‘With a healthy heart, the beat goes on..’ – The saying is true as cardiac health is extremely crucial to overall wellbeing. Not only does the heart pump nutrient-rich blood throughout the body, but also supplies oxygen to the various tissues and organs, while eliminating toxins and wastes from the system. Being the headquarters of the cardiovascular system, heart performs every function that gives life to the body, ranging from the transportation of oxygen, assisting in digestion, and enabling the secretion of hormones to reinforcing the immune system. Hence, it is vital to keep it healthy and functioning at all times. While following a well-balanced nutrient-rich diet, exercise and proper sleep is a must for a healthy lifestyle, it is also necessary to incorporate some herbal supplements to keep heart ailments and abnormalities at bay. One such powerful cardioprotective herbomineral formulation is Prabhakar Vati.
Also Read: Arjunarishta: Benefits, Uses, Ingredients, Method, Dosage and Side Effects
What Is Prabhakar Vati?
Prabhakar Vati is a herbal cardiac tonic that is chiefly used to treat congestive heart failure, myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle), heart palpitation, atrial fibrillation (AF) and coronary artery disease (CAD). In most cases, for offering cardioprotective activity and preserving the strength of the heart, while also achieving the best results, this ayurvedic medication is prescribed along with Arjuna Ksheera Paka. In heart patients, it also enhances vigour and overall physical and mental stability.
Apart from heart problems, it is also beneficial for reducing restlessness, anxiety, gastritis, hyperacidity, sour belching, loss of appetite, vertigo, and anaemia. Additionally, it is also used for dealing with kidney disease (chronic renal failure), and associated symptoms.
Prabhakar Vati is powerful conjugation of cardiotonic herbs and minerals like Arjuna Swarasa, Shuddha Shilajit, Abhrak Bhasma, Swarna Makshika Bhasma, Bamboo and Loha Bhasma, all of which assists in bolstering heart health. These ingredients primarily manage Vata Dosha which helps in regulating high blood pressure. Additionally, the formulation innately possesses Deepana (appetizer) and Pachana (digestive) traits which help in removing accumulated bad cholesterol while retaining normal blood cholesterol levels.
How Is Prabhakar Vati Formulated?
Ingredients:
1 part of Makshika Bhasma – Bhasma of Copper and Iron Pyrite
1 part of Loha Bhasma - Bhasma prepared from Iron
1 part of Abhraka Bhasma - Purified and processed Mica
1 part of Tavakshir - Bambusa bambos
1 part of Shuddha Shilajatu – Asphaltum
Quantity Sufficient Arjuna Swarasa – Terminalia arjuna
Method:
Wash and dry the herbs under direct sunlight
Transform them into fine powder
Prepare a decoction of Arjuna by boiling the herb in water
Triturate the powdered ingredients with the decoction of Arjuna
Get a semisolid mass and cool it down
Roll them into pills or gutikas using the palm of your hands or tablet punching machine
Benefit Of Ingredients Used
Swarna Mahkshika Bhasma: This conjugation of herbs and minerals containing copper, iron and sulphur has been used in Ayurveda for a long time to manage numerous disorders including anaemia, jaundice, insomnia, burning micturition, bleeding piles, nausea, vomiting, headache, chronic low-grade fever, burning sensation in the eyes, heartburn, itching, leucorrhoea, and other abdominal diseases.
Abhrak Bhasma: Abhrak Bhasma is a classical ayurvedic medication that utilizes abhrak ash or calcined mica ash for treating and managing a plethora of health abnormalities including sexual and reproductive problems, liver and abdominal disorders, respiratory diseases, and mental and psychosomatic ailments.
Loha Bhasma: Loha Bhasma is an ayurvedic proprietary medicine comprising calcined iron and is mainly indicated to treat and manage iron deficiency anaemia (i.e., microcytic anaemia) and the underlying debilitating symptoms associated with it. This classical formulation also forms a one-shot remedy for liver disorders, inflammation, anomalies with the spleen, hemolytic jaundice, and gynaecological woes like amenorrhea and dysmenorrhea.
Arjuna: Famed as the “Guardian of the heart” Arjuna is a powerful remedy for treating wounds, improving cardiac functioning and preventing haemorrhages and ulcers. It reinforces the nerves and lowers bad cholesterol. This plant also holds high importance in treating chronic respiratory disorders, diabetes, wounds and obesity.
Shilajit: Shilajit is one such herbo-mineral or Rasaoushadhi that has persisted as a crucial element in the process of healing for ages. Blessed with powerful adaptogenic and aphrodisiac qualities, Shilajit not only helps deal with stress and anxiety but also plays a substantial role in treating conditions like urinary disorders, dysuria, glycosuria, breathing disorders, kidney stones, phthisis, piles, anaemia, epilepsy, mental disorders, oedema, skin diseases, and worm infestation.
Tavakshir: The elevated concentrations of cellulose in Tavakshir or bamboo have been shown to boost the appetite, prevent constipation, and enhance digestion. It also improves conditions, including diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease.
Medicinal Properties Of Prabhakar Vati
Prabhakar Vati chiefly showcases the following medicinal traits:
- Cardioprotective
- Cardiac tonic
- Antiarrhythmic
- Haematinic
- Anti-atherogenic
- Antianginal
- Positive Inotropic
- Mild antacid
- Digestive
Ayurvedic Indications Of Prabhakar Vati
Ayurveda, the holistic alternative remedial science strongly swears by this magical tonic for numerous heart-related anomalies in several ayurvedic textbooks like Sarangadhar Samhita, and Charaka Samhita. Additionally, it is also used for the following indications:
- Hridaya (i.e. heart problems)
- Deepana (enhances stomach fire)
- Pachana (helps in digestion)
- Rochana (stimulates appetite)
- Anulomana (improves breathing)
- Anaha (i.e. bloating)
- Kusthohara (treats skin disease)
- Shothahara (reduces inflammation)
- Pandu (treats anaemia)
- Kasahara (Relieves cough)
- Shwasha (relieves breathing difficulties)
- Amahara (treats indigestion)
- Dahahara (relieves burning sensation)
- Trutahara (relieves excessive thirst)
- Mehahara ( treats urinary tract disorder)
- Ashmari ( treats urinary calculi)
- Vibandha ( treats constipation)
- Shoola ( treats abdominal colic)
- Mutrakrichra ( treats dysuria)
- Mutraghata ( treats urinary obstruction)
Health Benefits Of Prabhakar Vati
Enhances Cardiac Functioning
The decoction of Arjuna used in the formulation is renowned for improving heart efficacy. The dominant bio-active constituents present in the formulation enhance the left ventricular function of the heart. The tablet hence is extremely effective in treating various heart ailments due to its strong antioxidative nature. It bolsters the heart muscles, staves off the deposition of plaque in the blood vessels and also averts the formation of atherosclerosis (i.e. hardening of the arteries), hence curtailing the risk of heart attacks, blood clots, mitral regurgitation, heart blocks, ischemic cardiomyopathy etc. It also plays a crucial role in reducing the levels of bad cholesterol and triglycerides in the body.
Also Check Out: Cardiac Health: 5 Must-to-Add Foods To Augment Heart Functions -Infographic
Prevents Cardiac Arrhythmia
The hypotensive and inotropic effects of the herbo-mineral formulation boost coronary arterial flow. The cardiotonic property improves the sarcoplasmic reticulum functions of the heart and reduces arrhythmias or heart rhythm disorders. Ayurveda strongly suggests dispensing the medication in correct doses for treating irregular heartbeat. The pill is highly beneficial for both bradycardia and tachycardia.
Also Read: Arrhythmia: Don’t Ignore Irregular Heartbeats, Get Help
Controls High Blood Pressure
Prabhakar Vati holds high significance in managing systolic blood pressure. Thanks to its powerful cardio-tonic trait, the medication is quite beneficial in treating mild to moderate hypertension conditions and also staves off pre-hypertensive activity.
But in severe medical conditions, hospitalization is a must to prevent heart failure.
Regulates High cholesterol
High cholesterol is quite a risky condition as it directly leads to several underlying health-related problems. Heightened levels of cholesterol can cause accumulation of fat deposition in the blood vessels and can lead to severe heart problems. According to Ayurveda, an impaired Pachak Agni (digestive fire) is the preliminary causative factor of high cholesterol. Defective digestion at the tissue level produces excess waste products or Ama in the body which in turn causes the agglomeration of bad cholesterol and blockage in the blood vessels. Prabhakar Vati imbued with strong Deepana (appetizer) and Pachana (digestive) properties help improve Agni (digestive fire) considerably and reduce Ama, thus eliminating accumulated bad cholesterol and conserving normal blood cholesterol levels.
Remedies Anemia
Prabhakar Vati is an absolute remedy for treating and preventing iron deficiency anaemia or microcytic anaemia. Additionally, it is also exemplary for treating the various underlying symptoms of anaemia like general fatigue, physical weakness and yellow discolouration of the skin, shortness of breath, dizziness, vertigo, laziness, swelling and headaches. In people experiencing a severe form of anaemia, characterized by rapid and irregular pulse rate and heartbeat, this formulation effectively helps in reducing the symptoms and bolsters the heart muscles and functioning of the heart. Prabhakar Vati is a rich source of natural iron that helps to restore haemoglobin levels significantly.
Effect On Doshas:
Prabhakar Vati is one such powerful Rasaoushadhi that effectively normalises the aggravation of all three Doshas namely; the Vata (air) doshas, Pitta doshas (fire and air) and Kapha (earth and water) doshas.
Also Read: Introduction To Ayurveda: Learn About Vata, Pitta And Kapha Doshas
Therapeutic Dosage:
The beneficial therapeutic dosage chiefly differs from one person to another depending upon their age, the severity of the illness, and the condition of the patient. Consulting an ayurvedic doctor is a must, as he or she will thoroughly examine the physical manifestations of the condition and prescribe the correct dosage for the specific time.
Adults: 1 – 2 tablets, thrice a day, preferably after having a meal along with luke-warm water or milk or Arjuna ksheera paka or as suggested by the doctor
Side Effects Of Prabhakar Vati
This concoction of herbs and minerals is an ultimate remedy for a host of ailments. Thanks to the goodness of Arjuna and the other minerals, the herbal pill doesn’t portray any reported side effects.
Precautions
It is strictly advised for pregnant women and lactating mothers to consult an ayurvedic doctor or their treating doctor before taking this medication as it may interact with other ongoing medications and affect the foetus or may get secreted along with breast milk. Overdosage without a doctor’s consultation may lead to certain allergic reactions.
