"व्योषामृतम्" – An Ancient Polyherbal Elixir for Vāta-Śleṣma Disorders: Aṣṭavaidya Heritage Formula

"व्योषामृतम्" – An Ancient Polyherbal Elixir for Vāta-Śleṣma Disorders: Aṣṭavaidya Heritage Formula

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🔶 Introduction

In classical Ayurvedic formulations, polyherbal decoctions and fermented preparations have long been used to balance aggravated doṣas and strengthen immunity. One such time-tested remedy is "Vyōṣāmṛtam", a formulation attributed to the Aṣṭavaidyas of Kerala, especially revered in treating Vāta–Śleṣma (Vāta–Kapha) dominant disorders like Jvara (fever), Śvāsa (breathing difficulty/asthma), Kāsa (cough), Pīnasa (nasal allergy), and Śūla (pain). The formula is beautifully encoded in this verse:

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🔶 Source Verse (with Transliteration & Translation)

Sanskrit Verse:

व्योषं च जीरकं तुल्यं
क्वाथयित्वा परिस्रुते।
क्वाथे दद्यात् गुळं तत्र
चूर्णं पूर्वोक्त भेषजैः॥
कृत्वा क्षिप्त्वा मासमेकं
निधाय कलशे पुनः।
गाळितं मात्रया दद्यात्
वातश्लेष्मज्वरश्वास
कासपीनसशूलजित् ॥
व्योषामृतमिति प्रोक्तं
अष्टवैद्यविनिर्मितम् ॥

Transliteration:

Vyōṣaṁ ca jīrakaṁ tulyaṁ
kvāthayitvā parisrute |
kvāthe dadyāt guḷaṁ tatra
cūrṇaṁ pūrvokta bheṣajaiḥ ||
kṛtvā kṣiptvā māsamekaṁ
nidhāya kalaśe punaḥ |
gāḷitaṁ mātrayā dadyāt
vātaśleṣma-jvara-śvāsa
kāsa-pīnasa-śūlajit ||
vyōṣāmṛtam iti proktaṁ
aṣṭavaidyavinirmitam ||

Translation:

Equal quantities of Vyōṣa (Trikatu: Sunthi, Maricha, Pippali) and Jīraka (Cumin) are boiled and filtered. Into this decoction, jaggery (Guḷa) and powdered medicines mentioned earlier are added. The mixture is kept sealed in a pot for a month. Once matured, it is filtered and given in the appropriate dose. This formulation is efficacious in treating Vāta–Kapha types of fevers, asthma, cough, nasal allergies, and body aches. It is called Vyōṣāmṛtam, a medicine prepared by the traditional Aṣṭavaidyas.

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🔶 Ingredients

Sl. No.	Dravya Name	Quantity (Equal Parts)	Properties
1	Sunthi (Dry Ginger)	1 part	Dipana, Śothahara, Vātānulomaka
2	Maricha (Black Pepper)	1 part	Kaphahara, Dīpana, Hṛdya
3	Pippali (Long Pepper)	1 part	Rasāyana, Śleṣmahara
4	Jīraka (Cumin)	1 part	Deepana, Vāta–Kapha Shamaka
5	Guḷa (Jaggery)	As needed	Yogavāhi, Rasāyana
6	Other Powdered Herbs	As per classical context—often includes Tvak, Ela, Patra etc.	Supportive

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🔶 Method of Preparation

1. Kvātha Preparation:
   Prepare a decoction of equal parts Vyōṣa and Jīraka by boiling in 16 parts water and reducing to 1/4th. Filter the decoction.

2. Mixing:
   To the filtered kvātha, add jaggery in suitable quantity and allow it to dissolve completely.

3. Addition of Powdered Drugs:
   Add powdered forms of select aromatic or rasāyana herbs mentioned earlier (e.g., Tvak, Ela, Patra).

4. Fermentation:
   Store the mixture in an airtight clay/ceramic jar for 1 month to allow natural fermentation and maturation.

5. Filtration:
   After one month, filter the fermented liquid and store in a clean glass container.

6. Dosage:
   15–30 ml twice daily with warm water after meals (adjustable as per strength and condition).

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🔶 Pharmacological Actions

• Deepana-Pachana: Improves appetite, relieves Ama

• Rasāyana: Builds Ojas, boosts resistance

• Kaphahara-Vātahara: Clears respiratory blockages, relieves congestion

• Jvaraghna: Useful in low-grade chronic fevers

• Śūlajit: Relieves chest and abdominal pain due to Vāta–Kapha

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🔶 Indications

• Śvāsa (Chronic Asthma, Bronchitis)

• Kāsa (Persistent Cough – Dry or Wet)

• Pīnasa (Allergic or Chronic Rhinitis)

• Vāta–Kapha Jvara (Intermittent or Sinusoidal Fevers)

• Śūla (Colic, Pleuritic chest pain)

• Ardita (Facial palsy – supportive use)

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🔶 Special Attributes

• Crafted by Aṣṭavaidyas, the elite Ayurvedic physician lineage of Kerala

• Named "Vyōṣāmṛtam" symbolizing "Trikatu as Amṛta" due to its curative potential

• A rare blend of fermented liquid & churnas, indicating an ancient Arishta-Lehya hybrid preparation

• Known to be self-preserving due to jaggery and spice-based fermentation

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🔶 Modern Insights

Modern pharmacology supports the ingredients' roles:

• Ginger (Zingiber officinale): Anti-inflammatory, bronchodilator

• Pippali (Piper longum): Respiratory tonic, improves bioavailability of other herbs

• Black Pepper (Piper nigrum): Antioxidant, anti-histaminic

• Cumin (Cuminum cyminum): Digestive, carminative

• Jaggery: Rich in iron, aids digestion, supports fermentation

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🔶 Conclusion

Vyōṣāmṛtam is a potent traditional formulation designed for chronic respiratory disorders where Vāta and Kapha are prominently vitiated. With its roots in Kerala's classical Aṣṭavaidya tradition, this preparation stands as a testament to the deep pharmacognostic understanding of ancient Ācāryas. It not only addresses symptoms but strengthens systemic immunity and digestion—true to the holistic essence of Ayurveda.