Chyawanprash

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Chyawanprash (also spelled chyavanaprasha, chyavanaprash, chyavanaprasam and chyawanaprash) is a jam-like cooked mixture of sugar, honey, Triphala, ghee, sesame oil, berries and other herbs and spices. It is prepared as per the instructions suggested in Ayurvedic texts. Chyawanprash is widely sold and consumed in India as a dietary supplement.

Origin

Various Indian holy books like Mahabharat, Puranas etc., relate that Ashwini Kumar brothers, the twins, who were RajVaidhya (Royal Physicians) to Devas during Vedic times, first prepared this formulation for Chyawan Rishi at his Ashram on Dhosi Hill near Narnaul, Haryana, India, hence the name Chyawanprash.[1][2] The first historically documented formula for chyawanprash appears in the Charaka Samhita, the ancient Ayurvedic treatise[3] from the early first millennium BCE.

Taste and appearance

Chyawanaprash tastes sweet and sour at the same time. The taste is largely dominated by the flavors of honey, ghee (clarified butter) and triphala, and the smell by ghee and other spices including sandalwood, cinnamon and cardamom. Its appearance resembles semi-molten tar - a thick dark brown paste.

Consumption

Chyawanaprash is usually consumed directly or along with warm milk or water . The recommended consumption is usually about 1 tbsp twice a day.

Claimed benefits

It is a general health tonic and is among the best known Ayurvedic tonics.[4]

Composition

The recipe of chyavanprash is mentioned in manuscripts written for ayurvedic method of treatment viz. Ashtangahridayam, Charakasamhita, Sangandharasamhita. Triphala is a primary ingredient of Chyawanaprash which makes it rich in Vitamin C (445 mg/100g).[5] The number of herbs used may vary from 25 to 80 but the main ingredient of all Chyawanprash is amla[6] Other chief ingredients are:

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Market

The market size of chyawanprash in 2010 was Indian Rs 4 billion (about $80 million USD). Chyawanprash in India is marketed through film stars and sports persons such as Amitabh Bachan, Shahrukh Khan, Ravi Kishan, and M.S. Dhoni.[7]

References

  1. Healthepic.com
  2. Panda, H; Handbook On Ayurvedic Medicines With Formulae, Processes And Their Uses, 2004, p10 ISBN 978-81-86623-63-3
  3. Bates, D, Knowledge and the Scholarly Medical Traditions Cambridge University Press 1995, p325 ISBN 978-0-521-49975-0
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  7. Economic Times SRK, Dhoni, Ravi Kishan do wonders for chyawanprash