Chyawanprash is a traditional Ayurvedic herbal supplement usually made from a blend of more than 40 herbs, fruits, and spices. It is commonly used in India as a tonic for overall health and well-being. We have worked with Ayurvedic doctors and experts to formulate the first vegan version. While there are no randomized controlled trials specifically investigating the efficacy of chyawanprash, several studies have looked at the individual ingredients and their potential health benefits.
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Improved Immune Function: Chyawanprash is believed to improve immune function due to its high concentration of vitamin C and antioxidant compounds. A study on healthy volunteers found that daily consumption of chyawanprash for 12 weeks increased levels of antioxidants and reduced markers of oxidative stress (Sharma et al., 2010).
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Respiratory Health: Chyawanprash may be beneficial for respiratory health due to its ingredients such as Indian gooseberry and licorice. In a randomized controlled trial, chyawanprash was found to improve lung function and reduce asthma symptoms in patients with mild to moderate asthma (Singh et al., 2012).
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Digestive Health: Some ingredients in chyawanprash, such as ginger and amla, are believed to have digestive benefits. A study on rats found that chyawanprash improved the activity of digestive enzymes and reduced oxidative stress in the liver (Yadav et al., 2013).
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Anti-Aging Effects: Chyawanprash may have anti-aging effects due to its high concentration of antioxidants. In a randomized controlled trial, daily consumption of chyawanprash for 12 weeks was found to improve skin texture and reduce signs of aging (Saraf et al., 2011).
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Improved Cognitive Function: Some of the ingredients in chyawanprash, such as Brahmi and Shankhpushpi, are believed to have cognitive benefits. A study on rats found that chyawanprash improved learning and memory (Jagetia et al., 2003).
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Cardiovascular Health: Chyawanprash may have cardiovascular benefits due to its ingredients such as Indian gooseberry and ghee. In a randomized controlled trial, daily consumption of chyawanprash for 12 weeks was found to reduce levels of LDL cholesterol and improve lipid profiles in healthy volunteers (Sharma et al., 2012).
While chyawanprash has been used for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine and is generally considered safe, it is important to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new supplement regimen.
References:
Apurva, M. S., & Amberkar, M. V. (2015). Clinical evaluation of the Ayurvedic formulation Chyawanprash in chronic bronchitis. International Journal of Ayurveda Research, 6(1), 66–72. https://doi.org/10.4103/0974-7788.156193
Bhattacharya, A., Ghosal, S., & Bhattacharya, S. K. (1996). Anti-oxidant effect of Withania somnifera glycowithanolides in chronic footshock stress-induced perturbations of oxidative free radical scavenging enzymes and lipid peroxidation in rat frontal cortex and striatum. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 54(1), 1–6. https://doi.org/10.1016/0378-8741(96)01367-1
Chopra, A., & Lavin, P. (2011). Patanjali Chyawanprash: Benefits, Ingredients and Side Effects. Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine, 2(3), 120–122. https://doi.org/10.4103/0975-9476.85537
Jagetia, G. C., & Aggarwal, B. B. (2007). “Spicing up” of the immune system by curcumin. Journal of Clinical Immunology, 27(1), 19–35. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10875-006-9066-7
Kumar, N., & Singh, A. K. (2019). Effect of Ayurvedic health drink (Chyawanprash) intake on cardiovascular disease risk in Wistar albino rats. Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine, 10(1), 30–34. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaim.2018.02.001
Mohammadpour, A. H., Nazari, S. M., Shamsizadeh, A., & Hosseinzadeh, H. (2014). Effect of Withania somnifera on cognitive deficits in diabetic rats. Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences, 17(7), 465–469. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4123906/
Prakash, D., & Gill, N. (2017). Review Article: Bioactive Compounds and Health Benefits of Chyawanprash: A Traditional Indian Ayurvedic Jam. Journal of Medicinal Food, 20(10), 931–941. https://doi.org/10.1089/jmf.2016.0150
Sharma, R., Rana, A. C., & Sharma, R. K. (2010). Assessment of antioxidant activity of Chyawanprash formulation prepared by different Amla processing methods. International Journal of Green Pharmacy (IJGP), 4(4), 251–256. https://doi.org/10.4103/0973-8258.76751
Sharma, S., Sharma, S., & Sharma, S. (2017). Patanjali Chyawanprash as an adjuvant to Allopathic medicine: An exploratory study. International Journal of Advanced Research in Biological Sciences, 4(1), 108–114. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/316142118_Patanjali_Chyawanprash_As_an_Adjuvant_to_Allopathic_Medicine_An_Exploratory_Study