Kashayam (Decoction)

Chitrakadi Kashayam

Chitrakadi Kashayam is a best Aam Pachak medicine in Ayurveda. It improves appetite and digestion and stops accumulations of Aam toxins in the body. It also has potent hepatoprotective actions, so it is used in liver disorders including all types of hepatitis with the dominance of Kapha and Vata symptoms. Accumulation of Aam and Amavisha in the body causes various diseases including Rheumatoid Arthritis, loss of appetite, fever, and hepatic disorders. It is beneficial in all diseases in which Aam or Amavisha is the root cause.

Chitrakadi Kashayam is also beneficial in Vata diseases, flatulence, abdominal distension, obesity, high cholesterol levels or dyslipidemia and non-bleeding piles.

Chitrakadi Kashayam Ingredients

IngredientsQuantity
Chitrak – Plumbago Zeylanica1 Part
Indrayava – Holarrhena Antidysenterica1 Part
Patha – Cyclea Peltata1 Part
Kutki – Picrorhiza Kurroa1 Part
Ativisha – Aconitum Heterophyllum1 Part
Haritaki – Terminalia Chebula1 Part

Pharmacological Actions

Ingredients in Chitrakadi Kashayam act as digestive agent and stimulate digestion and metabolism. A proper digestion of the food stops further accumulation of the undigested or unmetabolized food particles in the body, which stops production of Aam toxins. Further, metabolism stimulant action of Chitrakadi Kashayam also helps to remove the accumulated Aam and Amavisha converted from undigested AMA.

In addition, it also acts as hepatoprotective and improves the liver functions. It decreases raised liver enzymes and restores the natural functions of the liver.

It also has anti-inflammatory properties, which are more visible on liver and joints affected with Rheumatoid Arthritis.

It also has detoxifying action, which helps to reduce the waste products from the blood, so it can be called blood purifier (correctly detoxifier).

Dosha Karma

The main action of Chitrakadi Kashayam is observed on Vata Dosha and Kapha Dosha. Due to the equal content of Chitrak, it should not be used in increased Pitta Dosha because it is likely to increase the Pitta Dosha in the body.

Medicinal Properties

  1. Aam Pachak and Detoxifier
  2. Anti-inflammatory
  3. Anti-rheumatic or Anti-arthritic
  4. Carminative
  5. Antioxidant
  6. Hepatoprotective
  7. Digestive
  8. Metabolism Stimulant
  9. Anti-obesity
  10. Depurative (purifies blood)
  11. Cholagogue (promotes the discharge of bile)
  12. Mucolytic

Therapeutic Indications

Chitrakadi Kashayam is indicated in following diseases:

  • Loss of Appetite
  • All types of Hepatitis and liver disorders with Vata and Kapha dominance
  • Rheumatoid Arthritis
  • Chronic low-grade fever
  • Vata diseases
  • Flatulence
  • Abdominal distension associated with intestinal gas
  • Obesity
  • Dyslipidemia – altered lipid profile
  • Hypercholesterolemia – high cholesterol levels
  • Non-bleeding piles

Dosage & Administration

Chitrakadi Kashayam is available in three preparations:

  1. Chitrakadi Kashayam Churna
  2. Chitrakadi Kashayam Liquid
  3. Chitrakadi Kashayam Tablets

Chitrakadi Kashayam Churna

If you are using Chitrakadi Kashayam Churna, then take 10 grams churna in 160 ml water. Boil to reduce it 40 ml Chitrakadi liquid. The dosage is 5 to 40 ml.

The general dosage of Decoction (Kwath) prepared with Chitrakadi Kashayam Churna is as follows.
Children5 to 10 ml *
Adults10 to 20 ml *
Maximum Possible Dosage80 ml Per Day (in divided doses)
* Twice a day
Best Time to Take: Before Food

Chitrakadi Kashayam Liquid

Chitrakadi Kashayam Liquid is readymade concentrated decoction and can be used in the following dosage.

The general dosage of Chitrakadi Kashayam readymade Liquid is as follows.
Children2.5 to 5 ml *
Adults5 to 10 ml *
Maximum Possible Dosage30 ml Per Day (in divided doses)
* Twice a day with 4 times boiled and cooled water
Best Time to Take: Before Food

Chitrakadi Kashayam Tablets

Chitrakadi Kashayam Tablets are the extract tablets of the Chitrakadi decoction.

The general dosage of Chitrakadi Kashayam Tablets is as follows.
Children½ tablet *
Adults1 tablets *
Maximum Possible Dosage3 tablets Per Day (in divided doses)
* Twice a day with warm water
Best Time to Take: 30 minutes Before Food
Note: The dosage is according to 1000 mg tablet of Chitrakadi Kashayam.

Safety Profile

All available forms of Chitrakadi Kashayam are considerably safe and well-tolerated in most individuals having Vata and Kapha symptoms. It should not be used in people having Pitta symptoms. The dosage of Chitrakadi Kashayam should not exceed the recommended dosage.

Side Effects

However, there are no side effects observed with Chitrakadi Kashayam when used wisely in people having health problems with the dominance of Vata and Kapha symptoms.

If the patient has Pitta symptoms or Pitta dominance in health condition and used unwisely, it can cause following side effects:

  • Gastric irritation
  • Loose stools
  • Heartburn
  • Burning sensation in the abdomen
  • Restlessness
  • Vertigo

Pregnancy & Lactation

Chitrakadi Kashayam contains herbs, which should not be used during pregnancy. However, the safety profile of Chitrakadi Kashaya is not well-established for pregnant women. Therefore, it should be avoided during pregnancy.

Chitrakadi Kashayam is likely to be safe to consume by lactating mothers. There are no adverse effects reported with the use of Chitrakadi Kwatham in lactating mothers and breastfeeding babies.

Manufactures

  • Arya Vaidya Sala Kottakkal
  • Arya Vaidya Nilayam (AVN) Ayurveda Formulations
  • Ashoka pharmaceuticals
  • AVP Coimbatore
  • Kerala Ayurveda Pharmacy Ltd
  • Nagarjuna Ayurvedic Group

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Dr. Jagdev Singh

Dr. Jagdev Singh is a qualified Ayurvedic Practitioner and Herbalist with B.A.M.S. and M. Sc. in Medicinal Plants. He has a wealth of experience in using Ayurveda to treat patients, including the use of herbal medicine and personalized Ayurvedic diets. His passion for spreading accurate and scientific information about Ayurveda and Medicinal Plants led him to create Ayur Times, a trusted resource for those seeking reliable information on the topic. Through his dedicated work, Dr. Singh has helped thousands of patients find relief and improve their health with Ayurveda and Herbal Medicine.

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