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
Ingredients | Quantity |
Chitrak – Plumbago Zeylanica | 1 Part |
Indrayava – Holarrhena Antidysenterica | 1 Part |
Patha – Cyclea Peltata | 1 Part |
Kutki – Picrorhiza Kurroa | 1 Part |
Ativisha – Aconitum Heterophyllum | 1 Part |
Haritaki – Terminalia Chebula | 1 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
- Aam Pachak and Detoxifier
- Anti-inflammatory
- Anti-rheumatic or Anti-arthritic
- Carminative
- Antioxidant
- Hepatoprotective
- Digestive
- Metabolism Stimulant
- Anti-obesity
- Depurative (purifies blood)
- Cholagogue (promotes the discharge of bile)
- 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:
- Chitrakadi Kashayam Churna
- Chitrakadi Kashayam Liquid
- 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. | |
Children | 5 to 10 ml * |
Adults | 10 to 20 ml * |
Maximum Possible Dosage | 80 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. | |
Children | 2.5 to 5 ml * |
Adults | 5 to 10 ml * |
Maximum Possible Dosage | 30 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. | |
Children | ½ tablet * |
Adults | 1 tablets * |
Maximum Possible Dosage | 3 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