Undoubtedly, the food we eat or incorporate into our routine diet plays a significant role in managing a host of physical aberrations like auto-immune disorders, degenerative disorders, inflammatory woes, behavioural problems, and allergic conditions. This shows how digestion has a strong command over the nervous, hormonal, and immune system of the body. And due to this, more and more people try to adapt towards healthier lifestyle and wholesome dietary options by including fruits, veggies, spices, and herbal formulations to regulate their digestive fire and thereby naturally mitigate all other health woes. One such incredible ayurvedic herbal formulation imbued with excellent digestive herbs from the lap of Mother Nature is Mustakarishta.
What is Mustakarishta?
Mustakarishta, also spelt Mustharishtam, Mustakadyarishta, or Mustarishta is a powerful digestive formulation that extensively stimulates the secretion of gastric juices in the stomach thereby promoting appetite, enhancing digestion and improving liver functions. Famed as “Ama Pachak” in Ayurveda, Mustakarishta readily eliminates toxins or AMA doshas from the body and impedes the conversion of AMA into AMAVISHA. By improving metabolism, this formulation also helps shed excess weight fast and prevent obesity. Additionally, it is also used for the management and treatment of other gastrointestinal woes like indigestion, constipation, severe diarrhoea, dysentery, loss of appetite, malabsorption syndrome and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Also Read: Nagarmotha: Benefits, Ingredients, Method, Dosage And Side Effects
How To Prepare Mustakarishta?
Ingredients:
Kwatha Dravya:
100 parts Mustak (Nagarmotha) – Cyperus rotundus
1024 parts Water
Prakshepa Dravya: (1 part each of)
Ajwain (Carom Seeds) – Trachyspermum ammi
Sonth (Ginger Rhizome) – Zingiber officinale
Kali Mirch (Black Pepper) – Piper nigrum
Methi (Fenugreek) – Trigonella foenum-graecum
Laung (Clove) – Syzygium aromaticum
Jeera (Cumin Seeds) – Cuminum cyminum
Chitrakmool – Plumbago zeylanica
8 parts Dhataki Flower- Woodfordia fruticosa
150 parts Gur – Jaggery
Method:
Wash, dry and powder all the herbal components in the prakshepa and kwatha dravya list
Pour nagarmotha powder into a thick-bottomed vessel and add the mentioned quantity of water to it
Boil the water mixture till the water quantity reduces to I/4 of its original volume
Remove the mixture from the flame
While the filtered mixture is still warm, one by one, add the prakshepa dravyas to the mixture
Stir the concoction properly using a wooden ladle
Pour the mixture into the arishta vessel smeared with cow’s ghee from inside
Plug the mouth of the vessel with a clay-smeared cloth and keep it in the fermentation room
After 30 days of maturation, open the seal, and filter the liquid using a clean muslin cloth
Store the formulation in amber-coloured glass bottles in a dry, cool environment for future use
Medicinal Properties Of Mustakarishta
Mustakarishta is blessed with the following medicinal qualities:
- Ama Pachak
- Appetizer
- Digestive
- Carminative
- Metabolism stimulant
- Astringent
- Antidiarrheal
- Anti-dysentery
- Anti-inflammatory
- Cholagogue
- Haematinic
- Immunomodulatory
- Metabolism Stimulant
- Mucolytic
- Antitussive
Ayurvedic Indications Of Mustakarishta
Since ancient times, Mustakarishta has been illustrated by several ancient Indian sages and physicians as a powerful "digestive tonic" in their ayurvedic scriptures and journals like Charaka Samhita, Susruta Samhita, Sarangadhar Samhita, Raj Nighantu etc. Some of the indications that it helps deal with include:
- Deepana (enhances stomach fire)
- Pachana (helps in digestion)
- Gulma (treats abdominal tumour)
- Rochana (stimulates appetite)
- Kupachan (prevents bloating)
- Krimihara (relieves intestinal worms)
- Amahara (treats indigestion)
- Dahahara (relieves burning sensation)
- Shonitasthapana (prevents bleeding)
- Vran Ropana (heals wounds)
- Kasahara (Relieves cough)
- Yakrit Vikara (prevents liver infections)
- Kamala (prevents jaundice)
- Jwara hara (prevents fever)
- Raktadoshahara (blood purifying)
- Shwasha (relieves breathing difficulties)
- Anulomana (improves breathing)
- Kantya (relieves sore throat)
- Balya (improves muscle strength)
- Triptighno (relieves pseudo-satiation)
- Vamanopaga (treats emesis)
Health Benefits Of Mustakarishta
Enhances Digestion
Mustakarishta is sanctified with excellent carminative and digestive traits that provide a spectacular go-to remedy for all digestive abnormalities. The anti-flatulent property of Mustak used in the medication lessens the formation of gas in the alimentary canal and stomach, thus diminishing flatulence, bloating, and abdominal distension. The antacid property of the various carminative herbs also prevents the formation of excessive acids in the stomach thereby treating indigestion, constipation, acid reflux, ulcer, and gastritis and promoting better absorption of nutrients in the body.
Also Checkout: Digestive Health: 5 Amazing Herbs For Uplifting Gut Health And Function-Infographic
Prevents Anorexia
Anorexia nervosa a.k.a Aruchi in Ayurvedic terminology is a chronic eating disorder which primarily characterizes individuals enduring self-starvation or reduced intention to eat anything. Some scientific studies also relate it to the mental health of the individual as he or she undergoes disturbing issues related to weight gain, fear of becoming obese, poor self-esteem, poor confidence levels and a violent desire to reduce weight gain in any way possible, sometimes even causing forceful vomiting by putting a finger in the mouth to dispel the eaten food. According to Ayurveda, Anorexia mainly stems from weak digestive fire (Manda Agni) and majorly relies on irregular Vata, Pitta, and Kapha dosha levels in the body. Mustakarishta being a potent digestive and appetizing tonic improves the digestion of food, stimulates appetite and ensures that the person has the desire to eat healthy food.
Remedies IBS
IBS or Grahani in Ayurvedic terms generally occurs due to unhealthy food options, excessive ingestion of difficult-to-digest food items, consumption of allergy-inducing foods, or ones that lack essential nutrients, overeating, eating at irregular intervals, and other physical and mental factors. It can sometimes cause both constipation and diarrhoea or dysentery. The use of the incredible carminative herbs in Mustakarishta makes it a go-to remedy for treating this painful disease and its associated symptoms.
Treats Malnutrition
Malnutrition or Karshya disease in Sanskrit terminology chiefly stems from the lack of nutrients in the routine diet and improper digestion of the consumed food. Paired with innate nourishing components and the Balya trait, Mustakarishta enhances digestion and metabolism and promotes the absorption of important nutrients in the body tissues. Taking Mustakarishta with honey and water, twice a day, after light meals helps in the gradual overcoming of malnutrition naturally.
Promotes Weight Loss
The abundance of flavonoids in the bioactive component nagarmotha in this formulation assists the body in shedding excess weight faster. Owing to the presence of fibre and the anti-obesity action of the other herbs, when taken regularly, Mustakarishta satiates sudden hunger pangs at odd timings and hinders overeating. This action of the medication plays a significant part in one’s weight loss regimen. However, it does not suppress appetite altogether but stimulates fat metabolism in the body to get rid of fatty tissues gradually.
Also Read: Belly Fat Burners From Your Kitchen Shelf
Mustakarishta Effect On Doshas
The bioactive ingredients in this digestive formulation balance the abnormal Pitta (fire and air) doshas and Kapha (earth and water) doshas and often an excess of it can disrupt the Vata (air) doshas.
Owing to the intrinsic characteristics and doshas, Mustakarishta has an optimistic impact on the various Dhatus or body tissues which are Rasa (i.e., Plasma), Rakta (i.e., Blood), Mamsa (i.e., Muscles), Majja (i.e., cartilage), Asthi (i.e., Bones) and Shukra (i.e., Reproductive Fluids).
The ayurvedic traits of Mustakarishta help in providing the following main prabhabs or actions on the body which are; Deepana (digestive stimulant), Sthoulya-har (reduces obesity), Kapha-har (pacifies the Kapha/mucous), Tvakadosh-har (cures skin diseases), Grahi (anti-diarrhoea), and Sotha-har (reduces swelling).
Also Read: Introduction To Ayurveda: Learn About Vata, Pitta And Kapha Doshas
Mustakarishta Dosage
The accurate remedial dosage of Mustakarishta may fluctuate from person to person depending upon the age, the severity of the disease and the physical condition of the patient. It is a must to speak with an Ayurvedic doctor or practitioner, to know the correct dosage.
Adults: 10 – 30 ml, twice a day mixed with equal quantities of water usually after meals or as suggested by the ayurvedic doctor.
Mustakarishta Side Effects:
Thanks to the abundance of powerful bioactive components, Mustakarishta showcases no recorded side effects when used in the prescribed proportion. However, excess intake of it may cause gastritis and a pungent sensation in the mouth.
Mustakarishta Precautions
One of the primary ingredients of Mustakarishta is Chitrak, which can cause uterine contractions in pregnant women and may lead to uterine bleeding. Therefore, pregnant women are prohibited to take Mustakarishta. However, without much credible knowledge of the impacts of Mustakarishta on breastfeeding moms, it is strictly advised that lactating mothers should avoid consuming this digestive formulation without the approval of the lactation specialist or their treating doctor.
Conclusion
Mustakarishta has incredible therapeutic applications. Replete with spectacular herbs and a quarry of essential bio-active components that bear a plethora of therapeutic properties, Mustakarishta is widely used for dealing with digestive anomalies like indigestion, malabsorption, anorexia, prevents obesity, boosts metabolism and many more.
