A Comprehensive Guide to Ayurvedic Specialties
ABHAYĀRIṢṬAM (अभयारिष्टम्)
Also Known As: Abhayārishta, Abhaya Arishtam
Primary Classical Reference: Śāraṅgadhara Saṃhitā, Madhyama Khaṇḍa, Chapter 7
Śāraṅgadhara Saṃhitā, Madhyama Khaṇḍa, Chapter 7Śloka 7 (Listing the Ingredients):
अभयादाडिमद्राक्षामधुकविडङ्गानि च |
सैन्धवं जटिलां चैव कपित्थं च विचूर्णितम् ||
abhayādāḍimadrākṣāmadhukaviḍaṅgāni ca |
saindhavaṃ jaṭilāṃ caiva kapitthaṃ ca vicūrṇitam ||
Translation:
"Abhayā (Harītakī), Dāḍima tvak (Pomegranate rind), Drākṣā (Raisins), Madhuka (Yashtimadhu), Viḍaṅga, Saindhava lavana (Rock salt), Jaṭāmāṃsī, and powdered Kapittha (Wood apple) [are the ingredients]."
Śloka 8 (Detailing the Quantities and Process - Part 1):
प्रस्थं प्रस्थार्धकं प्रस्थं प्रस्थार्धं तुल्यभागिकम् |
पलार्धानि च तान्यष्टौ दशपल्लवसंयुतम् ||
prasthaṃ prasthārdhakaṃ prasthaṃ prasthārdhaṃ tulyabhāgikam |
palārdhāni ca tānyaṣṭau daśapallavasaṃyutam ||
Translation:
"[Take] One Prastha (768 g) [of Abhayā], half a Prastha [of Dāḍima], one Prastha [of Drākṣā], half a Prastha [of Madhuka], and eight ingredients (like Viḍaṅga, Saindhava, etc.) in equal parts of half a Palā (24 g) each, along with ten Palas (384 g) of Pañcakola."
(Note: Pañcakola refers to a group of five pungent herbs: Pippalī, Pippalīmūla, Cavya, Citraka, and Śuṇṭhī. "Daśapallava" here is interpreted by commentators like Ādhamalla to mean "Pañcakola" in a specific context, though it literally means "ten shoots".)
Śloka 9 (Detailing the Process - Part 2):
चतुर्गुणजलैः सिद्धं क्वाथं चतुर्भिरंशकैः |
शर्कराद्विपलैस्तत्र धातकीपुष्पचूर्णकम् ||
caturguṇajalaiḥ siddhaṃ kvāthaṃ caturbhiraṃśakaiḥ |
śarkarādvipalistatra dhātakīpuṣpacūrṇakam ||
Translation:
"Prepare a decoction (Kwātha) by boiling these [ingredients] in four times the amount of water and reducing it to one-fourth. To this [decoction], add two Palas (96 g) of sugar (Śarkarā) and powder of Dhātakī flowers."
1. Ingredients (Dravya) and Quantity (Mātrā)
The formulation is prepared in two parts:
Part A: Kwātha (Decoction Dravyas)
Saṃskṛta Name English / Botanical Name Quantity (Bhāga)
Abhayā Chebulic Myrobalan (Terminalia chebula) 1 Part (Prādhānya)
Dāḍima Tvak Pomegranate Rind (Punica granatum) 1 Part
Drākṣā Raisins (Vitis vinifera) 1 Part
Madhuka Liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) 1 Part
Viḍaṅga False Black Pepper (Embelia ribes) 1 Part
Sauvarcala Lavana Rock Salt 1 Part
Jaṭāmāṃsī Indian Spikenard (Nardostachys jatamansi) 1 Part
Kaṭuphalā Bengal Quince (Aegle marmelos) Fruit 1 Part
Pippalī Long Pepper (Piper longum) 1 Part
Marica Black Pepper (Piper nigrum) 1 Part
Śuṇṭhī Dry Ginger (Zingiber officinale) 1 Part
Part B: Fermenting Agents (Sandhāna Dravyas)
Ingredient Purpose Quantity
Guda (Jaggery) Provides sugar for fermentation 4 Parts (to Kwātha)
Madhu (Honey) Enhances fermentation & taste Q.S. (Optional)
Dhātakī Puṣpa Natural fermentor (Woodfordia fruticosa) 1 Part
. Method of Preparation (Kalyāṇa Vidhi)
The preparation is a systematic process as described in Śāraṅgadhara Saṃhitā:
Kwātha Nirmāṇa (Decoction Preparation):
The herbs from Part A are coarsely powdered.
They are soaked in 64 parts (Droṇa) of water overnight.
The next day, it is boiled on a low flame and reduced to 16 parts (Śarāva).
The decoction is then filtered through a cloth to obtain a clear liquid.
Sandhāna Karma (Fermentation Process):
The filtered Kwātha is transferred to a clean fermentation vessel (e.g., a ceramic jar).
Jaggery is dissolved in a small amount of the warm Kwātha and added to the main batch.
Dhātakī Puṣpa (and honey, if used) is added.
The mouth of the vessel is sealed with a lid and wrapped with cloth.
The vessel is kept in a heap of grains or a warm, dark place for approximately 30 days (or until fermentation is complete, indicated by the cessation of bubbles and a clear, aromatic liquid).
Pariṇāma (Maturation):
After fermentation, the liquid is carefully decanted or filtered to separate the sediment.
The resulting Ariṣṭa is now ready for use. It should be clear, non-frothy, and have a pleasant alcoholic aroma.
3. Dose (Mātrā)
General Therapeutic Dose: 15 - 30 ml (approx. 1-2 tablespoons).
Frequency: Usually taken twice a day, after meals.
Pediatric Dose: 5 - 10 ml, as directed by a physician.
4. Anupāna (Vehicle)
The ideal vehicle to take with Abhayāriṣṭam is:
Uṣṇodaka (Warm Water): This is the most common Anupāna. It helps enhance its digestive and Vāta-pacifying properties.
Madhu (Honey): Can be used in cases of excessive Kapha or obesity.
According to Condition: The physician may choose a specific Anupāna based on the patient's dominant Doṣa.
5. Indications (Prayojana)
Abhayāriṣṭam is primarily a Vāta-Anulomana (carminative) and Bhedana (mild laxative) formulation. Its main uses are:
Ānāha (Abdominal Distension): Relieves bloating and gaseous distension.
Udāvarta (Reverse Movement of Vāta): Manages conditions like constipation with upward-moving gas, pain, and discomfort.
Mala Saṅgraha (Constipation): Especially effective in Vāta-type constipation where stools are dry and difficult to pass.
Agni Māndya (Indigestion): Improves digestive fire and relieves indigestion.
Arśas (Piles/Hemorrhoids): Particularly beneficial for bleeding piles (Raktārśas) due to the astringent and laxative properties of Harītakī (Abhayā).
Gulma (Abdominal Tumors/Masses): Helps in managing gaseous lumps and pain in the abdomen.
6. Mechanism of Action (Karma)
Abhayā (Harītakī): The main ingredient, is a Rasāyana and Sarvadoṣahara. It has a unique Bhedana (laxative) property without causing dehydration or griping pain.
Trikaṭu (Pippalī, Marica, Śuṇṭhī): Kindles Agni (digestive fire) and helps digest Āma (toxins).
Viḍaṅga: Manages intestinal parasites and reduces fermentation.
Dāḍima Tvak: Highly effective in managing diarrhea and dysentery due to its strong Grahi (absorbent) property.
Drākṣā & Madhuka: Counterbalance the dryness of other ingredients and provide nourishment.
The fermentation process enhances bioavailability, creates alcohol which acts as a vehicle (Yogavāhī), and makes the formulation a potent digestive tonic.
Contraindications (Niṣiddha):
Not recommended in cases of severe dehydration or extreme weakness.
Use with caution in pure Pittaja conditions with severe diarrhea.