Mustakarishta
Mustakarishta is a classical Ayurvedic fermented arishta or asava. Listed in the Ayurvedic Formulary of India (AFI). Sharangdhara Samhita and Bhavaprakasha. Referenced in Bhaishajya Ratnavali under Agnimandya Rogadhikara (digestive weakness chapter). The Ayurvedic Formulary of India (Part I, entry 1:26) lists 11 ingredients, beginning with Mustaka (musta), Guda, Dhataki and Yamani (yavani).
| Pharmacopoeia status | Listed in the Ayurvedic Formulary of India (AFI). Referenced in Sharangdhara Samhita, Bhavaprakasha, and Bhaishajya Ratnavali. Musta monograph in Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. |
|---|
Composition
As given in the Ayurvedic Formulary of India, Part I, entry 1:26 (MUSTAKARISTA), which cites Bhaisajyaratnavali, Agnimadyadirogadhikara; 108-110.. 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 | Mustaka (musta) (musta) * | rhizome | 9.600 kg. |
| 2 | Water for decoction * | 49.152 l. reduced to 12.288 l. | |
| 3 | Guda | 14.400 kg. | |
| 4 | Dhataki | ग. (OCR-garbled; Fl. expected but not determinable from this entry) | 768 g. |
| 5 | Yamani (yavani) (yavani) | fruit | 96 g. |
| 6 | Visvabhesaja (sunthi) (sunthi) | rhizome | 96 g. |
| 7 | Marica | fruit | 96 g. |
| 8 | Devapuspa (lavanga) (lavanga) | flower bud | 96 g. |
| 9 | Methi | seed | 96 g. |
| 10 | Vahni (citraka) (citraka) | root | 96 g. |
| 11 | Jiraka (sveta jiraka) (sveta jiraka) | fruit | 96 g. |
* The scanned text was damaged at this row and the name was read from the entry's own Sanskrit verse.
The Formulary gives the dose as 12 to 24 ml. This is what the Formulary records for the classical preparation. It is not a dose for any product, and not advice to take anything.
The evidence at a glance
1paper on this site for this drug, every one with a DOI.
- 1Laboratory and animal studies
A count is not a conclusion and a tier is a study design, not a verdict. Everything listed here is laboratory or animal work, which does not show an effect in people.true See the research index for how papers are tiered.
Names and identification
| Language | Name |
|---|---|
| English | Mustakarishta |
Where is it described in the classical texts?
Sharangdhara Samhita and Bhavaprakasha. Referenced in Bhaishajya Ratnavali under Agnimandya Rogadhikara (digestive weakness chapter).
How does it work?
- Anti-diarrheal and astringent action of Nagarmotha (Cyperus rotundus) reduces intestinal hypermotility and enhances water absorption
- Antimicrobial activity has been reported for Thymol, Eugenol, and Piperine
- Digestive stimulation through Agni-enhancing herbs (Chitraka, Ajwain, Shunthi) are classically described for Agnimandya
- Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds (alpha-Terpineol, 4H-Pyran-4-one) have been reported
Which traditional uses are supported by research?
These summaries come from the source notes, which do not name the studies behind them.
- Diarrhea (Atisara): traditionally used for diarrhea. Studies on Cyperus rotundus extracts have reported anti-diarrheal activity.
- Indigestion (Agnimandya): traditionally used for indigestion.
- Dysentery: traditionally used for dysentery. Thymol, eugenol and piperine were identified by GC-MS, and antimicrobial activity has been reported for these compounds.
- Abdominal pain and colic: traditionally used for abdominal pain and colic. Antispasmodic properties have been reported for Musta and Ajwain.
What do recent studies show?
No study for this section could be traced to a published paper. 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 5-10% self-generated alcohol. Generally safe at recommended dosage. May cause mild warming sensation in Pitta-predominant individuals.
- Not recommended during pregnancy. Prolonged high-dose use may cause gastric irritation. Use cautiously in patients with gastric ulcers due to pungent ingredients.
What is it made of?
The Ayurvedic Formulary of India recipe, every ingredient with its part and quantity, is in the composition table near the top of this page.
Dosage forms and preparation
Dosage Forms: Arishta/Asava (fermented liquid), Syrup (modern adaptation)
Standard Dosage: 12 to 24 ml with equal water, as given in the Ayurvedic Formulary of India, Part I, entry 1:26. The formulary attributes this formula to Bhaisajyaratnavali, Agnimandyadirogadhikara; 108-110.
Optimal Timing: After meals, twice daily
Storage: Room temperature, tightly sealed, away from direct sunlight. Do not refrigerate.
Marker Compounds: Cyperene, Rotundone
Vehicle (Anupana): Equal quantity of water after meals
Synergistic Combinations
Published research
Literature indexed in PubMed that concerns this subject, grouped by study type. A paper appearing here is a record of what has been published, not evidence that the subject works, and laboratory or animal results do not transfer to people. Study titles link to PubMed so you can read the source rather than take our word.
Laboratory and animal studies1
- 2015. Determination of ethanol content in ayurvedic formulations kumaryasava and mustakarista by gas chromatographyIndian journal of pharmaceutical sciences. PMID 25767329 · doi:10.4103/0250-474x.151600
Reviewed by Dr. Awadesh Pratap Singh, BAMS, on 11 October 2026. What that review covered.
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.