Pharmacognostical evaluation of chaturthamalaka rasayana – an ayurveda compound

Summary of article contents:

Chaturthamalaka Rasayana (CR) is a unique formulation mentioned just after Chyavanprasha Avaleha in Charaka Samhita. It is one of the best and easiest of Rasayana Kalpa (Formulation) to prepare, which may be an alternative option for Chyavanprasha Avaleha in the sense of adulteration free as well as cost effectiveness. The modern medical world is seeking for an alternative class of immunomodulatory drugs which is nothing but the category of Rasayana mentioned in Ayurveda. CR consists of four formulations with simple permutation and combination of Amalaki (Emblica officinalis Gaertn.), Bibhitaki (Terminalia bellerica Roxb.) and Haritaki (Terminalia chebula Retz.) collectively called as Triphala. The present study was planned to evaluate a standard pharmacognostical profile of CR included collection, authentication, organoleptic study, macroscopic study and microscopic study as per standard protocols for all four formulations under CR along with main three raw drugs. CR was prepared according to the classical standard operative procedure (SOP) mentioned in Charaka Samhita. As the CR has not been studied yet before, it will be more helpful to evaluate the pharmacognostical screening of these four formulations, as an initial step towards standardization. Keywords: Chaturthamalaka, Rasayana, Ayurveda, Triphala, Pharmacognostical INTRODUCTION Ayurveda, the oldest healing science, focuses on treating different ailments through balancing the three pillars of life, Vata, Pitta and Kapha