Ashwagandharishta also spelt as Ashwagandharishtam is an Ayurvedic proprietary medication with Ashwagandha as the primary active component that is chiefly used for remedying a host of physical aberrations and treating general debility. Being a health tonic, it helps maintain adequate body weight, restore strength after a long-standing disease and improve overall health and wellness.

This arishta formulation of Ashwagandha showcases strong adaptogenic and anti-stress traits that play a significant role in mitigating all Vata predominance diseases thereby managing stress, anxiety, dementia, epilepsy and other mental and neural issues. Furthermore, it is also a good remedy for relieving problems related to men’s sexual health problems including infertility and impotence.

What Is Ashwagandharishta?

This is an arishtam preparation containing the goodness of 27 herbs including ashwagandha, musali, manjistha, haldi, haritaki, mulethi, arjuna, rasna, daruhaldi, trivrit, chitraka, mustak, vacha, chandan, sariva and several other dravyas or components which make this a potent remedy for a host of ailments. Apart from treating Vata imbalances, Ashwagandharishta also manages Kapha deterioration and manages fatigue. Owing to its Balya (strength provider) and Rasayana (rejuvenating) essence,  it improves male sexual performance, treats cough and cold disorders and even provides relief from arthritis.

Also Read: Ashwagandha: Benefits, Uses, Dosage, Formulations, and Side Effects

How To Prepare Ashwagandharishta?

Ingredients:

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)  

Kali musali (Curculigo orchioides)  

Manjistha (Rubia cordifolia) 

Haritaki (Terminalia chebula)  

Haridra (Curcuma longa)  

Daruharidra (Berberis aristata)  

Yashthimadhu (Glycyrrhiza glabra)  

Rasna (Alpinia chinensis)  

Vidari (Pueraria tuberosa)  

Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna)  

Vacha (Acorus calamus)  

Chitraka (Plumbago zeyleynica)  

Dhataki (Woodfordia floribunda)  

Sonth (Zingiber officinalis)  

Marica (Piper nigrum) 

Pippali (Piper longum) 

Mustaka (Cyperus rotundus)  

Trivrt (Ipomoea turpethum)  

Svet Sariva (Hemidesmus indicus)  

Krisna sariva (Ichnocarpus frutescens) 

Svet Chandan (Santalum album)  

Rakta Chandan (Pterocarpus santalinus)  

Tvak (Cinnamomum zeyleynicum)  

Tejpatra (Cinnamomum tamala)  

Priyangu (Callicarpa microphylla) 

Elaichi (Eletteria cardamomum)  

Nagakesara (Mesua ferrea)  

Madhu (Honey)  

Water for decoction

Method:

Wash, sundry and powder the herbal components separately

Boil the Kwatha dravyas in the mentioned quantity of water till its volume reduces to ¼ 

Strain the mixture to remove the herb parts and pour it into the asava arishtam vessel which is smeared with madhu or ghee from inside

Add the dried Prakshepaka components like ela, tejpata, dhataki, nagkeshar, ginger, black pepper, dalchini, and priyangu one by one into the mixture

Block the mouth of the vessel with a mud-smeared cloth and keep the vessel in the fermentation room for 30 days

After completion, strain the mixture again using a clean muslin cloth

Store the liquid in amber-coloured glass bottles away from sunlight for future use 

Medicinal Properties of Ashwagandharishta

Ashwagandharishta is innately blessed with the following therapeutic traits:

• General tonic
• Adaptogen
• Aphrodisiac
• Antidepressant
• Anti-stress
• Anxiolytic
• Anti-inflammatory
• Immunomodulator
• Uterine tonic
• Antioxidant
• Mild sedative
• Mild analgesic
• Heart tonic
• Energy booster
• Athlete or sports supplement
• Digestive stimulant

Ayurvedic Indications Of Ashwagandharishta

Ayurveda, the holistic science of herbal remedies has extensively mentioned Ashwagandharishta time and gain in several ayurvedic scriptures and journals of ancient sages like Charak Samhita, Sarangadhar Samhita, Raj Nighantu, Susruta Samhita etc for various indications including the following:

• Klaibya (treats erectile dysfunction)
• Rasayani (rejuvenates the whole body)
• Balya (improves strength)
• Napunsakata (treats impotency)
• Beejopghat (remedies decrease in sperm quantity)
• Kshayaj (treats excessive loss of sperm)
• Shukradhatu or reproductive tissue)
• Shukragatavata (treats premature ejaculation)
• Vajikaran ( improves libido)
• Udara ( treats ascites)
• Antravruddhi ( treats Hernia)
• Arsha (treats haemorrhoids)
• Hridaya (treats heart problems)
• Shonitasthapana (prevents bleeding)
• Pushtida (good for nutrition)
• Balya (improves muscle strength)
• Vayasthapana (prevents ageing)  
• Jvara (useful for fever) 
• Prameha (treats diabetes)
• Kasahara (Relieves cough)
• Shwasha (relieves breathing difficulties) 
• Amahara (treats indigestion)
• Deepana (enhances stomach fire) 
• Pachana (helps in digestion)
• Rochana (stimulates appetite)
• Anulomana (improves breathing) 
• Kantya (relieves sore throat) 
• Amavata (relieves arthritis)
• Sandhi shula (treats gout)
• Kati prishtha shula (remedies spinal and back pain)
• Hridaya (treats heart problems)  
• Kustha (treats skin disorders)  
• Varnya (improves complexion) 
• Krimihara (relieves intestinal worms) 
• Kanthya (improves voice)

Ayurvedic Benefits of Ashwagandharishta

Augments Male Reproductive System

Ashwagandharishta is typically indicated for improving men’s health owing to the presence of powerful spermatogenic properties. Additionally, abundance of Ashwagandha in this formulation helps in treating hypospermia (i.e., low volume of semen), oligospermia (i.e., low sperm count), asthenozoospermia (i.e., sperm motility), teratospermia (i.e., abnormal sperm shape) and stimulates spermatogenesis (i.e., sperm production) in the testis. Being a natural antioxidant-rich tonic,  it extensively increases the production of male hormones like testosterone and luteinizing hormone and also remedies conditions like erectile dysfunction, nightfalls and premature ejaculation.

Enhances Fertility And Libido

Ashwagandharishta offers an absolute traditional remedy for boosting libido and improving fertility in men. It is bequeathed with strong aphrodisiac properties that help in reducing mental stress by regulating the cortisol hormone and diminishing anxiety, thereby stimulating the production of testosterone that increases fertility and libido. This tonic plays a significant role in increasing virility and stamina in men. Consuming this tonic alongside milk right before sleeping has been known to trigger blood circulation in the genitals which thereby increases the production of male hormones like testosterone and luteinizing hormone, thus improving the motility and quality of sperm in men.

Relieves Anxiety

The abundance of anti-anxiolytic properties in Ashwagandharishta is extremely beneficial for treating different types of psychotic problems like anxiety, stress, depression, dementia, etc. It normalises the Vata and Pitta imbalances in the body which in turn regulates the serotonin level in the body and helps to diminish the associated symptoms of anxiety comprising tremors, excessive sweating, restlessness, uneasiness, cold hands, and feet, etc. The powerful antidepressant quality of the arishta helps in calming the mind, reducing irritability, anxiousness and improving overall mental and body energy and stamina.

Also Read: Anxiety Attacks? Here’s How You Deal With It

Treats Insomnia

The anti-stress and anxiolytic properties of ashwagandha in this potent formulation extensively help in positively influencing an agitated brain, mind and central nervous system CNS while also calming and soothing it. It is hence a very useful form of medication for managing insomnia, as it pacifies the mind and promotes deep sleep at night. Additionally, it also reduces mental stress and tension, thus mitigating bouts of anxiety, nervousness, and panic attacks and providing solace to the brain and mind for peaceful sleep.

Also Read: Ayurveda For Insomnia: Time-Tested Therapies For A Good Night’s Sleep

Enhances Cognitive Functioning

Sanctified with powerful antioxidants and flavonoids, Ashwagandharishta has been deemed an Adaptogen. It holds high significance in improving the memory capacity, concentration, focus, calmness, alertness, and intuitiveness of a person. Being a potent brain tonic and stimulator, Ashwagandharishta readily promotes antioxidant activity to shield the nerve cells from harmful free radical damage, thus diminishing oxidative stress and enhancing memory, reasoning, problem-solving, and other cognitive abilities. The neuroprotective elements in the plants used for concocting this tonic also impede loss of memory, thereby managing conditions like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson's, dementia etc.

Bolsters Immunity

This powerful formulation holds high value in improving the general stamina and energy level of the body. Thanks to the presence of antioxidants and Vitamin C in the ingredients of Ashwagandharishta, this polyherbal formulation offers an ultimate remedy for improving the immune system, combatting microbes and shielding the body against various microbial infections. It also showcases the presence of strong anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and antifungal traits, which is extremely effective in evading infections like fever, common cold, sore throat, and other respiratory woes.

Uplifts Bone Health

Ashwagandharishta plays a key part in promoting bone health and diminishing joint pain and inflammation. By boosting the synthesis of collagen in the bones, it reduces the incidence of fracture, maintains overall body balance and poise and provides the body with a strong and perfect skeletal structure.  It also increases bone and muscle mass and treats inflammatory conditions like osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, and fibromyalgia.

Also Read: Vitamin D – Functions, Food Sources, Deficiencies and Toxicity

Improves Underweight Conditions

This Arishtam preparation is highly effective in pacifying the Vata doshas and Kapha Doshas, hence it can be used to promote skeletal and muscle mass and for healthy weight gain. Prescribed intake of Ashwagandharishta delivers essential minerals and nutrients to the body, balances subcutaneous fat, and extensively promotes the strength of various bones and muscles, thus treating underweight conditions.

Cures Pyospermia

Pyospermia is a condition that is caused due to a viral infection that is primarily characterised by an abnormal quantity of white blood cells in the semen which ultimately diminishes the motility and functioning of the sperm. The antibacterial and anti-inflammatory nature of Ashwagandharishta is an excellent remedy for treating the infection and remedying the associated symptoms.

Improves Functions Of The Female Reproductive System

Ashwagandharishta being a powerful health tonic helps in remedying endometriosis or inflammation of the lining of the uterus. It maintains optimum female hormone levels (progesterone and oestrogen) within the blood, fortifies the health of the female reproductive organs and promotes timely maturation of the eggs within the follicles. Prescribed use of this formulation improves fertility and might be beneficial when an individual is trying to conceive.

Good For Heart

Ashwagandharishta is extremely effective in treating various cardiac anomalies owing to its strong antioxidative essence. It plays a crucial role in fortifying the heart muscles, preventing lipid buildup in the blood vessels, and hence vastly reduces the incidence of atherosclerosis, heart attacks, heart blocks, blood clots, strokes etc. It also helps in lowering the blood cholesterol level in the body.

Also Read: Top 10 Superfoods For A Healthy Heart

Remedies Pain And Inflammation

Ashwagandharishta is known for its powerful anti-inflammatory and Vata-balancing property, making it the ultimate choice for providing extensive relief from painful and inflammatory conditions. It is also extremely effective against different types of arthritis or Amavata like Rheumatoid arthritis, Gouty arthritis, Gout, etc. By lessening the markers of inflammation, it boosts the immune cells or WBCs that help in combating the infection. It also delivers quick relief from burning sensations in different parts of the body.

Shields From Intestinal Troubles

Ashwagandha is a traditional remedy for improving digestive health and treating a wide range of gastrointestinal aberrations like constipation, gastritis, diarrhoea, flatulence, peptic ulcer, esophagitis, heartburn, gastroesophageal reflux disease, indigestion, and stomach pain. The carminative nature of the herbs in use helps in demolishing the food particles in the stomach and intestine, stimulates the production of digestive juices and thereby increases the absorption and assimilation of essential nutrients through the intestines. It assists in eliminating abdominal gas and in turn, diminishes abdominal distension, bloating and gaseous cramps. Being a mild laxative, it also helps in the free passage of stools thus treating constipation and piles effectively.

Also Read: 5 Herbs For A Healthy Digestive System

Ashwagandharishta Dosage

The effective therapeutic dosage of Ashwagandharishta may differ from person to person depending upon the age of the patient, his or her body strength, effects on digestive fire or appetite, and severity of the disease. It is strictly advised to speak with an Ayurvedic doctor or practitioner as he or she would fairly evaluate the patient’s indications, and past medical conditions and suggest an effective dose for a specific period.

Adults: 20 ml alongside water or water infused with honey twice a day (to mask its pungent taste) or as suggested by the health care provider.

Ashwagandharishta Side-Effects

Although this ayurvedic herbal decoction has been studied and researched extensively and is recommended for treating umpteen health anomalies, it is still highly suggested to consume the formulation in the prescribed amount as suggested by the ayurvedic doctor. An excess of it may lead to certain side effects including gastritis, stomach ulcer, heartburn, acidity, burning sensation, etc. 

Ashwagandharishta Contradictions

This polyherbal formulation is contraindicated in the following diseases:

• Acidity or hyperacidity
• GERD
• Gastritis
• Mouth ulcer
• Sour mouth or throat

Ashwagandharishta Precautions

Ashwagandharishta being warm can induce uterine contractions and stimulate menstrual flow or uterine bleeding leading to failed pregnancy, hence it is strictly prohibited during pregnancy. With relevant information regarding the usage of this polyherbal formulation in breastfeeding mothers, it is best to refrain from consuming Ashwagandharishta during the lactation period as well.

Conclusion:

Since ancient times, Ashwagandharishta has been mentioned in several Ayurvedic scriptures as an ultimate remedy for numerous health aberrations. This incredible medicinal compound is classified as an adaptogen and Rasayani Dravya and assists in mitigating stress and anxiety. Additionally, being a dominant aphrodisiac, it increases libido, treats various infertility issues and improves the reproductive health in both men and women. It also ensures proper digestion, promotes memory, fortifies bone health, relieves inflammation and thus improves overall stamina and body immunity.