Nutraceuticals: Ayurveda’s Perspective

Yogita Rani and N.K. Sharma

Herbal Drug Research
Ranbaxy Research Labs
Gurgaon-122001, Haryana
India

Keywords: Chyawanprash, phytomedicine, rasayana, traditional medicine

Abstract
Nutraceuticals are natural bioactive materials that provide demonstrated
physiological benefits or reduce the risk of chronic diseases, above and beyond their
basic nutritional function. Consumers’ demand for quality of life has fueled the
‘nutraceutical revolution’ and seeking complementary or alternative beneficial
products. The association of nutraceuticals with traditional medicine brings the
long-standing consumer acceptance. Although the concept of nutraceuticals is
gaining more popularity more recently, its roots can be traced to the ancient Indian
system of medicine, ‘Ayurveda’. It is clearly stated that food, which besides providing
nutrition helps to maintain the healthy state and prevents the occurrence of diseases
should be consumed. The classical texts of Ayurveda are filled with scattered
references of implication of food products in various disease entities. The concept of
‘Aajasrik Rasayana’ (general rejuvenation) deals with food products that can be
consumed daily for improving quality of life by offering protection from external
and internal stressors. Commonly used nutraceuticals of Ayurveda include
Chyavanprash (for general health and prevention of respiratory disorders); Brahma
Rasayana (for protection from mental stress); Phala Ghrita (for reproductive
health); Arjuna Ksheerpaka (for cardioprotection); Shatavari Ghrita (for general
health of women during various physiological states) and Rasona Ksheerpaka (for
cardioprotection). Implication of certain nutraceuticals mentioned in various
conditions and their merits will be elaborately discussed in this paper.

INTRODUCTION

“Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.”

(Hippocrates 400 BC)

Man has eternally endeavored to keep himself free from all types of miseries,
efforts being for the purpose of prevention as well as cure of diseases. Evidences of
implication of foods for providing particular benefits are found since antiquity. The
ancient Greeks considered garlic as a performance-enhancing drug and officially used it
for this purpose during the first Olympic games. During 16th century, sailors were given
lemon to prevent and treat scurvy.
More recent revelations about the side effects of synthetic drugs and
chemotherapeutics employed due to the increase in the occurrence of diseases as diabetes,
cancer and heart problems have alerted many people all over the world and efforts are on
the rise to find alternatives. The stand that food can be health promoting beyond its
traditional nutritional value is gaining momentum amongst scientists, health professionals
as well as consumers. Other factors, which have brought about this revolutionary
approach towards food include: an overall increase in the aging population; escalating
costs of preventive and curative medicines; practice of self medication and repeat
purchases by consumers themselves; increased awareness among general public regarding
health and search for safer and natural alternatives and growing scientific evidence
regarding beneficial effects of diet in limiting the propagation of diseases.
All these factors and economic growth in recent years have strengthened the

Proc. WOCMAP III, Vol.6: Traditional Medicine & Nutraceuticals

Eds. U.R. Palaniswamy, L.E. Craker and Z.E. Gardner 131
Acta Hort. 680, ISHS 2005
interest in diet and nutraceuticals. Functional foods and nutraceuticals have obtained a
middle ground between food and drug due to recognition of their role in health. Recent
findings have established a strong link between consumption of whole grains and reduced
risk of coronary heart disease (Lui, 2002); foods rich in natural soluble fiber as psyllium
with reduced incidence of coronary heart disease (Anderson, 1995); fruits and vegetables
and decreased risk for cancer (Steinmetz and Potter, 1996); garlic and n-3 fatty acids and
reduction in elevated serum cholesterol levels (Von Schacky et al., 2001); lycopene and
reduced cancer rates (Livny et al., 2002); black and green tea with cancer prevention and
control (Das et al., 2002), and fermented dairy products and improved gastro-intestinal
health (Marteau et al., 2001). Additionally, efforts have been made to identify the plant
species and their specific uses in ancient Asian cultures and integrate the traditional
medical wisdom with demonstrated medicinal properties in controlled experiments
(Palaniswamy, 2003).

NUTRACEUTICALS AND AYURVEDA

In Ayurveda, the importance of particular diet in prevention and treatment of
diseases was well known even in 1000 BC. For ages, people in India, because of their
cultural beliefs and experiences have taken herbs and herbal formulations as part of their
daily food supplements. The faith in the power of botanicals along with the availability of
a vast majority of different kinds of herbs in India has always been a thrust behind the
survival of this scientific art of healing.

“Tat cha nityam prayunjeet svasthyam yen anuvartate.

Ajaatanam vikaranam anuttpattikaram cha yat.”
(Charaka Samhita: Sutra Sthana: 5)

(The diet which besides providing the basic nutrition to the

body, helps to maintain the healthy state of the body and
prevents the occurrence of diseases should be consumed).

An interesting verse regarding the importance of wholesome diet goes as:

“Pathye sati gadaartasya kim aushadh nishevane.

Pathye asati gadaartasya kim aushadh nishevane.”
(Vaidhya Jeevana: 1/10)

(If wholesome diet is given in a planned way, then there is no need

to administer medicines and if wholesome diet is not being used
then too there is no need to give medicine, as this is not going to
cure the disease in the absence of wholesome diet).

The science of food and nutritionals in Ayurveda was so developed that Charaka
(an Ayurvedic Scholar) has categorized all the food items into twelve classes: corns with
bristles, pulses or legumes, meat, leafy vegetables, fruit, vegetables which are consumed
raw, wines, water from different sources, milk and milk products, products of sugarcane,
food preparations, and accessory food items such as oils and salts, and has further
subcategorized these food groups. Another classification is based on the consistency of
food products: Peeta (liquid in consistency, advisable for the newborns, children and
diseased people and advocated in summer), Leeda (Paste form that can be licked,
advisable for children, convalescing and old people), Ashita (Semi solids, advised for
aged people) and Khadita (solid food, advisable for young people with good digestion).
It is interesting to learn that Ayurveda lays a great emphasis on the quality of
nutritious food for (i) averting the degenerative changes caused by ageing (Rasayana), (ii)
convalescence after an illness (Balya), (iii) enhancing the defense system (Roga
Pratibandhaka Rasayana), (iv) maintaining the vigor and vitality (Vajikarana), and (v) for

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maintaining the joie-de-vivre (Jeevaniya). The category of Rasayana drugs is divided into
three categories, Kamya (for vitality, intellect etc.), Naimmitika (for specific disorders)
and Aajasrika (general), the last one dealing with the daily consumption of specific food
products to rejuvenate the body. These food products are said to improve the quality of
life by offering protection from internal and external stressors. The usage of
nutraceuticals as advocated by Ayurveda can be also classified depending upon the age of
the individual, season of consumption, time of consumption, physiological conditions and
according to the target organ.
Ayurveda states that sound health depends on three biological forces named as
Vata, Pitta and Kapha, which are all pervading and in their state of equilibrium, are
responsible for healthy structural and functional setup. Although different levels of their
predominance are said to determine different types of physical disposition (called
Prakruti), age wise also, their levels tend to vary. In brief, while the predominant Kapha
in childhood promotes growth and development by supporting the anabolic activities,
Pitta in adults maintains a higher metabolic rate and ensures increased
productivity/performance, whereas the increased Vata in old age leads to elevated
catabolism, wear and tear and ushers us to degenerative changes. For this precise reason,
it is important to take these factors in consideration while advocating any nutraceutical.
For example paste of Indian Pennywort (Bacopa monniera) and Sweet flag (Acorus
calamus) along with honey is given to the new born to pacify the increased Kapha Dosha
and to improve the memory of the child. All the Rasayana and Vajikarana formulations
are advocated in the young age while Chyawanprash is a Rasayana for old aged as well.
Another important aspect enumerated by Ayurveda pertains to the influence of
environmental factors on the physiological factors. The external stressors in the form of
environmental factors tend to have an impact on the three biological factors. To neutralize
these impacts, some recommendations are made. A unique nutraceutical based on
seasonal variations is ‘Ritu Haritaki’ i.e. use of fruit of Chebulic myrobalans (Terminalia
chebula) as per the season. The fruit should be used along with rock salt (Saindhava) in
rainy season, with sugar in autumn, with dried rhizome of Ginger (Zingiber officinale) in
early winters, with fruit powder of long pepper (Piper longum) in late winters, with honey
in spring and with jaggery in summer season. Another example of use of nutraceuticals as
per season is of Bhallataka Rasayana (preparation of fruits of Semecarpus anacardium),
which should not be consumed in summer season.
Third category pertains to use depending on the time of consumption. Most of the
Rasayanas have been advised to consume in the early hours of the day. Use of ginger
mixed with rock salt before meals is advocated to enhance the appetite and aid digestion.
Another example is of Triphala Rasayana according to which fruit of Chebulic
myrobalans are to be consumed after the digestion of previous meal, of Beleric
myrobalans (Terminalia bellerica) before taking food and of Indian Gooseberry (Emblica
officinalis) after taking meal.
Another class of nutraceuticals belongs to those formulations that have been
conceived to offer specific benefits in certain physiological conditions. Use of Satavari
Ghrita (a formulation of Asparagus racemosus with clarified butter) is advocated in
lactating women to improve lactation. Use of Dashamoola Ghrita (Dashamoola is a group
of ten drugs whose roots are used) after child delivery is advocated to facilitate the
involution of uterus to its normal state.
Another approach adopted by Ayurveda is organ or body system oriented wherein
use is aimed at delivering benefits to a particular organ. Chyawanprash is aimed to give
strength to the respiratory system. Pippali Rasayana (use of fruit of long pepper with
honey) is also advocated to confer immunity to the respiratory system. Use of Triphala
powder (powder of fruits of chebulic myrobalans, beleric myrobalans and Indian
gooseberry) along with honey and clarified butter is advocated for maintaining/improving
the eyesight.
A confection of Indian Gooseberry is used in households of India during winter
season to prevent rhinitis and respiratory tract infections. A confection of rose petals and

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sugar is employed as mild laxative for children and as cooling agent, which subdues the
vitiation of Pitta Dosha. Ardraka paka (ginger based confection toffee) is one such
preparation, which is made up of ginger, sugar, salt and lemon and is used as an aid to
digestion. Confection of Bael fruit (Aegle marmelos) is used in the household for the
problems of gastrointestinal tract. Paste of Mentha leaves (Mentha arvensis) is consumed
along with meals for preventing abdominal distension. Consumption of grated garlic,
fresh ginger and fresh turmeric rhizome mixed with lemon and salt is used as an aid to
digestion. Further certain sugar based confections and herb treated clarified butter (ghee)
preparations are also used in India as home-remedial nutraceuticals. In this class,
commonly used combinations include Chyawanprash, Brahmi Rasayana, Phala Ghrita,
Arjuna Ksheerapaka and Rasona Ksheerapaka.

Chyawanprash Avaleha
This is a sugar and honey based confection of over 50 herbs, sesame oil and
clarified butter traditionally used for ailments of respiratory tract. The main ingredient of
this formulation is Indian Gooseberry, which is a rich source of Vitamin C, found to
possess anti-oxidant activities (Bhattacharya et al., 2002); immunomodulatory and
cytoprotective activities (Sairam et al., 2002); hypolipidemic activity (Mathur et al., 1996)
and hepatoprotective activity (Bhattacharya et al., 2000a). Chyawanprash exhibited
hepato-protective effect in studies (Jose and Kuttan, 2000) and reduced postprandial
glycemia and blood cholesterol levels (Manjunatha et al., 2001).

Brahmi Rasayana
This is used for combating the day-to-day mental stress, improving memory and
higher order cognitive functions. As per Ayurveda, man is a combination of body, soul
and psyche and for being in a healthy state, health of body as well as psyche should be
ensured. In the present formulation, meant for this purpose, Indian pennywort is
processed with paste of few other herbs and clarified butter. As per Ayurveda, Brahmi is a
Medhya Rasayana (memory enhancer) whose exact mode of action as a brain tonic has
not yet been identified. It exhibited anti-oxidant effect (Bhattacharya et al., 2000b; Pawar
et al., 2001); increased GABA levels in the brain (Dey and Dutta, 1966) and offered
tranquilizing effect (Ganguly and Malhotra, 1967).

Arjuna Ksheerapaka
The word Ksheerapaka means processed milk. This is a preparation of bark of the
srjun tree (Terminalia arjuna), processed with milk. The main effect offered by Arjuna is
of cardio-protection, which is supported by many scientific studies. In a study of cases of
chronic stable angina, this led to improvement in clinical and treadmill exercise
parameters comparable to the standard isosorbide mononitrate therapy (Bharani et al.,
2002); offered protection against the damage induced by myocardial necrosis (Sumitra et
al., 2001); exhibited anti-oxidant activity (Munasinghe et al., 2001); anti-oxidant and
hypocholesterolemic effect in cases of coronary heart disease (Shaila et al., 1998);
improved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in cases of coronary artery disease
(Dwivedi and Jauhari, 1997).

Rasona Ksheerapaka
In this formulation de-husked and dried bulbils of garlic are processed with eight
times milk. Garlic (Allium sativum) is a Rasayana drug in Ayurveda. Present formulation
is said to be useful in ailments of Vata Dosha (e.g. sciatica, arthritis, cardiac disorders),
although, the main use of this formulation by physicians is in hyperlipidemia. Retardative
effect on development of atherosclerosis (Mirahadi et al., 1991), relaxant effect on aortic
rings in vitro (Aquel et al., 1991), and anti-arrhythmic effect in both ventricular and supra
ventricular arrhythmias (Martin et al., 1994) have been reported.

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Phala Ghrita
This formulation is a combination of around 30 herbs including chebulic
myrobalans, Indian gooseberry, beleric myrobalans, long pepper, turmeric and sandal,
processed with clarified butter and cow’s milk. It is advocated in men and women for
reproductive health, nowadays mainly used in females for primary and secondary
infertility. The name Phala Ghrita is a symbolic representation of the activities attributed
to this formulation. The word ‘Phala’ means fruit, which is a product of fertilization.

CONCLUSION
The association of nutraceuticals with traditional medicine is bound to bring the
long lasting consumer acceptance. When supported by current modern medical research,
the acceptance is whole hearted. The examples quoted above are of the few nutraceutical
preparations picked in their original form from the classical texts of Ayurveda in which
fortification in terms of desired effects has been done in a natural way. It is not always
possible to find out the active phyto-constituent and the rationality of a particular
combination of herbs in terms of modern scientific methods. But all that which is beyond
the reach of scientific proof is not irrational and non-existing, as rightly depicted by
Aacharya Charaka (one of the earliest Ayurvedic scholars) – “Pratyakshama hi alpam,
analpam apratyakshama” (i.e. what is visible to human beings is only a small fraction of
this universe and what we can not perceive is much more than that, which doesn’t make
that non-existent). The formulations cited above are in use for centuries and have
survived due to the benefits that they offer.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The authors thank Dr. V.S. Chauhan, Director-Herbal Drug Research, Ranbaxy
Research Labs, for his help in preparing this paper.

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