Sudarshan Churna
Sudarshan Churna is a classical Ayurvedic churna, a fine herbal powder. Listed in Ayurvedic Formulary of India (AFI) Part I. The Ayurvedic Formulary of India (Part I, entry 7:35) lists 44 ingredients, beginning with Kaliyaka, Rajani, Devadaru and Vaca.
| Also known as | Sudarshan Churna, SudarshanChurna |
|---|---|
| Pharmacopoeia status | Listed in Ayurvedic Formulary of India (AFI) Part I; Swertia chirata monographed in Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (API) Part I and Indian Pharmacopoeia; HPTLC-validated biomarker methods developed (mangiferin, swertiamarin, oleanolic acid) |
Composition
As given in the Ayurvedic Formulary of India, Part I, entry 7:35 (SUDARSANA CURNA), which cites Bhaisajyaratnavali, Jvaradhikara; 308-312.. 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 | Kaliyaka (pitacandana) | 1 part | |
| 2 | Rajani (haridra) | rhizome | 1 part |
| 3 | Devadaru | heart wood | 1 part |
| 4 | Vaca | rhizome | 1 part |
| 5 | Ghana (musta) | rhizome | 1 part |
| 6 | Abhaya (haritaki) | pericarp | 1 part |
| 7 | Dhanvayasa * | whole plant | 1 part |
| 8 | Srngi (karkatasrgi) * | 1 part | |
| 9 | Ksudra (kantakari) | 1 part | |
| 10 | Mahausadha (sunthi) | rhizome | 1 part |
| 11 | Trayanti (trayamana) | 1 part | |
| 12 | Parpata | 1 part | |
| 13 | Nimba | stem bark | 1 part |
| 14 | Granthika (pippalimula) | root | 1 part |
| 15 | Balaka (hrivera) | root | 1 part |
| 16 | Sati | rhizome | 1 part |
| 17 | Pauskara (puskara) | root | 1 part |
| 18 | Magadhi * | fruit | 1 part |
| 19 | Murva | root | 1 part |
| 20 | Kutaja | stem bark | 1 part |
| 21 | Madhuyasti (yasti) | root | 1 part |
| 22 | Sigrudbhava (sigru) | seed | 1 part |
| 23 | Indrayava (kutaja) | seed | 1 part |
| 24 | Vari (satavari) | root tuber | 1 part |
| 25 | Darvi (daru haridra) | stem | 1 part |
| 26 | Kucandana (rakta candana) | heart wood | 1 part |
| 27 | Padmaka | heart wood | 1 part |
| 28 | Sarala | heart wood | 1 part |
| 29 | Usira | root | 1 part |
| 30 | Tvak | stem bark | 1 part |
| 31 | Saurastri * | 1 part | |
| 32 | Sthira (salaparni) * | whole plant | 1 part |
| 33 | Yamani (yavant) | fruit | 1 part |
| 34 | Ativisa | root tuber | 1 part |
| 35 | Bilva | root or stem bark | 1 part |
| 36 | Marica | fruit | 1 part |
| 37 | Gandhapatra (prasarani) | leaf | 1 part |
| 38 | Dhatri (amalaki) | 1 part | |
| 39 | Guduci | stem | 1 part |
| 40 | Katuka | Rz./Rt. | 1 part |
| 41 | Citraka | root | 1 part |
| 42 | Patola | 1 part | |
| 43 | Kalasi (prsniparni) | 1 part | |
| 44 | Kairata (kiratatikta) | 1 part |
* 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 2 to 4 g, with anupana, the vehicle it is taken with, of warm water. 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 | Sudarshan Churna |
Where is it described in the classical texts?
Bhavaprakasha Nighantu (16th century); composed of 42 medicinal plants in the standard version; Maha (expanded) version contains approximately 50 ingredients; also referenced in Sharangdhara Samhita
How does it work?
- Antipyretic pathway: Swertiamarin (terpenoid) in Swertia chirayita is proposed to act on hypothalamic thermoregulatory centers and to inhibit prostaglandin synthesis via COX-2 suppression
- Antimalarial action: Chirayita and Neem contain bitter compounds (swertiamarin, nimbin) with documented antiplasmodial activity against Plasmodium species
- Diaphoretic and diuretic: The combination is traditionally described as inducing perspiration and promoting urination
- Agni-Ama axis regulation: Bitter-cool herbs clear Pitta and neutralize toxins while warming pungents (Shunthi, Pippali) kindle Agni to metabolize Ama, restoring digestive equilibrium
Which traditional uses are supported by research?
These summaries come from the source notes, which do not name the studies behind them.
- Jwara Chikitsa (fever care): traditionally used for fever. A pilot study reported faster fever resolution compared to placebo.
- Antiplasmodial properties have been reported for Swertia chirata and Neem.
- Antimicrobial activity against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria has been reported in in vitro disc diffusion assays.
- Traditionally used to restore appetite and improve digestion. In classical practice this is attributed to the Agni-enhancing action of Trikatu components.
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
- Extremely bitter taste may cause nausea; avoid in patients with chronic diarrhea, peptic ulcer, or gastric hyperacidity due to predominance of bitter herbs
- Not recommended during pregnancy and lactation; caution in diabetic patients as several ingredients possess hypoglycemic activity; monitor blood sugar if used alongside antidiabetic medications
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: Churna (fine powder), Capsule, Tablet
Standard Dosage: 2 to 4 g with warm water for fever, as given in the Ayurvedic Formulary of India, Part I, entry 7:35. The formulary’s anupana: warm water. The formulary attributes this formula to Bhaisajyaratnavali, Jvaradhikara; 308-312.
Optimal Timing: Before meals
Storage: Airtight container, cool dry place, protected from moisture
Vehicle (Anupana): Warm water
Synergistic Combinations
- With Warm water as vehicle for enhanced absorption
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.