Ayurvedic Chyavanprash. You may have heard of it, maybe even take it yourself. But what do you really know about it? Maybe you have never heard of the purported benefits of Chyavanprash. Maybe you’re taking a product that goes by the name but is sadly lacking in content, and is Chyavanprash, by the label name only. Chyavanprash’s fame is grabbing worldwide attention on both economic and health science platforms, and indicators suggest that the Indian market alone has a value of around 85 million US dollars, but is likely much greater.
Its enduring popularity underscores its significance in both historical and contemporary health practices.
What is Chyavanprash?
Chyavanprash is a traditional, and revered (arguably the most revered) Ayurvedic herbal product dating back over millennia. It is renowned for its rejuvenating properties. It is one of this planet’s original Superfoods.
Some refer to Chyavanprash as a jam, but this comparison does not do justice in any way, to what goes into the preparation, nor its health benefits. Chyavanprash, as a herbal preparation, falls into the category of an ‘Avaleha’ which is a semisolid, paste-like preparation, made quite palatable through a synergistic combination of herbs, ghee, honey, and unrefined sugar. Each and every ingredient in Chyavanprash, serves an important purpose.
Historical Context:
The original formula published in the ancient, classical medical text, Charaka Samhita (in the ‘Chikitsa Sthana’ section) mentions almost 50 different herbs (this is most significant to note). The main herbal ingredient, being Amla, is one of the world’s highest plant sources of vitamin C, in addition to other free-radical scavengers like gallic acid, and ellagic acid. One story related to Ayurvedic Chyavanprash involves an elderly sage, the Chyavana Rishi, formulating the recipe to reinvigorate his ageing body, as a part of what is known as Ayurvedic ‘Rasayana’ or rejuvenation therapy.
Effects: For traditional Ayurvedists, Chyavanprash has the following functions (which you will appreciate, makes it so relevant in our modern world):
· Rasayana – meaning it promotes longevity, vitality, and cellular regeneration, nourishing all 7 x Dhatus.
· Balya – meaning it enhances strength, stamina, and physical endurance.
· Vayasthapana – meaning it is age-defying.
· Medhya – meaning it improves memory, intelligence, and mental clarity.
· Agnideepana – meaning it stimulates metabolism and digestive fire.
· Shwasahara – meaning it improves respiratory strength.
· Ojas-Karaka – meaning it builds Ojas, the subtle essence linked to immunity and vitality.
· Vrishya – meaning it enhances reproductive health and sexual vitality.
· Hridaya – meaning it supports cardiovascular health.
· Twachya – meaning it improves the lustre of the skin and complexion.
Now you’re getting interested, right!
Modern findings and scientific validation: Contemporary scientific studies have begun to validate many of the traditional claims associated with Chyavanprash. Research indicates that the formulation possesses antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory properties. For instance, a study published in the Journal of Clinical Immunology found that Chyavanprash supplementation led to an increase in natural killer cell activity and improved immune responses in healthy individuals.
There are clinical studies that suggest that Chyavanprash may enhance immune function. Regular consumption has been associated with improvements in clinical symptoms and immune markers such as IgE, IgG, C3, and C4, as well as respiratory performance and hematological parameters . However, many of these studies have limitations, including small sample sizes and short durations, indicating the need for more extensive research to confirm these effects. There are also a number of studies pointing towards radioprotective effects of Chyavanprash. Ongoing research is required, but the future looks bright for Chyavanprash in this regard.
Significant Ingredients in Chyavanprash.
Amalaki or Amla (Emblica officinalis) is the primary rejuvenator and antioxidant source and the major herbal ingredient; Dashamoola refers to a group of ten roots with anti-inflammatory and restorative effects; Pippali (Piper longum) enhances bioavailability and digestion; Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is a potent adaptogen that reduces stress and boosts strength; Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus) supports hormonal balance and vitality; and Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia) is known for its immunomodulatory and detoxifying effects on the body.
There are dozens of other herbs in the original formula including (for Ayurvedic students) Haritaki, Vidarikand, Bala, Yashtimadhu, Musta, Jivaka and Rishabhaka (rare herbs, orchid species). Over the centuries, some of the herbs originally mentioned have become rare or extinct due to environmental degradation and overharvesting. For example, special herbs, including Jivaka and Rishabhaka, mentioned in the classical texts, are now either unavailable or only found in limited geographic regions, making it difficult to replicate the classical recipe in its entirety.
This leads us to one of the problems around Chyavanprash.
Authentic Chyavanprash. Modern formulas cannot, for the reasons mentioned above contain all the herbal ingredients in the original formula. Fortunately, however, the Rishis themselves and acharyas of the past have provided some acceptable substitutes for certain herbs if they are unavailable for various reasons. Herbs such as Kakoli, Meda, Mahameda, Kshirakakoli, Vrishabhaka, and Jeevaka, are either severely endangered, no longer available, or not available in commercial quantities. Reputable companies use the permitted alternatives as given in the traditional texts. In some cases, conservation efforts are underway to help protect endangered plants (and all sensitive practitioners and users of herbal medicine should make efforts to support these movements, rather than attempting to acquire endangered plants for selfish purposes) and attempts are being made to reintroduce some species to their native environments.
If the suggested alternatives for the scarce or restricted herbs are used effectively, the rejuvenating and therapeutic impact of the Chyavanprash formula will remain intact.
But then, if this was the only problem!
Amla, or Amalaki (Emblica officinalis) is the chief ingredient in Chyavanprash with significant antioxidant and rejuvenating properties. However, many modern studies investigating the content of Chyavanprash formulas have found that the levels of Amla used vary significantly. There are brands of Chyavanprash ranging from 2% Amla to 38% Amla (which would mean 1.9 grams – take note, in a 10 gram serve). Given that the sugar content of Chyavanprash can be up to 80% in some brands, and allowing for the presence of the other herbs in the formula and the ghee required etc, Amla often comes off 2nd best to sugar!
Why? In part this is due to commerce and the resurgence of popularity in Chyavanprash, and the ever-present force of cheap products in the marketplace masquerading under the fame of the original product. Sugar is a necessary component in the Chyavanprash formula, as all students of Ayurveda will understand (it is there for reasons of shelf life, being a carrier, adjusting flavour for palatability and compliance and brimhana effect), but cheap white sugar is now almost universally substituted for mishri or jaggery unrefined sugar, to the detriment of Chyavanprash (and why would any company use highest quality herbs in their product only to diminish the impact with a ton of refined white sugar?)
The challenges faced by Chyavanprash in the modern world involve further issues related to substitution with inferior herbs, omittance of critical herbs, using wrong herbs, hidden ingredients such as colours, flavours, chemical preservatives, heavy metals, plastics, and microbial contamination. Recent media articles in India alerted the public to Chyavanprash brands using cornstarch and caffeine in the product. over 30 years ago when Dr Ajit B.A.M.S, of the Australasian Institute of Ayurvedic Studies was an Ayurvedic inspector for the government of India, his team encountered some prominent manufacturers substituting yams for Amla in their Chyavanprash. For ease of manufacture some brands, including some certified organic formulations, which may contain otherwise good quality herbs, may not include the full range of herbs required for Chyavanprash, but still market the product as a Chyavanprash. And where is the honesty in that marketplace tactic?
Should Your Chyavanprash be organic? If a product was found to be independently certified organic, AND contain all of the correct herbs in correct therapeutic proportions, featuring substantial Amla levels, it could be a great product. But the fact is that not all herbs required are currently cultivated and certified organically, in sufficient quantities for commercial scale manufacture. A prominent Vaidya confided in me over 15 years ago, that one big name commercial brand in India was producing so much Chyavanprash per year that it would have required more Amla than the commercial annual production of India for that ingredient. Figure that one out.
Although scientific papers involving Chyavanprash have been published and appear very promising, some researchers as has been stated above, are pushing for larger sample sizes, and longer-term studies. A 2017 study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology showed that regular supplementation with Chyavanprash significantly enhanced natural killer (NK) cell activity in healthy adults, indicating improved immune surveillance. Another clinical trial, published in Ancient Science of Life (2011), assessed the effect of Chyavanprash on school children and reported a reduction in infection rates and an improvement in overall health and appetite. Researchers attribute these effects to the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory properties of the formulation’s polyherbal components.
Regardless of modern studies, the Ayurvedic Vaidyas who have been dealing with Chyavanprash for centuries have universally attested to its efficacy in clinical practice. Chyavanprash in Ayurvedic terms, can enhance an organisms’ Ojas levels. Ojas is that refined ‘essence’ present in the body only in limited quantities, and is the highly prized product of balanced living, yoga practice, and careful use of one’s own energy. Ojas provides us with our resistance, endurance, vigour, resilience, lifespan, and joie de vivre. Chyavanprash, having been designed by the Chyavana Rishi, to restore Ojas and enhance resilience, stands at the intersection of ancient wisdom and modern science. While some original herbs have become scarce, and commercial versions may vary in quality, the formulation continues to be a trusted ally in promoting health, immunity, and longevity. As scientific validation progresses, Chyavanprash’s position as a bridge between traditional medicine and contemporary wellness is only becoming stronger.
Considerations for Consumers: Consider the amount of herbs in the formula and how they might mirror the greater parent formula; look for label transparency – with detailed product information and botanical plant names; seek to understand the amount of Amla in the formula; avoid products that are using simple refined white sugar; choose brands with a good reputation, known for clinical efficacy; look for the tangy taste of Amla.
When I asked Dr Ajit B.A.M.S , P.C.A.S, nearly 30 years ago about the Chyavanprash he uses (and remember that he worked for the Indian government for 20 year as an Inspector and auditor of Ayurvedic pharmacies), he pointed to a product he still uses to this day, containing over 40 therapeutic herbs, made with unrefined jaggery, by a reputable manufacturer with over 100 years experience, and with a ton of Amla. That product contains over 13 grams Amla in every 10 gram dose) through the use of concentrated extract of Amla). There is no product that I have tasted with quite the zing that this Chyavanprash product delivers.
Are there times when it is best not to use Chyavanprash? Yes. It will depend upon your current levels of Ama (auto-generated ‘toxins,) and the stage of a disease process, and would be the subject of a separate article. Dr Ajit will be addressing some of these matters on his social media pages.
I hope that this will give you a sense of some of the history, repute, concerns, and therapeutic potential of REAL Chyavanprash.
Richard Clark
Adv Dip Ayurveda, AIAS.