DHANYAMLA236

Before going into the details of Dhanyamla Kayaseka it is necessary to understand

the term Dhanyamla. A cursory glance itself reveals that the term Dhanyamla is
conjugate of two different words, viz Dhanya and Amla which in conjugation means
fermented cereal in a broad sense. All the three major classics of Ayurveda at some
instance or other have referred to its use at times, singularly or along with other drugs.
Maharshi Charaka, Susruta and Vaghbata have included this either in Amlavarga,
Santhana kalpana or in Madya vargha. Maharshi Charaka further mentioned the drugs
used for Dhanyamla in Nadi sweda and Upanaha.
Synonyms: - A perusal of the ancient text of the medicine reveals that a number of
synonyms have been attributed to Dhanyamla which in most cases refer to a specific
attribute and when taken collectively gives a clear idea about the character and properties
of Dhanyamla. Narisimha has in this context very rightly stated that these synonyms to
Dhanyamla are complementary to each other and as such there is no difference between
Dhanyamla and Kanjhika. Guna deepika, a celebrated lexicon on medical plants gives
the following compilations of synonyms as attributed to Dhanyamla.
1. Aranala: Aranalasya rigathownala gandha i.e having acrid fast spreading odour.
2. Abhishuta:shunj abhishave i.e made of half cooked cereals.
3. Avanthisoma: prepared out of soma found in Avanti Desha.
4. Kulmasha: Kula samsthyana i.e having half cooked masha or black grain.
5. KunJala: Indicative of fermented water.
6. Sowveeraka: Found in Sowveera desha.
Among these, Sowveerka and Avantisoma are synonyms pertaining to geographical
prepondarance or indicative of place. Abhishuta, Dhanyamla, KunJala , Kulmasha etc are
indicative of the process of fermentation. Aranala speeks of its acrid odour.
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Properties of Dhanyamla: - The known fact that Dhanyamla, amla or sour in taste serves
as an aid in delving into other properties of the Ama in the sense that since it is Amla in
Rasa the associated qualities of Amla Rasa as stated in the classics, viz, Laghu, Ushna,
Snigdha, Deepana, Vatanulomana etc. can be safely attributed to it. The properties of
Dhanya like Brimhana, Tarpana, Balya and Vatahara are also supplemented.
In brief, Dhanyamla may possess the following properties.
Rasa - Amla
Guna - Leghu, Snigdha, Teekshna, Sheeta sparsa
Vipaka - Amla
Veerya - Ushna
General properties: - Deepana, Pachana, Rochana, Bhedi, Vibhandhahrasa, Hrudya,
Klamahara, Angasada hara, Dahajwarahara, Hrudrogahara, Panduhara, Krimighna,
Arshohara, Grahanihara, and Bastisulahara. It can be used for Astapana.
Among other indications for its use, Maharshi Charaka has specified its used in
Dahajwara where in Avagaha of the patients in Kanji has been recommended237. The same
is also indicated to relieve pain in Arshas238. Further in Rajayakshma when Prathishyaya
and Peenasa super imposed on it, renders the ailment complicated, Nadi sweda by Kanji
has been advocated239. Since Amla is Sheeta sparsa and acts so in external wage,
Charaka has felt safe to vouch for its use externally as Lepa, Seka etc. in Urusthambha
also; he mentioned the use of the drug Dhanyamla240.
In short while going through the references of the use of Dhanyamla in different
context as found in classics, it is able to conclude that the drugs which are used for the
preparation of the Dhanyamla and Dhanyamla as such are preferred in Vatarogas and
Vatakapha samsargha janya diseases.

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Method of preparation: -241 Dhanyamla can be prepared out of different drugs. Many
drugs are available which easily get fermented. The Yoga mentioned in Sahasrayoga is
selected in this study. The combination and proportion of the Yoga is as follows in table 5:
Table 5
1 Tandula (Oryza sativa) 5 parts
2 Pruthuka (Pressed form of Oryza sativa) 5 parts
3 Kulatha Dolichos biflorus) 5 parts
4 Laja (Puffed form of Oryza sativa) 20 parts
5 Kangubeeja (Setaria italica) 4 parts
6 Kodravam (Paspalum scrobiculatum) 2 parts
7 Nagara (Zingiber officinale) 1 part
8 Nimbuka (Citrus acida) 4 parts
9 Dipyaka (Carum roxburgianum) 2 parts
10 Water 100parts
Traditional physicians of Kerala generally follow this particular combination.
On an auspicious day at a time when the astral combinations are favorable, the
necessary drugs and Paraphernalia for the preparation of the Dhanyamla are to be
collected. Place a large deep earthenware pot on an oven and pour 200 Prasthas of boiled
water and put the powdered drugs 1-9 separately made into loose bundles in clean cloth
bags.
After putting these drugs into the vessel along with water, it has to be loosely
covered with a lid and heated gently and continuously in moderate fire, preferably of paddy
husks, for a period of 7 days. The paddy husks are to be put under and around the vessel
and fired taking every precaution that the temperature of the water in the vessel does not
rise above the boiling point. On the 8th day the required quantity of the liquid is taken out
and added same quantity of hot water. The methodes of preparation adopted in this study
are discussed in the discussion part.
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The important factors to be recommended during the preparation of Dhanyamla is
that
Absolute cleanness should be maintained
Moderate fire should be kept through out he preparation
The details of the ingredients are as follows
1. TANDULA (N.O. Graminae, L. N. Oryza sativa) : Tandula possesses Madhura and
Kashaya Rasa, Madhura Vipaka as Sheeta Veerya. By Guna it is Guru. It alleviates
Pitta Dosha and provokes Kapha Dosha.
2. PRUTHUKA (N.O. Graminae, L.N. Oryza sativa): It is made out of Tandula. Prepared
by little heating and wet pounding of Tandula.
3. KULATHA (N.O. Leguminoceae, L.N. Dolichos biflorus): Kulatha possesses Kashaya
Rasa, Katu Vipaka and Ushna Veerya. By Guna it is Laghu, Vidahi and Sara. It acts as
Kapha Vatahara. It provokes Pitta Dosha also.
4. LAJA (N.O. Graminae, L.N. Oryza sativa): It is made out of Tandula. Prepared by dry
frying in a small-mouthed vessel. This process is known to induce Laghu Guna.
5. KANGUBIJA (N.O. Graminae, L.N. Setaria italica): Kangubija possesses Kashaya and
Madhura Rasa, Katu Vipaka and Ushna Veerya. By Guna it is Guru and Ruksha. It acts
as KaphaPitta shamaka and Vata vardhaka. It possesses Sandhaneeya and Vrushya
properties.
6. KODRAVA (N.O. Graminae, L.N. Paspalum scrobiculatum): Kodrava is of MadhuraKashaya in Rasa, Katu in Vipaka and Sheeta in Veerya. By Guna it is Laghu and
Ruksha. It alleviates Kapha and Pitta Dosha and provokes Vata Dosha.

7. NAGARA: Already described in Alambushadi Yoga.

8. NIMBUKA (N.O. Rutaceae, L.N. Citrus acida): Nimbuka is of Amla Rasa, Amla Vipaka
and Ushna Veerya. By Guna it is Laghu. It pacifies kapha Dosha. It has got
Agnideepana, Rochana, Pachana and Trishnanigraha properties.
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9. DIPYAKA (N. O. Umbelliferae, L.N. Carum roxburgianum): Dipyaka possesses Katu
and Tikta Rasa, Katu Vipaka and Ushna Veerya. By Guna it is Laghu, Ruksha. It acts
as Samaka for Kapha and Vata Dosha. It has got Shoola Prashamana, Rochana and
Krimighna properties.
PHYSIOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS REPORT
(Analyzed at K.L.E. societys Pharmacy college, Gadag.)
I. Alambushadi Yoga :
01. Loss on drying at 1100 C. = 2.35 % w/w
02. Ash value = 7.57 % w/w
03. Acid insoluble ash = 0.445 % w/w
04. PH of 10 % (w/w) aqueous solution = 5.42
05. Solubility = Highly soluble in water, weakly
soluble in Alcohol.
06. Test for Alkaloids
a. Mayers Test = Positive
b. Hagers Test = Positive
07. Test for Carbohydrates
a. Molish Test = Positive (Carbohydrate present )
b. Benedicts Test = Positive (Reducing sugar present)
c. Barfoedts Test = Positive (Monosaccherides present)
08. Average weight of Capsule = 0.5152 gram.
II. Dhanyamla
01. PH = 3.03
02. Specific gravity = 1.01
03. Test for Alkaloids
a. Mayers Test = Positive
b. Hagers Test = Positive
04. Test for Carbohydrates
a. Molish Test = Positive (Carbohydrate present )
b. Benedicts Test = Positive (Reducing sugar present)
c. Barfoedts Test = Positive (Monosaccherides present)

236. Sahasra yoga Edited by Shri K. V. Krishnan Vaidyan et.al. Published by

Vidyarabham Publishers, Allepy, 23rd edition April 2000. Pp.122.