Amritottaram Kashayam
Amritottaram Kashayam is a classical Ayurvedic kashaya, a water decoction. Listed in the Ayurvedic Formulary of India (AFI). Sahasrayogam, Jwara Chikitsa (fever treatment section). Also referenced in Rasa Tarangini and Bhaishajya Ratnavali under divya kashaya for strengthening innate defense mechanisms.
| Also known as | Amritottaram Kashayam, AmritottaramKashayam |
|---|---|
| Pharmacopoeia status | Listed in the Ayurvedic Formulary of India (AFI). Referenced in Sahasrayogam and Bhaishajya Ratnavali. Simple three-ingredient formulation widely used in Ayurvedic clinical practice. |
Names and identification
| Language | Name |
|---|---|
| English | Amritottaram Kashayam |
Where is it described in the classical texts?
Sahasrayogam, Jwara Chikitsa (fever treatment section). Also referenced in Rasa Tarangini and Bhaishajya Ratnavali under divya kashaya for strengthening innate defense mechanisms.
How does it work?
- Immunomodulatory action through enhanced NK cell activity and macrophage phagocytosis (Guduchi)
- Mild antipyretic action targeting root cause of fever by addressing AMA (metabolic toxins) or microbial infections
- Hepatoprotective activity through reduction of ALT/AST enzymes and hepatocyte regeneration (Haritaki, Guduchi)
- Bioavailability enhancement by Shunthi (ginger) improves absorption of active compounds from Guduchi and Haritaki
Which traditional uses are supported by research?
- Fever management (Jwara Chikitsa) - validated by immunomodulatory and antipyretic studies
- Liver protection in mild hepatitis - supported by ALT/AST reduction in clinical study
- General immunity enhancement - validated by NK cell and macrophage activation research
- Digestive support during febrile illness - supported by Shunthi’s established digestive properties
What do recent clinical trials show?
3 further claims previously listed here could not be traced to a published paper and have been removed. Classical formulations are researched largely in journals that PubMed does not index, so an absence here reflects the reach of the index rather than the state of the evidence.
Recent safety updates
- Well-tolerated with minimal side effects at recommended doses. All three ingredients have established safety profiles with immunomodulatory properties.
- May potentiate immunosuppressant drugs; use cautiously in autoimmune conditions. Ginger component may interact with anticoagulant medications.
What is it made of?
Mineral/Elemental Profile
- Primary component: Mineral-derived preparation
- Note: Composition varies by specific preparation method
Analytical Methods: XRD, ICP-OES, SEM-EDS
Dosage forms and preparation
Dosage Forms: Kashayam (decoction), Kashayam tablets (modern), Concentrated liquid (modern)
Standard Dosage: 15-30 mL (liquid) or 2 tablets twice daily before meals, as per AFI
Bioavailability: Hot decoction form provides rapid absorption. Gingerols from Shunthi act as bioenhancers and improve gastric motility for faster absorption. Tablet form may have slightly delayed onset compared to fresh kashayam.
Optimal Timing: On empty stomach or before meals (Abhukta/Bhojana-purva), morning and evening
Shelf Life: 1 day (fresh kashayam), 6 months (concentrated liquid with preservative), 3 years (tablet form) as per ASU guidelines
Storage: Fresh kashayam: prepare and consume same day. Concentrated liquid: store in amber glass bottles at temperature not exceeding 25°C. Tablets: store in airtight containers at room temperature.
Marker Compounds: Berberine, Tinosporaside, 6-Gingerol, 6-Shogaol
Quality Parameters: pH, specific gravity, total solids, extractive values (water-soluble, alcohol-soluble), HPTLC fingerprint for berberine and gingerols, microbial limits, heavy metals, disintegration time (for tablets), dissolution profile
Vehicle (Anupana): Warm water (for tablets); taken as is (for liquid kashayam)
Synergistic Combinations
- Amritarishta
- Guduchi Satva
- Sudarshana Churna
- Vilvadi Gulika
Composition
As given in the Ayurvedic Formulary of India, Part I, entry 4:1 (AMRTOTTARA KVATHA CURNA (Synonym : Nagaradi Kvatha Curna)), which cites Sahasrayoga, kasayaprakarana; 30. Names, parts and quantities are transcribed as printed and checked row by row against the book. Manufacturers' versions of a classical formulation can differ from the formulary.
| # | Ingredient | Part | Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nagara (sunthi) | rhizome | 2 Parts |
| 2 | Amrta (gudici) * | stem | 6 Parts |
| 3 | Haritaki | illegible | 4 Parts |
| 4 | Praksepa dravya (drug name illegible) * | illegible |
Cells marked illegible are damaged in the source scan. The ingredient name is shown where it was readable, and nothing is inferred to fill a gap.
* The scanned text was damaged at this row and the name was read from the entry's own Sanskrit verse.
Consult a qualified vaidya before acting on anything here. Ayurvedic practice is prescribed to a person, not to a condition: the same dravya is given, withheld or substituted depending on your constitution, your agni, the season and what else you are already taking. A page cannot know any of that. Self-prescribing from a reference is how the wrong preparation, the wrong dose or the wrong anupana gets used.
Educational reference only. Nothing on this page is medical advice, a diagnosis, or a recommendation to take anything. Traditional uses and research findings are reported as published, not as claims about what any product does. If you take prescribed medication, raise any interaction with the prescriber rather than acting on a page. See our editorial standards.