Drakshadi Kashayam (Kwatham)

September 6, 2016Last Updated: March 28, 2019

4 minutes read

Drakshadi Kashayam is an ayurvedic medicine mainly used for Vata and Pitta disorders. It is helpful in the treatment of chronic fevers, excessive thirst, vertigo (giddiness), nausea, vomiting, jaundice, debility, alcoholism, epistaxis, and bleeding disorders. It is also helpful for treating hangover due to excess alcohol consumption.

Drakshadi Kashayam Ingredients

Ingredients	Quantity
Vitis Vinifera – Draksha (Raisins)	1 Part
Madhuca Indica – Mahua/Madhuka flowers	1 Part
Glycyrrhiza Glabra – Yashtimadhu (Licorice)	1 Part
Symplocos Racemosa – Lodhra	1 Part
Gmelina Arborea – Gambhari (Beech wood/Kasmari)	1 Part
Hemidesmus Indicus – Sariva	1 Part
Mustak (Nut Grass) – Cyperus Rotundus	1 Part
Emblica Officinalis – Amla	1 Part
Coleus Zeylanicum – Hribera	1 Part
Nelumbium Speciosum – Kamal Kesar (Lotus)	1 Part
Nelumbium Speciosum – Kamal Nal	1 Part
Prunus Cerasoides – Padmaka	1 Part
Santalum Album – Safed Chandan (White Sandalwood)	1 Part
Vetiveria Zizanioides – Ushira or Khas (Vetiver)	1 Part
Jasminum Sambac – Jatipushpa	1 Part
Phoenix Famifera – Parushaka	1 Part
Reference: ASHTANGA HRIDAYAM, CHIKITSA STHANA, CHAPTER 1, JWARA CHIKITSA, VERSE 55 – 58 & SAHASRAYOGAM, KASHAYA PRAKARANA, VATA PITTA JWARAHAR KASHAYA

Pharmacological Actions

Ingredients in Drakshadi Kashayam pacify Vata and Pitta Aggravation. It balances acid secretion in the stomach and reduces burning sensation. It supports digestive health and improves strength. It mainly acts on stomach, intestine, liver, and parts above the shoulders like head, neck, nose, etc.

Medicinal Properties

Antacid
Antipyretic
Anti-inflammatory (appears in inflammatory bowel disease)
Carminative
Antioxidant
Adaptogenic
Alterative – tending to restore health
Antiulcerogenic
Carminative
Cholagogue (promotes the discharge of bile)
Depurative (purifies blood)
Digestive Stimulant
Haematinic (increases hemoglobin levels)
Mild laxative
Tonic

Ayurvedic Properties

DOSHA KARMA (Effect on Humors)	Pacifies Vata Dosha and Pitta Dosha
Dhatu (Tissue) Effect	RASA, RAKTA
Organs Effect	Stomach, Intestine, Liver, and Parts above the Shoulders like Head, Neck, Nose, Etc.
Main Indication	Fever

Therapeutic Indications

Drakshadi Kashayam is indicated in following health conditions:

Fever (Vata-Pitta Type)
Alcoholism and Hangover after alcohol consumption
Nausea & Vomiting
Fainting
Burning sensation
Fatigue
Vertigo
Epistaxis (Nosebleed)
Excessive Thirst
Jaundice
Headache

Benefits & Medicinal Uses

Drakshadi Kashayam reduces following symptoms:

Generalized weakness
Sleeplessness
Feeling of losing consciousness
Sour taste of the mouth
Sour Vomitus
Burning sensation
Delirium
Excessive Thirst
Feeling of exhaustion
Feeling of increased heat
Pain with feeling of burning
Fever

It can be used in the indicated health conditions when the patient has these symptoms.

Debility after Fever

Drakshadi Kashayam is an excellent remedy for debility occurring after fever. It reduces fatigue, weakness and loss of interest and provides strength to the body. It should be taken for 2 to 4 weeks after chronic fevers or infections. If patient has extreme debility, then it can also be used along with Ashwagandha Preparations.

Hangover after Alcohol Consumption

Many people experience hangover after heavy drinking, which is characterized by headache, nausea, and feeling of sick, dizziness and thirsty. All these symptoms are occurring due to excess Pitta and Vata in the body, which are treatable with Drakshadi Kashayam.

Headache

Drakshadi Kashayam also gives relief from the headache. It is generally effective when patient has heartburn, gastritis, burning sensation in the head, irritability, and increased sensitivity to bright lights, dizziness and nausea. It can be used along with Sutshekhar Ras or Kamdudha Ras for the best results in such cases of headache.

Dosage & Administration

Drakshadi Kwatham is available in three preparations:

Drakshadi Kashayam Churna
Drakshadi Kashayam Liquid
Drakshadi Kashayam Tablets

Drakshadi Kashayam Churna

If you are using Drakshadi Kashayam Churna, then take 60 grams churna in 960 ml water. Boil to reduce it 120 ml Drakshadi Kwatham. The dosage is 30 to 60 ml.

The general dosage of Decoction (Kwath) prepared with Drakshadi Kashayam Churna is as follows.
Children	15 to 30 ml *
Adults	30 to 60 ml *
Maximum Possible Dosage	120 ml Per Day (in divided doses)
* Twice a day
Best Time to Take: Before Food

Drakshadi Kashayam Liquid

Drakshadi Kashayam Liquid is readymade concentrated decoction and can be used in the following dosage.

The general dosage of Drakshadi Kwatham readymade Liquid is as follows.
Children	2.5 to 10 ml *
Adults	5 to 15 ml *
Maximum Possible Dosage	30 ml Per Day (in divided doses)
* Twice a day with 4 times boiled and cooled water
Best Time to Take: Before Food

Drakshadi Kashayam Tablets

Drakshadi Kashayam Tablets are the extract tablets of the Drakshadi decoction.

The general dosage of Drakshadi Kashayam Tablets is as follows.
Children	1 tablet *
Adults	2 tablets *
Maximum Possible Dosage	4 tablets Per Day (in divided doses)
* Twice a day with warm water
Best Time to Take: 30 minutes Before Food
Note: The dosage is according to 1000 mg tablet of Drakshadi Kashayam.

Safety Profile

All available forms of Drakshadi Kwatham are considerably safe and well-tolerated in most individuals when Drakshadi formulations are taken in the recommended dosage under the supervision of an ayurvedic physician. Drakshadi Kwatham is well suitable for people having Vata dominance in symptoms.

Side Effects

There are no side effects observed with Drakshadi Kashayam.

Pregnancy & Lactation

The safety profile of Drakshadi Kashayam is not well established for pregnant women. However, ingredients used in Drakshadi Kashaya in provided ratio are not likely to cause any side effects during pregnancy. You should consult an ayurvedic physician before using Drakshadi formulations during pregnancy.

Drakshadi Kashayam is likely to be safe to consume by lactating mothers. There are no adverse effects reported with the use of Drakshadi Kwatham in lactating mothers and breastfeeding babies.