Kumaryasava (Kumari Asav): Best Medicine for Liver & Menstrual Disorders

Kumaryasava (also called and spelled as Kumari Asav, Kumari Asava & Kumaryasavam) is an ayurvedic medicine of Asava Arishta category. It is used for the treatment of menstrual disorders in women and abdominal diseases in general. Its main action appears on stomach, intestine, liver, spleen, uterus, ovaries and other organs in the abdomen and pelvis. It is useful in health problems such as loss of appetite, abdominal pain, piles, spleen enlargement, liver enlargement, fatty liver, epilepsy, amenorrhea, and menstrual irregularities.

Kumaryasava Ingredients (Composition)

Pharmacological Actions

Kumaryasava (Kumari Asav) is digestive stimulant. In digestion, it mainly affects the liver by causing stimulation in the release of bile from the liver and improving liver functions. This action is attributed to the presence of Aloe Vera, Tamra Bhasma, etc. in this medicine.

Its emmenagogue action is due to Aloe Vera, Nardostachys Jatamansi, Plumbago Zeylanica etc., which helps to promote menstrual discharge. In addition, it also affects the ovaries and induces the release of egg.

Medicinal Properties

• Detoxifier & Anti-toxin (Aam Pachak)
• Antiepileptic
• Antihyperlipidemic
• Anti-inflammatory
• Antioxidant
• Antirheumatic
• Cardioprotective
• Carminative
• Cholagogue (promotes the discharge of bile)
• Digestive Stimulant
• Emmenagogue
• Fat Burner
• Haematinic (increases hemoglobin levels)
• Mild laxative
• Mild Diuretic

Ayurvedic Properties

The effects of Kumaryasava (Kumari Asav) are observable on the Vata Dosha and Kapha Dosha, but it may increase the Pitta Dosha because of its hot ingredients like Jaiphal, Chitrak, Pushkarmool, etc. However, the main ingredient i.e. Aloe Vera has SHEETA (cool) potency, but fermentation process and other ingredients potency affect this. We believe it is mainly helpful in cases of increased or aggravated Kapha Dosha in consideration of its indications and mechanism of action.

Therapeutic Indications

• Loss of appetite
• Anorexia nervosa
• Chronic Abdominal pain
• Mild and dull abdominal pain (accompanied with heaviness in the abdomen)
• Phthisis
• Non-bleeding Piles (Hemorrhoids)
• Epilepsy
• Poor digestive capacity
• Chronic Constipation
• Liver enlargement
• Fatty liver syndrome
• Obstructive Jaundice
• Biliary colic (pain due to gallbladder stones)
• Cirrhosis
• Spleen enlargement (Splenomegaly)
• Chronic backache
• Rheumatic Arthritis
• Amenorrhea
• Menstrual irregularities
• Polycystic ovarian disease

Benefits & Medicinal Uses

Kumaryasava has action on AMA (toxins). It acts as anti-toxin and detoxifier, so it can be used in all diseases that occur due to AMA accumulation and its increased formation in the body.

Loss of Appetite & Anorexia Nervosa

Kumaryasava acts on digestive juices. It stimulates the secretion of digestive juices from the stomach and pancreas. Another action also appears on the liver and gall bladder from where it also stimulates the release of bile into the intestine and promotes digestion. Therefore, it helps to digest all major nutrients i.e. carbohydrate, fats and proteins. The secretion of digestive juices also stimulates appetite and makes person to feel hungry. It also acts on the mind and cause desire to eat.

• It improves appetite and promotes desire to eat.
• It reduces excessive saliva production, burps and heaviness in the abdomen.

In poor appetite and anorexia nervosa, it should be started in dosage of 5 ml in children and 10 ml in adults twice daily and the dosage can be increased gradually to 10 ml in children and 20 ml in adults twice daily over the period of 2 to 4 weeks. The therapy should be continued for at least 12 weeks with Kumaryasava.

Generally, all Asava and Arishta preparations are recommended to take after meal, but Kumaryasava should be taken 30 minutes before in cases of poor appetite and loss of desire to eat. It should also be noted that patient should not have any problem listed in the contraindications; otherwise, it should not be given.

Mild & Dull Abdominal Pain

However, Kumaryasava itself cause mild abdominal cramps during bowel movement in some cases due to its mild stimulant action on peristaltic movements. But, it also reduces dull pain if occurs due to intestinal gas and increased Kapha Dosha in the abdomen. Increased Kapha dosha in the abdomen can be detectable by analyzing following symptoms:

1. Sweet taste of mouth
2. Excessive salivation
3. Mild dull abdominal pain with no abdominal tenderness
4. Feeling of heaviness in the abdomen

Note: It is very important before prescribing Kumaryasava that patient must not have any tenderness in the abdomen, epigastrium tenderness, gastritis, heartburn and other pitta symptoms. Otherwise, it will worsen the abdominal pain. In these cases, Kamdudha Ras is perfect medicine.

Fatty Liver Syndrome (Hepatic Steatosis)

Kumaryasava has great influence to prevent and treat fat accumulation on the liver. The possible action of some ingredients in Kumaryasava is to promote the metabolism of accumulated triglycerides and other types of fats. It may also promote the removal of fat from the liver. Some ingredients also have anti-inflammatory action, which is discernible on the liver and gall balder and where Kapha is essentially linked. For better results in Fatty Liver Syndrome, it can be used along with Arogyavardhini Vati, Vasaguluchyadi Kashayam, or Pippali Rasayana or Pippali Churna.

Hepatomegaly (Liver Enlargement)

Kumaryasava is also beneficial for reducing the size of liver. Generally, it is more beneficial if it is linked with Hepatic Steatosis and may act in same way as discussed above in fatty liver.

Chronic Constipation

Kumaryasava acts on peristalsis and appears to be mild stimulant laxative as well. It increases the bile flow to intestines and induces the peristaltic movement. As it corrects the liver functions and modulates the flow of bile from the liver and gall bladder to intestine, it can help in chronic constipation because its effects are long-lasting due to modulation in liver functions.

Productive Cough

Kumaryasava make the accumulated mucus thinner and helps in the expulsion of the thick sputum with cough. It helps to clears the lungs and reduces the cough attacks. It can be taken by both children as well as adults for this purpose. The dosage should be 5 ml in children and 10 ml in adults twice daily after meal.

Non-bleeding Piles (Hemorrhoids)

It should be noted Kumaryasava is contraindicated in bleeding piles, so carefully examine the patient and analyze his history if he has even occasional bleeding. Then it should not be given.

In non bleed piles, it reduces the hemorrhoidal mass hardness and gives symptomatic relief from pain and discomfort. Second way to its action is to reduce AMA (toxins), which are believed to cause piles in ayurveda.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

In ayurveda, Rheumatoid Arthritis seems similar to AMAVATA. This condition occurs due to accumulation of AMA (toxins) in the body. Kumaryasava as anti-toxin, detoxifier and AMA PACHAKA, reduces AMA and aids in relieving symptoms such as joint inflammation, swelling and stiffness. Stiffness with swelling and poor appetite is a main indicating condition to use Kumari Asav.

Amenorrhea

Along with Mahayograj Guggul and Raja Pravartini Vati, Kumaryasava helps to bring on menstruation. It also acts on ovaries and corrects the ovarian functions and induces ovulation. It may also influence female hormones and helps to normalize and balance hormone levels, which may helps bringing on menstrual period.

Menstrual Irregularities

Kumaryasava improves menstrual flow and regulates the menstrual periods. It is beneficial when patient has less bleeding and scanty menstruation. If bleeding is heavy, then Ashokarishta should be used and if bleeding is less, then Kumaryasava is beneficial.

Dysmenorrhea

Kumaryasava is given in dysmenorrhea (painful periods) if there is no Pitta symptom appears in patient and if patient has less bleeding and scanty period. It improves the menstrual blood flow, increases menstrual bleeding, and reduces unusual uterine contractions significantly, which helps to reduce pain associated with menstruation. On the other hand, if bleeding is heavy, then Ashokarishta is beneficial.

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)

The same condition applied here. If patient has less bleeding and scanty period or light menstruation or absent menstruation (amenorrhea), then Kumaryasava along with Mahayograj Guggul, Chandraprabha Vati and Sukumaram Kashayam should be used. Raja Pravartini Vati may also be added if patient has amenorrhea along with PCOS.

Dosage & Administration

Safety Profile

Kumaryasava (Kumari Asav or Kumaryasavam) should be taken in recommended dosage under professional supervision. In high dosage, it may cause side effects as discussed below.

Side Effects

Kumaryasava (Kumari Asava) has following side effects:

• Bleeding piles: However, it is used in the management of piles, but it is contraindicated in bleeding piles and other bleeding disorders. This side effect appears when Kumaryasava is taken in high amount i.e. more than 50 ml per day. But if patient has Pitta Body type or other pitta conditions, then this side effect can also occur with lower dosage as well.
• Green Discoloration of Stool: It is very rare side effect.
• Mild Abdominal Cramps during bowel movement: Like other laxatives, Kumaryasava may cause mild abdominal cramp or pain during defecation. It is also very rare side effect of Kumari Asava.
• Discomfort feeling in urinary bladder and urethra: In high dosage, Kumaryasava can cause feeling of discomfort in the urinary bladder and urethra.
• Nephritis (inflammation of kidneys): This side effect is also very rare and can occur only with high dosage.

Pregnancy & Lactation

Kumaryasava (Kumari Asav) should not be taken during pregnancy because of its emmenagogue action, so it may promote bleeding and may lead to miscarriage.

During lactation, it should also be taken only if recommended by ayurvedic physician, according to the health condition.

Contraindications

Kumaryasava is not recommendable and suitable in following health conditions:

• Kidney Diseases
• Dysentery
• Diarrhea
• Bleeding piles
• Ulcerative colitis
• Crohn’s disease
• Gastritis
• Peptic ulcer
• Fissures
• Mouth ulcers

FAQs about Kumaryasava

Can we use Kumaryasava in old age for fatty liver?

Kumari Asav is really helpful for fatty liver and can also be used in elderly people. It can be used along with Arogyavardhini Vati for best results.

Is it safe to take Kumaryasavam if prolactin level is high and PCOD with absent Menses?

Yes, Kumaryasava should be safe in such case as well.