Chyavanprash: The Ayurvedic Elixir for Immunity and Longevity

In the world of Ayurveda, Chyavanprash stands as a time-honored elixir. It is cherished for its potent health benefits and revered as a tonic (Rasayana) for overall well-being. Named after the sage Chyavana, who rejuvenated himself using this concoction, Chyavanprash is a harmonious blend of various herbs, spices, and natural ingredients.

In this blog, we delve into the rich history and the tremendous health benefits of Chyavanprash, particularly its renowned prowess in boosting immunity.

The Origins and Composition of Chyavanprash

Chyavanprash finds its roots in ancient Ayurvedic texts, most notably in the Charaka Samhita. The original recipe is attributed to the sage Chyavana, who formulated it to restore his youth and vitality.

Over time, the formulation has evolved by many experts to make it feel rich and luxurious by adding Gold ashes or Suvarna Bhasma, Silver ashes (Rajat Bhasma), etc.  But today we will look into the original formulation of Chyavanprash mentioned in Charaka Samhita & which typically includes a combination of:

  1. Amla (Indian Gooseberry): Rich in vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant..
  2. Pippali: Supports digestion and metabolism.
  3. Ghee (clarified butter): Enhances absorption of herbal constituents.
  4. Honey: Acts as a natural preservative and adds sweetness.
  5. Various Other Herbs: Depending on the Charak Samhitas’s specific formulation, other herbs like Shatavari, Guduchi, Gokshura, Ashtavarga and Vidari are included. These all have tremendous health benefits having Rasyana properties for various systems in the body.

Health Benefits of Chyavanprash

  1. Immune System Support: Chyavanprash is renowned for its immune-modulatory properties. The combination of Amla, rich in vitamin C, and various herbs (mentioned above) and many more spices that supports the immune system. Which are helping the body ward off infections and illnesses.
  2. Antioxidant Powerhouse: The ingredients in Chyavanprash, particularly Amla.  The potent antioxidant which combat oxidative stress, reducing the risk of chronic diseases. It also helps with anti-aging effects on the body.
  3. Respiratory Health: It helps to strengthen the lungs and respiratory system organs. Herbs like Shrungi, Bruhati, and Kantakari in Chyavanprash; contribute to respiratory health, making it especially beneficial during cold and flu seasons.
  4. Stress Management: Adaptogenic herbs like Ashwagandha & Shatavari help the body adapt to stress and promote mental well-being.
  5. Digestive Aid: The combination of Abhaya, Pippali, and other digestive herbs in Chyavanprash supports healthy digestion and metabolism.
  6. Energy and Vitality: Chyavanprash is known for its rejuvenating properties, enhancing overall energy and vitality.
  7. Cardiovascular Health: The combination of herbs in chyavanprash supports cardiovascular health by promoting good gut health, developing healthy cardiac activity (in preventive care) & regulating healthy blood circulation in the body.
  8. Anti-Aging Properties: Regular consumption of Chyavanprash is believed to promote longevity and slow down the aging process.
  9. Some other benefits of Chavanprash are good for the voice (Swarya), helps children promote growth, balances doshas in the body, helps the growth of dhatu, helps to glow skin texture, etc.

Incorporating Chyavanprash into Daily Life

  1. Daily Consumption: Traditionally, Chyavanprash is ideally consumed empty stomach in the morning. This helps it to enhance absorption. After half an hour you can have lukewarm milk or warm water.
  2. Seasonal Use: It is especially consumed in the winter season for its health benefits. It is especially beneficial during seasonal changes and times of increased susceptibility to infections.
  3. For Children: It is a popular supplement for children, helping to support their growing bodies and strengthen their immune systems.

Precautions and Considerations

Chyavanprash is generally safe for most people to consume it.  However, it is advisable to consult with a healthcare professional or an Ayurvedic practitioner, especially if you have pre-existing health conditions or are pregnant, especially for people who are suffering from Diabetes and pre-diabetes. It contains honey and sugar as a natural preservative. It is advised that people consult an Ayurvedic expert before consuming it.

Chyavanprash, with its rich history and tremendous health benefits, stands as a testament to the profound wisdom of Ayurveda. Beyond its immune-boosting properties, this herbal concoction encompasses a holistic approach to well-being, promoting vitality, longevity, and overall health.

Including Chyavanprash in your daily routine can be a delicious and nourishing way to embrace the timeless wisdom of Ayurveda for a resilient and thriving life.

You can get authentically prepared Chyavanprash at Ayurvidhi Clinic. For building better immunity with Ayurveda.

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Suvarna Prashana

Ayurvedic texts are the source of various ancient medicines along with some unique traditional practices. These practices were originally described in the form of a health regimen which further transferred into rituals. Suvarna Prashana or Suvarna Bindu Prashana is one of them.

It is mentioned as among the Sixteen Sanskar of Hindu Scripture.  These sanskar connected and considered as milestone with many important events in child life during pregnancy (while in the womb), during birth and after birth. These sanskar are done at every particular stage of child’s life as part of achieved milestone which indicates major completion of child growth.

What is Suvarna Prashana?

Suvarna Bindu Prashana is an ayurvedic formulation likewise a tonic for children. 

It is a unique blend mixture of Suvarna Bhasma (purified gold ash), honey, ghee, and herbal extract of various drugs. Suvarna Prashana mainly consists of Suvarna Bhasma, Madhu, Ghruta, and several immunity booster herbs.

Where it is been mentioned?

Suvarna Prashana is mentioned as sanskar in the ancient ayurvedic text of pediatrics, Kashyapa Samhita. Kashyapa Samhita is specially written by Aacharya Kashyapa for child health, their diseases, and the treatments.

He described it in shloka as follows:

सुवर्णप्राशनं हि एतत् मेधाग्निबलवर्धनम्।

आयुष्यं मङ्गलं पुण्यं वॄष्यं वर्ण्यं ग्रहापहम्॥

मासात् परममेधावी व्याधिभिर्नच धष्यते।

षडभिर्मासैः श्रुतधरः सुवर्णप्राशनाद् भवेत्॥

Ref: Kashyap Samhita

Why Suvarna Prashana is important?

It is a unique Ayurvedic practice to build good health and an immune system without causing any side effects. In normal language, it is likewise nowadays vaccination. It is an ayurvedic immunity booster medicine. It comes with the protective properties of Gold, along with the goodness of Ghruta, madhu, and several ayurvedic immunity-boosting herbs.

Why only Suvarna or gold? 

 In the Indian subcontinent, Suvarna, or gold has an auspicious value. Generally, gold is connected with Devas inform of ornaments. The gold has the property of covering and protective mechanism. Suvarna possesses properties like rejuvenation, immunity booster, improves complexion and growth of the body, accelerate growth of the brain & improves memory. It also possesses antioxidant properties and it is very beneficial to relieve oxidative stress. All properties of Suvarna Bhasma are present in the Suvarna Prashana.

What are the Key Ingredients of Suvarna Prashana?

Suvarna Bhasma: Gold is considered very precious in Ayurveda and it would possess properties like madhura, rejuvenation, immunity booster, improves complexion and growth of the body, accelerate growth of the brain and improves memory, also increase digestion power of the body. Gold possesses a lot of antioxidant properties and it is very beneficial for babies who were delivered with difficulty during the process of delivery, oxidative stress to the baby can be relieved with the antioxidant properties of Suvarna Bhasma in the Suvarna prashana.

Ghruta or Ghee: It alleviates Pitta & Vata. It acts as a cooling, softening & improves voice and skin color complexion. It has the potency to carry and accelerate the property of the medicine used with it.

Madhu or Honey: Madhu or Honey has a great tendency to accept, carry and imbibe in various conditions. It accelerates the absorption of the medicine used with it. It also kapha elevates which is a major cause of diseases in children.

Various Herbs: Herbs like VachaShankhapushpi, Brahmi, etc are used in the making of Sauvarna Prashana. These medicines are good for the brain cells and their nourishment. They act as carrier for the above-mentioned medicine to transport them to their actual site of action. They also help to boost the absorption of gold particles in the body. 

 

Why Pushya Nakshatra?

Pushya Nakshatra is one of the 27 nakshatras in the Nakshatra mandala (constellation). Pushya is derived from the word Pushti which means nourishes. It is considered auspicious due to its nourishing nature. This is selected for the administration of Suvarna prashana to bloom its properties.

Administrative age group:

It is advised for children between the age of 0 to 16 years.

Benefits of Suvarna Prashana:

  • Boosts Immunity
  • Improves Memory & concentration
  • Improves Digestion & Gut Health
  • Prevents recurring Infection
  • Improves Skin tone and hair texture

When it should Be Started?

It can be started at any age of the child group regardless of previous dose history or not. But for better results, it should be given on a regular basis.  

 When to take:

It should be given on an empty stomach preferably in the morning.

Do not have food at least for 30 minutes after the consumption of Suvarna Prashana. 

At Dr. Bathe’s Ayurvidhi Clinic on Porwal Road, we do the Suvarna Prashana is done regularly on every months Pushya Nakshatra.

The Schedule is given as follows:

 

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