[poison]

Err, um, I'll just forward you to this:

Chyawanprash - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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.


[edit] Appearance and use
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, mixed in warm milk or water. It can be used like any other jam, spread onto crackers or bread.

Even though no strict diet is administered during the intake of Chyawanprash it is always advised to drink a glass of milk after each intake of the above. Chyawanprash intake is usually done once in a day usually after breakfast or after dinner. Chyawanprash is produced and sold by many ayurvedic centers such as Kottackal Ayurveda Pharmacy, Nagarjuna Ayurveda Pharmacy and Dabur.


[edit] 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. Other chief ingredients are dried catkins, cinnamon, asparagus, ashwagandha, turmeric, ghee (clarified butter), dehydrated sugar cane and honey.


[edit] Ingredients
The best-known brand for chyawanprash is Dabur, it include the ingredients:

Fresh Amla fruit (Indian gooseberry)
Sugar
Honey
Ghee
Long pepper (Piper longum)
Sesame oil
Giant potato (Ipomoea mauritiana, or Kiribadu Ala)
Cardamom
Bamboo manna (or Tabasheer or Bamboo silica)
Indian kudzu
Winter cherry (or Ashwaghanda)
Asparagus
Cinnamon bark
Dashmool (Bengal quince, migraine bark, Indian trumpet flower, Purple snake tree or Indian purple trumpet, 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 (or Bhumiamalaki)
Raisins
Ceylon-cow plant (Gymnema lactiferum)
Irish root
Chebulic myrobalan
Round zedoary
Nut grass
Spreading hogweed (Boerhavia diffussa)
Blue Egyptian water lily
Malabar nut (Seed of Adhatoda vasica)
Liquorice
Tiger's claw or Ice plant
Sandalwood
Clove
Chinese cinnamon
Cobra's saffron (or Nagkesar or Indian Rose Chestnut
Preservative: Potassium sorbate

[edit] 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.

[edit] External links
In the book on RASAYANA by Puri (2003) under Amla a very detailed account on Chavanprasha is available. In the book detail about method of manufacture on small scale as well as on large scale is given, along with the scientific (botanical) identification of various herbs and the other ingredients as used by different pharmacies. An account of therapeutic activity is also available.

I bought a bottle of Dabur brand Chayawanprash. I've been taking two spoons a day. It's sweet and spicey, kind of tamarind-ish, with a hit of black pepper. It's very cheap, so I figure, why not keep taking it?

[bioman]

Looks interesting. An ancient "kitchen sink" formula.

[poison]

Spices are some of the most rich sources of anti-oxidants around (it has tumeric, pepper, cloves, cinnamon, etc). Add in the amla, and I bet it's ORAC score is off the chart.

BTW, I paid $3 for a 3-4 week supply.

[bioman]

Oh, I'm not knocking it. It has a good list of stuff..even lots of berries so it's got to have a potent anti-ox effect.

[200wannabe]

A couple of pubmed abstracts:

Effect of Sonachandi Chyawanprash and Chyawanprash Plus--two herbal formulations on immunomodulation.

* Sur TK,
* Pandit S,
* Mukherjee R,
* Pramanik T,
* Debnath PK,
* Bandyopadhyay SK,
* Bhattacharyya D.

Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Post-Graduate Medical Education and Research, Kolkata, India. surtapas@hotmail.com

The immunomodulatory effects of Sonachandi Chyawanprash and Chyawanprash Plus--two herbal formulations have been evaluated. Both the drugs increased the macrophage activity and their number indicating enhancement of non-specific immune response and reduction of chances of infection. Besides that both Sonachandi Chyawanprash and Chyawanprash Plus efficiently protected Cyclosporine A induced immunosuppression suggesting the immunoprotective role of the aforesaid herbal formulations.

PMID: 16295744 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]


Effect of Chyawanprash and vitamin C on glucose tolerance and lipoprotein profile.

* Manjunatha S,
* Jaryal AK,
* Bijlani RL,
* Sachdeva U,
* Gupta SK.

Department of Physiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi-110 029.

Chyawanprash is an ancient Indian dietary supplement containing vitamin C (34 mg/100 g) derived from amla (Emblica officinalis). In addition, Chyawanprash also contains several other herbal products. The present study was designed to compare the effects of vitamin C with those of Chyawanprash. Ten normal healthy adult male volunteers (age 20-32 years) participated in the 16-week study. They were placed randomly in either the Chyawanprash group (n = 5) or vitamin C group (n = 5). Those in the former received 15 g/d of Chyawanprash while those in the latter received 500 mg/d vitamin C during the first 8 weeks of the study. For the next 8 weeks, no supplement was given. For each individual, an oral glucose tolerance test was performed, and lipoprotein profile in peripheral serum samples was determined at 0 weeks, 4 weeks, 8 weeks, 12 weeks and 16 weeks. In the Chyawanprash group, the 8 weeks Vs 0 weeks value (mean +/- S.D.) respectively for various indices which were significantly different were fasting plasma glucose (100.2 +/- 5.58 mg/dl vs 116.2 +/- 11.6 mg/dl), area under 2-h plasma glucose curve (245.9 +/- 15.13 mg.dl-1.h vs 280.8 +/- 37.09 mg.dl-1.h), HDL cholesterol (53.2 +/- 4.56 mg/dl vs 42.7 +/- 7.17 mg/dl), LDL cholesterol (82.4 +/- 8.80 mg/dl vs 98.26 +/- 12.07 mg/dl), LDL/HDL ratio (1.56 +/- 0.28 vs 2.38 +/- 0.63). In the Vitamin C group, only the LDL/HDL ratio was significantly lower at 8 weeks than at 0 weeks (1.99 +/- 0.44 vs 2.29 +/- 0.43). All the variables that changed significantly were no longer significantly different from the 0 weeks value at 16 weeks. Chyawanprash reduces postprandial glycemia in the oral glucose tolerance test and reduces blood cholesterol level to a significantly greater extent than vitamin C.

PMID: 11211574 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

[poison]

Nice!!!^^

[poison]

From the dAbur website:

A group of 30 pulmonary tuberculosis patients were treated to Chyawanprash along with standard anti-tuberculosis treatment. Their rate of recovery matched an identical group who were treated to branded cortico-steroids and multi-vitamins, without any of the latter’s toxic effects.
Based on ‘Clinical study of Chyawanprash as an adjunct in the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis’. By JK Ojha, MN Khanna, HS Bajpai, PV Sharma and TN Sharma. Banaras Hindu University, 1976.


A group of patients suffering from head and neck cancer receiving radiotherapy were treated to Dabur Chyawanprash along with haematinics. Compared to another group receiving haematinics and vitamins, their skin reactions were the least and moderate reactions were found to be low.
Based on ‘Effect of an Ayurvedic medicine (Chyawanprash) on early reactions during radiotherapy of head and neck cancer’. By GN Agarwal. King George’s Medical College, Lucknow. Data on DRF files.


Nine healthy volunteers aged between 60 and 70 years were treated to Chyawanprash every morning and evening. They were tested before, after and between monthly intervals. Across the group, increases in hemoglobin, weight, breath-holding time, lung capacity, improvement in protein and nitrogen metabolism, reduced ESR, pulse and respiratory rates were noted.
Based on ‘Psycological, endocrine and metabolic studies on the effect of rasayana therapy in aged persons’. By MD Verma, RH Singh, KN Udapa. Banaras Hindu University, 1972.


In a study both the experiments and techniques were kept in dark about the identity of drugs to access the adaptogenic properties of normal and depressive patients. Divided into two groups they were treated to Dabur Chyawanprash or placebo. Those on


Chyawanprash showed a higher reduction in complaints and allevitation of depressive symptoms.
Based on ‘Double Blind Controlled Clinical Trail of Chyawanprash and Ashwagadha (W Somnifera): A Pilot Study’. By RH Singh and PB Behre. Banaras Hindu University, 1991.


A group of smokers suffering from various afflictions ranging from cough, phlegm, breathlessness on exertion were treated to Dabur Chyawanprash at regular intervals for three months. 80% of them showed significant improvement in quality of life, a general sense of well-being, better digestion and bowel moment.
Based on the report on clinical trial of DRF 2200196. By Prof. OP Jaggi.

[poison]

Amla :- Amla Fruit is rich in Vitamin C and Pectin. Tannins present in it retard the oxidation of Vitamin C. It is well known fact that pectin decreases Serum Cholesterol in human beings. It inhibits Platelets aggregation and lowers cholesterol levels. It is a tonic, has a haematinic and lipalytic function useful in Scurvy and Jaundice, prevents Indigestion and controls acidity as well as it’s a natural source of anti-ageing. It is one of the supplements used in hyperacidity and Liver disorders. It stops premature graying or hair-loss encourages nail and hair growth, improves eye-sight, cleanses the mouth, and nourishes the teeth, bones. Cleanses the intestine and regulates blood sugar.


Ashwagandha :- It modulates body functionality so as to control stress and regulate immunity.

Pippali :- It helps in cough and other respiratory problems and also strengthens lungs functions.

Kesar :- It energises the body and also makes the skin look radiant.

Guduchi :- It makes us strongers both physically and mentally. It also has astringent properties which rejuvenates our immune system.

Karkatsringi :- It beneficial for recurrent cough and cold.

Satavari :- It’s helps to promote general health and increases stamina. It improves itelligence and it very useful in improving eyesight.

Bala/ Vidarikand :- It helps to fight general weakness and gives strength and stamina..

[poison]

Apparently Indian tradition dictates that you drink a glass of milk after eating chayawanprash. I wonder if it's because of chayawanprash' digestive power, or even better, because it aids in nitrogen retention and protein synthesis?

[bioman]

I wanna be strongers! lol

This is like an uber-cheap version of the Life Extension Mix.

[poison]

Whoa, that stuff looks good! Expensive as all get out, though.

[bioman]

Yeah, but it looks like you dug up a much cheaper alternative.

[poison]

I wonder which is better. The LE stuff uses ingredients moe known to you and me: bilberry, broccoli, green tea, etc. THe chaya uses a bunch of stuff I'm not familiar with: giant tuber, lily, WTF lol?

Ayurveda has been around a hell of a long time, I guess it's reasonable to think its in the ballpark.

[bioman]

Ayur and Chinese medicine have their merits certainly. Some of the principals are pretty odd to me, but that's probably my western scientific background being a jerk..lol.

Both cultures were sooooo far advanced when Europe was nothing but mud huts...so it stands to reason they made some good observations over the millenias.

The latest herb that I'm using from those schools of thought..Myrrh oil. I just thought it was for frangrance, but it turns out to be a pretty potent anti-inflammatory and topical antibiotic. Destroys hemorrhoids in just a few days. Brought down the swelling on my class II sprained ankle to next to nothing.

It'll make you smell like a hippy though.