Chyawanprash : Health Benefits, Uses, Dosage and Side Effects

Comprising almost 50 ingredients, chyawanprash is a remarkable herbal concoction consuming, which bestows a host of health benefits upon its user. Some of its main ingredients are Bael, Grapes, Gokhsura, Pipalli, Munakka, Giloy, Harad, Amla, Adoosa, Bhumi, Nagarmotha. It is thus made entirely from plant-based products and has extraordinary rejuvenating qualities. Chyawanprash is unique to India and has been used as a medicinal dietary supplement for centuries. It has a plethora of uses and fights against a host of diseases. It improves our immunity and delays aging.

One of the most common uses of Chyawanprash is to remedy cough caused by the common cold. People usually consume chyawanprash with honey to gain relief from cough and strengthens one's lungs. It has also been observed that consuming Chyawanprash on a daily basis is also helpful for people who have asthma, as it helps reduce the symptoms of the same. When it comes to improving one's immunity, chyawanprash is a one-stop solution. It also prevents coughs, common cold, and other infections caused by a change in the weather and has been regarded as a remedy for these ailments for centuries. The rejuvenation properties of chyawanprash are so amazing that it also provides the body with necessary nutrients and prevents malnutrition. It provides us with the energy we need and works as an exemplary dietary supplement. Chyawanprash is also known for having memory revitalizing properties and is known to strengthen our brain’s workings.

How did the word ‘Chyawanprash’ originate?

References to Chyawanprash can be found in several ancient texts like Mahabharata, Puranas, etc. These semi-historical texts record that the Devas' royal physicians, known as the Ashwini Kumar brothers, first prepared it for Chyavana Rishi at his Ashram somewhere near Haryana in the early first millennium BCE. Hence, it derived its name 'Chyawanprash.' The recipe for Chyawanprash was first found in the Charaka Samhita, an ancient Ayurvedic text.

Historical uses of Chyawanprash

Due to its antioxidant properties, Chyawanprash has been used to fight against skin infection and improves skin complexion.The same antioxidants in Chyawanprash also prevent aging. It is such a comprehensive tonic that it also reduces cholesterol levels and improves our heart health. The benefits of consuming Chyawanprash also includes the improvement of memory and brain functions. It is also rich in vitamin C and can thus prevent cold. Children have been thus advised to take it with warm milk to strengthen their immunity. Chyawanprash, thus, basically revitalizes your lifestyle by making you a healthier individual both in body and mind. 

Benefits of Chyawanprash in Ayurvedic Treatment

There are innumerable and extensive Ayurvedic studies to show how Chyawanprash boosts our immunity and helps us become healthier individuals. In fact, even modern scientific research has also gotten on the bandwagon to support the Ayurvedic views and further increase this centuries-old Indian tonic's credibility. Let us look at some of the advantages and benefits of consuming Chyawanprash.

Benefits of Chyawanprash for Immunity

Ayurvedic View: According to Ayurveda, Chyawanprash strengthens the immune system by fulfilling our calorie requirements and providing us with instant energy. It eliminates the negative impacts of a meal insufficient in necessary nutrients and thus prevents the Karshya disease caused by malnutrition. Hence, the Balya property or the quality of Chyawanprash to provide us with strength increases our immunity and strengthens our immune system.

Modern Scientific Research: Scientific research shows that Chyawanprash is rich in Vitamin C and revitalizes our immune system. Vitamin C is also proven to prevent cold and cough and thus strengthen our resistance power. Chyawanprash also promotes the building of immune cells by stimulating our immune system and hence acts as an exceptional immune system booster.

Benefits of Chyawanprash for Kids

Ayurvedic View: The Ayurvedic view holds that the Rasayana properties, that is, the rejuvenating properties of Chyawanprash that fight against the degeneration and aging caused by the progress of time, and the Balya property of Chyawanprash helps improve the immunity of kids and helps them grow up into healthy individuals.

Modern Scientific Research: Although Chyawanprash can be consumed by people of all ages throughout the year to fight against diseases caused by the changing seasons, it is especially good for kids as it helps them grow by facilitating the rapid growth of body tissue.

Benefits of Chyawanprash for the Brain

Ayurvedic View: Ayurveda, taking a different route, also proves that Chyawanprash has far-reaching consequences for the brain. Ayurveda opines that poor memory is correlated with Kapha's inactivity, or it may also occur if the Vatadosha is aggravated in individuals. Consuming Chyawanprash daily can undo the aggravation of the VataDosha and improve brain functioning. Ultimately, the Medhya properties of Chyawanprash also helps in improving our intelligence.

Modern Scientific Research: Scientific research shows that Chyawanprash has numerous benefits in store for the healthy functioning of the brain. The antioxidant properties of Chyawanprash revitalize brain cells and strengthen our memory power. Along with that, the benefits of consuming Chyawanprash also include improved coordination among various body parts. Further, the central nervous system also greatly benefits from the consumption of Chyawanprash as it reduces stress and anxiety and calms us. It thus also helps in improving our sleep patterns.

Benefits of Chyawanprash for Acidity

Ayurvedic View: According to the Ayurvedic view, Chyawanprash relieves us of acidity because it possesses Deepan and Pachan properties, which respectively refer to the appetizer and digestive properties of Chyawanprash.

Modern Scientific Research: Chyawanprash has been seen to protect against a variety of acidity-related and digestive problems. It facilitates digestion and improves our excretory system, thus relieving us of acidity, dyspepsia, and flatulence.

Benefits of Chyawanprash for Asthma

Ayurvedic View: Ayurvedists also claim that Chyawanprash can bestow relied on from asthma by reducing its symptoms like cough and breathlessness. Asthma, which is known as Swas Rog in the Ayurvedic language, is caused by an obstruction in the respiratory tract, which in turn results from the doshas of Kapha and Vata, which are the two doshas connected with asthma in the world of Ayurveda. Chyawanprash helps balance Kapha and remove excess mucous from our lungs, thus providing a remedy to asthma.

Taking two to three tablespoons of chyawanprash daily for two to three months can help a lot in controlling asthma.

Modern Scientific Research: It has been proven through scientific research that Chyawanprash fights the symptoms of asthma, such as cough, by helping to retain the hydration of the respiratory tract.

Benefits of Chyawanprash for Cold

Ayurvedic View: Chyawanprash is considered to be one of the most well-known remedies for cough and the common cold. In the Ayurvedic dictionary, a cough is referred to as Kapha disorder. The rejuvenating properties of Chyawanprash or itsRasayana properties allow for the elimination of the accumulation of mucous in the respiratory tract, which is the main reason for a cough. It thus helps to bring the kapha disorder under control and strengthens our lungs. Mixing chyawanprash with honey and taking daily before meals in winter can help prevent cough.

Modern Scientific Research: Scientific research claims that Chyawanprash can help prevent the occurrence of the common cold as it is abundant in vitamin C, which is an antioxidant. Moreover, it also helps retain the correct moisture level in the respiratory tract and strengthens our immunity, which in turn enables us to fight against infections better.

Dosage of Chyawanprash

It is advised to take 2-4 teaspoons of chyawanprash paste twice a day.

How to consume Chyawanprash:

1. Take 2-4 teaspoons chyawanprash paste.
2. Mix the same with milk or honey.
3. Take it once or twice a day on an empty stomach.

Precautionary guide while consuming Chyawanprash

In the case of breastfeeding:

• View of Ayurvedic Experts: Ayurvedic Experts claim that it is better to avoid consumption of chyawanprash during breastfeeding or to consume it after consultation with the doctor.

In the case of pregnancy:

• View of Ayurvedic Experts: Ayurvedic Experts claim that it is better to avoid consumption of chyawanprash during pregnancy or to consume it after consultation with the doctor.

FAQs about Chyawanprash

When to take chyawanprash?

Ayurvedic research claims that it is better to take chyawanprash before breakfast or a couple of hours before breakfast.

Can chyawanprash be taken during summer?

     -Modern Science experts:

Evidence is absent in this regard.

    -Ayurvedic experts:

Chyawanprash contains amla, which can cool down the body and can thus be beneficial in summer times. It also helps improve immunity due to its rasayana properties.

Do we have to drink hot milk after eating chyawanprash?

Hot milk is helpful in preventing the burning sensation that can happen in the stomach after the consumption of chyawanprash.

Can chyawanprash help with constipation?

• Modern Science experts:

Chyawanprash has been proven to improve our excretory system, which facilitates the removal of waste from our bodies. Moreover, it has also been seen that Chyawanprash helps in reducing the inflammation of the intestines. This, combined with its laxative properties, is what makes it effective in case of constipation.

      -Ayurvedic experts:

Ayurveda, akin to scientific research, claims that the Rechana properties of Chywanprash, which refer to its laxative properties, helps to eliminate toxins from the body. It thus promotes better digestion, which in turn vastly reduces the chances of constipation.

Can chyawanprash help with cholesterol?

• Modern Science experts:

Not much scientific data is available to support the claim that Chyawanprash helps in bringing down the levels of Cholesterol. Still, Chyawanprash does contain certain ingredients that have been proven to lower cholesterol levels in the blood.

Can chyawanprash help with diabetics?

• Modern Science experts:

There's not enough scientific evidence to prove that Chyawanprash helps in preventing and curing diabetes. But the scientific community opine that Chyawanprash may help cure type II diabetes. On top of that, Chyawanprash contains honey, a natural sweetener that does not affect blood sugar, unlike white sugar.

Can Chyawanprash help with digestion?

• Modern Science experts:

Chyawanprash helps in preventing indigestion and also facilitates the removal of waste from the body. The laxative properties of Chyawanprash also promotes better assimilation, absorption, and digestion and strengthens the entire digestive system.

          -Ayurvedic Experts:

The rasayana properties of Chyawanprash promote the removal of waste from the body, which in turn reduces the chances of indigestion and increases the body's digestive abilities.

Can chyawanprash help with eyes?

• Modern Science experts:

Despite the lack of scientific evidence, it can be conjectured that Chyawanprash prevents a host of eye diseases and soreness and acts as a tonic for the eye.

          -Ayurvedic experts:

Ayurveda, too claims that Chyawanprash is highly beneficial for the eyes, although not much research has been done on the subject.

Can chyawanprash help with fever?

• Modern Science experts:

Chyawanprash, being rich in vitamin C and having anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial qualities, may help in bringing down fever and improve one’s immunity.

          -Ayurvedic Experts:

Chyawanprash has extraordinary rejuvenating properties, strengthening the immune system, rich in vitamin C and other antioxidants that let the body fight against ailments like fever.

Can chyawanprash help with heart patients?

        -Science experts:

Chyawanprash is known to facilitate a better supply of blood to the heart muscles. This strengthens the heart and eliminates toxins from the body. It also reduces cholesterol levels. Chyawanprash thus helps in the strengthening of the heart.

          -Ayurvedic Experts:

The Balya (strength provider) and Rasayana properties of Chyawanprash help improve the functioning of the heart muscles and eliminate weakness.

Can chyawanprash help with jaundice?

        -Modern Science experts:

There is a dearth of scientific research on this subject, but Chyawanprash may help manage and cure jaundice.

          -Ayurvedic experts:

Similarly, there is not enough Ayurvedic study to claim that Chyawanprash helps in the case of jaundice, but its rejuvenation properties may be effective in this regard.

Can chyawanprash help with piles?

        -Modern Science experts:

The laxative properties of Chyawanprash may help in preventing hemorrhoids or piles.

          -Ayurvedic experts:

Ayurveda, too, claims that Chyawanprash may help in preventing piles by dint of its laxative properties.

Can chyawanprash help with fertility?

        -Modern Science experts:

Regular intake of chyawanprash enhances sex drive in individuals and improves menstruation in females and semen in men.

          -Ayurvedic Experts:

The aphrodisiac nature of chyawanprash or its vajikrana properties helps in improving the sex drive in males. Moreover, its Balya properties (Strength provider) may also promote fertility in individuals.

Can chyawanprash help with sleep?

        -Modern Science experts:

Chyawanprash induces a calming effect on individuals, which helps in preventing stress and anxiety. It thus also helps in facilitating sound sleep.

          -Ayurvedic experts:

An aggravated VataDosha causes insomnia or Anidra. Chyawanprash helps in managing the Vata and promoting sound sleep.

Can chyawanprash help with an ulcer?

        -Modern Science experts:

Chyawanprash may be helpful against ulcers. The fact that it prevents acidity may also point to the fact that it is helpful against peptic ulcers.

          -Ayurvedic experts:

The Deepan (appetizer) and Pachan (digester) properties of Chyawanprash, which prevents acidity and enhances digestion, might also mean that it also cures ulcers.

Can chyawanprash help in bodybuilding?

        -Modern Science experts:

Chyawanprash induces protein synthesis. It thus revitalizes our muscles and tones them down. It also enhances tissue rejuvenation and increases our strength and vigor.

          -Ayurvedic Experts:

The Rasayana properties of Chyawanprash helps in the strengthening of muscles and greatly helps in this regard.

Can chyawanprash help with allergies?

        -Modern Science experts:

The anti-allergic properties of chyawanprash may help prevent allergies.

          -Ayurvedic experts:

The presence of antioxidants in Chyawanprash helps in fighting against allergies.

Can chyawanprash help with weight loss?

        -Modern Science experts:

Despite the dearth of scientific research, facts point towards the benefits of chyawanprash when it comes to weight gain rather than weight loss.

          -Ayurvedic experts:

The Balya provider properties of chyawanprash help in promoting weight gain and eliminating overall weakness.

Is it okay to consume chyawanprash on an empty stomach?

        -Ayurvedic experts:

It is advised that chyawanprash, when consumes on an empty stomach, be consumed with milk. This is because of the reason that chyawanprash can warm up the body as it possesses Ushma properties, and milk can help balance it out.

Is it safe to consume chyawanprash during pregnancy?

        -Modern Science experts:

There is an absence of scientific material to prove the role of chyawanprash during pregnancy. Hence, it is advisable to consult one's doctor while consuming it at the time of pregnancy.