Chyawanprash is an Ayurvedic herbal jam that has been used for millennia to restore health, increase overall vitality, and promote longevity in the human body.
Authentically prepared Chyawanprash is made from amalaki (or amla fruit), a variety of medicinal herbs and spices, ghee, sesame oil, and a sweetener, like honey and/or jaggery. This potent concoction of ingredients results in a powerful superfood formula that brings nutrients and restorative benefits deep into the body’s tissues.
Chyawanprash Health Benefits
There are a number of health benefits attributed to Chyawanprash, many of which have stood up to Western scientific scrutiny.
General Health & Immunity
One of the main uses for Chyawanprash is to improve the general health of the body by restoring spent reserves of vital energy (ojas). Ojas is highly correlated to the immune system and healthy tissue growth. Chyawanprash has been proven to increase the amount of hemoglobin produced by the body. Hemoglobin is necessary for the production of red blood cells, which help to carry oxygen throughout the body to power your tissues and organs. This exerts beneficial effects on all of the body’s organ systems, especially the reproductive, respiratory, and intergumentary systems. An increase in Ojas also supports healthy muscle mass and the body’s defense systems, leading to an overall increase in strength, vitality and immunity.
Longevity & Healthy Aging
Chyawanprash is considered the “foremost rasayana.” Rasayana is a Sanskrit word that translates to “path of essence.” It is often defined as the science of promoting longevity. Ayurveda recognizes that as we age, the structure and function of our tissues deteriorate due to a decline in the Pranik Quotient. Rasayanas facilitate the rejuvenation of tissues by nurturing them with Pranik nutrients. This decelerates the aging process.
Reproductive & Sexual Health
One of the reasons that Chyawanprash was said to be developed was to help improve the virility of the sage Chyawan, who gave the substance its namesake. Chyawanprash is able to boost fertility and enhance sexual ability in both genders by nourishing and aiding in the growth of healthy tissues. It also improves libido and sexual ability through the incorporation of adaptogenic herbs, like ashwagandha, shatavari, holy basil, and bacopa, that reduce stress and promote energy.
Energy
The adaptogens in Chyawanprash improve your body’s ability to handle and resist the effects of stress. Adaptogens boost strength and endurance in order to help you handle intense circumstances (e.g. temperatures, physical exertion, mental stress, etc.). They also work to support your adrenals and balance your cortisol levels to reduce anxiety and mental stress, while supporting a calm, balanced, and sustained energy.
Better Digestion & Gut Health
In Ayurveda, agni or digestive fire is essential for health and wellness. Digestion begins with taste, of which there are six: sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter, and astringent. Each rasa serves a purpose and corresponds to a certain area of the tongue, which corresponds to a specific organ. PIOR Living Chyawanprash contains all 6 rasas in one medicine, meaning it is able to stimulate all organs equally to ensure optimal digestion and general physiological health.
In addition, when taken 15 minutes before a meal, Chyawanprash helps kindle agni by stimulating the production of gastric acids and enzymes which improve the breakdown of food and rate at which nutrients are absorbed.
Respiratory Health
Another way that Chyawanprash can be used is for boosting the strength of your lungs and your respiratory system. Chyawanprash helps to nourish the mucous membranes in your lungs, and can help to ensure that your airways stay clear.
Detoxification
Chyawanprash contains many ingredients which facilitate detoxification within the body. Detoxification is essential for prana to flow freely. This is because ama (toxins) accumulation prevents prana absorption and blocks energy pathways. The specific Chyawanprash ingredients which aid detoxification organs (e.g. liver, spleen, lungs, kidneys, and skin) include golden apple, holy basil, ginger, zedoary, neem, nut grass, licorice, raisin and jaggery.
Cognitive Health
Chyawanprash is often used to help enhance various aspects of cognitive health, especially in elderly individuals. Chyawanprash contains nootropic botanicals, such as bacopa, which can help enhance concentration, focus, clarity, and memory.
Illness Prevention & Recovery
One of the main applications of Chyawanprash is as a tonic during winter. By boosting general immunity, it can be an effective aid for helping to ward off colds or other types of sickness.
Chyawanprash also contains a number of ingredients which are antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal and antiparasitic in nature. Ginger, for example, helps to kill pathogenic bacteria, while long pepper is believed to be effective against parasites and other infectious agents.
In addition, sesame oil and honey are known to have soothing effects on sore throats while cardamom, ginger and amla are powerful ingredients that help to reduce inflammation.
Skin, Hair & Nail Health
Chyawanprash can also be great for providing aesthetic benefit. By stimulating tissue rejuvenation, Chyawanprash can improve the appearance of your skin, hair and nails. The high antioxidant capacity can also help to ward off acne and blemishes.
Dosha Balancing
Chyawanprash is considered tridoshic, meaning it is beneficial for all three doshas: vata, pitta and kapha. It has a warming, unctuous, and heavy nature that balances Vata. It also kindles agni without aggravating pitta and builds ojas without aggravating Kapha.
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Chyawanprash health benefits are vast, and there’s little doubt that this is a fantastic substance for anyone who’s hoping to improve their general health and wellbeing. After all, Chyawanprash has been used for many thousands of years. There’s a reason its regarded as one of the most powerful supplements for regular use in Ayurvedic medicine.
Reviewed by Dr. Jayant Lokhande, MD (Botanical Drugs), MBA (Biotechnology)
