Popular Ayurvedic Preparations
Herbal medicaments are mixtures of various herbs prepared to time tested pharmaceutical procedures recommended by Ayurveda. The curative properties of these herbs have been identified and catalogued by the ancient Rishis (hermits). They are meant to maintain or regain equilibrium of body functions based on the physical and psychic forces mentioned in Ayurvedic Concepts. No synthetic chemicals are used in the preparation of Ayurvedic remedies.
Some popular Ayurvedic preparations are given below.
Svarasa
The juice of herbs with or without water/sugar.
Kalka
Paste prepared by grinding medicinal plant materials.
Kasaya
A decoction. Herbal materials such as bark, roots, leaves, fruits and flowers are cut, sliced or powdered coarsely and one part of the amalgamation is boiled in four, eight or sixteen parts of water (usually cups) and reduced to a quarter.
Churna
Medicinal plant materials in powder form.
Guli
Tablets or pills prepared singly or in combination.
Asava
Preparation in which herbal drugs are soaked in liquids (mainly water) fermented and filtered. Sometimes natural alcohol obtained from herbs is added to expedite fermentation and efficacy.
Arishta
An Elixir, a Rasayana preparation similar to Asava. Various decoctions are used and fermented for retaining efficacy over a long period of time.
Leha
This is a semi-solid preparation; sugar or jaggery is used as a medium.
Thaila
Ayurveda medicinal oils; special procedures are followed in the preparation of these oils.
Grita
Similar to the medicinal oils but the herbs are boiled in ghee.
Lepa
A type of medicinal paste used for external application.
Bhasa
Calcified preparations in which herbal extracts are subjected to intense heat.
Peyawa
These are concentrations of decoctions preserved with the help of sugar, jaggery (palm sugar) or herbal alcohol.
