Agnimukh Churna is a polyherbal medicinal powder prepared by cleaning, drying, grinding and sieving fine powders of Asafetida, Vach, Long pepper, Dry ginger, Haritaki, Chitrak, and Kushtha. Agnimukh Churna has carminative, laxative and Vata reducing properties.
Agnimukha Choorna is used to improve digestive power. It improves Pachak Agni and helps in better digestion. Agnimukha powder is indicated in indigestion, piles, colic, abdominal lump and gas. Due to heating qualities, it also helps in cough and difficult breathing.
Here is given more about this medicine, such as benefits, indication/therapeutic uses, composition, and dosage.
- Manufacturer: Many pharmacies
- Reference Text: Yogaratnakara, Ajirna chikista
- Synonyms: Agnimukha Choorna,
- Availability: Online and at medical stores
- Type of medicine: Classical Medicine
- Main Indication: Appetite Loss, Anorexia, Indigestion, Spleen Disorders, Piles, Abdominal Pain, Vata Roga, Kapha Roga
- Dosha Effect: Reduces Vata and Kapha, increases Pitta
Agnimukh Churna Composition
Ingredients present in this formulation are given below:
- Hingu Asafeotida (Exd.) 1 part
- Vaca Acorus Calamus (Rz.) 2 part
- Pippali Piper Longum (Fr.) 3 part
- Shringavera (Shunthi) Zingiber Officinale (Rz.) 4 part
- Yamanaka (Yavani) Trachyspermum ammi (Fr.) 5 part
- Haritaki Terminalia Chebula (P.) 6 part
- Chitraka Plumbago Zeylanica (Rt.) 7 part
- Kushtha Saussurea Lappa (Rt.) 8 part
How to Prepare
- All ingredients are taken in a formulated amount.
- Asafetida is roasted in Ghee.
- Each ingredient is ground to make a fine powder.
- All the ingredients are mixed in a formulated amount to get the Agnmukha Chunra.
KNOW THE INGREDIENTS
Haritaki / Chebulic myrobalan / Terminalia chebula consists of the pericarp of mature fruits of Terminalia chebula Retz. (Fam. Combretaceae), a moderate sized or large tree found throughout India, chiefly in deciduous forests and areas of light rainfall.
Its synonym in Sanskrit is Abhaya, Kayastha, Shiva, Pathya, and Vijaya. The main constituent of Haritaki is Tannins, anthraquinones, and polyphenolic compounds. It is a tonic drug and is good for the digestive system. The main therapeutic use of Haritaki is a digestive and respiratory ailment. It has all taste except salty (rasa), light (Laghu), rough or dry (ruksa) in properties (Guna), hot (Ushna) is potency (Virya) and sweet (Madhur) Vipaka. It balances Vata, Pitta, and Kapha.
- Rasa (taste): All but salty, mainly
- astringent, bitter
- Virya (energy): Heating
- Vipaka (post-digestive effect): Sweet
- Guna (quality): Light, dry
- Dosha effect: Balances Vata-Pitta and Kapha
- Dhatu (tissue): All tissues
- Srotas (channel): Digestive, excretory, nervous, respiratory
Haritaki works on all body tissues. It is a tonic with anti-inflammatory, laxative, astringent, diuretic, carminative, and anthelmintic properties. Haritaki treats intestinal parasites, constipation, diarrhea, gas, cough, and diseases of eyes.
Haritaki must not be used in pregnancy due to its laxative and descending nature.
Shunthi (Synonyms: Zingiber officinale, Sukku, Chukku, Aushadha, Muhaushadha, Nagara, Vishva, Vishvabheshaja, Shringavera, Vishva) is dry ginger powder. It is hot in potency and increases Pitta and decreases Vata-Kapha. It is an appetizer, digestive stimulant, carminative, expectorant and astringent. In rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, ginger is used as a natural pain reliever and an anti-inflammatory agent.
- Rasa (taste on the tongue): Madhura (Sweet), Katu (Pungent)
- Guna (Pharmacological Action): Laghu (Light), Tikshna (Sharp), Ruksha (Dry)
- Virya (Action): Ushna (Heating)
- Vipaka (transformed state after digestion): Madhura (Sweet)
Ginger contains potent inhibitors against prostaglandin biosynthesizing enzyme (PG synthetase). Prostaglandins are lipid autacoids derived from arachidonic acid and act upon platelets, endothelium, uterine and mast cells. They both sustain homeostatic functions and mediate pathogenic mechanisms, including the inflammatory response. Prostaglandins play a key role in the generation of the inflammatory response. Their biosynthesis is significantly increased in inflamed tissue and they contribute to the development of the cardinal signs of acute inflammation. Prostaglandins can cause increased blood flow, chemotaxis (chemical signals that summon white blood cells), dysfunction of tissues and organs and swelling. As Ginger inhibits prostaglandin synthesis and hence gives relief in inflammation.
Chitrak Plumbago zeylanica reduces Vata and Kapha and increases pitta. It is stimulant, anthelmintic and antiseptic. It is used in Ayurveda for colitis, indigestion, hemorrhoids, diarrhea, gas and intestinal parasites.
Chitrak roots / Chitramoolam is hot in potency. It has anti-inflammatory, digestive, appetite stimulating, Kaphahara, Vatahara and pain relieving property. The main therapeutic use of the roots is in digestive weakness, malabsorption syndrome, piles, abdominal pain and swelling of anus.
Kushtha (Saussurea lappa c. B. Clarke) is used traditionally for toxicosis, intestinal colic, indigestion, anemia, deficient lactation, uterine and vaginal affections, chronic skin diseases. It has significant carminative properties. It inhibits peristaltic movements of the gut and produces relaxation. It has an antiprotozoal and antibacterial effect.
Hingu (Asafoetida) is a strongly fetid brownish resinous latex of a tree. It is bitter, acrid, carminative, antispasmodic, expectorant, digestive, and laxative. Heeng is helpful in abdominal gas, colic, indigestion, and anorexia. Hing is contraindicated in High pitta, inflammatory conditions of the liver and brain and pregnancy.
AYURVEDIC ACTION of Agnimukh Churna
- Anulomana: Mild laxative, redirects the flow downwards
- Deepana: Appetiser
- Pachana: Toxin digester
- Rasayana: Rejuvenative
BIOMEDICAL ACTION of Agnimukh Churna
- Anti-inflammatory: Reducing inflammation by acting on body mechanisms.
- Antioxidant: Neutralize the oxidant effect of free radicals and other substances.
- Antispasmodic: Used to relieve spasm of involuntary muscle.
- Aperient: Used to relieve constipation.
- Appetizer: Improves appetite.
- Carminative: Preventing the formation or causing the expulsion of flatulence.
- Digestive: helps in digestion of food.
- Expectorant: Promotes the secretion of sputum by the air passages, used to treat coughs.
- Laxative: Tending to stimulate or facilitate the evacuation of the bowels.
Agnimukh Churna Health Benefits
- It gives relief in abdominal pain due to gas.
- It improves appetite and digestion.
- It helps in splenic disorders.
- It gives relief in constipation.
- It detoxifies and cleanses the body.
- It helps to clear bowel movements.
Agnimukh Churna Therapeutic Uses
- Ajirna (Dyspepsia)
- Arsha (Haemorrhoids)
- Gulma (Abdominal lump)
- Kasa (Cough)
- Kshaya (Phthisis)
- Pliha Roga (Splenic disease)
- Shula (Colicky Pain)
- Shvasa (Dyspnoea/Asthma)
- Udararoga (Ascites)
- Udavarta (Condition in which there is upward movement of Vayu)
Agnimukh Churna Dosage
The recommended dosage of medicine is 1-3 grams.
It can be taken once or twice a day, before meals.
The adjunct / Anupan, which is an administered along with or just after the medicine to enhance its therapeutic action, for this medicine is given below:
- Curd water (Dahi ka Paani)
- Chach (Takra)
- Hot water
Or take as directed by a doctor.
This powder can be taken for 2-4 months depending on the requirement.
Suggestions, Contraindications, Interactions, Side-effects, and Warnings
- It increases Pitta and hence should be taken in recommended amount only to avoid burning sensation and acidity.
- Few sensitive people may experience heartburn, acid reflux, and burning sensation.
- It reduces phlegm and causes dryness in the body.
- It reduces Vata Dosha.
- Pitta Prakriti person should take it in low amount.
- It is better suited for a person suffering from low Pitta but high Kapha and Vata.
- It is completely safe to take this medicine in recommended doses. Do check the list of ingredients and their contraindications to avoid any side effects.
- Effectivity of herbal medicine depends on many factors. A medicine suitable for one person may not essentially give the same result in another person.
- The exact dose depends on the age, strength, digestive power of the patient, the nature of the illness, the state of the viscera and humors, and the properties of individual drugs.
- Keep away from the sight and reach of children.
- Please maintain a gap of at least an hour between intake of any allopathic drug and Ayurvedic medicine to avoid drug interaction, if any.
- Do not use many different medicines for the treatments of the same disease.
- Avoid in acidity, heartburn, ulcerative colitis, bleeding piles, bleeding disorders, excessive heat in the body, and vertigo.
- It must not be taken during pregnancy dur to hot potency.
- The potency of Churna is 1 year is according to Sharangadhara Samhita.
Pharmacies Making Agnimukh Churna
You can buy this medicine online or from medical stores. Since it is a classical medicine, it is manufactured by many Ayurvedic pharmacies.
Name of some of the Ayurvedic Pharmacies manufacturing this medicine is given below:
- Baidyanath Agnimukh Churna 60 gm for Digestive Health @ ₹76
- Sanjeevika Agnimukh Churna
- Somalata Organic Ayurveda Agnimukh Churna
- Kapiva Ayurveda Agnimukh Churna
- and many other Ayurvedic pharmacies.