Preprint / Version 1

Chyawanprash: A Traditional Indian Bioactive Health Supplement

Authors

  • Rohit Sharma Central Ayurveda Research Institute for Drug Development (CCRAS), Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India, 4-CN Block, Sector-V, Bidhannagar, Kolkata-700091, India; [email protected]
  • Natália Martins Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Alameda Prof. Hernani Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
  • Kamil Kuca Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Hradec Králové, Rokitanskeho 62, 50003 Hradec Králové, Czech Republic; [email protected]
  • Ashun Chaudhary Department of Biotechnology, MMEC, Maharishi Markandeshwar (Deemed to be University), Mullana, Ambala-133207, India; [email protected]
  • Atul Kabra Department of Pharmacology, Kota College of Pharmacy, Kota, Rajasthan-324005, India; [email protected]
  • Meda Rao Central Ayurveda Research Institute for Drug Development (CCRAS), Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India, 4-CN Block, Sector-V, Bidhannagar, Kolkata-700091, India; [email protected]
  • Pradeep Prajapati Department of Rasashastra & Bhaishajya Kalpana, All India Institute of Ayurveda, New Delhi-110076, India; [email protected]

Keywords:

Chyawanprash, ayurveda, Indian gooseberry, medicinal plants, nutraceutical, health supplement, traditional medicine

Abstract

Chyawanprash (CP) is an Ayurvedic health supplement which is made up of a super-concentrated blend of nutrient-rich herbs and minerals. It is meant to restore drained reserves of life force (ojas) and to preserve strength, stamina, and vitality, while stalling the course of aging. Chyawanprash is formulated by processing around 50 medicinal herbs and their extracts, including the prime ingredient, Amla (Indian gooseberry), which is the world’s richest source of vitamin C. Chyawanprash preparation involves preparing a decoction of herbs, followed by dried extract preparation, subsequent mixture with honey, and addition of aromatic herb powders (namely clove, cardamom, and cinnamon) as standard. The finished product has a fruit jam-like consistency, and a sweet, sour, and spicy flavor. Scientific exploration of CP is warranted to understand its therapeutic efficacy. Scattered information exploring the therapeutic potential of CP is available, and there is a need to assemble it. Thus, an effort was made to compile the scattered information from ancient Ayurvedic texts and treatises, along with ethnobotanical, ethnopharmacological, and scientifically validated literature, that highlight the role of CP in therapeutics. Citations relevant to the topic were screened. Keywords: Chyawanprash, ayurveda, Indian gooseberry, medicinal plants, nutraceutical, health supplement, traditional medicine

Author Biography

Natália Martins, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Alameda Prof. Hernani Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal

Institute for research and Innovation in Heath (i3S), University of Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal

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