A Comprehensive Guide to Ayurvedic Specialties
सञ्जीवनी वटी - Sañjīvanī Vaṭī
Sahasrayoga
This formulation is a classical compound medicine (Yoga) referenced in the authoritative text Sahasrayoga. It is also mentioned in other texts such as Zānuśāstra and Bharata Bhaishajya Ratnakara.
The formulation is prepared with ingredients in equal quantity and processed with Gomūtra (cow's urine) for grinding (Marddhana).
विडंग (Viḍaṅga) - (Embelia ribes)
नागर (Nāgara) - (Zingiber officinale)
कृष्ण / पिप्पली (Kṛṣṇa / Pippalī) - (Piper longum)
हरीतकी (Harītakī) - (Terminalia chebula)
आमलकी (Āmalakī) - (Emblica officinalis)
विभीतक (Vibhītakī) - (Terminalia bellirica)
वचा (Vacā) - (Acorus calamus)
गुडूची (Guḍūcī) - (Tinospora cordifolia)
भल्लातक (Bhallātaka) - (Semecarpus anacardium)
विष / वत्सनाभ (Viṣa / Vatsanābhi) - (Purified Aconitum ferox)
गोमूत्र (Gomūtra) - Cow's urine (used as a processing agent)
3. Therapeutic Indications
Primary & Classical Diagnoses (Sanskrit):
Ajīrṇa: Indigestion.
Gulma: Phantom tumor or abdominal mass often related to gaseous distension.
Viṣūcikā: Cholera or severe gastroenteritis.
Sarppa Viṣa: Snake poison (anti-toxic application).
Sannipātika Jwara: Fever due to the vitiation of all three Doṣas (Vāta, Pitta, Kapha).
Kṛmi: Worm infestation.
Udara Śūla: Abdominal pain.
Kaphaja Kāsa: Cough due to Kapha doṣa.
Pravāhikā: Dysentery.
Charddi: Vomiting.
Jwarātisāra: Diarrhea with fever.
Scope of Application (Modern & Integrated Clinical Correlation):
Gastrointestinal System: Severe gastroenteritis, food poisoning, typhoid fever, dysentery, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), intestinal worm infestations, and abdominal pain related to indigestion.
Infectious & Febrile Diseases: Typhoid fever, water-borne diseases, viral gastroenteritis, and post-viral complications like neuralgia. Used as an adjuvant in fevers of unknown origin.
Respiratory System: Respiratory disorders and cough secondary to indigestion (Ajīrṇa janya Kāsa).
Detoxification: Used in conditions where Āma (metabolic toxins) and Viṣa (toxins) are key pathological factors.
Dosha Karma (Action on Humors): Primarily Kapha-Vāta Śamana (pacifies Kapha and Vāta doṣas).
Dhātu Karma (Action on Tissues): Rasa Prasādana (purifies the Rasa Dhātu or plasma tissue), which is the first tissue layer and crucial for overall health.
Agni Karma (Action on Digestive Fire): Dīpana (kindles the digestive fire) and Pācana (digests toxins or āma).
Srotas Karma (Action on Body Channels): Srotōśōdhana (cleanses and removes obstructions from the bodily channels), Svedala (promotes sweating), Lekhana (has a scraping action on excess Kapha and medas).
Roga Karma (Action on Specific Diseases): Viṣūcikāhara (cures cholera), Sannipāta Jwaraghna (alleviates Tridoshic fever), Viṣaghna (anti-toxic), Śōphahara (reduces swelling), Kṛmighna (anthelmintic).
Lakṣaṇika Karma (Symptomatic Action): Śūlahara (alleviates pain), slight Grāhī (absorbent, useful in diarrhea). It is Jīvana Prada (life-giving) and Jantughna (microbicidal).
| Attribute (Guṇa) | Property |
| Rasa (Taste) | Predominantly Kaṭu (Pungent), Kaṣāya (Astringent), Tikta (Bitter), Madhura (Sweet) |
| Guṇa (Quality) | Laghu (Light), Rūkṣa (Dry), Tīkṣṇa (Sharp, Penetrating), Sūkṣma (Subtle) |
| Vīrya (Potency) | Uṣṇa (Hot) |
| Vipāka (Post-Digestive Effect) | [Not explicitly stated; often Katu for similar formulations] |
| Prabhāva (Specific Action) | Viṣaghna (Anti-toxic), Jwaraghna (Antipyretic) |
Modern Correlate Actions: This formulation demonstrates a broad spectrum of pharmacological activities including digestive stimulant, carminative, antimicrobial, anthelmintic, antipyretic (fever-reducing), anti-inflammatory, analgesic, diaphoretic (promotes sweating), and adaptogenic/immunomodulatory actions. Its anti-toxic (Viṣaghna) property correlates to detoxification and anti-poison effects.
This potent classical formulation is manufactured by several GMP-certified and reputable Ayurvedic companies, including:
Asoka Pharmaceuticals (Sahasrayoga series)
Kashmir Herbal Remedies (Ayurvedic Formulary of India series)
Dabur India Ltd
Vaidyaratnam Oushadhasala
Sree Dhootapapeshwar Ltd (Bharata Bhaishajya Ratnakara series)
Pam Labs
Dosage: Classical dose is Gunjā Mātra (approx. 125 mg). A practical modern dose is 1-2 tablets (125 mg each) twice daily.
Anupāna (Vehicle): Ārdraka Svarasa (fresh ginger juice) is ideal. Other suitable adjuvants may be used based on the condition. It is contraindicated to use with hot water; use boiled and cooled water instead.
Action: It has a strong Āma Pācana (toxin-digesting) action and works on both the Kōṣṭha (alimentary tract) and has a Sarvadāhika (whole-body) effect.
Contraindications (SEVERE): Due to the presence of Bhallātaka and Vatsanābhi, it is contraindicated in:
Pitta or Raktaja conditions (inflammatory conditions with blood involvement)
Garbhiṇī (pregnancy)
Sukumāra Rōgī (debilitated patients)
Patients with pre-existing cardiac complaints.