Rohitakarishta

Rohitakarishta is a classical Ayurvedic fermented arishta or asava. Listed in the Ayurvedic Formulary of India (AFI). Bhaishajya Ratnavali and Charaka Samhita. Rohitaka herb is classically prescribed for liver (Yakrit), blood (Rakta), and spleen (Pleeha) disorders.

Key facts
Pharmacopoeia status	Listed in the Ayurvedic Formulary of India (AFI). Referenced in Bhaishajya Ratnavali and Charaka Samhita. Tecomella undulata is listed in IUCN conservation lists in some regions.

Names and identification

Language	Name
English	Rohitakarishta

Where is it described in the classical texts?

Bhaishajya Ratnavali and Charaka Samhita. Rohitaka herb is classically prescribed for liver (Yakrit), blood (Rakta), and spleen (Pleeha) disorders. Also referenced in Sushruta Samhita.

How does it work?

Hepatoprotective action through betulinic acid reduces liver enzyme elevation and promotes hepatocyte regeneration
Cholagogue action increases bile flow, protecting liver and gallbladder function
Spleno-protective action reduces inflammation and blockage in the enlarged spleen, restoring normal function
Synergistic action of Trikatu (pungent trio) with Rohitaka enhances bioavailability and deepens tissue penetration

Which traditional uses are supported by research?

Liver disorders (hepatomegaly, jaundice) - validated by hepatoprotective studies showing enzyme normalization comparable to silymarin
Splenomegaly (enlarged spleen) - supported by clinical management studies showing spleen size reduction
Ascites and edema - traditional use corroborated by cholagogue and hepatoprotective mechanisms
Anemia - supported by iron metabolism-enhancing properties of the formulation

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. Generally safe under physician supervision. Tecomella undulata is an endangered species in some regions, raising sustainability concerns.
Not recommended during pregnancy. May interact with hepatically metabolized drugs. Patients with severe liver disease should use only under strict medical monitoring.

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 for hepatic conditions

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: Rohitukine, Lapachol

Quality Parameters: Alcohol content 5-12% v/v, pH 3.0-4.5, specific gravity 1.01-1.08, total solids 15-25%, marker: Rohitukine, Lapachol

Vehicle (Anupana): Equal quantity of water after meals

Synergistic Combinations

Key herbs: Rohitaka (Tecomella undulata), Dhataki; fermentation creates unique metabolite profile with enhanced therapeutic activity

#	Ingredient	Part	Quantity
1	Rohitaka	stem bark	4.800 kg.
2	Water for decoction *		49.152 l. reduced to 12.288 l.
3	Guda *		9.600 kg.
4	Dhataki *		768 g.
5	Pippali	fruit	48 g.
6	Pippali mula *	root	48 g.
7	Cavya	stem	48 g.
8	Citraka	root	48 g.
9	Sunthi	rhizome	48 g.
10	Tvak	stem bark	48 g.
11	Ela (suksmaila) *	seed	48 g.
12	Patra (tejapatra)	leaf	48 g.
13	Haritaki	pericarp	48 g.
14	Bibhitaka	pericarp	48 g.
15	Amalaki *		48 g.

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.