Balchaturbhadra Churna
Balchaturbhadra Churna is an ayurvedic formulation of four herbs. It is used for treating fever, diarrhea, cough, and vomiting that occur in babies. It is also indicated in indigestion, abdominal distension, and abdominal pain. It also gives relief from common cold and mild breathing trouble. It is an effective solution for the most common children’s problems. Therefore, it is considered as an important medicine in ayurvedic science for infants.
Ingredients (Composition)
Balchaturbhadra Churna contains four ingredients:
| Nagarmotha or Mustak (Nut Grass) – Cyperus Rotundus | 25% |
| Pippali (Long Pepper) – Piper Longum | 25% |
| Ativisha – Aconitum Heterophyllum | 25% |
| Karkatakashringi (Crab’s Claw) – Pistacia Integerrima | 25% |
Balchaturbhadra Syrup also contains these ingredients. The additional ingredient in syrup is sugar and syrup base.
Ayurvedic Properties
| VIRYA (Potency) | USHNA (Hot) |
| DOSHA KARMA (Effect on Humors) | Reduces Kapha Dosha & Pacifies Vata Dosha |
| Dhatu (Tissue) Effect | RASA, RAKTA |
Medicinal Properties
Balchaturbhadra Churna has following healing properties.
- Antipyretic
- GRAHI (astringent)
- Antidiarrheal
- Antiflatulent
- Carminative
- Antispasmodic
- Antitussive
- Mucolytic
- Antibacterial
- Antiviral
- Anti-inflammatory
Therapeutic Indications
Balachaturbhadra Churna is helpful in following health conditions.
- Fever
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Indigestion
- Abdominal distension or bloating
- Infantile colic and abdominal pain
- Common cold
- Cough
- Problems occurring during teething
Balchaturbhadra Churna Benefits & Uses
Balchaturbhadra Churna is useful in childhood diseases, especially related with digestive system and respiratory system. In addition to its therapeutic benefits, it also improves appetite, digestion, and hepatic functions.
Fever, Common Cold & Respiratory Infections
The most common cause of fever in babies is upper respiratory tract infections. In the most instances, baby has common cold and then he develops fever and sometimes secondary bacterial infection.
Balchaturbhadra Churna is an effective antiviral, antibacterial and anti-cold medicine. Therefore, it helps to treat common cold, fever, and upper respiratory tract infections. For treating these health condition, mother’s milk is an excellent adjuvant.
Cough
Balchaturbhadra Churna has antitussive and mucolytic properties. In the most cases, cough starts with dry cough and then it can also develop into wet cough. Dry cough is generally associated with cold and allergy. Wet cough indicates bacterial infections. Balchaturbhadra Churna is effective in both cases. Initially, it treats cold and helps to pacify cough. In wet cough, it acts as mucolytic and reduces wheezing, congestion and then pacifies cough. Its antibacterial action helps to treat underlying bacterial infection.
Poor Digestion & Loss of Appetite
Balchaturbhadra Churna also improves appetite and digestion due to its appetizer and digestive stimulant actions. It increases gastric secretion and stimulates bile secretion from the liver, which helps to increase appetite and stimulates digestion.
Infantile Colic
Balchaturbhadra Churna has antispasmodic action. It gives relief from abdominal cramps by relaxing the abdominal muscles and thus, it provides relief in infantile colic. For the best results, it should be used with fennel water.
Diarrhea
The antibacterial and antidiarrheal actions of Balchaturbhadra Churna benefit to reduce infection and frequency of loose stools in babies. Its ingredients, especially Ativisha reduces liquid content of the stools and helps to restore the natural consistency of the stool. In addition, it also kills microbes responsible for diarrhea.
Balchaturbhadra Churna Dosage
The dosage of Balchaturbhadra Churna may vary according to the age, health condition and body weight of the patient. The general dosage of Balchaturbhadra Churna is given below:
| Infants & Children | 16 mg per Kg body weight |
| Adults | 1000 mg |
| Maximum Possible Dosage | 2 grams Per Day (in divided doses) |
The safest dosage in infant and children is 16 mg per Kg weight. In severe cases, its dosage can be increased to 24 mg per Kg body weight. In adults, 1 grams twice daily is an optimum dosage. However, it can be increased up to 2 grams twice daily in severe cases. Excess dosage can cause burning sensation, gastritis, and acidity.
How to Take
| How many times should I take? | 2 times a day |
| When should I take? | In cases of loss of appetite or vomiting, it should be given before breastfeeding or before food. In cases of poor digestion, abdominal heaviness, and intestinal gas, it should be given after breastfeeding or after food. |
| Adjuvant | Breastmilk or honey |
Safety Profile & Side Effects of Balchaturbhadra Churna
| Suitability acc. to Body Type (Prakriti) | Mostly suitable for people with Vata Body Type and Kapha Body Type |
| Suitable for Vikriti Dosha (Use) | Increased or aggravated Vata Dosha and Kapha Dosha; Diminished Pitta; Conditions with excess AMA accumulation |
| Unsuitable for Vikriti Dosha (Don’t Use) | Increased or aggravated Pitta Dosha |
| Shelf Life | 2 Years from The Date of Manufacture |
| Expiration Date (after opening) | Best to consume within 3 months |
Balchaturbhadra Churna is Likely Safe & Well Tolerated.
Side Effects
Generally, there are no side effects when Balchaturbhadra Churna is used wisely in patients with the dominance of Kapha Dosha or Vata Dosha. If the patient has Pitta Prakriti or any condition related to the increase of the Pitta, then it can cause following side effects:
- Gastritis
- Hyperacidity
- Burning sensation in abdomen
However, these side effects are rare and only occur when its dosage exceeds from 24 mg per Kg body weight, especially seen in patients with Pitta Body Type.
Contraindications
Balchaturbhadra Churna should not be used in the following health conditions:
- Constipation or hard stool
- Hyperacidity, heartburn
- Gastritis
- Ulcers
My child of age 2 years is frequently suffering from cold, cough and fever. Can I give Balachaturbhadra to him? What should be the dosage? What are its side effects? How long it can be given to child for preventing recurrent cold, cough and fever?
1. Yes, Balachaturbhadra churna can help to prevent and treat recurrent cold, cough and fever.
2. Read Dosage Here: Balchaturbhadra Dosage
If you are using it as a preventive medicine, the dosage should be 1/4th of therapeutic dosage listed on dosage page. For example, if your child has weight 12 Kg, the therapeutic dosage is around 200 mg. To prevent recurrent respiratory diseases or fever, you should give 50 mg twice a day or 100 mg once a day.
3. Read Side Effects Here: Safety & Side effects of Balchaturbhadra
4. For recurrent infections, it should be given for at least 12 weeks in reduced dosage, as discussed above.
Thank you for your reply. Last question – How to give Balachaturbhadra churna to child? Can we mix it in honey?
Absolutely, you can give it with honey.
Can balchaturbharda increase weight of 16 months old baby?
Balchaturbhadra Churna has no direct effect on body weight.
The ingredients of Balchaturbhadra Churna also have an appetizer and digestive actions. They improve digestion and metabolism. In underweight children, the improvement in appetite and digestion may help them to eat more food, which may increase the weight.
In overweight children, it can also act in the opposite way. It makes the proper use of fats in the body due to action on digestion and metabolism and prevention of the accumulation of fats. According to ayurveda, when the Medha Dhatu Agni (digestive fire that metabolizes fats) increases, it reduces fat in the body and reduces weight. Furthermore, it aids to increase the density and mass of the bones. Because the increase in Medha Dhatu Agni also improves the formation of the bone as per ayurvedic principles. According to ayurveda, obese people have weaker bones. This fact is now also supported by modern research studies.
Based on these facts, Balchaturbhadra Churna should be beneficial in both cases – underweight or overweight.