HERBAL PREPARATIONS (Bheshajya kalpana)

The Ayurvedic pharmacy has developed many wonderful herbal preparations. The form in which a herb is taken greatly affects its potency and effect. There are also specific preparations that are indicated for certain diseases or specific plants. Here is a list of the main forms in which herbs are administered:

Fresh Juice (svarasa)

The fresh juice of a plant is a favourite method of administering juicy and aromatic plants such as Aloe vera, Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum), Ginger, or Brahmi (Bacopa monieri).

Herbal Paste (kalka)

When a fresh and whole plant is crushed it makes a paste. This is usually used for external poultices and plasters. Specific vulnerary herbs are Neem (Azadiracta indica) and Bhrngaraj (Eclipta alba).

Herbal Powder (churna)

When a dried plant is crushed it becomes a powder. Ayurveda has many famous churna; Triphala and Trikatu are both famous churna. Powders are commonly used to treat internal imbalances.

Decoction (kvatha)

Ayurveda makes very strong decoctions. One part of dry herb is added to sixteen parts water that is then reduced to four parts of the original volume of water. Roots, barks, stems and fruits are usually decocted. This theory is expanded so that there are Milk decoctions (ksirapaka kalpana) where one part herbs is mixed with eight parts of milk and thirty-two parts of water and simmered until the water evaporates; this is very effective for rasayana treatments (eg pippali vardhaman where increasing numbers of Long Pepper fruits are taken to treat asthma) as well as for lipid soluble components such as saponins (cf Arjuna). Herbal stocks (panaka) are made by simmering one part of herb in sixty-four parts of water reduced to half. Rice or vegetable soups are then made in this stock as a part of nourishing therapy (see the therapeutic glossary for ideas).
Distilled waters (arka) are the collected vapours resulting from condensed steam; aromatic seeds and delicate flowers are often used make these delicious herbal waters that are used for the skin and emotions.

Hot Infusion (phantha)

Delicate leaves and flowers are usually infused at a ratio of one part herb to eight parts of freshly boiled water. This brew is left to steep for up to twelve hours. These hot teas are used for vata and kapha problems.

Cold Infusion (hima)

A cold infusion is used for steeping very delicate flowers and in treating pitta disorders. One part of herb is steeped in six parts of water. This is usually done overnight when the cooling lunar energy is at its peak. Well-known preparations are made from Guduchi (Tinosporia cordifolia), Coriander seed, Jasmine flowers and Sariva (Hemidismus indica).

Herbal Jams and Jellies (paka, leha, avaleha)

These delicious preparations are often used as tonics when there is debility. A primary ingredient is mixed with herbs, ghee and honey or jaggery. Chayawanaprash is the most famous of these preparations but there are numerous others made for specific organs; Brahmi rasayana for the intellect, Agastya haritaki leha for the lungs and Bilva avelaha for the intestines.
Medicated wines (arishta, asava) and tinctures
Decocted (aristha) or the juice of fresh (asava) herbs are fermented with the flowers of Dhataki (Woodfordia fruticosa). They are used as tonics and to stimulate the digestive fire. Although not traditionally used in Ayurveda tinctures are commonly used these days in western countries to administer herbs. Herbs are macerated in water and alcohol with varying weights and volumes. These are especially beneficial for vata and kapha.

Gugguls

These compounds are made with a base of purified Guggul (Commiphora mukul). The Guggul is boiled in a decoction of Triphala to remove impurities. It is then triturated along with other herbs, fresh juices or decoctions of other complementary herbs. For example, Kaishore guggul is an anti-inflammatory and it is triturated in Aloe vera gel. Trituration grinds herbs by rubbing and pounding them into very fine particles that are easy to digest. Friction also adds its other function of removing natural and chemical impurities. This ground paste is then baked in an oven, ground to a powder and then made into pills. Gugguls are specifically detoxifying as Guggul has a detoxifying action; they are commonly used for vata disorders.

Medicated Ghee (siddha ghrta)

Medicated ghees are used to nourish the nerves and mind. As ghee is so easily absorbed into the deeper tissues it is a very beneficial vehicle that carries the herbs deep into the body. As it is so nourishing and cooling it is often used for vata and pitta diseases. One part of herb is brewed in four parts of ghee and sixteen parts of water until the water evaporates. Brahmi ghrta and Panchtikta ghrta are renowned ghee compounds.

Medicated Oil (siddha taila)

Made the same way as ghee (1 part herb:4 oil:16 water) these decocted oils are used for massage and healing wounds, strengthening bones, as hair tonics, skin treatments, medicated enemas, vaginal douches. They are also used for nasal administration to clear sinus conditions. They can also be taken internally, such as when Mahanarayan oil is used to clear asthma.

Minerals (rasashastra)

A large percentage of the Ayurvedic pharmacopoeia is of mineral origin and many formulas contain some minerals. Their appearance in Ayurvedic medicine (c800CE) marks a coming together with the tantric tradition. The Ayurvedic goal of long-life becomes intermingled with the tantric yogic goal of immortality. Alongside this esoteric union is the clear fact that minerals are stronger than herbs, have a longer shelf-life and are very effective. Mineral preparations are usually calcified in very hot fires, dipped in purificatory fluids (cow’s urine, herb decoctions or sesame oil) and then ground to the finest powdered ash (bhasma). They become oxides or sulphides that are chemically unreactive. This means that they are not soluble and they are either totally or relatively chemically unreactive on the tissues. They are catalysts that spark a healing process. From mercury, gold and diamonds to iron and eggshell innate materials are transformed from their ‘raw’ state to potent medicines. Refer to Bhagwan Dash’s ‘Alchemy and metallic medicines in Ayurveda’ for further details of this vast subject.

HERBAL CARRIERS (anupana)

This is the idea that certain substances either act as catalysts or messengers to the main active herb and help carry them to certain parts of the body. The carriers are either mixed with or taken alongside the medicine. Known as an anupana they are the medium that carries the herbs to their intended destination and enhances or moderates their effect. Milk, water, ghee, oil, herb juices, sugar, salt and honey are all used as vehicles.
Milk counteracts pitta and also encourages the nourishing effect of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) or Shatavari (Asparagus racemosa);
Water when hot encourages agni, clears ama and reduces vata and kapha;
Water when cold reduces pitta;
Ghee carries the herbs deep into the tissues, nourishes the nervous and reproductive systems and it also has a catalytic effect on the herbs that helps to potentise them;
Honey clears kapha due to its warming astringency.
The herbs ride on these carriers like the scent on the wind. Using an anupana enhances the potency of a preparation.