Age Ayurveda Nighantu

Ashoka Ghrita

Ashoka Ghrita is a classical Ayurvedic ghrita, a medicated ghee. Fat-soluble fraction crosses intestinal membrane more efficiently. Sustained release of uterotonic compounds over 4-6 hours.

Key facts
Also known asAshoka Ghrita, AshokaGhrita

Names and identification

LanguageName
EnglishAshoka Ghrita

Ayurvedic pharmacology (Dravyaguna)

PropertyValueDescription
Rasa (Taste)Kashaya, TiktaPrimary taste
Guna (Quality)Snigdha, GuruPhysical quality
Virya (Potency)SheetaHeating/Cooling effect
Vipaka (Post-digestive)KatuPost-digestive effect

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: Ghrita (medicated ghee), Soft gelatin capsules (modern)

Standard Dosage: 6-12 g twice daily, as per AFI

Bioavailability: Ghee matrix enhances absorption of lipophilic flavonoids and catechins from Ashoka bark. Fat-soluble fraction crosses intestinal membrane more efficiently. Sustained release of uterotonic compounds over 4-6 hours.

Optimal Timing: On empty stomach or before meals, typically morning and evening

Shelf Life: 2 years from date of manufacture as per ASU guidelines for Ghrita preparations

Storage: Store in airtight glass or tin containers in a cool, dry place. Protect from moisture and light. Temperature not exceeding 25°C.

Marker Compounds: Catechin, Epicatechin, Leucocyanidin, Procyanidin B2, Beta-sitosterol, Haematoxylin

Quality Parameters: Acid value (<6), peroxide value (<10), saponification value, refractive index, moisture (<0.5%), rancidity test negative, catechin content from Ashoka by HPLC, total flavonoids, total tannins, microbial limits, heavy metals

Vehicle (Anupana): Warm milk or warm water

Synergistic Combinations

Composition

As given in the Ayurvedic Formulary of India, Part I, entry 6:4 (ASOKA GHRTA), which cites Bhaisajyaratnavali, Strirogadhikara; 17 - 20.. 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.

#IngredientPartQuantity
1Asoka-valkalastem bark768 g.
2Water for decoction3.072 1. reduced to 768 mil.
3Ghrta (go ghrta)768 g.
4Jiraka-kvathafruit768 ml.
5Tandulambu (Sal1 (OCR; probably Sali))seed768 ml.
6Ajaksira768 ml.
7KeSaraja rasa (bhrngaraja)illegible768 mi. (as OCR'd; probably ml.)
8Jivantiroot24 g.
9KakoliSub. Rt.24 g.
10KsirakakoliSub. Rt.24 g.
11Medaroot tuber24 g.
12Mahamedaroot tuber24 g.
13Mudgaparniillegible24 g.
14Masaparniillegible24 £. (as OCR'd; probably 24 g.)
15Rsabhakaroot tuber24 g.
16Jivakaroot tuber24 g.
17RddhiSub. Rt. Tr.24g.
18VrddhiSub. Rt. Tr.24 g.
19Yasti madhu (yasti)root24 g.
20Piyala (priyala)Kr. (as OCR'd; possibly Fr./Kr. for kernel, verify against scan)24 g.
21Pariisa (pariisaka)fruit24 g.
22Rasanjana (daru haridra)St. Ext.24 g.
23Yastyahva (yasti)root24 g.
24Asoka-mularoot24 g.
25Mrdvika (draksa)dry fruit24 g.
26Satavariroot tuber24 g.
27Tanduliyaka-mularoot24 g.
28Sarkara384 g.

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.

Source scan of the formulary

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.