Ashokarishta Benefits, Dosage & Side Effects

Ashokarishta has a strengthening action on the uterus. It improves ovarian functions, helps to normalize heavy flow during periods, and reduces pain during menstruation. It might also be effective in heavy bleeding.

Before you use it, you should also know that it may contain about 3 to 9% self-generated alcohol. Ashokarishta is mainly made of Ashoka Bark. In ayurveda, Ashokarishta is used as a uterine tonic.

According to ayurvedic literature, it might help in heavy uterine bleeding, menstrual periods, imbalanced female hormones, menopausal osteoporosis, ovarian cysts, and uterine polyps. It might be beneficial in all underlying causes of uterine bleeding.

Based on its ingredient, it might lower inflammation, acts as mild estrogenic, improve digestion, increase hemoglobin, and act as an antioxidant. It might relax muscles and reduce menstrual cramps associated with heavy bleeding.

Ingredients

Main ingredient of Ashokarishta is Saraca asoka (Ashoka) bark. Ashokarishta (asokarishtam) contains following ingredients.

Medicinal Properties

Ashokarishta (asokarishtam) has following healing properties.

1. Anti-inflammatory
2. Mild estrogenic
3. Carminative
4. Digestive Stimulant
5. Haematinic (increases hemoglobin levels)
6. Muscle relaxant
7. Antioxidant
8. Adaptogenic
9. Anticancer

Therapeutic Indications

Ashokarishta is helpful in following health conditions.

Primary Indications

Based on classical texts, Ashokarishta is very useful in the following diseases:

1. Menorrhagia – abnormal heavy or prolonged periods or heavy menstrual periods.
2. Metrorrhagia – excessive uterine bleeding.
3. Menometrorrhagia – combination of menorrhagia and metrorrhagia.
4. Dysmenorrhea – painful periods.
5. Low-grade chronic Fever.
6. Bleeding Disorders.
7. Bleeding Piles.
8. Diminished digestive fire.
9. Loss of desire to eat.
10. Urinary disorders with frequent urination.
11. Inflammation.

Secondary Indications

• Menopausal osteoporosis.
• Low bone mineral density.
• Imbalanced hormones.
• Increased level of testosterone in the blood.
• Uterine polyps and fibroid (Along With Kanchnaar Guggul).
• Ovarian cysts or poly-cystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) – Along with Chandraprabha vati.
• Pelvic inflammatory disease.
• Loss of Appetite.
• Anorexia.

In men, Ashokarishta is indicated in the following diseases:

• Urinary disorders.
• Frequent urination.
• Inflammation.
• Anorexia (loss of desire to eat).

Benefits & Uses of Ashokarishta

Ashokarishta has benefits in ovarian diseases and uterine disorders. Its main function is on female reproductive system. It might balance the levels of the hormone in the body. In menopause, it might help adapt the body according to the natural process occurring in the woman’s body. Let us discuss the main health benefits and medicinal uses of Ashokarishta in ayurvedic literature.

Menorrhagia, Metrorrhagia & Menometrorrhagia

• Menorrhagia is abnormally heavy and prolonged bleeding during menstruation.
• Metrorrhagia is a prolonged and excessive uterine bleeding. It indicates some other uterine disease. It does not occur due to menstruation.
• Menometrorrhagia is a combination of menorrhagia and metrorrhagia. In this case, heavy bleeding occurs regardless of menstruation. It occurs more irregularly than usual.

In ayurveda, Ashokarishta is the drug of choice for all these three conditions. It naturally reduces bleeding and regulates uterine functions. The effects might be due to the influence of Ashokarishta on female hormones.

If bleeding occurs due to other causes, including cervical cancer, uterine cancer and uterine polyps, Ashokarishta alone may not work well. Several different medicines may also require for controlling other associated conditions. These ayurvedic remedies include chandraprabha vati, Kanchanar Guggulu, Chandrakala Ras etc.

In Menorrhagia, some patients also have constipation. They might also require one of Dantyarishta, Gulkand or Swadisht Virechan Churna with Ashokarishta. If the patient has the primary pain concern,  Gokshuradi Guggulu is given along with Ashokarishta.

Dysmenorrhea (Painful periods)

Ashokarishta is a uterine tonic, which improves uterine functions and modulates uterine contractions. It gives strength to the uterus, which helps in easier dislodging of the uterine lining during menstruation and prevents ischemia (inadequate blood supply to the uterus). Thus, it reduces menstrual cramps. Additionally, Ashokarishta also reduces premenstrual headache, nausea, low backache etc.

The effect of Ashoka Bark (main ingredient of Ashokarishta) on raised prostaglandin is still unknown, but phytoestrogens (which are also present in Ashoka Bark) might modulate the production of prostaglandin. The prostaglandin level increases in cases of primary dysmenorrhea.

Ashokarishta alone is more beneficial when a woman has heavy bleeding with cramps like pain. If pain is severe, Amla and Yashtimadhu might also help in addition to Ashokarishta.

Suppose the menstrual flow is inadequate or reduced. In such a case, Ashokarishta might help in a lower dosage, i.e. 5 ml, to get its strengthening benefit. But the best thing is to avoid it in such a case. Kumaryasava is the drug of choice in this case. If pain is severe, Yograj Guggulu might also help with this combination.

If abdominal tenderness is also present, or other increased Pitta symptoms such as increased bleeding, burning sensation, vertigo, hyperacidity etc., are observed, then Kumaryasava should not be used. Instead, Praval Pishti, Amla, Yastimahu, Shatavari, or Kamdudha Ras should be used along with Ashokarishta in the appropriate dosage according to the history of menstrual blood flow.

Note: However, many ayurvedic doctors use Ashokarishta as the primary remedy for dysmenorrhea, but it is not. It is a supportive medicine in dysmenorrhea, which assists in maintaining the hormonal balance and provides strength to the reproductive organs. The primary treatment for dysmenorrhea is Kumaryasava. But it also has contraindications that include – heavy bleeding, clots, increased or aggravated Pitta symptoms.

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)

Ashokarishta might be useful in Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). The condition of its use is unique, so it should be used with very care.

Ashokarishta might be helpful if your periods last for seven days or more and you experience heavy bleeding. You have an early menstrual period, if periods may also be regular or irregular but come before due dates.

The condition is Menorrhagia, i.e. heavy (excess bleeding), prolonged or irregular periods, then Ashokarishta is very useful.Sukumaran Kashayam and Chandraprabha Vati should also be used along with Ashokarishta. Chandraprabha Vati and Sukumaram Kashayam both help to restore ovarian functions.

If your periods are irregular and come after the due date, Ashokarishta is contraindicated. In such a case, Sukumaram Kashayam, Kumaryasava and Chandraprabha Vati are helpful. In such cases, some may also require Agnitundi Vati or Rajahpravartani Vati (Raja Pravartini Vati).

Ashokarishta also influences the endocrine system. The hormonal disturbance is a common cause of excess hair growth, acne and weight gain. The regular use of Ashokarishta with Chandraprabha Vati helps normalize the hormone levels and reduces all PCOS symptoms, but you should remember the condition of its use.

Low-grade inflammation may stimulate ovaries to secrete more testosterone, which may cause hair growth. Low-grade inflammation may also be a contributing factor for developing PCOS.

Ashokarishta, Kumaryasava, Sukumaram Kashayam and Chandraprabha Vati also reduce low-grade inflammation, which ultimately reduces symptoms of PCOS and treats ovarian fluid-filled cysts.

The conditional difference is between Ashokarishta and Kumaryasava, which must be considered.

Menopausal Osteoporosis

Bone mineral loss starts occurring in women during menopause. It may also lead to osteoporosis. Ashokarishta plays a vital role in harmonizing the hormones and helps adapt the body to new changes in menopause. It prevents bone mineral loss. Calcium in the Ashokarishta helps maintain bone mineral density.

Ashokarishta for Weight Loss

Does Ashokarishta help with weight loss or not?

Ashokarishta is not indicated for losing weight. There is no information available based on classical texts and research evidence that suggest its use in weight loss or obesity.

However, it can help in weight loss based on its ayurvedic properties, but under the following conditions:

• If you are obese or overweight and have the pitta body type or aggravated pitta dosha in your body, it might help you lose weight.
• If you have heavy bleeding and early menstruation with clots, it might help with these problems.

Ayurvedic medicines are given based on Dosha Balance effects. Because it reduces the aggravated pitta dosha and balances the other dosha, which may result in weight loss or weight gain, you may experience a reduction in body weight if you are obese or overweight or have PCOS. You may gain weight if you are underweight.

Dosage

The dosage of Ashokarishta is 15 ml to 30 ml twice or thrice a day. In heavy bleeding, your doctor may also ask to increase the dosage of Ashokarishta.

Adjuvants of Ashokarishta

Water is an adjuvant for Ashokarishta. You should add equal amount of water and Ashokarishta, then take immediately after meal. Some medicines are taken with Ashokarishta as per following rule.

Safety Profile

Ashokarishta might be POSSIBLY SAFE in most women. Some women may feel burning sensation after taking this remedy, but this side effect occurs only in women suffering with acidity or heartburn.

Ashokarishta Side Effects

The most common side effect of Ashokarishta is delayed menstruation.

• Delayed menstruation.
• Missed period.
• Decreased menstrual blood flow.

Pregnancy

Ashokarishta may have effects on hormone levels, which may affect adversely in pregnancy. Therefore, pregnant women should not use Ashokarishta tonic. The safety profile of Ashokarishta during pregnancy is not well-established.

Breastfeeding

Lactating mothers might take Ashokarishta if they experience heavy bleeding, leucorrhoea, or any other indicated health condition (if recommended by ayurvedic practitioner). The safety profile of Ashokarishta during lactation is not well-established.

Manufacturer & Brands

• Dabur ashokarishta
• Baidyanath ashokarishta
• Zandu
• Sandhu
• Patanjali

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