Panchatikta Ghrita
Panchatikta Ghrita is a classical Ayurvedic ghrita, a medicated ghee. Listed in Ayurvedic Formulary of India (AFI); Panchatikta Guggulu Ghrita in Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (API); standard quality parameters established for manufacturing.
| Also known as | Panchatikta Ghrita, PanchatiktaGhrita |
|---|---|
| Pharmacopoeia status | Listed in Ayurvedic Formulary of India (AFI); Panchatikta Guggulu Ghrita in Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (API); standard quality parameters established for manufacturing |
Names and identification
| Language | Name |
|---|---|
| English | Panchatikta Ghrita |
Where is it described in the classical texts?
Bhaishajya Ratnavali Kushta Adhikara (Panchatikta Ghrita|Panchatikta Ghrita); Ashtanga Hridayam (Mahatiktaka Ghrita|Mahatiktaka Ghrita); Charaka Samhita Chikitsa Sthana; Sushruta Samhita
How does it work?
- Five bitter herbs (Panchatikta) provide potent Pitta-Rakta pacification, reducing inflammatory cascades in blood and skin
- Neem (nimbidin, azadirachtin) delivers antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory action targeting dermatological pathogens
- Guduchi acts as an immunomodulator, restoring balanced immune response in autoimmune skin conditions
- Turmeric (curcumin) inhibits NF-kB pathway, reducing chronic inflammation in psoriasis and eczema
- Ghee base serves as Snehana (oleation) medium for Panchakarma preparatory procedures enhancing detoxification
Which traditional uses are supported by research?
- Kushta (skin diseases including psoriasis, eczema): multicenter clinical trials validate 65% improvement when combined with supportive therapies
- Raktapitta (bleeding disorders): traditional blood-purifying use supported by anti-inflammatory and pitta-pacifying pharmacological profiles
- Vrana (non-healing ulcers): topical and internal use supported for chronic wound management
- Snehapana (Panchakarma oleation): validated as preparatory procedure medium for Virechana in dermatological conditions
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
- Multicenter clinical trial confirms acceptable safety and tolerability in psoriasis patients over 12-week treatment period
- Mahatiktaka Ghrita demonstrates excellent microbial stability for over 494 days without preservatives - inherent self-preserving quality
- Due to bitter taste, may cause mild nausea in sensitive individuals; ghee content requires caution in hyperlipidemic and diabetic patients
What is it made of?
Key Active Markers
- Derived from constituent herbs (see individual herb profiles)
- Standardized on primary bioactive markers
Analytical Methods: HPLC fingerprinting, TLC (identity), LC-MS/MS (marker quantification)
Dosage forms and preparation
Dosage Forms: Ghrita (medicated ghee), Capsule (for convenience)
Standard Dosage: 12-24ml for skin conditions and detox
Bioavailability: Ghee is an excellent lipid carrier crossing blood-brain barrier; enhances absorption of fat-soluble phytochemicals by 3-5x compared to aqueous preparations
Optimal Timing: Before meals on empty stomach for best absorption
Shelf Life: 2 years (as per ASU guidelines for ghrita preparations); improves with aging (Purana Ghrita concept)
Storage: Airtight glass/stainless steel container, cool dry place, protected from light and moisture
Marker Compounds: Kutkin, Vasicine, Tinosporin
Quality Parameters: Acid value <4, peroxide value <5 meq/kg, moisture <0.5%, rancidity test negative, marker: Kutkin, Vasicine, Tinosporin
Vehicle (Anupana): Warm water or warm milk
Synergistic Combinations
Composition
As given in the Ayurvedic Formulary of India, Part I, entry 6:26 (PANCATIKTA GHRTA), which cites Bhaisajyaratnavali, Kusthadhikara; 114-116.. 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 | Nimba | stem bark | 480 g. |
| 2 | Patola * | 480 g. | |
| 3 | Vyaghri (kantakari) * | whole plant | 480 g. |
| 4 | Guduci * | stem | 480 g. |
| 5 | Vasaka (vasa) | root | 480 g. |
| 6 | Water for decoction * | 12.288 l., reduced to 3.072 l. | |
| 7 | Haritaki | pericarp | 128 g. |
| 8 | Bibhitaka | pericarp | 128 g. |
| 9 | Amalaki | pericarp | 128 g. |
| 10 | Ghrta (go ghrta) | 768 g. |
* 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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