Chitrakadi vati, also known as Chitrakadi gutika is a potent digestive medicine used for treating a host of ailments including indigestion, constipation, anorexia, abdominal distension, stomatitis, abdominal pain, etc. Imbued with digestive, caustic, stimulant and carminative properties, it eliminates harmful AMA toxins from the body which has accumulated due to malabsorption of food particles.
Since a great fraction of disorders, happen due to the persistent AMA toxins, this ayurvedic formulation removes the toxins and helps prevent the underlying ailments.
The formulation was named ‘Chitrakadi vati’ due to the presence of the active ingredient Chitraka. Several Sanskrit texts classify the word ‘Chitrakadi’ as ‘fire or agni’ since it enhances digestive fire or ‘agni’ which helps in removing AMA and preventing indigestion and other digestive issues that happen due to lack of digestive fire (i.e. mandagni).
The holistic science of Ayurveda and several ayurvedic textbooks like Sarangadhar Samhita, Charaka Samhita strongly vouch for this remedy being used for Deepana (enhances stomach fire), Pachana (helps in digestion), Rochana (stimulates appetite), Anulomana (improves breathing), Grahi (treats diarrhoea), Chakshushya (improves vision), Shulahara (reduces pain), Arshohara (treats piles), Kusthohara (treats skin disease), Shothahara (reduces inflammation), Trishna (polydipsia), Arochaka (Anorexia), Vairashaya (Distaste of mouth), Tamaka (Breathing problem or asthma), Aasthi parvaruka (Pain in Bones), Vamana (Vomiting), Jvara (Fever) and Vibandha (constipation).
Preparation Of Chitrakadi Vati
Ingredients
A 250 gm vati or tablet of Chitrakadi vati contains:
10 grams of Chitraka – Plumbago zeylanica
10 grams of Ajamoda – Apium graveolens
10 grams of Maricha - Black pepper - Piper nigrum
10 grams of Chavya - Java Long Pepper - Piper chaba
10 grams of Pippali moola - Long pepper root - Piper longum
10 grams of Pippali - Long pepper fruit - Piper longum
10 grams of Sonth - Ginger Rhizome - Zingiber officinalis
10 grams of Hingu - Asafoetida - Ferula asafoetida
10 grams of Sambhar salt
10 grams of Samudra Lavana - Common salt,
10 grams of Sauvarchala Lavana - Black salt
10 grams of Saindhava Lavana - Rock salt
10 gram of Vida Lavana - Vida salt
10 grams of Sarjikashaar
10 grams of Yavkshaar - Kshaar of Barley - Hordeum vulgare
Matulunga Swarasa - Lemon juice or Dadima rasa - Pomegranate juice (as per needed)
Method
The herbs Chitraka, ajamoda, maricha, and pippali root and fruit are washed with water.
They are then kept under the sun for 4-5 days until all the moisture content gets removed.
Each of the sun-dried herbs is powdered separately and passed through sieve no.100 to get a fine powder.
Equal proportions of the powder are taken a large mixing bowl.
Add dried ginger (i.e. sonth), hing and both the kshaars and lavana (i.e. salt) in the mentioned quantity to the herbal mixture.
Thoroughly mix all the ingredients to get a homogeneous mixture.
Pass the herbal mixture again through sieve no. 10 to remove impurities and uneven particles.
Add the lemon or pomegranate juice as per the requirement to bind the powder particles.
When reached a semisolid state, the mixture is rolled into small vatis or tablets, on to your palm or tablet punching machines are used to manufacture on large scale.
Therapeutic Benefits of the Ingredients
Chitrak
Chitrak clad by the vernacular names agni, agnika or jyothi is a potent appetizing herb. The strong carminative nature of this herb is used in treating intestinal troubles, inflammation, piles, bronchitis, dysentery, leucoderma, itching, diseases of the liver, and consumption.
Maricha
It improves the function of the digestive tract, helps in digestion and alleviates symptoms of indigestion, flatulence, constipation, dysentery, skin disorders, disorders of the liver, oliguria, common cold, cough, asthma, dental and vision problems.
Ajamoda
Ajamoda, also known as celery has potent has antispasmodic, diuretic, anthelmintic, laxative and stimulant properties. It is used for treating pain and inflammation, indigestion, urinary disorder, insomnia, rheumatism, kidney problem, bronchitis, asthma, and other breathing disorders.
Chavya
Chavya or long pepper holds high significance in treating cough, asthma, abdominal pain, bloating and abdominal distension. It also relieves from constipation, improves digestion and cures worm infestation.
Pippali
Pippali or Indian long pepper is extensively used for the treatment of indigestion, heartburn, diarrhoea, cholera, asthma, etc. It also improves digestion and skin health.
Shunthi
Sonth or dried ginger is an extremely beneficial herb and is used to relieve patients suffering from dyspepsia, flatulence, vomiting, constipation, indigestion, spasms, colic and other stomach problems. It is also widely used for treating asthma, cough and cold symptoms.
Hingu
The potent carminative, anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory properties of hing are extremely useful in treating stomach pain, bloating, asthma, high blood pressure, sting bites, menstrual problems and headache.
Lavana
The addition of salts i.e. samudra lavana, saindhava lavana, suvarchal lavana and vida lavana in the formulation balances the electrolytes, keeps the body hydrated by meeting the ion needs, prevent muscle cramps and maintains overall vascular health. It also improves digestion, bloating and treats the common cold, sore throat and other cough and cold symptoms.
Sarjikakshaar
Sarjikakshaar, also known as gripe water, which is a mixture of sodium carbonate, water and other herbs like ginger, fennel, chamomile, etc. It is potent medicine for infantile colic which is a condition where infants cry for 3 to 4 hours a day for 3 to 4 days a week.
Yavakshara
It is an alkali preparation from the barley plant. It acts as an ayurvedic remedy for treating urinary calculi, difficulty in urination, painful urination, urinary incontinence, abdominal pain, bloating and ascites.
Lemon Juice
The work of the lemon juice or matulunga swaras in this formulation is to bind the powder particles together but still addition of lemon juice has its own benefits. The abundance of vitamin C in lemon, makes it a potent antioxidant. It promotes digestion, prevents kidney stones, aids in weight loss and also enhances skin quality.
Benefits and Therapeutic Uses
Promotes Digestion
Chitrakadi vati is a potent digestive stimulant. It is a traditional remedy for treating indigestion, constipation, flatulence and stomach pain. The active ingredient Chitraka prevents mandagni i.e. lack of stomach fire, and in turn, alleviates the symptoms that happen due to it. The carminative nature of the vati helps in breaking down of food particles in the stomach and intestine, enhances the secretion of the digestive juices and thereby increases the absorption of essential nutrients through the intestines. It helps to eliminate abdominal gas and in turn reduces abdominal distension, bloating and gaseous cramps. It holds high significance in treating a wide range of gastrointestinal disorders like esophagitis, heartburn, diarrhoea, flatulence, peptic ulcer and gastroesophageal reflux disease.
Treats Anorexia
Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder in which an individual suffers from self-starvation. It is also attached to mental health as the individual suffers from low weight issues, fear of gaining weight, lower self-esteem and an intense desire to reduce weight. The person also has a loss of hunger or desire to eat any food. Chitrakadi vati being a potent stimulant and appetizer aids in digestion of food, improves appetite and helps the person to eat.
Relieves Constipation
Several types of research on this formulation strongly advocate the use of this vati in the treatment of constipation. It stimulates bile production by the liver, which in turn, acts on the peristalsis movement of the intestines and liver, thereby allowing smooth bowel movement from the large intestine. It also plays a pivotal role in minimalizing mucous and excess fat content in the stools and preventing them from sticking to the intestinal walls and hence preventing diseases like piles.
Boosts Fertility And Reproductive Health
Chitrakadi vati holds high significance in boosting fertility and enhancing the reproductive health of women. Being a potent emmenagogue, it balances the hormones and rectifies problems pertaining to menstruation and stomach cramps. Several scientific studies and researches vouch for its effectiveness and safety level in using it as an alternative traditional remedy for helping the follicle to give out a mature egg needed for ovulation. Although there is no proper investigation, the follicle rupturing action of this herbal formulation may also help to resolve the formation of multiple small follicles in patients suffering from PCOD.
Promotes Weight Loss
The formulation plays a key role in burning excess fat. The presence of the potent ingredient’s like lemon and ginger in this formulation prevents weight gain and reduces the LDL cholesterol (i.e. bad cholesterol) in the blood. It washes out the harmful toxins from the body and burns out the excess fat and gives a well-toned slim body.
Remedies IBS
Irritable bowel syndrome, also known as Grahani in Ayurveda is mostly caused due to excessive intake of food particles which are difficult to digest, unhealthy dietary choices, intake of foods that cause allergy, intake of foods low on nutrients, overeating, eating at irregular intervals, and other physical and mental factors like emotional problems, stress, etc. IBS can cause both diarrhoea and constipation. The use of pippali, sonth, saunf and other powerful herbs in Chitrakadi Vati makes it an ultimate choice for treating this painful disease. This herbal formulation not only prevents constipation but also due to the presence of various herbs like, it reduces mental stress.
Also Read: Irritable Bowel Syndrome: 5 Incredible Ayurvedic Herbs To Relieve IBS
Averts Acidity And Gastritis
Excessive secretion of acid in the stomach may be extremely agitating and cause uneasiness throughout the day. Enriched with strong herbal ingredients, Chitrakadi Vati is the ultimate remedy for acidity and gastritis. It effectively moderates the secretion of the hydrochloric acid and other stomach acids in the stomach and keeps appetite at an optimum level. It also reduces burning in the throat, chest, stomach, and abdomen. Regular consumption of this ayurvedic formulation in prescribed doses cures stomach acidity and other underlying symptoms as well.
Effect On Doshas
The herbal ingredients in the potent stomachic formulation balance the Vata (i.e. air) and Kapha (i.e. earth and water) and improves Pitta (i.e. fire and air) Doshas and plays a key role in effectively removing the AMA doshas (i.e. harmful toxins) from the body.
Therapeutic Dosage
The optimum therapeutic dosage may vary from person to person depending upon the age, severity, and condition of the patient. Consultation from an ayurvedic doctor or health practitioner is a must, as he or she will thoroughly examine the indications and symptoms and prescribe the correct dosage for the specific time period.
The minimum therapeutic dosage may range between 1 or 2, 250 - 500 mg tablet once or twice a day with milk for adults and ½ or 1, 125 – 250 mg tablet for children thrice a day infused in cold or warm water or as prescribed by the doctor.
The maximum dosage of this formulation should not exceed 2000 mg in a day and should depend on a person’s weight and health condition.
Adverse Effects Of Chitrakadi Vati
Chitrakadi vati doesn’t characterize any side effects when used to treat an individual having Kapha disorders. In case, the person has Pitta disorders, the formulation may cause hyperacidity, heartburn, burning sensation in the abdomen and a burning feeling during bowel movements.
It is strictly forbidden from being used during pregnancy or breast-feeding as it can cause abnormalities or birth defects in the growing foetus or the medicine can get passed through breast milk to the new born and cause severe health problems.
Since Chitrakadi vati has four different types of salt, so in case of overdosage, the higher salt content in it may lead to high blood pressure, diabetes insipidus, gastritis, and hypernatremia. Excessive dosage without consultation may also cause ulcerative colitis, stomach pain, fever, bleeding, sour burp, abdominal distension, bloating, etc.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Does One Use Chitrakadi vati?
Chitrakadi Vati can be used in the form of the extract and Chitrakadi gutika which is a herbal pill.
Can A Person With Diabetes Take Chitrakadi Vati?
Yes, people diagnosed with diabetes can take this herbal formulation but only after proper consultation with the doctor. It is also advised to let the ayurvedic doctor or general physician know about all the other medicines taken daily to avert counter-indications.
Does Chitrakadi Vati Benefit The Liver?
Yes, Chitrakadi Vati plays a key role in alleviating liver anomalies. Studies show that consuming this pill along with buttermilk or chaas extensively manages the non-alcoholic fatty liver disease by retreating the fatty infiltration of the liver to a normal level.
How Long Can A Person Continue Taking Chitrakadi Vati?
An individual can continue to take Chitrakadi Vati for as long as the period suggested by the doctor. The doctor chiefly diagnoses a person's indications, the severity of the condition and age before prescribing the exact dosage.
Can A Person Take Other Health Supplements Alongside Chitrakadi Vati?
Before starting any new medication while taking this herbal pill, a person must consult with the doctor to avoid side effects.
Conclusion
Chitrakadi vati is a powerful traditional remedy used for treating a host of ailments including indigestion, loss of appetite, constipation, anorexia, diarrhoea, abdominal heaviness, and abdominal distension. The extensive health benefits of the various herbs used in this formulation also increase its therapeutic efficacy in treating infertility issues. If taken in the proper dosage, one can steer clear of the side effects and enjoy the countless health benefits.
