It is no wonder that chyawanprash is also regarded as a secret for longevity and to slow down aging. At the same time, Zandu is an Indian trademark brand of Ayurvedic medicines with product ranges that span across various types and functions. Through this article, we will get to know more about Zandu, chyawanprash, and of course its wonderful health benefits.
An Introduction to Ayurvedic Medicine
As we all know, Ayurvedic medicine or Ayurveda is a type of Indian medicine culture with the primary aim of holistic healing. The Ayurvedic medicine culture itself is based on ancient Indian or Hindu culture named Atharvaveda, with it containing over hundreds of hymns and incantations considered by a lot of people to be the magical treatment for various diseases. Ayurveda is still widely practiced today in India and other countries. However, modern day Ayurveda practice involve the use of oils, herbal remedies, minor surgeries, among others.
An Introduction to Chyawanprash
Chyawanprash is a kind of herbal tonic mostly consumed in India or anywhere with the practice of Ayurveda. It has different variations to what it is called, such as chyavanaprasha, chyavanaprasam, or chyawanprash rasayana. Rasayana is the Hindi term for “tonic.” Legend has it that this tonic is named this way after its inventor, a person named Rishi who was experiencing aging at the first place. Rishi then regained his youthfulness after consuming this self-invented tonic. One of the first publications to contain the recipe of chyawanprash is also an ancient book from the 4th century BC titled “Charak Samhita.” That book claimed that chyawanprash is the best and most effective herbal tonics ever available in the history of mankind.
Chyawanprash itself is gooey dark brown jam-like in appearance, made using potent Ayurvedic herbs and ingredients such as cinnamon, saffron or cardamom. It has a taste that is said to be the mixture of sweet, spicy and sour.
Composition of Chyawanprash
Chyawanprash is primarily made out of amalaki or the fresh amla fruits. This is a complete list of all of Zandu Chyawanprash’s ingredients;
Fresh amla (156 parts), ghrta (12 parts), sarkara (146 parts), quath dravya, dashmoola (10 parts), astagarga (pratinidhi) (8 parts), agaru, vasa, bala (mool), svetacandana, ela, guduci, haritaki, sati, karkatasrngi, draksa, kamala, jivanti, masapani, mudgaparni, musta, pippali, pushkara, raktapurnarnava, vidari, kakanasika, tamalaki (1 part each), prakshepa dravya; vamsa (vanshlochan), chaturjata (4 parts each), pippali (2 parts), and lavanga (0.5 parts).
What are its Health Benefits?
First, Zandu chyawanprash improves a person’s immunity because it on its own is already made of over 40 different herbs, in which when combined into one come out as a powerful immunity booster. For example, amla or gooseberry, its primary ingredient has vitamin c 30 times to that of oranges. The powerful ingredients of it also make chyawanprash as effective for protection against viral, fungal or bacterial infections.
Second, Zandu chyawanprash is healthy for the respiratory system like the benefits of eucalyptus for lungs as simple as being a supporter for the functions of the lungs, which of course is healthy for anyone with a history of asthma or bronchitis.
Despite its strong texture, chyawanprash also turns out to be good for digestion because it balances stomach acid levels, promotes proper digestion of food and absorption of nutrients.
Fourth, Zandu chyawanprash supports heart health in terms of supporting the function, and brain health like the benefits of oxygen by being an energizer that can help improve memory and cognitive skills.
Zandu chyawanprash helps anti-aging like health benefits of cinnamon on face by preventing wrinkles and also greying hair. As an antioxidant, the herbal composition of chyawanprash delays aging, provides sufficient nutrition to the cells, promotes youthfulness and finally longevity.
On top of all that, Zandu chyawanprash also provides other ways of health miracles such as improving vitality, making the sensory system healthy, improves complexion and hair quality, significant source of protein, purifies the blood, stimulates liver, and also detoxification. These are also the health benefits of milk in Ayurveda.
Dosage and Recommendations
Zandu Chyawanprash is recommended to be taken at a dose of 1 to 2 teaspoons every morning, preferably together with milk or honey. Alternatively, f one is taken already taken in the morning, then the other one is to be taken by nighttime.
Chyawanprash in general has a sticky texture, which requires the help of liquids such as water or milk to better digest it. Indeed, one could also use chyawanprash as a dipping or spread for biscuits or bread during snack time.
Advices on Chyawanprash
Many people worry that taking chyawanprash could result in weight gain, partially due to the content of health benefits ghee skin or clarified butter inside. However, one must know that ghee composes only a small percentage of its overall ingredients, and it is there basically to ensure the proper mixing of the ingredients.
In the meantime, others who consume chyawanprash routinely complain about burning sensation inside their stomach upon consuming this herbal tonic. It is possibly due to the mixture of strong herbs that causes this burning sensation. It is completely normal, and it can be soothed by a glass of milk or warm water as soon as one takes one spoon of it. Or, one could start consuming chyawanprash at a smaller dose, like for example at half a spoon or one teaspoon per session, and gradually increase to one spoon per session as the stomach gets used to it.
In general, chyawanprash is deemed safe and healthy for people of all ages, including children. It is best for children to consume it at lower doses first.