Amritarishta (Amrutharishtam)

Amritarishta (also called Amrutharishtam) is an ayurvedic medicine used the treatment of chronic fever, typhoid fever, and other infectious diseases. It is natural immunity booster and increases non-specific immunity. It helps the body to fight off bacterial as well as viral infections.

Generally, it is used for debility after fever. It reduces body pains occurring after chronic illness, chronic fevers or infectious diseases. In fevers, it provides relief from following symptoms:

1. Burning sensation
2. Excessive thirst
3. Restlessness
4. Body Pains
5. Tiredness
6. Debility

Amritarishta is also beneficial for patients suffering from gout or elevated uric acid level, rheumatoid arthritis, poor appetite and hepatitis (jaundice).

Ingredients (Composition)

The main ingredient of Amritarishta is Giloy (Tinospora Cordifolia), also called Guduchi. It is potent immune-modulator and helps boosting immune intelligence.

Pharmaceutical Actions

Amritarishta (Amrutharishtam) is primarily febrifuge, immunomodulator and anti-inflammatory. It also has following pharmaceutical actions.

Medicinal Properties

• Antipyretic
• Mild Analgesic
• Anti-gout
• Rejuvenative
• Adaptogen
• Antipruritic
• Antioxidant
• Hematogenic
• Detoxifier (AMA-NASHAK)
• Digestive Stimulant
• Blood Purifier or detoxifier

Ayurvedic Properties

According to ayurveda, Amrutharishtam reduces aggravation of PITTA DOSHA and reduces AMA formation. It helps in detoxification of the blood and eliminates the toxins from the blood.

Therapeutic Indications

Amritarishta is helpful in following health conditions.

1. Typhoid Fever
2. Malaria
3. Chronic Fevers
4. Splenomegaly (Spleen Enlargement)
5. Hepatomegaly (Liver Enlargement)
6. Poor Appetite
7. Anemia
8. Jaundice & Hepatitis
9. Chronic Pruritus
10. Postpartum Fever
11. Gout
12. Rheumatoid arthritis

Amritarishta Benefits & Medicinal Uses

The main effect of Amritarishta is observable on immune system, spleen, liver, skin, stomach, intestine and blood. It is useful in the diseases of these organs.

Fevers & Infections

Amritarishta is mainly recommendable in low grade fevers or chronic fevers in which patients experience fatigue, loss of strength, body pains, loss of interest and restlessness. It helps mitigation of all these symptoms. Additionally, it helps to release toxins (called AMA in ayurveda), which are responsible for the inflammation and occurrence of fever.  It is beneficial for reducing symptom like burning sensation in the whole body, heat sensation, restlessness, body aches, and fatigue.

Along with other medicines for infections, it reduces span of fever and boosts recovery from associated infections. It enhances non-specific immunity and increase immune intelligence, which aids fighting off infections.

The mild antipyretic action of Amrutharishtam also helps reduce fever.  Accompanying with Praval Pishti, its antipyretic action increases and works like modern antipyretic medicines.

After fever and infections, it helps restoring the strength, reduces physical weakness and improves appetite.

Typhoid Fever

In typhoid fever, Giloy (Tinospora Cordifolia) in Amritarishta inhibits the growth of salmonella typhi bacteria and reduces antigen titer. Its use along with Vasant Malti Ras can also help to reduce tendency of becoming chronic carriers of typhoid fever. Along with other ayurvedic medicines, it is useful in the treatment of typhoid fever. It is also helpful in debility that occurs after typhoid fever and helps clearing the toxins developed in the body.

Puerperal Fever (Postpartum Fever)

In asava arishta preparations, Dashmularishta is given to treat puerperal fever. However, if a patient has symptoms of dominating Pitta Dosha including diarrhea, burning sensation, and feeling of losing consciousness, then Amritarishta is a drug of choice in ayurveda. Along with other medicines, it helps to manage puerperal fever and supports to treat the infection.

Debility after Fever

Many patients have debility after fever or after a prolonged disease. The use of antibiotic medicines to treat infections also causes many side effects, which results in the loss of strength in the body. Amritarishta can help to reduce debility and induces elimination of toxins developed in the body either due to infection or antibiotic use.

Loss of Appetite

Amritarishta regulates gastric secretions and increases appetite. Its digestive stimulant properties also help to improve digestion of food and reduce AMA formation. It is highly beneficial in cases of poor appetite due to chronic illness or infections.

Anemia

Giloy (Tinospora) has hematogenic action, so Amritarishta helps to improve the blood formation and increase hemoglobin level in the blood. According to ayurveda, it works on RANJAKA PITTA and improves its quality, which helps to increase hemoglobin level. For best results, it can be used along with Dhatri Loha or Punarnava Mandur.

Bile Deficiency & Liver Disorders

Amritarishta increases the secretion of bile from the liver and gall bladder. It also acts liver stimulant, which improves liver functions and improve digestion and assimilation of the food.

However, Amritarishta is not a potent medicine for jaundice and liver disorders, but it can help to reduce the major impact of the disease on the liver by stimulating the immune system and improving the liver functions. It is more beneficial in chronic cases than acute cases.

Chronic Pruritus (Itchy Skin)

Ruling out the underlying cause of pruritus helps in proper treatment of it. Amritarishta helps detoxifying the blood, eliminates the toxins from the skin, and improves liver and kidney functions. If any of anemia, liver diseases, malabsorption, dry skin, dermatitis, seasonal change or chickenpox is the cause of chronic pruritus, Amritarishta helps a lot.

Chronic Diarrhea

The patients with chronic diarrhea are suffering from the liver dysfunction. Ama (toxin developed from undigested foods) is mainly responsible for causing chronic diarrhea due to malabsorption, toxins accumulation and affecting the liver functions. Amritarishta improves the secretion of digestive juices and bile. It reduces AMA and improves digestion and metabolism. Further, it helps to eliminate the Ama from the body. Ultimately, it helps to treat chronic diarrhea.

Splenomegaly (Spleen Enlargement)

Many patients suffer from splenomegaly (spleen enlargement) that can occur due to infections or due to other causes. If the infection is the underlying cause of spleen enlargement, then Amritarishta can be very useful. Rohitakarishta can also be taken along with it for getting best results.

Dosage & Administration

Safety Profile

Amritarishta is considerably safe for most individuals in recommended dosage of Amrutharishtam when taken under professional supervision.

Side Effects

Amritarishta has no side effects when used wisely according to DOSHA and in the recommended dosage. High dosage is not recommendable and may result in burning or irritation in the alimentary canal due to its alcoholic content.