If you're searching for a sugar free Chyawanprash, you're not alone. Many people want to find a high quality Chyawanprash that doesn't contain sugar. However, according to Ayurveda texts, sugar is an important ingredient in Chyawanprash. To see if sugar free Chyawanprash is right for you, it's important to understand the role sugar plays as an anupan and tips for finding the highest quality sugar-free Chyawanprash.

Sugar as an Anupan

When you're working with herbal medicine, you generally prepare the herbs in such a way that they're absorbed better by the body. The simplest way to do this is by mixing your herbs with warm water - however, this isn't always the most effective. You can enhance the effects of herbs by mixing them with an anupan - a carrier substance. Anupans help the herbs reach deeper into your body and enhance their medicinal effect. Different anupans have different functions and affect dosha types differently. For example:

• Vata types respond well to ghee, maple syrup, honey and raw sugar (jaggery)
• Pitta types respond well to ghee, aloe vera, maple syrup and raw sugar (jaggery)
• Kapha types respond well to ghee and honey

As you can see, each type of dosha has a different type of sugar that works well as an anupan. This is why typically two forms of sugar are included in high quality Chyawanprash formulas: jaggery and honey. The biological effects of these sugars allow it to increase the potency of the formula for all dosha types. It's also important to note that anupans are often chosen based on their effectiveness at targeting a certain part of the body so that the herb can reach this area. In this way, anupans 'complete' a herbal formula by giving the medicine direction. The best formulations of Chyawanprash should contain several anupans - like honey, jaggery, sesame oil and ghee - to target most or all tissues of the body.

The Problem with Refined Sugar

That said, not all sugar is the same. Cheap, refined sugar is known to cause a number of health problems and could negate or reduce some of the benefits that Chyawanprash has to offer. Ideally, the best Chyawanprash is refined sugar free Chyawanprash. As noted, natural and raw sugars, like jaggery and honey play a specific role as anupans, or vehicles, for the herbs to penetrate deeper into the tissues.

The Dangers of Heating Honey

In addition, according to Ayurveda, honey must never be heated. When it is heated, it becomes toxic. Therefore, if you're considering buying Chyawanprash with honey, you want to confirm with the manufacturer that the honey added to the Chyawanprash was never heated and only added later in the process.

Choosing the Best Sugar-Free Chyawanprash

If you're still interested in choosing a sugar-free Chyawanprash, it's important to note that these types of formulas may not be as effective due to the lack of anupans. In other words, they may have subpar health benefits. Additionally, when selecting a formula, be sure to confirm there are no artificial sweeteners used in place of sugar. For Chyawanprash to be effective, all ingredients must be 100% natural, and ideally, all ingredients should be organic and wild-crafted where possible. If you still need clarification, feel free to reach out to us. You can also consult an Ayurvedic practitioner. They can help you find the best quality Chyawanprash for your preferences and needs. Reviewed by Dr. Jayant Lokhande, MD (Botanical Drugs), MBA (Biotechnology)