Aravindasava
Aravindasava is a classical Ayurvedic fermented arishta or asava. Listed in the Ayurvedic Formulary of India (AFI). Sahasrayogam and Bhaishajya Ratnavali, categorized under Raktaprasadana Rasayana (blood-enhancing tonics). Traditionally used in Kerala and North Indian Ayurvedic pediatric practice.
| Pharmacopoeia status | Listed in the Ayurvedic Formulary of India (AFI). Referenced in Sahasrayogam and Bhaishajya Ratnavali. Manufactured under Drug and Cosmetics Act, 1940 by licensed Ayurvedic pharmacies. |
|---|
Names and identification
| Language | Name |
|---|---|
| English | Aravindasava |
Where is it described in the classical texts?
Sahasrayogam and Bhaishajya Ratnavali, categorized under Raktaprasadana Rasayana (blood-enhancing tonics). Traditionally used in Kerala and North Indian Ayurvedic pediatric practice.
How does it work?
- Agni (digestive fire) kindling through Ushna Virya and Katu Vipaka improves appetite and nutrient absorption in children
- Immunomodulatory action through alkaloids and flavonoids enhances innate and adaptive immunity in developing children
- Raktaprasadana (blood-enriching) activity of Manjishtha and Triphala supports healthy hematopoiesis
- Medhya (intellect-promoting) action of Vacha and Jatamansi supports cognitive and mental development
Which traditional uses are supported by research?
- Pediatric digestive tonic - supported by observational studies showing improved appetite and weight gain
- Child growth and development promotion - traditional use corroborated by nutritive and immunomodulatory mechanisms
- Childhood immunity enhancement - supported by improved IgG/IgA levels in observational study
- Childhood anemia and malnutrition - supported by Raktaprasadana (blood-enriching) 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
- Contains 8-12% self-generated alcohol. NOT suitable for children under 5 years. For children above 5, diluted doses (5-10 ml with warm water) under pediatrician consultation only.
- Large-scale randomized controlled trials specifically on Aravindasava are still missing. Long-term safety assessments in diverse pediatric populations needed. Alcohol content requires careful monitoring.
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: Asava (fermented infusion), Syrup (modern)
Standard Dosage: 5-10 mL (pediatric) to 15-25 mL (adult) twice daily after meals with equal water, as per AFI Part I
Bioavailability: Self-generated alcohol and honey base enhance absorption. Cold infusion process preserves heat-sensitive actives better than Arishta process. Fermentation converts glycosides to bioactive aglycones.
Optimal Timing: After meals, twice daily. For infants: as directed by physician
Shelf Life: 10 years from date of manufacture as per ASU guidelines for Asava preparations
Storage: Store in well-closed amber glass or HDPE containers in a cool, dry place. Protect from sunlight. Temperature not exceeding 30°C.
Marker Compounds: Nuciferine, Neferine, Liensinine, Armepavine
Quality Parameters: pH (3.0-4.5), specific gravity, self-generated alcohol (5-10% v/v), total solids, total sugar, total acidity, microbial limits, heavy metals, HPTLC fingerprint for nuciferine, methanol absence
Vehicle (Anupana): Equal quantity of water (boiled and cooled for pediatric use)
Synergistic Combinations
- Balarishta
- Bal Chaturbhadra Churna
- Suvarna Prashan
- Ashwagandha Churna
Composition
As given in the Ayurvedic Formulary of India, Part I, entry 1:4 (ARAVINDASAVA), which cites Bhaisajyaratnavali, Balarogadhikara; 185-188. 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 | Aravinda (kamala) | flower | 48 g. |
| 2 | Usira | root | 48 g. |
| 3 | Kasmari * | fruit | 48 g. |
| 4 | Nilotpala (utpala) * | 48 g. | |
| 5 | Manjistha | root | 48 g. |
| 6 | Ela * | seed | 48 g. |
| 7 | Bala | root | 48 g. |
| 8 | Mamsi (jatamamsi) | rhizome | 48 g. |
| 9 | Ambuda (musta) * | rhizome | 48 g. |
| 10 | Sariva (Svetasariva) | root | 48 g. |
| 11 | Siva (haritaki) * | 48 g. | |
| 12 | Bibhitaka | pericarp | 48 g. |
| 13 | Vaca | rhizome | 48 g. |
| 14 | Dhatri * | pericarp | 48 g. |
| 15 | Sathi * | rhizome | 48 g. |
| 16 | Syama (trivrt) * | root | 48 g. |
| 17 | Nilini * | root | 48 g. |
| 18 | Patola * | Lf./Pl. | 48 g. |
| 19 | Parpata * | 48 g. | |
| 20 | Partha (arjuna) * | stem bark | 48 g. |
| 21 | Madhuka * | 48 g. | |
| 22 | Madhuka (yasti) | root | 48 g. |
| 23 | Mura | root | 48 g. |
| 24 | Draksa | dry fruit | 960 g. |
| 25 | Dhataki | flower | 768 g. |
| 26 | [illegible] * | illegible | |
| 27 | Sarkara | 4.800 kg. | |
| 28 | Maksika (madhu) | 2.400 kg. |
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.
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