Kashayam (Decoction)

What is Kashayam (Kwath) & List of Kashayam (Kwath List)

 

Kashayam (also called Kwath and Kashaya) is a type of ayurvedic formulation prepared by boiling herbs in water. Water and herbs are main ingredients of these preparations. However, herbs can be different according to the purpose of use and therapeutic indications. These formulations contain water extract of prescribed herbs and highly beneficial for providing quick relief in the most of diseases.

In modern science, these are called decoctions. Decoction means the extraction of water-soluble substances or alkaloids from plant parts by boiling them in water. The formulations are in liquid form. In other words, Kashayam can also be considered as herbal teas of different herbal blends.

The most of Kashayams are likely to be astringent in taste. The name itself suggests their astringent nature. In ayurveda, Kashaya Ras is one of the six tastes correlated with an astringent taste. However, the taste of these formulations can vary depending on the herbs used while their preparation. The therapeutic benefits and healing properties of Kashayam also vary depending on their ingredients.

Kashayam Ingredients

There are two types of ingredients are used for making Kashayam.

  1. Liquid – Mostly water
  2. Herbs – As per composition and formula of a specific Kashayam

Depending on dry and wet herbs and soft and hard herbs, water required for preparation may be different in different Kashayas. Here is a reference to it:

 

How much water should take to prepare Kashayam?

Type of HerbsRequired WaterReduction (by Boiling)
Very Hard Herbs16 Parts1/4th Part
Hard Herbs8 Parts1/4th Part
Soft Herbs4 Parts1/4th Part

 

According to Sharangdhar Samhita, the following proportion should be used:

  1. Water: 16 Parts
  2. Herbs: 1 Part
  3. Reduction: 1/8th Part

Note: Generally, this proportion is highly suitable for making a decoction of very hard herbs or plant ingredients.

Preparation Method of Kashayam

In the most cases, the preparation of Kashayam needs dry herbs. The herbs can be dried under the sun or in the shade, as directed for the individual herb. Then, the herbs are pounded to form a coarse powder.

How to Make Kashayam

  1. Take a prescribed quantity of water in a boiling pan. Pan should be big enough so that all herbs can be soaked in water.
  2. Add coarse powder of herbal ingredients as per prescribed proportion. Soak them in water.
  3. Keep pan in a safe place for at least one or two hours or overnight.
  4. The mixture is then boiled in a wide-mouth container on a low flame. A wide-mouthed vessel is used because it helps in a faster evaporation of water. This helps to save time during the preparation of Kashayam.
  5. The contents should be boiled on a low flame because intense heat can cause charring of herbs. Also, it allows for the slow transfer of active principles of herbs into the water, which ensures maximum efficacy of the product.
  6. The mixture in the container should be stirred continuously with a ladle. It should be boiled until the quantity of the mixture is reduced to one-fourth of the original quantity. The decoction, thus obtained, should be filtered immediately using a clean cheesecloth.
  7. Now, Kashayam is ready to use. It should be consumed when it is warm.

Readymade Kashayams are also available in the market, which can be consumed adding warm water, as recommended by a doctor.

Note: For maximum benefits, Kashayams should always be prepared fresh and consumed within 45 minutes.

 

Kashayam’s Dosage

The dosage of Kashayams can vary for different formulations. Here is a general reference dosage for commonly used Kwaths.

Children12 to 24 grams
Adults48 grams

In classical texts, the dosage is prescribed in TOLA (weight measurement). 1 TOLA is equal to 12 grams, according to ayurvedic measurements. Therefore, we have given dosage in grams instead of a milliliter (ML) because the weight of different Kashayam may be different depending on the concentration of decoction liquid and herbs used for their preparation.

List of Kashayam

  1. Amruthotharam Kashayam
  2. Aragwadhadi Kashayam (Kwatham)
  3. Arjuna Ksheer Pak (Arjuna Siddha Kshir)
  4. Ashtavargam Kashayam
  5. Ashwagandha Arjuna Ksheer Pak
  6. Bala Punarnavadi Kashayam
  7. Balaguluchyadi Kashayam (Kwatham)
  8. Balajeerakadi Kashayam
  9. Brihat Panchamoola
  10. Brihatyadi Kashayam
  11. Chiruvilwadi Kashayam
  12. Chitrakadi Kashayam
  13. Dasamulakatutrayadi Kashayam
  14. Dashmool (Dashamoola or Dashamula)
  15. Dhanwantharam Kashayam
  16. Drakshadi Kashayam (Kwatham)
  17. Guluchyadi Kashayam (Guduchyadi Kashayam)
  18. How to Make Decoction (Kwath or Kashayam)
  19. Indukantham Kashayam (Kwatham) – Indukantam Syrup
  20. Jamun Vinegar (Jamun Sirka)
  21. Kashayam (Kashaya & Kwath) – Ayurvedic Decoctions
  22. Kokilaksha Kashayam
  23. Laghu Panchamoola
  24. Maharasnadi Kwath (Kadha, Kashayam or Quath) – Rasnadwigunabhagam Kashayam
  25. Mahasudarshan Kadha
  26. Nisakathakadi Kashayam
  27. Punarnavadi Kashayam (Kwatham)
  28. Shadanga Paniya
  29. Shankhpushpi Syrup Benefits & Side Effects
  30. Sukumaram Kashayam
  31. Varanadi Kashayam Benefits, Uses, Dosage & Side Effects
  32. What is Kashayam (Kwath) & List of Kashayam (Kwath List)

Other Kashayas

  • Ardhabilva Kashayam
  • Asanadi Kashayam
  • Bhadradarvadi Kashayam
  • Bharangyadi Kashayam
  • Brahmi Drakshadi Kashayam
  • Brihatyadi Kashayam
  • Chandanadi Kashayam
  • Chandrasuradi Kashayam
  • Chaturbhadra Kashayam
  • Chinnodbhavadi Kashayam
  • Darunagaradi Kashayam
  • Dashamoola Kashayam
  • Dashamoola Katutraya Kashayam
  • Dashamula Panchakoladi Kashayam
  • Dhanadanayanadi Kashayam
  • Dusparsakadi Kashayam
  • Elakanadi Kashayam
  • Gandharvahastadi Kashayam
  • Garbharaksha Kashayam
  • Gokshuradi Kashayam
  • Gopanganadi Kashayam
  • Guggulutiktam Kashayam
  • Guluguluthikthakam Kashayam
  • Indukantham Kashayam
  • Jeevanthyadi Kashayam
  • Jivantyadi Kashayam
  • Kalasakadi Kashayam
  • Karimbirumbadi Kashayam
  • Katakakhadiradi Kashayam
  • Khadiradi Kashayam
  • Kulathadi Kashayam
  • Lashuna Eradi Kashayam
  • Maha Manjishtadi Kashayam
  • Mahamanjistadi Kashayam
  • Maharasnadi Kashayam
  • Mahatiktam Kashayam
  • Manjistadi Kashayam
  • Mehanthak Kashayam
  • Moolakadi Kashayam
  • Musli Khadiradi Kashayam
  • Mustakaranjadi Kashayam
  • Nagaradi Kashayam
  • Nayopayam Kashayam
  • Nimbadi Kashayam
  • Nimbamritadi Panchatiktam Kashayam
  • Nyagrodhadi Kashayam
  • Pachanamrita Kashayam
  • Panchathikthakam Kashayam
  • Panchatikta Kashayam
  • Pathyaksha Dhatryadi Kashayam
  • Pathyapunarnavadi Kashayam
  • Patoladi Kashayam
  • Patolakaturohinyadi Kashayam
  • Patolamooladi Kashayam
  • Prasaranyadi Kashayam
  • Prasoothika Kashayam
  • Rasnadi Kashayam
  • Rasnaerandhadi Kashayam
  • Rasnairadi Kashayam
  • Rasnasaptak Kashayam Tablet Kadha
  • Rasnasaptakam Kashayam
  • Rasonadi Kashayam
  • Sahacharadi Kashayam
  • Saptasaaram Kashayam
  • Saptasaram Kashayam
  • Shonitamrutam Kashayam
  • Tiktakam Kashayam
  • Trayantadi Kashayam
  • Vajrakam Kashayam
  • Varavisaladi Kashayam
  • Vasaguluchyadi Kashayam
  • Vidaryadi Kashayam
  • Virataradi Kashayam
  • Vizhalveradi Kashayam
  • Vyaghryadi Kashayam

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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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