Health benefits of Chyawanprash

Chyawanprash also spelled as chyavanaprasam is an Ayurvedic supplement fortified with various herbs, herbal extracts and minerals. It is very rich in Vitamin C content. It helps in the prevention of a variety of diseases through its immune-modulator effects and rejuvenation properties. Chyawanprash is a mixture of several ingredients combined in measures determined by the traditional methods of Ayurveda. It is one of the oldest combinations whose health benefits have been known to man since the Vedic and the Puranic ages. It is a sticky, jam-like deep brown colored semi-solid substance with a mixture of sweet, sour and spicy tastes.

It is an Ayurvedic medicine and a dietary supplement prepared by ancient methods. It stands at the forefront of Rejuvenation supplements and therapies. Rejuvenation and revitalizing the body has become a very important step toward a healthy life in today’s hectic lifestyle. All people want to increase his capabilities and improve their life by some methods or supplements, which can help them to release out the toxins from the body and stress from the mind. Chyawanprash revitalizes and fulfills the nutritional needs of a person that may become insufficient due to bad eating habits and junk food.

History

Long ago, there was an old and wrinkled sage in a forest. His name was Chyawan. His whole body is covered with moss, twigs, leaves and branches from meditating for so long in the same place.  One day a princess came dancing her way through the forest playing a game in which she was blindfolded.  Accidentally, her subtle hand grazed the head of the sage. Likely much to her father’s disappointment, she was obliged to ask the sage to marry her, as according to the laws of the country she was only to touch one man in her lifetime. Amazingly, Chyawan agreed; but he asked for a couple months to prepare himself. He hunted out a combination of herbs that would restore his youthfulness and vitality so that he might offer his young bride marital bliss and the joy of years together.

As the story goes, he was successful in his attempt, and the recipe for this herbal jelly made it into the famous Charaka Samhita some 2,000 years ago and perhaps into the Vedas prior to that. It became known as Chyawanprash, Chyawan’s jelly.

Nutritional Value

Apart from their wonderful benefits, Chyawanprash is a good source of nutrients, vitamins and minerals. Using 10 gram of Chyawanprash offers 7.5 g of Carbohydrate, 2.1 mg of Vitamin C, 0.75 g of Total Fat, 0.5 g of Total dietary Fiber, 5 mg of Sodium and 0.15 g of Protein.

Major Ingredients Used in Chyawanprash

The major ingredients used in the preparation of Chyawanprash are Indian gooseberry pulp, sugar syrup, honey, clarified butter and sesame oil. Other herbs and ingredients used in the preparation are listed below:

Health benefits of Chyawanprash

Chyawanprash is an Ayurvedic health tonic used to maintain health and improve the immune system of the body. It helps in fighting off the diseases and prevents the illnesses. Chyawanprash is an excellent ergogenic (enhancing physical performance) supplement. Chyawanprash offers strength to stomach, intestines, liver, lungs, brain, heart, blood vessels, nerves, kidneys and reproductive organs. The detailed indications are given to know the health benefits of Chyawanprash

1. Beneficial for brain and heart

Chyawanprash offers strength to the heart muscles and improves the pumping capacity of the heart. It controls the increased heartbeat. Apart from that it improves blood circulation in the body by which brain gets the optimum amount of the oxygen. Thus, the mental capabilities boost up, so it is beneficial in ADHD, insomnia, memory loss, dementia, Alzheimer’s disease and other brain and neurological diseases.

2. Reduces Colon Cancer Risk

As we know that Chyawanprash consists of good amount of Saponins, which help in reducing colon cancer risks.  Saponnins bind the bile salts and may actually lower the risk of colon cancer. Some secondary bile salts increase the colon cancer risk, according to Linus Pauling Institute. The bacteria present in the gut produce these secondary bile acids from the primary bile salts released from the gall bladder and liver. Saponins present in Chyawanprash bind both types of bile acids, and thereby reduce the risk of cancer.

3. Prevents recurrent colds and allergies

As we know that the main ingredient of Chyawanprash is Indian gooseberry, so it offers all the benefits that Indian gooseberry provides in the body. It helps to prevents colds and allergies by strengthening the immune system of the body. Therefore, eating Chyawanprash daily helps to reduce the incidence of recurrent colds and upper respiratory diseases.(1)

4. Cleanse the digestive system

Chyawanprash cleanses the alimentary tract and clears the digestive system. Small particles of waste products continue to deposit on the walls of intestine and colon, which results in toxin formation in the digestive system. Chyawanprash helps to reduce this accumulation of toxins in the intestines and clears the bowel.

It has eccritic action, which means it encourages discharge or ejection of waste products from the body. It acts like as a laxative, which expel the stool from the bowel and promotes bowel movement. Thus, it can also help patients suffering from constipation.(2)

5. Aids Weight Loss

Lot of obese individuals fails to shed excess pounds because their metabolism is not at an optimal level. Eating chyawanprash helps in stimulating the metabolism and thus aids in losing weight.(3)

6. Build the muscle

For some males who want to look hot or sexy, who wants to get more attention from the opposite sex, or to get more confidence when they have muscle then they are going to need this type of herbal in order to help them achieve them. Once again, this is consisted of the very natural ingredient so it must be saved to consume from the older people to the younger people.

7. Aids in Purifying Blood

People, who lead a hectic life, get less sleep or gorge on junk foods frequently get excess toxins in their body. These toxins, when stored in the body, lead to the onset of several complications and ailments. They also hamper with natural blood purification process in your body. Eating chyawanprash helps in purifying the blood and eliminates those excess toxic elements from the body.

8. Sexual Functions

Chyawanprash is quite beneficial for boosting your sexual functions. The sense organs are heightened with the herbs found in this Indian-jam. As a result, these organs tend to perform better. Women around menopause, who suffer from loss of sexual desire, particularly are known to benefit from it.

9. Inflammation control

Flavonoids present in the Chyawanprash prevent the overstimulation of the immune system and thus prevents unwanted immune responses as well. However, it improves the immunity, but also prevents the immune system to activate unnecessarily. In the presence of flavonoids, mast cells, T cells and B cells work better and alter to the natural behavior of them, so it prevents inflammation and prevents allergies. It prevents excessive inflammation and improves the body strength towards external stimuli. Thus Chyawanprash helps to treat allergies, asthma and upper respiratory diseases.

10. Balance body humors

Chyawanprash does not only revitalize the body, but it also balances the three Dosha (Vata Dosha, Pitta Dosha & Kapha Dosha) in the body, according to the ancient Ayurvedic text. Thus, it has been used since time immemorial for this purpose in Indian subcontinent.

11. Chronic Diseases

Nowadays we use Chyawanprash as a health supplement, but it is actually a rejuvenative medicine. It means it repairs, helps regeneration and rejuvenates the cells and tissues. The loss of strength, decrease in restorative power of the body and reduction in immunity occur in chronic diseases. These powers can be achieved again with the regular use of Chyawanprash.

12. Relieves Menstrual Problems

Lot of women tends to suffer from menstrual problems like cramping during their periods. They may also be going through a bad phase of menopause. The herbs found in the chyawanprash along with herbs alleviate these symptoms and provide respite by regulating flow of blood and prevent the uterus from infections.

13. Provides a glowing and clearer skin

Chyawanprash is very rich in phyto nutrients and vitamin C. It improves the complexion of the skin. Daily consumption of Chyawanprash decreases the risk of dry skin and provides a glowing and clearer skin.

14. Lowers Cholesterol & triglycerides

10 grams serving size of Chyawanprash consists of 5.25 grams of Saponins, Phyto nutrients help to lower the cholesterol level. Saponins present in Chyawanprash blocks the absorption of cholesterol in the body. Bile acids play a role in binding the cholesterol in the body that helps in the absorption of cholesterol in the system.

Saponins from Chyawanprash bind with bile salts and result in decreased absorption of the cholesterol. The body ultimately excretes the maximum amount of cholesterol entered in the digestive system.

15. Improves your immunity

The main ingredient used in the preparation of Chyawanprash is Amla, which is an extremely rich source of Vitamin C that helps in boosting immunity, Research showed that chyawanprash reduces activation of complement pathway which gets activated in case of allergic inflammation, damaging the surrounding cells. Another study found that chyawanprash increased the activity of immune cells called macrophages. These cells play a role in triggering non-specific immune responses and further reduce chances of infections.

16. Prevents depression

If you are suffering from depression, it is good to try chyawanprash. Though you won’t see quick results, you can cope up to some extent after a few days.

17. Flushes toxins

You can get rid of toxins from your body. Your liver, intestines and blood get purified if you consume chyawanprash on a daily basis.

18. Anti-aging supplement

Chyawanprash is an anti-aging supplement formulated from herbs that are antioxidants in action. It delays the aging of the cells and meliorates nutritional level in the body. It also improves the oxygen supply to the brain by strengthening the heart. Mainly, Indian gooseberry present in Chyavanprash is a powerful antioxidant and very rich in vitamin C.

19. Relives stress

You can combat stress with the help of chyawanprash. This is one of the medicinal benefits of chyawanprash. In today’s stressful life, it is better to find a way out.

20. Strengthens hair

The ingredients of chyawanprash are good for nails and hair. This is one of the health benefits of eating chyawanprash.

Traditional uses and benefits of Chyawanprash

• Chyawanprash promotes calcium absorption in the body that makes bones and teeth stronger.
• It increases protein synthesis in the body. Thus, it improves muscle tone and muscle flexibility.
• It improves fertility and helps in loss of libido.
• It enhances fertility and helps in regulating the menstrual cycle in women.
• It increases hemoglobin level and fulfills the requirement of other nutrients for pregnant women.
• It enhances immunity and boosts healing process.
• It prevents upper respiratory diseases such as common cold, allergies, upper respiratory infections etc.
• People, who are more prone to various common infections, can enhance their immunity using chyawanprash.
• Chyawanprash is suitable for people who want to reduce the frequency of recurrence of various chronic diseases.

Dosage

The dosage of Chyawanprash depends on the digestive capacity of the person. There is no specific dosage for Chyawanprash described in the ancient books. The actual dosage of chyawanprash should be that a person could digest it without appetite loss and without decrease in intake of other foods as usual, he normally takes.

• Age group 0 to 1 year: 1 gram (Under the age of 1 year, Chyawanprash should not be used until an Ayurvedic physician recommends it. Instead, lactating mothers can eat chyawanprash. It will provide benefits to both mother as well as breastfeeding baby.)
• Age group 1 to 5 years: 2.5 to 3.75 grams (a half teaspoon)
• Age group 6 to 12 years: 5 to 7.5 grams (one teaspoon)
• Above 12: 7.5 to 15 grams (one teaspoon to two teaspoon)
• In pregnant women: In most cases, a half tsp. (3.75 grams) of chyawanprash is sufficient dosage in pregnancy to get all nutritional as well as health benefits. The maximum dosage in pregnancy should not exceed from 2 teaspoons (15 grams) a day (One teaspoon in the morning and one teaspoon in the evening).

Correct method of taking Chyawanprash

However, manufacturer companies recommend taking chyawanprash with milk, but we do not advise to do so.  Ancient texts and Ayurvedic principles do not recommend using sour taste with milk. Ayurveda considers them reverse foods. Chyawanprash contains sour taste due to Indian gooseberry, so Ayurvedic principles do not advise taking Chyawanprash with milk.

Most people reported gas, flatulence and abdominal heaviness and abdominal distension after taking Chyawanprash with milk. These side effects disappear within a few days when Chyawanprash is consumed without milk on an empty stomach in the morning.

However, if one wants to drink milk after eating chyawanprash, then it may be taken, but preferably at least 30 minutes after taking chyawanprash. Otherwise, it is not necessary.

Precautions

• People suffering from Diabetes should regularly monitor their blood sugar level if taking Chyawanprash because it contains sugar content.
• Avoid chyawanprash if there are known allergies to Emblica officinalis, other members of the Phyllanthus family, or to any other ingredients in chyawanprash.
• Use caution in patients with hypoglycemia and in those taking anticoagulant or antiplatelet medications.

Chyawanprash Facts

Chyawanprash is a jam like cooked mixture of sugar, honey, Triphala, ghee, sesame oil, berries and other naturally available herbs and spices. It is sold as health tonic with high therapeutic value and consumed in India as a dietary supplement. It is a good source of Vitamin C and antioxidants. It is generally prepared by using an ancient Ayurvedic formula. The different brands available in market really they have nutrient value or not, eight brands were tested for their sugar and Vitamin C content.

References:

http://nopr.niscair.res.in/bitstream/123456789/6921/1/IJTK%205%284%29%20%282006%29%20484-488.pdf

https://www.ayurtimes.com/chyawanprash-benefits-ingredients-nutrition-facts-dosage-side-effects/

http://easyayurveda.com/2009/09/08/chyawanprash-one-herbal-medicine-many-health-benefits/

http://www.ayurbest.com/cms/media/Chyawanprash-Ageless20wonder.pdf

http://krepublishers.com/02-Journals/IJHG/IJHG-03-0-000-000-2003-Web/IJHG-03-1-001-067-2003-Abst-PDF/IJHG-03-1-033-038-2003-Yadav/IJHG-03-1-033-038-2003-Yadav.pdf

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