties.
| Phalsa plant | Parooshaka | Grewia asiatica L. |
It is cold in potency, sweet in taste, and a cardiac tonic. It can reduce the vitiation of Pitta, burning sensation, fever, diseases of circulatory system, tuberculosis and emaciation. It improves taste & appetite.
NB: Ceylon date palm with botanical name Phoenix pusilla is also taken as Parooshaka. It has similar properties.
| Indian barberry/chutro/tree turmeric | Rasanjana/Darvi | Berberis aristata |
It has anti-bacterial, anti-fungal anti-diarrhoeal and anti-cancerous properties. It is used in the treatment of ophthalmic infections.
| Giant potato | Payasya/ Suklahwa
|
Ipomoea mauritiana |
It is a known diuretic, depurative, carminative, anthelmintic, anti-oxidant, and anti-bacterial herb.It is a rejuvenator and restorative tonic for brain and body. It is anti-ageing, spermatogenic, immune-modulator, aphrodisiac, anti-inflammatory, galactagogue, and cardiac tonic.
It can be used in emaciation, tuberculosis and other conditions of malnourishment. It is beneficial in some cardiovascular diseases, hepato-splenomegaly, fertility disorders, menopausal syndrome, sexual debility, and disorders of sperm quality & quantity.
| Black grapes | Mridweeka/Draksha | Vitis vinifera L. |
Grapes are a nourishing and slightly laxative fruit that can support the body through illness, especially of the gastro-intestinal tract and liver. Because the nutrient content of grapes is close to that of blood plasma, grape fasts are recommended for detoxification. The fresh fruit is antilithic, constructive, cooling, diuretic and strengthening. The fruit is also helpful in the treatment of varicose veins, haemorrhoids and capillary fragility. The dried fruit is demulcent, cooling, mildly expectorant, laxative and stomachic. It has a slight effect in easing coughs. It is used as a remedy for skin diseases and in diseases of the eyes.
| Wild asparagus | Satavari
|
Asparagus racemosus |
It has anti-oxidants and immuno-stimulants. It has anti-inflammatory, anti-hepatotoxic, anti-bacterial, anti-oxytocic, and reproductive agents.
| Thorny amaranth | Tanduleeyaka | Amaranthus spinosus L. |
It is used as laxative, diuretic, anti-diabetic, antipyretic, anti-snake venom, antileprotic, anti-gonorrhoeal, expectorant and to relieve breathing in acute bronchitis. It also has anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, anti-androgenic and anthelmintic properties.
+ Sarkara (sugar)
Details of the manufacturing
As already discussed, Asoka ghrutham has 19 herbal ingredients and sugar.
All these ingredients should be washed well and dried up in shade.
For preparation of ghrithakalpana,
We use
- Snehadravya (Cow’s ghee) – 1 Prastha
- Dravadravya
Decoction of Asokavalkala – 1 Prastha (boiled with 1 aadhaka water and reduced to 1/4th)
Decoction of Jeera – 1 Prastha
Swarasa of Kesaraja – 1 Prastha
Goat’s milk – 1 Prastha
Water after washing rice -1 Prastha
- Kalkadravya (For making paste) -1 part
Jeevaneeyagana
Priyaala
Parooshaka
Rasaanjana
Madhuka
Asokamoola
Suklahwa
Mridweeka
Satavari
Tanduleeyakamoola
Sugar – 8Pala
Take the prescribed decoction of Asoka, decoction of jeeraka, Tandulambu, swarasa of Kesaraja, Goat’s milk, ghruta and kalkadravya in an earthen pot. Make it boil and then cook in the open vessel with low fire. Reduce the quantity into the quantity of ghrutha. Make sure to mix it in between with a ladle. Also, the fire should be kept low to make sure that all the active ingredients in the herbs needed are absorbed well into the ghee. Continue cooking and stir in between. Check the Paaka as per Snehapakavidhi. Once the desired Paaka is attained, filter the ghruta. Add sugar after cooling completely. Mix well and keep it in air tight glass bottles after cooling. Ghrutha can be used for a longer period of time without any preservatives.
Dosha Dooshya Predominance with roga margas.
Asokaghrutham is Pitta-Vaatahara.
It acts on aabhyantara, madhyama and bahya rogamargas.
Dosage and Usage of Asokaghrutham
Dosage: Generally, it is prescribed in OP practise as 5-15ml once a day.
It is said in text as one Pala or 48 gm in a person with profound digestive fire.
It differs for Acchasnehapanasodhana) and vicharanasneha(samana)
Usage:
Ghrutham is advised to take in empty stomach, once the ingested food is digested well and aahaararasa is formed well.
Exercises and Yoga.
As Asokaghrutham targets mainly genito-urinary system, regular stretching and mild cardio exercises are advised. Also, specific yogacharya to regularise Apana-Pranavayus including naadisuddhi pranayama, bhujangaasana, pavanamuktasana is recommended.
Regular exercise helps improve the bioavailability of the medicine and food ingested and leads to positive health.
Yoga can maintain harmony within the body and with the surrounding system.
Pavanamuktasana
Nadisudhi pranayama
Bhujangasana
Simple exercises for lungs and heart health
All the exercises and physical exertions must be decided and done under the supervision of a medical expert only.
Recommended diet and behaviour
Diet:
- To be avoided
Heavy meals and difficult to digest foods – cause indigestion.
junk foods- cause disturbance in digestion and reduces the bioavailability of the medicine
carbonated drinks – makes the stomach more acidic and disturbed digestion
refrigerated and frozen foods – causes weak and sluggish digestion by weakening Agni (digestive fire)
curd – causes vidaaha and thereby many other diseases
- To be added
Light meals and easily digestible foods
Green gram, soups, sesame oil.
freshly cooked and warm food processed with cumin seeds, ginger, black pepper, ajwain etc
Behaviour:
Protect yourself from very hot climate.
Better to avoid exposure to excessive sunlight wind rain or dust.
Maintain a regular food and sleep schedule.
Avoid holding or forcing the urges like urine, faeces, cough, sneeze etc.
Avoid sedentary lifestyle. Be active.
Avoid stress.
Side effects and contraindications
No known side effects reported.
Diabetic and hypercholesterolaemic people should not take it as it contains sugar and ghee.
Classical references
BHAISHAJYARATNAVALI STREEROGA SHLOKA 17-20
Equivalent medicines.
Satavari ghrutham
Brands Available
AVS Kottakal
Research papers
Satavari
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16357948/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4027291/
Kakoli
Ksheerakakoli
http://www.jofamericanscience.org/journals/am-sci/0505/11_0903_anataomy_LILIUM_am0505.pdf
http://www.ethnoleaflets.com/leaflets/amrit.htm
Draksha
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6562865/
Tanduleeyaka
https://www.phytojournal.com/archives/2019/vol8issue3/PartAS/8-3-128-378.pdf