Medical Reviewer: Dr Surabhi Rawat
Kashyam, also called Kwath or Kashya is a decoction prepared of a single herb or a group of herbs by boiling them in water. Most of the kashyams have an astringent taste. The method of preparation of different kashyams is given in Sharangdhar Samhita. Generally, the herbs are dried, powdered and boiled in water.
Amruthotharam Kashyam is a type of kwath which is majorly used for curing chronic fevers. It is known by other different names like Amrutottara kashya.
Amruthotharam Kashyam: Composition
|
Herb Name |
Botanical Name |
Quantity |
Property |
|
Giloy (Amrutha) |
Tinospora cordifolia |
2 parts |
Anti-viral and immunomodulatory |
|
Harad (Haritaki) |
Terminalia chebula |
4 parts |
Anti-viral and laxative |
|
Sonth (Shunti) |
Zingiber Officinale |
1 part |
Is anti-viral and stimulates digestion |
Method Of Preparation:
The requisite quantity of the aforementioned herbs is taken and dried. The herbs are then powdered and one part of this mixture is boiled with sixteen parts of water. The decoction is boiled till it is reduced to one-fourth of its original volume.
Amruthotharam Kashyam Properties And Uses
The medicinal decoction has the following properties:
- Anti-inflammatory
- Anti-arthritic
- Anti-gout
- Anti-toxin
- Anti-oxidant
- Anti-pyretic
- Anti-viral
- Anti-bacterial
- Immunomodulator
- Carminative
- Mild laxative
- Increases appetite
- Relieves constipation
- Good for the respiratory system
It is also effective in the treatment of diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, obesity, vertigo and hypertension.
Ayurvedic Properties
|
Dosha Karma |
Tridosha hara, that is works on all three doshas. But the main effect is on Kapha dosha. |
|
Roga Karma |
Gulma, Adhmana, Shopha, Sarva jwarahara |
|
Agni Karma |
Deepana and Pachana |
|
Other Karmas |
Srothoshodaka, Mrudu rechaka, Shophagna |
Dosage Information
| Children |
5 to 10 ml |
Half or one tablet |
|
Adults |
10 to 20 ml |
One or two tablets |
The dosage must be taken daily twice a day, diluted with boiled and cooled water. It is recommended to consume the kashyam at least 30 minutes before food. It can be taken with sugar or jaggery.
Understanding The Working
When undigested food is absorbed into the system, instead of providing benefits, it leads to clogging of the system. Such undigested absorbed food is termed as ama in Ayurveda. Ama can form due to reasons like a weak digestive system, imbalance in doshas, consuming contaminated food etc. Amrthotharam Kashayam helps in curing all diseases and disorders that are caused due to ama. It acts by digesting and eliminating ama from the body.
Amruthotharam Kashayam Benefits
Constipation
The combination of Terminalia chebula and Tinospora cordifolia works effectively in curing chronic constipation, especially when suffering from sticky stool. The kashayam can enhance digestive capacity and can help in gaining appetite by improving metabolism.
Common Flu
On one hand, allopathic drugs suppress the symptoms of common flu and cold and make the body weak. Whereas, on the other hand, all the three constituents of this medicine contain anti-viral properties; which means the decoction tackles the virus directly instead of just suppressing the symptoms. Zingiber Officinale is well known to be effective in curing throat infections and Tinospora cordifolia makes the immune system strong enough to keep any seasonal flu at bay.
Chronic Fever
Apart from being immunomodulatory, Amruthotharam Kashayam has a mild antipyretic character which makes it useful not only in fighting infections but lowering the temperature of the body and breaking chronic fevers. For severe fevers, it needs to be taken along with other Ayurvedic medicines to be effective.
Pain And Inflammation
The anti-inflammatory properties of the decoction help in relieving pains due to gouty arthritis and swelling.
Side Effects And Precautions
The ayurvedic decoction does not have any known side effects, however consuming greater than the required dosage can cause:
- Diarrhoea
- Heartburn
- Irritation and burning sensation in the stomach
Some precautions that must be taken:
- Terminalia chebula which is one of the constituents of Amruthotharam Kashayam is not considered safe for pregnant women. Hence pregnant and lactating women must consume the kashayam only under medical supervision.
- The advice of a doctor is mandatory in case you are consuming this medicine in combination with different drugs or dietary supplements.