Bhadradarvyadi kashayam is an Ayurvedic medicine for controlling and regulating deranged Vaata.
Benefits of Bhadradarvyadi kashayam
It is very effective in all kinds of Vaata vitiated conditions.
As we know, vitiation of Vaata can happen either due to dhatukshaya (emaciation of body tissues) or aavarana (blocked channels).
Bhadradarvyadi kashaya has two types of drugs which
- penetrates and clears the obstructions in channels. Eg: Bhadradaru, Nata, Kushta
- nourishes the body tissues and gives strength. Eg: Dasamoolam, Bala, Atibala
Combination of these drugs controls and regulates all movements of Vaata in the body. Thus, it can pacify any strong Vaata kopa in the body.
Being helpful in proper movement of Vaata, the controller of all movements in the body, this kashaya helps the person to gain strength and ojas.
A main kashaya used in the treatment of elderly as it is ballya (giving strength to body)
Vaatanulomyam (regulating the movements of Vaata) makes the cough and breathing difficulties get relieved.
Vaatadosha being the controller of movements, the functioning of the nervous system and locomotor system, this kashayam helps in treating many neuro-muscular diseases.
It is widely used in hemiplegia, facial palsy, tremors, muscular dystrophy, Parkinson’s disease etc.
Indications of Bhadradarvyadi kashayam
Vaayum naasayeth – Alleviates Vaayu/Vaata dosha
Ingredients of Bhadradarvyadi kashayam
| Himalayan cedar | Bhadradaru
|
Cedrus deodara |
It is useful as an expectorant in cough. It relieves asthma and other respiratory diseases by clearing the airways and enhancing the movements of the respiratory tract.
| Indian valerian
|
Natam
|
Valeriana wallichii
|
It is useful in neurological, psychological and digestive disorders. It calms mind, strengthens nerves and prevents convulsions. It is used in the treatment of insomnia, epilepsy and paralysis. It has anti-inflammatory properties by which it is beneficial in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. It is a carminative and anti-spasmodic. So, it is used in abdominal pain, flatulence, bloating, loss of appetite and indigestion. It improves the circulatory system and reduces High blood pressure. It is an ingredient in many ayurvedic anti-hypertensive formulations.
| Indian costus root | Kushtham
|
Saussurea lappa
|
It is a carminative, aphrodisiac, anthelmintic, and tonic. It stimulates the brain. It is used in the diseases of liver and kidney. It is also useful in the treatment of deafness, headache, paralysis, asthma, cough, chronic fever, inflammation, and ophthalmic conditions.
Dasamoolam
It is a group of roots of ten herbs used as a combination in many formulations in Ayurveda.
Dasamoola is the Sanskrit name for a group of medicinal plants, classified as proving beneficial in cases of Asthma and difficult respiration. It was originally composed by Acharya Sushrutha. The name is derived from the words dasa (ten) and moola, translating to “root”. It includes the plants from the Laghupanchamoola and Bṛhatpanchamoola groups of medicinal plants.As discussed, t is a group of roots of ten herbs used as a combination in many formulations in Ayurveda.
Used together as a combination in Ayurvedic formulations, Dasamoola has Anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. It works as a strong anti-rheumatic agent. It is useful in reducing edema. Being mainly Vaatahara it gives strength to the body. It is useful in all diseases related to nerves and muscles.
The ten plants included in Dasamoola are,
| 1. Indian bael | Bilwa | Aegle marmelos |
It has anti-inflammatory properties and it is effective in peptic ulcer. It is anti-diarrhoeal, anti-diabetic and anti-microbial. Being a part of Dasamoola (group of roots of Ten plants) it helps to enhance its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.
| 2. Headache tree | Agnimantha | Premna integrifolia Linn. |
It has anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antinociceptive, anti-arthritic, anti-bacterial, anti-cancerous, anti-microbial, anthelmintic, immuno-modulatory, hypoglycaemic, neuro-protective and anti-ulcer properties. It is CNS depressant, Cardiac stimulant, and cardio-protective.
| 3. Indian trumpet flower | Syonaka | Oroxylum indicum |
It has anti-microbial, anti-diabetic, hepato-protective, anti-inflammatory, anti-carcinogenic, immune-modulatory, nephro-protective, and cardio-protective properties.
| 4. Yellow snake tree | Paatala | Stereospermum suaveolens |
It is useful in the treatment of diabetes, pain, fever, inflammations and asthma.
| 5. Beechwood | Gambhari | Gmelina arborea |
It has anti-pyretic, analgesic, anti-oxidant, anti-diabetic, anthelmintic, anti-microbial, cardio-protective, anti-ulcer, gastro-protective, anti-cancerous, anti-hyperlipidaemic and immunomodulatory activity. It is the one of the main ingredients in Dasamoola for its anti-inflammatory and analgesic property.
| 6. Dabra | Prisniparni | Uraria picta |
It has anti-inflammatory, expectorant and diuretic properties. It is used as a tonic to nerves and heart. It is useful in bone fracture healing.
| 7. Sal leaved desmodium | Saliparni | Desmodium gangeticum |
It is famous for its cardioprotective properties. It helps to strengthen the heart muscles. It has analgesic, aphrodisiac, diuretic, febrifuge, anti-inflammatory and haemorrhagic properties. It is used to treat fever, vomiting and diarrhoea, cough and asthma.
| 8. Indian nightshade | Brihati | Solanum indicum |
It has anti-oxidants. It also has anti-cancerous, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, immuno-modulatory, neuroprotective, diaphoretic, expectorant and stimulant properties.
| 9. Yellow-berried nightshade | Kantakari | Solanum xanthocarpum |
It has anti-oxidant and anti-cancer activities. It possesses anti-asthmatic, hypoglycaemic, hepatoprotective, anti-bacterial and insect repellent properties.
| 10. Puncture vine | Gokshura | Tribulus terrestris |
It is useful in diseases such as hormonal imbalance, sexual problems, heart problems, kidney
problems and various skin diseases. It helps in reducing blood sugar and cholesterol levels.
Balaadwayam
| 1. Flannel weed | Bala | Sida cordifolia Linn. |
It is anti-pyretic, anti-inflammatory, contraceptive and anti-fungal activity. It is a tonic for strengthening nerves and muscles in various neuro motor diseases.
| 2. Country mallow | Atibala | Abutilon indicum Linn. |
It has anti-oxidant, anti-bacterial, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, hepato-protective, immuno-modulatory and larvicidal. In traditional medicine, it is used as an aphrodisiac, demulcent, diuretic, laxative, pulmonary and sedative (leaves). The bark is astringent and diuretic; laxative, expectorant and demulcent (seeds); laxative and tonic, anti-inflammatory and anthelmintic (plant); analgesic (fixed oil); diuretic and for leprosy (roots).
Details of the manufacturing
As already discussed, Bhadradarvyadi kashayam has 15 herbs as ingredients in equal quantity.
All these ingredients should be washed well and dried up in shade.
Take the ingredients in dried & crushed form in an earthern pot. Now add 16 times clean water into it. Make it boil and then cook in the open vessel with low fire. Reduce the quantity into one by eighth of the initial quantity. Make sure to mix it in between with a wooden ladle. Also, the fire should be kept low to make sure that all the active ingredients in the herbs needed are absorbed well into the water. Once the quantity is reduced to one by eighth of the initial amount of water, remove the vessel from the fire. Squeeze and drain through a clean white cloth. Collect the decoction in a clean vessel and discard the solid waste. Drink the mild warm decoction.
Dosha Dooshya Predominance with roga margas.
Bhadradarvyadi kashayam is Vaatasaamaka, ojaskara and anulomana.
It acts on both aabhyantara and madhyama rogamarga
Dosage and Usage of Bhadradarvyadi kashayam
Dosage: two Pala.
Usage:
Kashayam is advised to take in empty stomach, once the ingested food is digested well and aahaararasa is formed well.
Usage of kashayam with prescribed prakshepadravyas according to the condition of disease and the patient gives the best results mostly.
Exercises and Yoga.
As Bhadradarvyadi kashayam targets mainly respiratory, nervous and locomotry systems, regular stretching and mild cardio exercises are advised. Also, specific yogacharya including nadisuddhi pranayama, bhujangaasana, pavanamuktasana, suryanamaskara is recommended.
Regular exercise helps improve the bioavailability of the medicine and food ingested and leads to positive health.
Yoga can maintain harmony within the body and with the surrounding system.
Suryanamaskara
Pavanamuktasana
Nadisudhi pranayama
Bhujangasana
Simple exercises for lungs and heart health
All the exercises and physical exertions must be decided and done under the supervision of a medical expert only.
Recommended diet and behaviour
Diet:
- To be avoided
Heavy meals and difficult to digest foods – cause indigestion.
junk foods- cause disturbance in digestion and reduces the bioavailability of the medicine
carbonated drinks – makes the stomach more acidic and disturbed digestion
refrigerated and frozen foods – causes weak and sluggish digestion by weakening Agni (digestive fire)
Milk and milk products – increase kapha and cause respiratory problems
curd – causes vidaaha and thereby many other diseases
- To be added
Light meals and easily digestible foods
Green gram, soups, sesame oil.
freshly cooked and warm food processed with cumin seeds, ginger, black pepper, ajwain etc
Behaviour:
Protect yourself from the cold climate.
Better to avoid exposure to excessive sunlight wind rain or dust.
Avoid lifting heavy weights and other vigorous physical activities.
Maintain a regular food and sleep schedule.
Avoid holding or forcing the urges like urine, faeces, cough, sneeze etc.
Avoid day sleep and sitting awake late at night.
Side effects and contraindications
No known side effects reported.
Classical references
ASHTANGAHRUDAYA SUTRASTHANA 15/5
Equivalent medicines.
Vidaryadi kashayam
Veerataradi kashayam
Brands Available
AVS Kottakal
Oushadhi
Vaidyaratnam oushadhasala
AVP Coimbatore
Research papers
Bala
https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1099-1573(199902)13:1%3C75::AID-PTR387%3E3.0.CO;2-
Bhadradaru
anti-inflammatory and analgesic
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10350366/
Dasamoola
Analgesic and hypnotic actions of laghupanchamoola
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4213974/
Laghupanchamoola – anti-inflammatory property
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3667429/
Dasamoola-Analgesic anti-inflammatory and anti-platelet properties