Age Ayurveda Nighantu

Jeerakarishtam

Jeerakarishtam is a classical Ayurvedic fermented arishta or asava. Alcohol medium improves absorption of cuminaldehyde and other terpenoids. Classically used as post-partum restorative — good absorption during lactation.

Names and identification

LanguageName
EnglishJeerakarishtam

Ayurvedic pharmacology (Dravyaguna)

PropertyValueDescription
Rasa (Taste)Katu, MadhuraPrimary taste
Guna (Quality)LaghuPhysical quality
Virya (Potency)UshnaHeating/Cooling effect
Vipaka (Post-digestive)MadhuraPost-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: Arishta (fermented decoction), Syrup (modern)

Standard Dosage: 15-30 mL twice daily after meals with equal water, as per Sahasrayogam/AFI

Bioavailability: Fermentation enhances extraction of cumin volatile oils and converts them to bioactive metabolites. Alcohol medium improves absorption of cuminaldehyde and other terpenoids. Classically used as post-partum restorative — good absorption during lactation.

Optimal Timing: After meals, twice daily, especially post-partum (Sutika kala)

Shelf Life: 10 years from date of manufacture as per ASU guidelines for Arishta

Storage: Store in well-closed amber glass or HDPE containers in a cool, dry place. Temperature not exceeding 30°C. Protect from sunlight.

Marker Compounds: Cuminaldehyde, Cymene, Gamma-terpinene, Beta-pinene, Cuminol

Quality Parameters: pH (3.0-4.5), specific gravity, self-generated alcohol (5-12%), total solids, total sugar, total acidity, cuminaldehyde content by GC/HPLC, total volatile oils, microbial limits, heavy metals, absence of methanol

Vehicle (Anupana): Equal quantity of warm water

Synergistic Combinations

Composition

As given in the Ayurvedic Formulary of India, Part I, entry 1:16 (JIRAKADYARISTA (the entry's own body heading, line 4211: "1 : 16 JIRAKADYARISTA". The book's contents list, line 2923, and its alphabetical index, line 47244, print "Jirakarista" for the same entry 1:16; both spellings are the book's own and both should be carried as page aliases.)), which cites Bhaisajyaratnavali, Strirogadhikara; 492-494. 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
1Jiraka (Sveta jiraka) (sveta jiraka)fruit9.60 kg.
2Water for decoction *49.152 l. reduced to 12.288 l.
3Guda14.400 kg.
4Dhatakiflower768 g.
5Sunthirhizome96 g.
6Jatiphala *seed48 g.
7Mustaka (musta) (musta)rhizome48 g.
8Tvak *48 g.
9Ela (suksmaila) (suksmaila) *seed48 g.
10Patra (tejapatra) (tejapatra) *leaf48 g.
11Nagakesara *stamens48 g.
12Yamanika (yavani) (yavani) *fruit48 g.
13Kakkola (kankola) (kankola) *fruit48 g.
14Devapuspa (lavanga) (lavanga) *flower bud48 g.

* The scanned text was damaged at this row and the name was read from the entry's own Sanskrit verse.

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.

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