Agasthya Rasayanam (Rasayana) – Agastya Haritaki Avaleha

Agasthya Rasayanam (Agastya Rasayana) is a good tonic for the lungs. Its main action appears in diseases of upper respiratory tract. It is helpful in common cold, allergic rhinitis, chronic sinus infection (sinusitis), cough due all underlying causes, asthma and hiccup. In addition to these, it is also helpful in abdominal diseases including loss of desire to eat, irritable bowel syndrome, and haemorrhoids.

Ingredients (Composition) & Preparation

Medicinal Properties

Agasthya Haritaki Rasayanam has following healing properties.

1. Antitussive
2. Mucolytic
3. Anti-inflammatory
4. Antibacterial
5. Antimicrobial
6. Anti-allergic
7. Immunomodulator
8. Aam Pachak (Detoxifier)
9. Antioxidant
10. Carminative
11. Digestive Stimulant
12. Mild laxative
13. Febrifuge

Ayurvedic Properties

Agasthya Haritaki contains herbs and other ingredients, which cumulatively work on VATA Dosha, and then KAPHA Dosha. Therefore, it is most suitable for individuals with VATA and KAPHA dominant symptoms. It may not be suitable for patients with PITTA manifestations or should be used with a proper care if required especially with lukewarm milk.

Therapeutic Indications

Agastya Haritaki Avaleha is helpful in following health conditions.

1. Cough with various underlying causes
2. Breathing difficulty and Asthma
3. Bronchitis
4. Common cold
5. Allergic rhinitis
6. Chronic sinus infection (sinusitis)
7. Hiccup
8. Debility after tuberculosis
9. Loss of desire to eat
10. Tastelessness
11. Irritable bowel syndrome
12. Malabsorption syndrome
13. Phthisis
14. Haemorrhoids
15. Premature Graying of Hair
16. Wrinkles
17. Intermittent Fever
18. Polyuria & Frequent Urination
19. Debility

Benefits & Medicinal Uses

Agastya Rasayanam is useful in chronic respiratory problems. It eases in breathing, reduces chest congestion, reduces attacks of asthma, improves digestion, sharpens immune response in the body against microbes. It also acts as respiratory tonic and provides strength to the lungs.

Bronchitis

Agastya Rasayana has several ingredients, which are well-known for their anti-inflammatory action. In bronchitis, it helps reducing inflammation of lining of bronchial tubes and exerting soothing effects. It also reduces fatigue, slight fever and shortness of breath and chest discomfort associated with bronchitis. It also has mucolytic action, which helps making the mucus less thick. Thickened mucus is the main symptom, which can be reduced taking this medicine.

Important Note: Agastya Rasayanam is more helpful when mucus is thick, white, and difficult to cough up. If mucus content is yellow-greenish, or yellowish-gray or streaked with blood, then Vasavaleha is more helpful and Agastya Rasayana should not be used in such case.

Additionally, Sitopaladi Churna with Praval Pishti and Tankan Bhasma with honey are also very helpful along with it. The dosage of these medicines is given as follows:

Cough

Agastya Rasayanam is used as a common medicine for cough of various underling causes, but characterizing by thick mucus, which is difficult to cough up. It also helps in dry persistent or chronic cough, but it should be taken with warm milk in such cases. It reduces inflammation, irritation and gives relief from the cough.

Asthma & Breathing Difficulty

Agasthya Rasayanam is a respiratory tonic for asthma patients. It reduces frequency of asthma attacks. A well-prepared Agasthya Haritaki provides life-long benefits to patients who are suffering with asthma and allergies. It provides strength to the lungs and makes them capable for tolerating irritants without triggering asthma attacks. So, it prevents frequent asthma attacks.

When patient has frequent breathing troubles, it can also be used for reducing symptoms and their intensity. It dilates the airways, reduces mucus production, and helps in easier breathing.

Many people have breathing troubles or cough at night, which troubles in sleeping. Other symptoms are wheezing, shortness of breath and persistent cough attacks. In such cases, Agasthya Rasayanam is also beneficial. In these conditions, it should be taken in evening after sunset and the second dosage should be repeated at late night.

Allergic Rhinitis (Hay Fever)

Along with Turmeric (Haldi) and Black Pepper (Kali Mirch) or Haridra Khand, Agasthya Rasayanam helps reducing sneezing, runny nose, congestion, sinus pressure and postnasal drip in allergic rhinitis. It also itself has anti-allergic action, which also helps reducing symptoms of hay fever, but the results are more promising when it is used along with Turmeric or its preparations.

Dosage & Administration

Safety Profile

The most ingredients in Agastya Rasayanam are safe for long-term and even for life-long use. Agastya Rasayana is likely safe when used in people with VATA and KAPHA dominant manifestations.

Side Effects

The common side effect of Agastya Haritaki is mild loose stools, which occurs due to laxative action of Terminalia Chebula in this formulation.

It is digestive, having more potency toward hotness and stimulates acid secretion in the stomach, which like to increase the PITTA manifestation. Therefore, some patients with dominance of PITTA manifestation can experience rare side effects like heartburn, burning sensation in the abdomen, loose stools with burning sensation etc. When it is taken with milk, heartburn and burning sensation in the abdomen can be avoid, but loose stools can still occur.

FAQs about Agasthya Rasayanam

What should we do if loose stools occur due to it?

Generally, this effect is due to Haritaki present in Agasthya Haritaki Avaleha. Mild loose stools occur only when it is taken for first time. In such situation, you should skip it for 1 to 2 days and then retake it in one fourth of its recommended dosage. Gradually increase the dosage as soon as your body adapts to this medicine. In most cases, it may take 3 to 7 days to adapt the medicine.

However, if one experience severe watery stools after its intake, then he/she should discontinue Agastya Rasayanam and immediately visit doctor’s office for further treatment of severe diarrhea. Cold water intake also helps for reducing the severity of watery loose stools due to it. It is very rare event and may also be an associated with other problem. Therefore, it is also required to rule out the actual cause.

What are food restrictions with Agastya Rasayanam?

The following foods should not be taken with it.

1. Animal foods except milk
2. Curd (yogurt)
3. Ice creams
4. Fried food
5. Fast foods

It is bitter in taste. Can I take it with honey or sugar?

Yes, but honey is good choice than sugar.

Can Agasthya Rasayanam be given to infants and children? What should be the appropriate dosage?

Yes, it can be given whenever it is indicated. For dosage read Dosage & Administration section of this article.

Does it affect cholesterol and triglyceride levels as it contains ghee and oil?

The amount of Cow’s ghee is insignificant to alter your lipid profile. Sesame oil in it has no cholesterol. It is also low in saturated fat, which is likely to prevent high cholesterol. Additionally, almost all herbs in Agastya Rasayanam have anti-cholesterol effects.