Saraswatarishta
Sārasvatāriṣṭa
Ayurvedic Formulary of India, Part I, 1:36 · from Bhaiṣajyaratnāvalī, Rasāyanādhikāra : 178-191
Saraswatarishta (Sārasvatāriṣṭa) is a classical Ayurvedic fermented liquid medicine (Āsava / Ariṣṭa) recorded in the Ayurvedic Formulary of India, Part I (1:36), which takes it from Bhaiṣajyaratnāvalī, Rasāyanādhikāra : 178-191. It is made from 24 ingredients, the largest amounts being Brāhmi, Mākṣika and Śatavarī. The Formulary gives a dose of 12 to 24 ml. It should be taken only on the advice of a qualified Ayurvedic physician.
Please note: The ingredients, their proportions and the uses of a classical formulation can differ depending on the Samhita, Nighantu or formulary a manufacturer follows. This page follows the Ayurvedic Formulary of India, Part I, 1:36, which takes the formula from Bhaiṣajyaratnāvalī, Rasāyanādhikāra : 178-191. A product you buy may follow a different text, so always read its label, and ask a Vaidya before use.
| Dosage form | Āsava / Ariṣṭa — fermented liquid medicine |
|---|---|
| Formulary | Ayurvedic Formulary of India, Part I, 1:36 (e-book p. 97) |
| Classical source | Bhaiṣajyaratnāvalī, Rasāyanādhikāra : 178-191 |
| Ingredients | 24 |
| Dose (AFI) | 12 to 24 ml |
| Supervision | On a physician's advice |
What is a Āsava / Ariṣṭa?
Herbs are fermented in a solution of jaggery or sugar. An Ariṣṭa is made from a decoction of the herbs, an Āsava from the herbs or their juice without boiling. Fermentation produces a small amount of alcohol, which preserves the medicine.
Ingredients of Saraswatarishta
As listed in the Ayurvedic Formulary of India, Part I, 1:36. Plant-part codes follow the Formulary: Rt. root, Rz. rhizome, Fr. fruit, Lf. leaf, St. stem, St.Bk. stem bark, Ht.Wd. heartwood, Sd. seed, Pl. whole plant, P. pericarp, Exd. exudate.
| # | Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brāhmi (Pl.) | 960 g |
| 2 | Śatavarī (Rt.) | 240 g |
| 3 | Vidārīkā (Vidārī) (Rt.Tr.) | 240 g |
| 4 | Abhayā (Harītakī) (P.) | 240 g |
| 5 | Uśīra (Rt.) | 240 g |
| 6 | Ārdraka (Śuṇṭhī) (Rz.) | 240 g |
| 7 | Miśi (Miśreyā) (Fr.) | 240 g |
| 8 | Water for Decoction reduced to 3.072 l | 12.288l |
| 9 | Mākṣika (Madhu) | 480 g |
| 10 | Sitā | 1.200 kg |
| 11 | Dhātakī (Fl.) | 240 g |
| 12 | Reṇukā (Sd.) | 12 g |
| 13 | Trivṛtā (Trivṛt) (Rt.) | 12 g |
| 14 | Kaṇā (Pippalī) (Fr.) | 12 g |
| 15 | Devapuṣpa (Lavaṅga) (Fl.Bd.) | 12 g |
| 16 | Vacā (Rz.) | 12 g |
| 17 | Kuṣṭha (Rt.) | 12 g |
| 18 | Vājigandhā (Aśvagandhā) (Rt.) | 12 g |
| 19 | Vibhītaka (P.) | 12 g |
| 20 | Amṛtā (Guḍūcī) (St.) | 12 g |
| 21 | Elā (Sūkṣmailā) (Sd.) | 12 g |
| 22 | Viḍaṅga (Fr.) | 12 g |
| 23 | Tvak (St.Bk.) | 12 g |
| 24 | Svarṇapatra | 12 g |
Preparation notes
Svarṇa bhasma or Svarṇa Saindhava as described in Rasa tarangiṇi may be used in place of Svarṇapatra
From the Formulary. Classical medicines must be made by a licensed manufacturer; this is not a home recipe.
Indications listed in the Ayurvedic Formulary of India
These are the classical indications as the Formulary records them, with its English renderings, given for information. They are not a claim that Saraswatarishta or any product prevents, treats or cures these conditions. Ask a Vaidya whether it suits you.
- Śukra Doṣa — Vitiation of semen
- Apasmāra — Epilepsy
- Mānasa Doṣa — Mental disorders
- Loss of body strength — immunity
- Svarakārśya — Aphasia
- Aspaṣṭabhāṣaṇa — Incoherent speech
- Smṛtikṣīṇa — Decrease in memory
- Rajodoṣa — Menstrual disorder
Dose and anupāna
Dose: 12 to 24 ml
The Formulary's dose is a general one. Your physician may advise a different dose for your age, constitution and condition.
Safety
- Contains self-generated alcohol from fermentation and is sweetened with jaggery or sugar. Ask a physician first if you are pregnant, have diabetes or liver disease, or must avoid alcohol.
- Tell your physician about every other medicine you take. Do not stop or change prescribed medication on your own.
If you have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to a hospital.
Common questions about Saraswatarishta
What is Saraswatarishta?
Saraswatarishta (Sārasvatāriṣṭa) is a classical Ayurvedic fermented liquid medicine (Āsava / Ariṣṭa) recorded in the Ayurvedic Formulary of India, Part I (1:36), which takes it from Bhaiṣajyaratnāvalī, Rasāyanādhikāra : 178-191. It is made from 24 ingredients, the largest amounts being Brāhmi, Mākṣika and Śatavarī. The Formulary gives a dose of 12 to 24 ml. It should be taken only on the advice of a qualified Ayurvedic physician.
What are the ingredients of Saraswatarishta?
According to the Ayurvedic Formulary of India, Part I, 1:36, Saraswatarishta contains 24 ingredients: Brāhmi 960 g, Śatavarī 240 g, Vidārīkā (Vidārī) 240 g, Abhayā (Harītakī) 240 g, Uśīra 240 g, Ārdraka (Śuṇṭhī) 240 g, Miśi (Miśreyā) 240 g, Water for Decoction reduced to 3.072 l 12.288l, Mākṣika 480 g, Sitā 1.200 kg, Dhātakī 240 g, Reṇukā 12 g, Trivṛtā (Trivṛt) 12 g, Kaṇā (Pippalī) 12 g, Devapuṣpa (Lavaṅga) 12 g, Vacā 12 g, Kuṣṭha 12 g, Vājigandhā (Aśvagandhā) 12 g, Vibhītaka 12 g, Amṛtā (Guḍūcī) 12 g, Elā (Sūkṣmailā) 12 g, Viḍaṅga 12 g, Tvak 12 g, Svarṇapatra 12 g.
What is the dose of Saraswatarishta?
The Ayurvedic Formulary of India, Part I, 1:36 gives a dose of 12 to 24 ml. A physician may advise a different dose for your age, constitution and condition.
Which classical text is Saraswatarishta from?
The Ayurvedic Formulary of India, Part I, 1:36 takes the formula of Saraswatarishta from Bhaiṣajyaratnāvalī, Rasāyanādhikāra : 178-191.
Is Saraswatarishta made the same way in every Ayurvedic text?
Not always. The ingredients, their proportions and the uses of a classical formulation can differ depending on the Samhita, Nighantu or formulary a manufacturer follows. This page follows the Ayurvedic Formulary of India, Part I, 1:36. Always read the label of the product you use.
Does Prachyam Ayurveda sell Saraswatarishta?
Yes. Prachyam Ayurveda sells Saraswatarista. Check the label for the exact formula and dose of the pack you buy.
References
- The Ayurvedic Formulary of India, Part I — monograph 1:36, SāRASVATāRIṣṭA, e-book p. 97. Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India.
- Bhaiṣajyaratnāvalī, Rasāyanādhikāra : 178-191
