Pippalyasava
Pippalyasava is a classical Ayurvedic fermented arishta or asava. Listed in the Ayurvedic Formulary of India (AFI). Classical Ayurvedic texts under Sandhana Kalpana (fermented preparations). Referenced in Sharangadhara Samhita and Bhaishajya Ratnavali for digestive and respiratory disorders.
| Pharmacopoeia status | Listed in the Ayurvedic Formulary of India (AFI). Referenced in Sharangadhara Samhita and Bhaishajya Ratnavali. Pippali monograph included in Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. |
|---|
Names and identification
| Language | Name |
|---|---|
| English | Pippalyasava |
Where is it described in the classical texts?
Classical Ayurvedic texts under Sandhana Kalpana (fermented preparations). Referenced in Sharangadhara Samhita and Bhaishajya Ratnavali for digestive and respiratory disorders.
How does it work?
- Bioavailability enhancement by piperine increases absorption of co-administered therapeutics by 30-200%
- Agni (digestive fire) stimulation through Trikatu and Chitraka improves digestive and absorptive capacity
- Bronchodilatory and expectorant action from Pippali addresses respiratory conditions including cough and asthma
- Tridosha balancing through the multi-herb fermented formulation addresses broad-spectrum digestive and respiratory disorders
Which traditional uses are supported by research?
- Indigestion and poor appetite (Agnimandya) - validated by digestive fire stimulation studies
- Cough and asthma (Kasa, Shwasa) - supported by bronchodilatory and expectorant mechanisms
- Anemia - traditional use corroborated by enhanced nutrient absorption and iron bioavailability
- Gastric disorders and malabsorption - supported by clinical observation of improved Dhatwagni
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 5-10% self-generated alcohol. Pungent herbs may aggravate hyperacidity and peptic ulcer in Pitta-predominant individuals.
- May potentiate effects of co-administered drugs due to piperine’s bioavailability-enhancing properties. Not recommended during pregnancy or in active gastric bleeding.
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: Arishta/Asava (fermented liquid), Syrup (modern adaptation)
Standard Dosage: 15-30ml with equal water
Bioavailability: Self-generated alcohol enhances extraction and absorption of both water-soluble and fat-soluble compounds; fermentation produces bioactive metabolites not present in raw herbs
Optimal Timing: After meals, twice daily
Shelf Life: Indefinite per classical texts; commercially labeled 5-10 years. Improves with age.
Storage: Room temperature, tightly sealed, away from direct sunlight. Do not refrigerate.
Marker Compounds: Piperine, Piperlongumine
Quality Parameters: Alcohol content 5-12% v/v, pH 3.0-4.5, specific gravity 1.01-1.08, total solids 15-25%, marker: Piperine, Piperlongumine
Vehicle (Anupana): Equal quantity of water after meals
Synergistic Combinations
Composition
As given in the Ayurvedic Formulary of India, Part I, entry 1:22 (PIPPALYADYASAVA), which cites Sarngadharasamhita, Madhyamakhanda, Adhyaya 10 ; 28-32. 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 | Pippali | fruit | 24 g. |
| 2 | Marica | fruit | 24 g. |
| 3 | Cavya | stem | 24 g. |
| 4 | Haridra | rhizome | 24 g. |
| 5 | Citraka | root | 24 g. |
| 6 | Ghana (musta) | rhizome | 24 g. |
| 7 | Vidanga | fruit | 24 g. |
| 8 | Kramuka (piiga) * | seed | 24 g. |
| 9 | Lodhra | stem bark | 24 g. |
| 10 | Patha * | Rt./Pl. | 24 g. |
| 11 | Dhatri (amalaki) | pericarp | 24 g. |
| 12 | Elavaluka | stem bark | 24 g. |
| 13 | Usira | root | 24 g. |
| 14 | Candana (Sveta candana) | stem bark | 24 g. |
| 15 | Kustha | root | 24 g. |
| 16 | Lavanga | flower bud | 24 g. |
| 17 | Tagara | rhizome | 24 g. |
| 18 | Mamsi (jatamamsi) | rhizome | 24 g. |
| 19 | Tvak | stem bark | 24 g. |
| 20 | Ela (stksmaila) * | seed | 24 g. |
| 21 | Patra (tejapatra) | leaf | 24 g. |
| 22 | Priyangu * | illegible | 24 g. |
| 23 | Nagakesara | stamens | 24 g. |
| 24 | Water * | 24.576 l. | |
| 25 | Guda | 14.400 kg. | |
| 26 | Dhataki | flower | 480 g. |
| 27 | Draksa * | dry fruit | 2.880 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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