7 Things You Should Know Before Taking Ayurvedic Medicines

If your Ayurvedic doctor has prescribed you any Ayurvedic medicine, it is better if you  know the following facts, prehand.

These are based on Ayurvedic textual reference blended with my own experience in Ayurvedic clinical practice.

1. If not specified by the doctor, the usual time to take kashayam is before food.

2. If not specified by the doctor, the usual time to take Asavas and Arishtas is after food.

3. If not specified by the doctor, the usual time to take Guggulu tablets, is after food.

4. Time to take Chyawanprash is in the morning, before / after food, with half a glass of milk.

5. A jar containing Churnam, opened once, should be completed  (or discarded) within 6 months.

6. A jar containing Ayurvedic gulikas (or tablets) should be completed  (or discarded) within 1 year.

7. If you have purchased any kashaya, it is always better to shake it well, before it is consumed. Most of the Kashayas come in concentrated form. Usually, you need to dilute the Kashaya with equal quantity of water, just before taking it.

43 comments on “7 Things You Should Know Before Taking Ayurvedic Medicines

  • Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)

    21/07/2011 - 11:08 am

    No proven treatment exists for lipoma as such, in Ayurveda.

    Reply to comment
  • vin

    06/11/2011 - 6:42 pm

    aren’t guggulu tablets a kashayam, and hence shouldn’t it be taken before food?

    Reply to comment
    • Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)

      06/11/2011 - 7:27 pm

      Guggulu tablets are manufactured in two different ways.
      One method is where Guggulu (gum of a plant called Guggulu) – is heated, and the other powdered herbal ingredients are added and made into tablet. A few guggulu tablets are advised to be prepared with this method.
      Another method is where A herbal decoction is prepared and guggulu is added and heated together till a semisolid mass is prepared, then rolled into pills.
      Guggulu is known to cause a little stomach irritation. That is why, by default (if not specified by doctor), it is better to take Guggulu tablets after food. Before food, it may cause gastric irritation.

      Reply to comment
  • vin

    11/11/2011 - 5:18 pm

    thank you for the advice. i was taking guggulutiktam kwatham and varanadi kwatham tablets for multiple lipomass. but i found it difficult to swallow them(funny :D). i now switched over to guggulutikta kashayam and varanaadi kashaayam.

    Reply to comment
  • DEEPA Malik

    08/01/2012 - 7:14 pm

    Dr. Pl. Advice if can take Chayawanprash with buttermilk? As milk produces lot of Gas in our stomach.
    Deepa

    Reply to comment
    • Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)

      08/01/2012 - 7:33 pm

      Sure. You can. Buttermilk is lighter to digest and is fine to take along with Chyawanprash. Preferably, buttermilk should be made fat free, by filtering out.

      Reply to comment
  • DEEPA MALIK

    11/01/2012 - 4:50 pm

    Thanks dr.Hebbar.I appreciate your advice
    Deepa

    Reply to comment
  • Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)

    28/02/2012 - 2:19 pm

    Hi, Guggulutiktaka ghrita is sued in treating skin diseases, pimples, non healing wounds, abscess etc. It is used to detoxify blood and skin. If you wish to take it, make sure you do not have any low digestion and cough / cold problem.
    If you do not have the problem, then you can take quarter (1/4) spoon of this Ghrita – two times a day, 15 minutes before food. Make sure to drink a little warm water along with or after you take the ghee. Hope it is clear.
    Further info – It is also known as Panchatikta guggulu ghrita. Read more about it here – http://ayurmedinfo.com/2012/02/24/panchatikta-guggulu-ghrita-benefits-dosage-how-to-use-side-effects-ingredients-reference/

    Reply to comment
  • Afsal

    09/08/2012 - 9:11 pm

    Is it bad take kashaya after food

    Reply to comment
    • Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)

      10/08/2012 - 11:01 pm

      No. It is not bad. It depends the medicine, condition of the patient and decision of the doctor.
      If the Kashayam is hot in nature, and patient has sensitive stomach, then it is better to take kashayam after food.
      But by default, as a general rule, Kashayam is advised before food.

      Reply to comment
  • rajan

    16/09/2012 - 3:32 pm

    I am suffering from stable agina and now taking Parthadyarishtam and sarppagandandhi tablet..i feel little relief.. Is it ok to continue these medicines Doctor? or any other medicines could you pls suggest for me? my BP level is (sys-150 to 200 dys-100)

    Reply to comment
  • Ambika

    12/10/2012 - 12:32 pm

    hi Dr.
    is it adviced to avoid to drink milk/butter milk/curd for fungal infection caused by antibiotics on skin? can Khadirashisht and gandak rasayan be taken togather ?

    Reply to comment
  • Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)

    08/05/2013 - 1:47 pm

    Hi, please consult an Ayurveda doctor directly. Self medication is not a good thing.

    Reply to comment
  • dwijen vyas

    15/09/2013 - 12:29 pm

    what is the difference between ashwagandha churna and ashwagandha capsule(himalaya)?both have same effect?Ashwagandha churna is churna of ashwagandha root,does it contain microorganisms?

    Reply to comment
    • Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)

      24/09/2013 - 5:24 pm

      I am not sure, if Himalaya Ashwagandha capsule contains extract of it, or simple herb powder. If it contains pure herb powder, then there is no difference. If they are making extract, there would be some difference.
      The Ashwagandha churna, if it is hygienically manufactured and packaged, if it is within its shelf life (6 months)it will not have any micro organisms.

      Reply to comment
  • Renu

    15/07/2014 - 5:29 pm

    i am under going skin treatment hru ayurvedic medicines what kind of diet should i follow is there any restricions

    Reply to comment
    • Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)

      07/10/2014 - 5:52 pm

      The diet restriction depends on the nature of skin disease. Please ask your doctor.

      Reply to comment
  • Neena

    18/08/2014 - 10:38 am

    I have severe joint pain . My Ayurveda doctor prescribed to take Guggulutiktam kashayam with Nimbamritadi erandatailam. What are things I should avoid in my diet?

    Reply to comment
  • Mangesh

    22/08/2014 - 6:03 am

    Are organic India products safe and pure,can it be given to children

    Reply to comment
    • Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)

      22/08/2014 - 10:29 am

      I cannot say that organic products are pure. But they are safer for children.

      Reply to comment
      • Manguesh

        26/08/2014 - 11:30 am

        Thank you doctore, my children 3 and 5 years where prescibed organic india products, on the very day of taking the capusule the problem was controlled, so after two days i stopped and the problem was back, so i hesitated to give, as ayurvedic medicines are very effective and complete cure unlike allo, but it cannot be within one day, is there any lab test where these medicines can be tested, as its children health as if safe we would like to continue or else no, also can agystay rasanayam be given to children under 4 years, how much should be given and how long, any side effects, how long does it take to ayurvedic medicine to work, and show results

        Reply to comment
        • Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)

          12/10/2014 - 4:06 pm

          Hi, you can do the Ayurvedic medicine testing in any of these laboratories – https://www.karnataka.gov.in/ayush/Drug%20testing%20laboratories.pdf

          Regarding the dose of agastya rasayanam – the dose for kids is – quarter a teaspoon once or twice a day, after food. (Please consult your doctor for the right dose, it is very dangerous to follow online advice for kids).

          Reply to comment
  • Akshay

    26/08/2015 - 11:39 pm

    Sahi pakde ho

    Reply to comment
  • subhash

    08/09/2015 - 2:13 pm

    guggulutiktam kwatham given by doctor to me for cholesterol is it ok

    Reply to comment
  • Saloni

    30/06/2016 - 12:25 am

    Hello dr
    I wan ugo ask that Panchkita grihtika is good for weight loss …I don’t like ghee smell is there any option of tablet ?? What time is best to take thanx Alot

    Reply to comment
    • Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)

      30/06/2016 - 5:38 pm

      Hi, the same is available as Gulgulutiktakam Kashayam tablet. The regular dose is – 1 tablet 2 times a day after food.

      Reply to comment
  • Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)

    01/08/2016 - 5:36 pm

    Hi, there is no harmful interaction between the two. You can take them together.

    Reply to comment
  • mookasat

    06/08/2016 - 12:02 pm

    Is manjishtadi kwatham tablet good for vericose vein ? I understand that it’s good for blood circulation. Is this right, Dr, ? Just for reassurance pls.

    Reply to comment
  • rajani

    07/08/2016 - 12:39 am

    Hi , is there permanent cure for knee osteoarthritis at the age of 33 years female. Please suggest good medicine to regenerate cartilage and synovial fluid in ayurveda medicine and suggest lifestyle changes and diet plans . Can damaged bones rebuild with ayurveda. If so please suggest good ayurveda hospital in hyderabad.

    Reply to comment
  • Prem Kumar Nair

    30/08/2016 - 11:53 am

    What is the effectiveness of Garcinia Cambogia in weight loss? Does it actually help remove ugly fat around the stomach middle and hips?

    Reply to comment
  • Rashmi

    04/09/2017 - 11:29 am

    Hi.. Thats a nice article. Here I have a question! I have been taking ayurveda medicines and I have been told to avoid dairy products why so??

    Reply to comment
    • Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)

      05/09/2017 - 1:03 pm

      If the disease is of Kapha dominance, involving low digestion strength / obesity / asthma etc, usually dairy products are avoided.

      Reply to comment
  • Rahul Garg

    20/09/2017 - 8:41 pm

    Hello doctor
    I newly diagnosed sugar type 2. My age is 34. My weight is 84. I want Ayurvedic treatment. Please help me.

    Reply to comment
  • Prachi risbud

    17/12/2017 - 7:31 pm

    Mahamanjishtadikada how many days should i take i have allergy on my face

    Reply to comment
    • Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)

      09/01/2018 - 11:09 am

      For about 6 – 8 weeks time.

      Reply to comment
  • Nilesh

    03/01/2018 - 9:43 pm

    I am having some skin problems like undereye darkness and pimples I took mahamanjishtadi kadha once and found it beneficial but I forgot the right dosage and time to take it

    Reply to comment
  • Sunil

    20/03/2018 - 11:29 pm

    Does chanda ayurvedic tablets contain steroids??
    It’s a very good pain killer..

    Reply to comment
    • Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)

      22/03/2018 - 11:31 pm

      No, as per my little information.

      Reply to comment
  • Sunil

    20/03/2018 - 11:33 pm

    Can rheumatoid arthritis patients take chanda tablets for longer period..??

    Reply to comment
  • Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)

    25/03/2018 - 5:11 pm

    Hi, suggested medicines are apt. COntinue them for 3 months time.
    Please also undergo thyroid hormone blood test. Talk to your doctor about this.

    Reply to comment
  • Tejas

    30/04/2018 - 3:22 am

    Thank you very much for replying sir. Am having hypothyroidism from past 12 years.i get the blood test done frequently. 2 weeks back report also says that it’s under control.i also had pcod 3 years back for which I got treated and conceived. Am a mother of 2 kids. Recently my Endocrinologist told me that I need not get tested for pcos as my periods are regular. I wonder if I can ever get new hair even with the above treatment. Please guide

    Reply to comment

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