Chyavanprash

File:Dabur chyawanprash.jpg

A jar and spoonful of Dabur chyawanprash

Chyawanprash, also spelled chyavanaprasha, chyavanaprash, and chyawanaprash, is an ancient Ayurvedic health tonic, widely used in India, as a rejuvenative, energizer and immunity booster.

Origin

It is said that Chyawan Rishi was the first to prepare this tonic. Hence the name Chyawanprash. The first historically documented formula for Chywanprash is found in Charaka Samhita, the ancient Ayurvedic treatise.

Appearance

Chywanprash is a brown-colored, sticky paste with the consistency of jam and a sweet/sour/spicy taste. It can be eaten directly (one or two teaspoons per day) or mixed in warm milk or water.

Composition

Since many companies manufacture Chyawanprash, the recipe may differ a bit. The number of herbs used in preparation of the paste varies from 25 to 80, but the main ingredient of all Chyawanprash is amla (Indian gooseberry or Embellica Officinalis), which is one of the richest natural sources of Vitamin C. Other chief ingredients are dried catkins, Cinnamon, Asparagus, Ashwagandha, turmeric, ghee, dehydrated sugar cane and honey. Clarified butter is included to help the body's absorption of the vitamins.

Ingredients

The best-known maker of Chyawanprash is Dabur. The ingredients listed on containers of Dabur Chyawyanprash are:

• Fresh Indian gooseberry fruit (Amla)
• Sucrose
• Honey
• Clarified butter
• Long pepper (Piper longum)
• Sesame oil
• Giant potato ('Ipomoea mauritiana', AKA Kiribadu Ala)
• Cardamom
• Bamboo manna (AKA Tabasheer or Bamboo silica)
• Indian kudzu
• Winter cherry (AKA Ashwaghanda)
• Asparagus
• Cinnamon bark
• Dashmool (Bengal quince, migraine bark, Indian trumpet flower, Purple snake tree, Sal leaf bush, Urara pitch, Indian nightshade, Small nightshade, Small caltrops, Cashmere bark)
• Country mallow
• Wild green gram
• Wild black gram
• Galls
• Feather foll plant (AKA Bhumiamalaki)
• Raisins
• Ceylon-cow plant
• Irish root
• Chelubic myrobalan
• Heart-leaved moonseed
• Round zedoary
• Nut grass
• Spreading hogweed
• Blue Egyptian water lily
• Malabar nut
• Liquorice
• Tiger's claw
• Sandalwood
• Clove
• Chinese cinnamon
• Cobra's saffron (AKA Nagkesar)
• Preservative: Potassium sorbate

Benefits

Note: These benefits are as mentioned in the Ayurvedic texts and manufacturers' ads. Many of these benefits may have not been proven scientifically.

• Chyawanprash is a rejuvenative and prevents body against three kinds of doshas.
• Regular intake of Chyawanprash strengthens digestion, absorption and assimilation of food. It eases constipation.
• Chaywanprash's basic ingredient amla is the richest natural source of Vitamin C and strengthens the immune system.
• Chaywanprash is also beneficial to the heart and the brain cells. It is considered a memory booster.
• It also works as an antioxidant, thus slowing down the ageing process.
• It is believed that Chyawanprash purifies blood, eliminates toxins and is beneficial to liver.
• It is also said to fight bacterial skin infections and improve complexion.
• It promotes absorption of calcium, leading to stronger bones and teeth.
• It also improves muscle tone by enhancing protein synthesis.
• It is especially beneficial for cough and asthma patients.
• It enhances fertility and keeps menstruation regular.
• According to this study, Chyawanprash helps to prevent steroid induced cataract in the developing chick embryo.

External links

• Chyawanprash - The Premier Rasayana of Ayurveda - by Subhuti Dharmananda, Ph.D., Director, Institute for Traditional Medicine, Portland, Oregon