Chyavanaprash - Ayurvedic fortifier

What is chyavanaprash? According to a study reported in ²⁰¹⁹ , here's what this popular traditional Indian bioactive health supplement is all about. Chyawanprash (or Chyavanaprash) is an Ayurvedic health supplement made with a super-concentrated blend of nutrient-rich herbs and minerals. It is intended to restore depleted reserves of life force and preserve strength, stamina, and vitality, while slowing down the aging process. Chyawanprash is formulated with medicinal herbs and their extracts, including the main ingredient, Amla (Indian gooseberry), which is the world's richest source of vitamin C. The preparation of Chyawanprash involves decocting herbs, followed by preparing a dried extract, then blending with honey and adding powdered herbs (clove, cardamom, and cinnamon). The finished product has a fruit jam-like consistency and a sweet, sour, and spicy flavor. Considered by many experts to be an essential health supplement, Chyawanprash has been around for centuries. It has multiple health benefits and has been widely used since ancient times as a dietary supplement and medicine to boost immunity and longevity. Chyawanprash has been a part of every Indian's life since the day it was introduced. It was one of the most popular foods for its anti-aging effects long before the advent of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidant supplements. While highlighting the abundance of ancient therapeutic claims of Chyawanprash, as well as their validation by available scientific evidence, the reported evidence supports its multiple preventive, promotive, and curative health benefits, proving it to be an ancient elixir with a modern treatment. However, it is reported that clinical studies and reports are still insufficient and despite the traditional implementation of Ayurvedic medicine and the reported evidence of efficacy, it would be necessary to conduct controlled experiments on the effect of the main active compounds and their effect in order to know more about their mechanism of action. In summary, Chyawanprash is an Ayurvedic superfood par excellence that is said to strengthen the immune system and revitalize the psychosomatic system, a superior health tonic, nutritious, safe and beneficial for all age groups and genders. Ingredients of Chyawanprash with their botanical identities and specific therapeutic roles.

Medicinal Plants/Special Additives	Major active biomolecule	Common noun	Therapeutic role
Adhatoda vasica Nees	Vasicine, vasicine acetate, asicinone, asicolin, 2-acetyl benzyl amine and adhatodine	Vasaka, Vasa, Arusa	Antiulcer, bronchodilator, expectorant, anti-allergic, cholagogue, cardiovascular and respiratory disorders
Aegle marmelos Correa	Gallic acid, quercetin and rutin	Baël, Bel	Antidiarrheal, gastroprotective, antiulcerative, radioprotective
Aquilaria agallocha Roxb.	Kusunol, jjinkohol, 10-epi-γ-eudesmol, vanillic acid, aquilarone derivatives and phenylethyl chromones	Aguru, Akil	Antiasthmatic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, carminative, antimicrobial
Bambusa arundinacea Willd	Oxalic acid, resins, waxes, benzoic acid, taxiphylline, diferuloyl arabinoxylanhexasaccharide and oligosaccharide	Vanshalochana	Stimulant, astringent, antiulcer, emmenagogue, aphrodisiac
Boerhavia diffused Linn.	Flavonoids, alkaloids, glycosides, rotenoids, steroids and triterpenoids	Punarnawa, Gadahapuran, Gadahbindo	Anti-aging, antioxidant, antipyretic, diuretic, anti-inflammatory, hematinic
Cinnamomum tamala Nees and Ebrrn.	Essential oil, camphor, linalool, p-cymene, o-cymene and 1,8-cineole, Jeolikote, (E)-cinnamaldehyde, (E)-cinnamyl acetate, (E)-innamaldehyde, 1,8-cineole and eugenol	Tejpat, Tejpatra	Stimulant, antiulcer, antimicrobial, antidepressant, anticancer, digestive, hepatoprotective
Cinnamomum zeylanicum Breyn	α-bergamotene, α-copaene, α-humulene, δ-cadinene, tetradecanol and viridiflorene, Linalool, eugenol, β–caryophyllene, (E)-cinnamaldehyde, α-terpineol, (E)-cinnamyl acetate, (E)-caryophyllene, caryophyllene oxide, α–cadinol, tetradecanal and globulol	Cinnamon	Hematinic, gastroprotective, antinociceptive, digestive, aperitif, hepatoprotective
Curcuma zedoaria Rose.	8,9-dehydro9-formyl-cycloisolongifolene, 6-ethenyl-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-3,6-dimethyl-5-isopropenyl-trans-benzofuran, eucalyptol and γ-elemene	Kachur, Ban haldi, narkachur	Antidiarrheal, tonic, stimulant, useful in flatulence and dyspepsia
Cyperus rotundus Linn.	Amentoflavone, ginkgetin, isoginkgetin, sciadopitysin, Cyperene, Humulen and Selinene, Zierone, Campholenic Aldehyde, Pinene, Longiverbenone, Vatirenene, Copaene, Limonene, Terpineol, Azulene, Selinene, Myrtenol, Calacorene, Fokienol, Isogermacrene D and Isolongifolene	Nagarmotha, Mustak, Musta	Stimulant, hepatoprotective, stomachic, diuretic, antispasmodic, carminative, emmenagogue, anti-inflammatory, antirheumatic
Desmodium gangetium DC Pennel	N-dimenthyltryltryptamine, hypaphorine, hordenine, caudicin, gangetin-3H, gangetinin and desmodin	Shalparni, Sarivan	General debility, fatigue, neuroprotective, cardiovascular and respiratory disorders
Elettaria cardamomum Maton	1,8-cineole, α-terpinyl acetate, sabinene, 4-terpinene-4-ol and myrcene	Elaichi, Cardamom	Stimulant, stomachic, tonic, aperitif, useful for nausea, heartburn and intestinal spasms
Emblica officinalis Gaertn.	Galic acid, ellagic acid, 1-O galloyl-beta-D-glucose, 3,6-di-O-galloyl-D-glucose, chebulinic acid, quercetin, chebulagic acid, corilagin, 1,6-di-O-galloyl beta-D-glucose, 3-ethylgallic acid and isostrictiniin	Amalaki, Amla, Indian gooseberry	Immunomodulatory, rejuvenating, neuroprotective, hepatoprotective, antioxidant, cardiotonic, improves general vitality, cognition and promotes longevity
Gmelina arborea Roxb.	(Z)-3-hexenol, 1-octen-3-ol, hexanol, heptacosane, pentacosane, 1-pentacosene, nonanal and (E)-2-decenal	Gambhari, Gamhar, Kashmir	Promotes virility, strength and lactation
Inula racemose Hook.	Eudesmanolide, elemanolide, germacranolide, sesquicaranolide, guainolide, humulane and heptadeca-1,8,11,14-tetraene	Pushkarmul	Antihistamine, bronchodilator, cures coughs, colds, asthma and flank pain.
Leptadenia reticulata Wight et Am.	α and β amyrin, ferulic acid, luteolin, diosmetin, rutin, β-sitosterol, stigmasterol, hentriacontanol, simiarenol, apigenin, reticulin, deniculatin, leptaculatin, lupanol 3-O diglucoside, leptidine 1, luteolin and diosmetin	Jivanti	Stimulating, restorative, nutritious, anticancer, aphrodisiac, improves vision, immunity and life expectancy
Martynia diandra Glox.	Pelargonidin-3-5-diglucoside, cyanidin-3-galactoside, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, gentisic acid, arachidic acid, linoleic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, apigenin, apigenin-7-o-glucuronide	Ulatkanta	Hepatotonic, cholagogue, laxative, anorexia, indigestion, constipation
Mesua ferrea Linn.	Mesuaferrin A, mesuaferrin B, mesuaferrin C, caloxanthone C, macluraxanthone, 1,5-dihydroxyxanthone and tovopyrifoline C	Nagakesar	Antitoxic, cardiotonic, carminative, digestive, relieves urinary tract disorders, gout and swelling
Nelumbium speciosum Willd.	Liensinine, isoliensinine, neferine, nuciferine, rutin, hyperine, demethylcocaluerine, quercetin-3-O-β-D-glucuronide, (+)-1(R)-coclaurine, (−)-1(S)-norcoclaurine, linalool, Luteolin glucoside, Dehydroanonaine, Anonaine, Armepavin, Asimilobin, Lirinidine, β-sitosterol, Liriodenine, Nornuciferin Quercetin, Dehydronuciferin, N Dehydroemerine, Isoquercitrin, methylcoclaurine, N-methylasimilobin, Roemerine, N-norarmepavin, N-methylisococlaurine, Kaempferol and derivatives	Sahasrapatra, Neel Kamal	Nourishing, cardiotonic, calming, promotes strength and relieves hemorrhagic disorders namely epistaxis, hemoptysis, hematuria and menorrhagia
Oroxylum indicum Vent.	Baicalein, biochanin a, 8, 8' bis-baicalein, chrysin, ellagic acid, 6–hydroxy luteolin, oroxylin a, oroxoloside methyl ester, β-sitosterol, scutellarian, ursolic acid, chrysin-7-ogentiobioside, baicalein-7-odiglucoside, scutellarein-7-o-glucopyranoside, equinetin, chrysin-6-c-β-D-glucopyranosyl-8-c-α-l arabinopyranoside, pinocembrin, pinobanksin, lupeol, 2α-hydroxyl lupeol, echinulin, adenosine and dimethyl sulfone	Aralu, bhut-vriksha, Shyonak	General weakness, hepatoprotective, antimicrobial, nephroprotective, cardiotonic
Phaseolus trilobus	α-pinene, carvone, pulgeone, dalbergioidin, kievitone, phaseollidin, flavonoid glycosides namely quercetin, kaempferol, vitexin and isovitexin	Mudagparni	Tonic, aphrodisiac, mild sedative, antioxidant, promotes strength, improves sperm count
Phyllanthus niruri Linn.	Rutin, quercetin, gallocatechin, nirurin, nruriflavone, quercetol, astragalin, quercitrin, limonene, p-cymene, lupeol, ellagic acid, gallic acid, elligitannin, hexahydroxyldiphenoyl moiety and methyl brevifolincarboxylate, phyllanthin, hypophyllanthin, niranthin, lintetralin, phyltetralin, nirtetralin, and isolintetralin	Bhumyamalaki, Bhumi-awala	Antioxidant, cholagogue, laxative, hepatoprotective, anticancer, antiviral
Piper Long Linn.	Carboxylic acids and derivatives, cinnamic acids and derivatives, isoflavonoids, naphthalenes, oxanes, phenanthrenes and derivatives, phenolic ethers, phenylpropanoic acids, pteridines and derivatives, pyridines and derivatives and steroid and its derivatives	PippaIi	Antitussive, stimulant, bronchodilator, tonic, bioavailability enhancer, carminative, relieves respiratory infections and hepatitis
Pistacia integerrima Stewart-ex Brandis	β-pinene, sabinene, α-pinene and limonene while terpinene-4-ol, α-terpinol, α-pinene, pistacienoic acids, hydroxydecanyl arachidate, octadecan-9, 11-diol-7-one, β-sitosterol and pisticialanstenoic acid	Kakdasingi	Bronchodilator, expectorant, carminative, antitussive, digestive, cholagogue
Premna illtegrifolia Linn.	p-Methoxycinnamic acid, linalool, linoleic acid, β-sitosterol, luteolin, iridoid glycoside, premnin, ganiarin, ganikarin, premnazole, aphelandrin, betulin, caryophellen, premnenol, premna spirodiene and clerodendrin-A	Arni, Agnimanthe	Laxative, cough suppressant, digestive
Pterocarpus santalinus	Santalin A, B and Y, pterocarptriol, isopterocarpalone, pterocarpodiolones, β-eudesmol, cryptomeridiol, sesquiterpenes, β-sitosterol, lupeol, epicatechin, lignans, pterostilbenes, cinnamic acid, acetophenones, phenylacetic acid, lignans, coumarins, benzophenones, xanthones, 3-hydroxybenzoic acid, gentisic acid, α and β resorcylic acid and vanillic acid	Raktachandan	Tonic, aphrodisiac, antipyretic, antihyperglycemic, anticancer diaphoretic, protective and antimicrobial effect on the genitourinary and bronchial mucous membranes
Sesame indicum Linn.	(+)-samine, (-)-asarinine, sesamol, (+)-sesamolin, (+)-sesamin, (+)-(7S,80R,8R)-acuminatolide, (-)-piperitol and (+)-pinoresinol	Tiltaila , Sesame Oil	Nourishing, softening, aphrodisiac, antioxidant, healing, radioprotective, anti-inflammatory
Sida cordifolia Linn.	Ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, sterculic, malvalic, coronaric acid, betaphenethylamine, hypaphorine, ecdysterone, indole alkaloids, palmitic, stearic and β–sitosterol	Bala, Bariyara	Cardiotonic, aphrodisiac, strength/vitality promoter
Solanum indicum Linn.	Indiosides A, B, C, D, F, Protodioscin, Carpesterol, Isoanguivine, Solanidine, Solasodine, Solamargine, Solavetivone, Solafuranone, Scopoletin, Np-trans-Coumaroyltyramine, N-Trans-Feruloyltyramine, 7-Hydroxy-6,8-Dimethoxy-3-(40-hydroxy-30-methoxyphenyl)-coumarin, Isofraxidine, Fraxetin, Indicumin A, B, C, D, F, Arteminorin, Cleosandrin, 4, 4'-Biisofraxidine, β-sitosterol, Daucosterol, Diosgenin, Lanosterol, Trilinolein, Oleodilinoline and Palmitodilinoline	Brihati, Barikateri, Vanbhanta	Cardiotonic, astringent, carminative and digestive
Solanum xanthocarpum Schrad. and Wendi.	Lupeol, oleanolic acid, ursolic acid, β-sitosterol, campesterol, ergosterol, withanolide B	Kantakaari, Chotikateri	Mucolytic, expectorant, anti-allergic, bronchodilator and relieves flu
Stereospermum suaveolens Prodr.	Sterekunthal B, sterochenol A&B, lapachol, dehdro-a-lapachone, apigenin, scutellarein, sterolensin, dinatin and dinatin-7-glucuroniside	Patla	Tonic, digestive, cardiotonic, anti-inflammatory, blood purifier, antianemic
Teramnus labialis Spreng.	Vitexin, bergenin, daidzin and 3-O-methyl-D-chiro-inositol	Mashaparní	Improves vigor and virility, aphrodisiac, relieves debility and fatigue
Terminalia chebula Retz.	Chebulin, ellagic acid, 2,4-chebulyl-D-glucopyranose, arjunglucoside I, arjungenin, chebulinic acid, gallic acid, ethyl gallate, punicalagin, terflavin A, terchebin, luteolin and tannic acid	Harad, Haritaki	Neurotrophic, rejuvenating, carminative vermifuge, nervine tonic, appetite stimulant
Tinospora cordifolia	Tinosporin, tinosporide, tinosporaside, cordifolide, cordifol, heptacosanol, clerodane furano diterpene, diterpenoid furano lactone, tinosporidine, columbine, b-sitosterol, berberine, palmatine, tembertarine, magniflorine, choline and tinosporin	Guduchi, Chinnodbhava	General tonic, immunomodulator, cytoprotective, genoprotective, adaptogen
Tribulus terrestris Linn.	Tigogenin, neotigogenin, gitogenin, neogitogenin, hecogenin, neohecogenin, diosgenin, chlorogenin, ruscogenin, sarsasapogenin, protodioscin protogracillin, kaempferol, kaempferol-3-glucoside, kaempferol-3-rutinoside, tribuloside, quercetin 3- O -glycoside, quercetin 3- O -rutinoside and kaempferol 3- O -glycoside	Gokhru, Gokshur	Aphrodisiac, mood elevator, diuretic and cardiotonic
Uraria picta Desv.	5,7-dihydroxy-2'-methoxy-3',4'-methylenedioxyisofla-vanone and 4',5'-dihydroxy-2',3'-dimethoxy-7-(5-hydroxychromen-7yl)-isoflavan- one, isoflavanones, triterpenes and steroids	Prishnaparni, Pithawan	General weakness, nervous tonic, cardiovascular disorders
Vitis vinifera Linn.	Oleanolic and betulinic acids, stilbenoid, daucosterol, E-resveratrol, E-ε-viniferin, (-)-epicatechin, catechin, gallocatechin, 6′-O-acyldaucosterols, 1,2-di-O-acyl-3-O-β-D-galactopyranosyl glycerols, gallic acid, p-coumaric, caffeic and ferulic acids, anthocyanidin-3-O-glucosides, malvidin-3-O-glucoside, peonidin-3-O-glucoside and cyanidin-3-O-glucoside	Draaksha, Munnakka	Nutritious, aphrodisiac, cardiotonic, diuretic, softening, laxative, hepatoprotective, cures thirst and asthma
Indian cow ghee	Monounsaturated fatty acids, conjugated linoleic acid, antioxidants, vitamins A, E, D, K and beta-carotene	Go-ghrita	Nutritious, antioxidant, boosts immunity, anti-cancer, improves overall physical and mental strength
Natural honey (derived from bees)	Phenolic compounds (e.g. gallic, syringic, benzoic, transcinnamic, protocatechuic, p-coumaric, caffeic acids), flavonoids (e.g. catechin, kaempferol, naringenin, luteolin, pinostrobin, apigenin), fructose, oligosaccharides (palatinose, isomaltose and alpha-cyclodextrin), carotenoids, cholines, kynurenic acid, enzymes (glucose oxidase, diastase, invertase, phosphatase, catalase peroxidase), vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B9, C, phyllochinon), minerals/trace elements (Na, Ca, K, Fe, Mg, P, Zn, Cu, Cr, Mn, S, B, Se, Mo, Co, F, I, Si)	Madhu	Anti-infectious, immunomodulatory, healing, antioxidant, anti-aging, relieves coughs and colds, antiseptic, sore throat, antiulcer
Candy	Disaccharides (sucrose)	Sharkara	Sweetener, provides calories/energy
Asparagus racemosus Willd	Shatvarine I to VI, oligospirostanoside, aspargamine A, dihydrophenantherene, racemofuran, quercitin, rutin, hyperoside, sitosterol, 4, 6-dihydryxy-2-O (-2-hydroxy isobutyl) benzaldehyde, undecanyl cetanoate, sarsapogenin, γ-linolenic acids, diosgenin and quercetin 3-glucuronides	Shatavari, Shatavar	Aphrodisiac, nutritive, galactogogue, tonic, antiulcer, antioxidant, good for the eyes
Dioscorea bulbifera Linn.	Dioscoreanoside AK, Diosbulbisin AD, Diosbulbisides AC, Diosgenin, Sinodiosgenin, Diosbulbin AP, 8-epidiosbulbin acetate E, Bafoudiosbulbin AG, Quercetin-3-O-β-dglucopyranoside, Neoxanthin, β-sitosterol, Catechin, Vanillic acid, Isovanillic acid and glycoside derivatives	Varahikand, Varahi	Aphrodisiac, antiulcer, tonic, promotes vigor and strength
Ipomoea digitata Linn.	Taraxerol, taraxerol acetate, N-butyl-β-Dfructopyranoside, octadecyl (E)-p-coumarate, umbelliferone, scopoletin, scopolin, scoparone, scopoletin and taraxerol	Vidaarikand	Aphrodisiac, antioxidant, galactogogue, nerve tonic, relieves debility and spermatorrhea
Withania somnifera Dunal	Cuscohygrine, anahygrine, tropine, pseudotropine, anaferin, isopelletierine, withananine, withananinine, pseudo-withanine, somnine, somniferine, somniferinine, withanine, withasomnin, visamin, chlorogenic acid and withaferin A	Ashwagandha, Asganth	Aphrodisiac, adaptogen, antioxidant, cytoprotective, neuroprotective, nootropic, anti-stress, promotes strength
Special additives
Abhraka Bhasma	Ayurvedic nanometric mineral preparation of incinerated biotite mica, Nature of the compound: multimineral cocktail	Abhraka Bhasma	General debility, aphrodisiac, cardiotonic, cell regenerator, useful in digestive disorders, malabsorption syndrome, asthma and coughs
Shukti Bhasma	Ayurvedic nanometric mineral preparation of calcined pearl oyster, Nature of the compound: Calcium Carbonate	Shukti Bhasma	Calcium supplement antacid, antiarrhythmic, antihistamine, neurotrophic, cardiotonic and promotes bone strength
Shringa Bhasma	Ayurvedic nanometric preparation of calcined deer horn, Nature of the compound: Calcium Phosphate	Shringa Bhasma	Expectorant, effective in pleurisy, pneumonia, tuberculosis, productive cough
Siddha Makardhawaja	Ayurvedic metallo-mineral preparation having purified and treated gold, mercury and sulfur in a ratio of 1:8:24, Nature of the compound: HgS (with nanotraces of gold)	Makardhawaja	Anti-aging, aphrodisiac, cardiovascular tonic, helps cure male impotence, erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation
Eugenia caryophyllus Linn.	Acetyl eugenol, β-caryophyllene, vanillin, crategolic acid, bicornin, methyl salicylate, gallotannic acid, seugenin, rhamnetin, kaempferol, eugenitin, triterpenoids, oleanolic acid, campesterol, stigmasterol, sesquiterpenes, etc.	L oung , clove	Antiseptic, antimicrobial, aromatic, stimulant and anti-inflammatory

Reference :

1-Rohit Sharma, Natália Martins, Kamil Kuca, Ashun Chaudhary, Atul Kabra, Meda M. Rao and Pradeep Kumar Prajapati. Chyawanprash: A Traditional Indian Bioactive Health Supplement. Biomolecules . 2019 May; 9(5): 161. PMCID: PMC6571565 Published online 2019 Apr 26. doi: 10.3390/biom9050161 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/labs/pmc/articles/PMC6571565/

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