Ashta Choornam is an ayurvedic classical medicine beneficial for the abdomen. It pacifies Vata, decreases Kapha, and increases Pitta. It also increases gastric juices and stimulates bile secretion. Thus, it is helpful in the treatment of loss of appetite. It has carminative action and prevents gas formation in the abdomen. Therefore, it is beneficial in intestinal gas, bloating and flatulence. It has antispasmodic action, so it is useful in cases of abdominal colic. Furthermore, it is used to treat abdominal lumps, incomplete evacuation, Vata Disorders, Kapha Disorders, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). In addition, it is also useful in diseases occurring due to Ama accumulation in the body that also include rheumatoid arthritis. However, it acts as supportive medicine in such cases.
Pharmacological Actions
Ashta Choornam mainly acts as a digestive stimulant, appetizer, and carminative. Therefore, it is mainly used for the disorders related to digestive system.
Medicinal Properties
Ashta Choornam mainly used to increase the Pitta in the digestive system. It is mostly used in cases of loss of appetite occurring due to a decrease in the secretion of gastric juices. However, aggravated or increased Pitta may result in loss of appetite, so it should not be used in such case. Otherwise, it may cause burning sensation, sour belching, restlessness, vertigo and worsen the existing symptoms of excess Pitta.
Ashta Choornam has following healing properties.
- Appetizer
- Digestive stimulant
- Carminative
- Antiflatulent
- Antispasmodic
- Anti-inflammatory
- Hepato-protective
- Antioxidant
- Fat Burner
- Anti-hepatomegaly
- Anthelmintic
Therapeutic Indications
Ashta Choornam is helpful in following health conditions.
Primary Indications
- Loss of Appetite
- Anorexia
- Intestinal Gas or Flatulence
- Abdominal heaviness after eating
- Feeling of abdominal lump mainly due to excess gas
- Abdominal pain mainly due to accumulation of gas in the abdomen
- Incomplete evacuation – when patient complaints he has sticky stool and defecate with mucus content in the stool
- Constipation (mainly as described in incomplete evacuation) – due to liver disorders or decrease supply of bile into to the intestine from liver and gallbladder
- Irritable bowel syndrome – when patient has loose stools and defecate stool with mucus content
- Bloating
- Fatty liver disease (hepatic steatosis)
- Diarrhoea
- Loose stools
Secondary Indications
- Vata disorders
- Kapha Disorders
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Worm infestation
In these conditions, it can be used as supportive therapy in addition to main treatment of these diseases.
Ashta Choornam Dosage
Children (Below 5) 250 to 500 mg
Children (Above 5) 500 to 1000 mg
Adults 1 to 3 grams
Maximum Possible Dosage 6 grams per day (in divided doses)
How to Take Ashta Churna
How many times should I take? Twice Daily
When should I take? In cases of anorexia or loss of appetite, Ashta Churnam should be taken before a meal. It should be taken after a meal in cases of poor digestion, abdominal heaviness, and intestinal gas.
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