Pancha Kashaya Kalpana

Ayurveda describes five types of major preparation methods for herbal medicine. These methods are collectively called Pancha Kashaya Kalpana (पंचकषाय कल्पना) and Panchavidha Kashaya Kalpana (पंचविध कषाय कल्पना) in ayurveda. You can also consider them five different ways to consume an herbal medicine. These methods have been described by Charak Samhita and several other classical texts of ayurveda.

Pancha Kashaya Kalpana

Herbal Juice (Swarasa)

The liquid extract of fresh, green and clean herbs collected by squeezing, pressure or using any instrument is called juice (Swarasa) in ayurveda. This is a fresh juice.

How to Make Herbal Juice

1. Take fresh herbs.
2. Wash them properly to remove dirt and insects.
3. With the help of stone, make the paste of herbs.
4. Squeeze herbs to get herbal juice.
5. Filter the herbal juice through a clean cotton cloth.

Alternatively, you can also use any instrument to extract the juice of herbs. On a large scale, people may require such instruments. Fresh juice of herbs is more effective than all other preparation methods.

How to Take Herbal Juice

Anupan (Adjuvant): You can drink herbal juice without any adjuvant. However, you can take warm water after taking herbal juice.

Herbal Paste (Kalka)

The paste made by crushing and grinding fresh herbs is known as herbal paste or Kalka. It also includes paste made by dried herbs along with water. It is also called Prekshepa (प्रक्षेप) Aavapa (आवाप). However, if herbalthe  paste is made by mixing ghee, oil or any sour substance, then it is known as Prekshepa (प्रक्षेप).

How to Make Herbal Paste

1. Take fresh herbs or dried herbs.
2. Wash them properly to remove dirt and insects.
3. With the help of stone, make the paste of herbs. If you use dried herbs, then add some water while crushing and grinding the herbs to make a paste.

How to Take Herbal Paste

Decoction (Kwath)

The liquid prepared by simmering 1 part of herbs in 16 parts of water and reducing it to 1/8^th part of the water is known as a decoction. It is also called Kwath and Kashayam in ayurveda.

How to Make Decoction

1. Take dried and coarse powder of herbs in 16 parts of water.
2. Simmer the mixture until it reduces to 1/8^th part of the liquid.
3. Filter the decoction and use it when it is still warm.

Also Read: How to Make Decoction (Kwath or Kashayam)

How to Take Decoction

Cold Infusion

Water obtained by soaking 1 part of herbs in 6 parts of water overnight, then scoured and filtered in the morning is known as a cold infusion or Hima (हिम) in ayurveda.

According to Bhaishajya Ratnavali, 48 grams of herbs should be soaked in 288 grams of water.

How to Make Cold Infusion

1. Take 48 grams coarse powder of dried herbs or crushed fresh herbs.
2. Soak in 288 ml water overnight.
3. In the morning, scour herbs with both hands. Then mix it in water.
4. Filter the liquid. This is a cold infusion.

How to Take Cold Infusion

Hot Infusion

Water obtained after adding hot water in herbs is called hot infusion.

How to Make Hot Infusion

1. Take 48 grams coarse powder of dried herbs or crushed fresh herbs in an earthen pot.
2. Then put 192 ml of hot water in it.
3. Scour the mixture and then filter the liquid.

How to Take Hot Infusion

References

1. Bhaishajya Ratnavali, Chapter 4, Paribhasha Prakarana, Verse 120-130.