Agastya is the name of a revered Hindu sage who is the author of several Vedic hymns and Tamil writings. The name Agastya is also associated with Lord Shiva. It is also the brightest star in the southern canopy and the father of Tamil language. Being also part of Indian culture and tradition, Agastya and karpoora hold a rich abundance of Ayurveda and Sanskriti.
In 104th sarga of Yuddha Kanda, there is Sage Agastya’s advice in brief to Lord Rama at the instance of Rama Ravana Yudha.
In Ramayana when Shri Rama was desperate when he could not conquer Ravana, Agastya approaches Rama and initiated the famous ‘ADITYA HRUDAYAM’. On reciting this sloka, Rama got physical and mental rejuvenation and he could kill Ravana. Similarly, for any respiratory illness, Agastya rasayana with karpooradi choorna works for every debilitated Rama to conquer the daily evils of Ravana.
Agastya Rasayana or Agasthya harithaki (Harithaki – Terminalia chebula, its main ingredient) rasayana is widely used in many respiratory diseases. It is not only medicine but also a rejuvenation(rasayana). As many ayurvedic medicines are not safe to use on a long-term basis for toxicity / adverse drug reactions, Agastya rasayana can be used on a long-term basis.
As the name suggests, this rasayana was first used by Sage Agastya Rishi.
Let’s see what are the benefits of Agasthya rasayana: – It improves overall respiratory health, is helpful in immunity building up and very effective in acute and chronic asthma and tuberculosis. It can also be suitably used in hikka (hiccups), jwara (fever), gulma (abdominal growths), grahani (Irritable bowel syndrome), Arsha (piles) and hrudaya vyadhis ( heart ailments).
Its rasayana effects are in – Valee palitam Hanyat (grey hair conditions) , Varna Bala Ayu Vardhanam(Improves skin health , age and strength).
As these are classical textual references, there are other uses which were noted for this rasayana after widespread clinical indications like runny and stuffy nose, and adenoids in children, suitable with other medicines.
Ingredients –
Dasamoola (group of ten herb roots), Bala (Sida Cordifolia), Atmagupta(mucuna pruriens), Yava (barley), gajapippali , Pippali moola(root of piper longum), Harithaki – 100 fruits (terminalia chebula), Bharngi(Clerodendron serratum), Pushkaramoola (inula racemosa), Chitraka(Plumbago zeylanica), Shati (Curcuma Zeodaria), Apamarga (Achyranthus aspera), ghee, sesame oil, jaggery.
After cooling, honey is added (Charaka Samhita chikitsa sthana reference)
All these drugs are mucolytic and eases breathing.
Dosage
Adults – 1- 2 teaspoon 2 times a day, before or after food, with warm water or honey
Children – 1 teaspoon once or twice a day, with lukewarm water (Always take the medicine after the advice of an Ayurvedic physician only)
Karpooradi choorna
As the name indicates, this medicine is used in the treatment of respiratory and digestive diseases, Effective in balancing Vata and Kapha dosha
Ingredients –
Sugar , Twak (cinnamomum tamala ), Camphor (Cinnamomum camphora), Jatiphala ( Myristica fragrans)- fruit pericarp, Takkola (Dalbergia lanceolaria), Nagakesara (Mesua ferrea), Clove (Syzigium aromaicum), Pippali (Piper longum), Shunthi (Zingiber officinale)
Indications –
Indigestion, cold – cough, anorexia, difficulty in breathing, nausea, pain and vomiting
Agasthya rasayana & karpooradi choorna
Both are highly effective medicines, hence its combination gives potentiated results in all respiratory diseases including chronic Asthma.
A 500-gm quantity of Agastya rasayana is thoroughly mixed with 50 gm of Karpooradi choorna and stored in airtight containers. Patients are instructed to consume this combination 3-4 times a day before food in half-teaspoon quantity.
All the instructions mentioned in this article are to be followed only after an Ayurveda Doctor’s advice to avoid any untoward effects.
“A healthy mind and body has an easy breath”
