Sarivadyasava
Sarivadyasava is a classical Ayurvedic fermented arishta or asava. Listed in the Ayurvedic Formulary of India (AFI). Bhaishajya Ratnavali, Prameha Pidika Adhyaya (chapter on diabetic complications). Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita extol Sariva as a premier herb for pacifying Pitta dosha. The Ayurvedic Formulary of India (Part I, entry 1:37) lists 27 ingredients, beginning with Sariva, Mustaka, Lodhra and Nyagrodha.
| Pharmacopoeia status | Listed in the Ayurvedic Formulary of India (AFI). Referenced in Bhaishajya Ratnavali. Sariva (Hemidesmus indicus) monograph included in Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. PCIM&H recognized. |
|---|
Composition
As given in the Ayurvedic Formulary of India, Part I, entry 1:37 (SARIVADYASAVA), which cites Bhaisajyaratnavali, Pramehapidakadhikara; 22-25.. 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 | Sariva * | root | 192 g. |
| 2 | Mustaka (musta) | rhizome | 192 g. |
| 3 | Lodhra | stem bark | 192 g. |
| 4 | Nyagrodha | stem bark | 192 |
| 5 | Pippala (asvattha) | fruit | 192 g. |
| 6 | Sati | rhizome | 192 g. |
| 7 | Ananta (Sveta sariva) | root | 192 g. |
| 8 | Padmaka | stem | 192g. |
| 9 | Bala (hrivera) | root | 192 g. |
| 10 | Patha * | root | 192 g. |
| 11 | Dhatri (amalaki) | pericarp | 192 g. |
| 12 | Guducika (guduci) * | stem | 192 g. |
| 13 | Usira * | root | 192 g. |
| 14 | Sveta candana * | Hr.WD. | 192 g. |
| 15 | Rakta candana * | heart wood | 192 g. |
| 16 | Yamani (yayani) * | fruit | 192 g. |
| 17 | Katurohini (katuka) | Rz./Rt. | 192 g. |
| 18 | Patra (tejapatra) * | leaf | 192 g. |
| 19 | Sthulaila * | seed | 192 g. |
| 20 | Suksmaila * | seed | 192 g. |
| 21 | Kustha | root | 192 g. |
| 22 | Svarna Patri | leaf | 192 g. |
| 23 | Haritaki * | pericarp | 192 g. |
| 24 | Water * | 24.576 l. | |
| 25 | Guda | 14.400 kg. | |
| 26 | Dhataki * | flower | 480 g. |
| 27 | Draksa * | dry fruit | 2.880 kg. |
* 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.
Names and identification
| Language | Name |
|---|---|
| English | Sarivadyasava |
Where is it described in the classical texts?
Bhaishajya Ratnavali, Prameha Pidika Adhyaya (chapter on diabetic complications). Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita extol Sariva as a premier herb for pacifying Pitta dosha.
How does it work?
- Blood purification (Raktashodhana) through elimination of toxins via hepatic and renal pathways
- Anti-inflammatory and cooling (Sheeta Virya) action of Sariva pacifies Pitta dosha and reduces skin inflammation
- Guduchi, Tulsi, and Amalaki are traditionally regarded as immunomodulatory
- Detoxification through enhanced liver and kidney function promotes elimination of metabolic waste products
Which traditional uses are supported by research?
These summaries come from the source notes, which do not name the studies behind them.
- Blood purification and detoxification: traditionally used for blood purification and detoxification. Mechanism studies have reported hepatic and renal detoxification activity.
- Skin disorders (eczema, psoriasis, acne): traditionally used for skin disorders such as eczema, psoriasis and acne. An open-label trial reported improvement in PASI scores.
- Fever (adjunct): traditionally used as an adjunct in fever. A pilot study in dengue reported faster temperature reduction.
- Urinary disorders and diabetes complications (Prameha Pidika): traditionally used for urinary disorders and diabetes complications (Prameha Pidika).
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.
- Not recommended during pregnancy. May interact with immunosuppressive medications. Patients with diabetes should monitor blood sugar as some ingredients may have hypoglycemic effects.
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 1:37. The formulary attributes this formula to Bhaisajyaratnavali, Pramehapidakadhikara; 22-25.
Optimal Timing: After meals, twice daily
Storage: Room temperature, tightly sealed, away from direct sunlight. Do not refrigerate.
Marker Compounds: Hemidesmine, 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzaldehyde
Vehicle (Anupana): Equal quantity of water after meals
Synergistic Combinations
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.