Brihat Gangadhara Churna is classical Ayurvedic medicine. It is a medicine prepared by mixing fine ground powder of Musta, Shyonak, dry ginger, Lodhra, Dhatki, Hribera, Bilwa, Mochras, Patha, Indrayava, Vatsaka, Amrabija, Ativisha, and Lajjalu in equal amount.
For the preparation of medicinal powders or Churna, the Drugs mentioned in the Yoga are cleaned and dried properly. They are finely powdered and sieved. Where there are a number of drugs in yoga, the drugs are separately powdered and sieved. Each one of them (powder) is weighed separately, and well mixed together. The powder is fine of at least 80 mesh sieves. It should not adhere together or become moist. The finer the powder, the better is its therapeutic value. They retain potency for one year1 and should be kept in airtight containers. Here is given more about this medicine, such as benefits, indication/therapeutic uses, composition, and dosage
- Reference Text: Sharagadhara Samhita, Madhyamakhada
- Synonyms: Brihat Gangadhara Churnam, Brihat Gangadhara Choornam, Brihat Gangadhara Choorna, Vriddha Gangadhara Choorna
- Availability: Online and at medical stores
- Type of medicine: Classical Medicine
- Main Indication: Diarrhoea, dysentery and malabsorption syndrome
- Dosha Effect: Reduces Vata and Pitta
Types of Gangadhara Churna
There are two types of Gangadhara Churna.
- Laghu Gangadhara Churna
- Brihat Gangadhara Churna
Both differ in the formulation. Laghu Gangadhara Churna contains fewer ingredients.
Brihat Gangadhara Churna Composition
Ingredients of Brihat Gangadhara Churna are given below:
- Musta Cyperus rotundus 1 Part
- Shyonak Ailanthus excelsa 1 Part
- Shunti ginger Zingiber officinalis 1 Part
- Dhataki Woodfordia fruticosa 1 Part
- Lodhra Symplocos racemosa 1 Part
- Balaka (Hrivera) Pavonia odorata 1 Part
- Bilwa Aegle marmelos 1 Part
- Mocharasa Bombax ceiba 1 Part
- Patha Cyclea peltata 1 Part
- Indrayava Kutaja Seeds Holarrhena antidysenterica 1 Part
- Vatsaka Kutaja Bark Holarrhena antidysenterica 1 Part
- Amrabeeja Mango seed Mangifera indica 1 Part
- Prativisha (Ativisha) Aconitum heterophyllum
- Lajjalu Mimosa pudica 1 Part
In Bhaishajya Ratnavali, Lajjalu is replaced by Manjishta.
Key ingredients:
Mustaka, Cyperus rotundus, Motha, Mustaka, Bhadramusta (Sans.) or Nutgrass (Eng.) is an annual herb with a small, tuberous rootstock. The tubers contain essential oil, fat, sugar, gum, carbohydrates, starch, albuminous matter, and an alkaloid. They are diuretic, emmenagogue, antihelminthic, diaphoretic,
Astringent, stimulant and antiseptic. Due to stomachic, carminative and cholagogue action with astringent properties they are used in anorexia, acute dyspepsia, diarrhea, dysentery and congestion of the liver. They are used in the liver complaints with jaundice, for malarial fever, etc.
Motha lowers the viral load on the liver. It has anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective activities which help in the liver disorders.
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 Kapha. It is a digestive stimulant. Ginger is also used to give relief in seasickness and morning sickness.
Dhaiphul / Dhatriphul / Dhai(Bengali) Woodfordia fruticosa (L.) Kurz, Flowers are stimulant and astringent. They are used in dysentery, diarrhea, menorrhagia, leucorrhoea, ulcers, wounds and toothache. Dried flowers are useful in disorders of the mucous membranes, hemorrhoids, and derangements of the liver.
Indrayava is dried seeds of Holarrhena antidysenterica Wall. Its Ayurvedic Synonyms are Bhadra Yava, Kalinga and Shakra. The seeds mainly contain Alkaloids -Steroidal Alkaloid, Conessine, etc., Fats, Tannin and Resin. Indrayava is bitter and pungent in taste (Rasa), pungent after digestion (Katu Vipaka), and is cool in effect (Virya). It is Laghu and Rukhsha (Drying) in Guna. The Pradhan Action / Karma of the tree are Dipana, Sangrahi and Tridosh Shamak (Pacifies Vata, Pitta, and Kapha).
Aegle marmelos Corr. (Rutaceae), commonly known as Bael, Bengal Quince is a tree of Indian origin, well-known from prehistoric time. The fruit pulp contains reducing sugars, saponins, tannins, and flavonoids (phenolic compounds). It inhibits the growth of pathogenic bacteria and reduces inflammation.
In Ayurveda, like medicine, the unripe fruits are considered superior to ripe fruits. The unripe or half-ripe fruit is regarded as astringent, digestive and stomachic and used in dyspepsia, irritable bowel syndrome, chronic diarrhea, and dysentery. It is also indicated in chronic weak digestion, low appetite, sprue, amoebic dysentery, and poor absorption of nutrients as it improves digestive fire and small intestine function.
The dried pulp of the unripe fruit is given along with other ingredients for dysentery, piles, dyspepsia, jaundice, scrofula, indigestion and chronic fever. Studies done on unripe fruits confirm the antiviral activity against Ranikhet disease virus and intestinal parasites, viz. Ascaris lumbri coides, Entamoeba histolytica, and Giardia spp. The ripe fruit is a laxative and prevents the growth of piles.
Lodhra is described in classical Ayurvedic texts as absorbent, stomachic, refrigerant, astringent, expectorant and hemostatic. Lodhra is given to alleviate vitiated blood, Kapha and pitta. It promotes eyesight and cures Shotha (oedema). It is a laxative, cooling and astringent. Lodhra is used for bowel complaints, eye diseases, ulcers, etc.
Mocharasa is Niryasa of Shalmali (Salmalia malabarica). Mocharasa comes out from the Shalmali tree. It is Madhur Vipaki, Sheet, Picchila, Snigdha, Guru, Brumhana and Rasayana. It is vata-kapha shamana. Kashaya rasa inhibits Pitta dosha, Snigdha Guna of it helps to reduce Ruksha Guna of Vata. It improves the quality as well as quantity of Shleshak Kapha.
Atees or Aconitum heterophyllum is found in the alpine Himalayas of Sikkim, Nepal and adjoining parts of southern Tibet also from Kashmir to the Kumaun hills at altitudes of 2500-3900 m. The root and tuber of the plant are used in internal prescriptions for fevers, rheumatic conditions and for loss of vitality.
Aconitum heterophyllum roots yield 0.79 % of total alkaloids. Atisine (0.4 0/0), heteratisine (0.03 0/0), histisine, heterophyllisine, heterophylline, heterophyllidine, atidine, hetidine, benzolheteratisine, F-dihydroatisine, and hetisinone have been isolated. The root also exhibited antiviral activity against spinach mosaic virus.
The roots are astringent and used in diarrhea, especially in infants, and in dyspepsia, vomiting, cough, irritability of the stomach and colic.
Aconite is an extremely toxic plant, but Indian or Aconitum Heterophyllum is lesser toxic. It is detoxified before being used in the manufacturing of Ayurvedic medicines.
Ayurvedic Action / Karma of Brihat Gangadhara Churna
- Atisaraghna: Controls Doarrhoea.
- Deepana: Promote appetite but do not aid in digesting undigested food.
- KaphaVatahara: Balances Vata and Kapha.
- Pachan: Assist in digesting undigested food, but do not increase the appetite.
- Purish Sangrahi: Binds stool.
- Shothahara: Reduces swelling.
- Shulaghna: Gives relief in colic.
Brihat Gangadhara Churna Biomedical Action
- Antidiarrheal: Gives relief in diarrhea.
- Antidysenteric: Prevents and treats dysentery.
- Antipyretic/antifebrile/febrifuge: Effective against fever.
- Appetizer: Improves appetite.
- Astringents: Constrict tissues; styptic.
- Carminative: Preventing the formation or causing the expulsion of flatulence.
- Constipating: To cause constipation.
- Digestive: Digestant.
- Stomachic: Stimulates gastric activity.
Brihat Gangadhara Churna Health Benefits
- It has significant astringent action.
- It is useful in all types of diarrhea.
- It Reduces the frequency of bowel movements.
- It gives relief in intestinal spasms and pain.
- It controls diarrhea-causing microorganisms (E. coli, giardia, rotavirus) and their toxic effects on the intestines.
- It supports intestinal flora and aids healthy digestion.
- It is 100% vegetarian.
Brihat Gangadhara Churna Therapeutic Uses
- Atisara (Diarrhoea)
- Pravahika (Dysentery)
- Ulcerative colitis
- Malabsorption syndrome
Brihat Gangadhara Churna Dosage
- The recommended dosage of medicine is 1-3 grams.
- It should be taken twice a day, in the morning and evening.
- It is to be taken before the meal.
- It is to be taken with honey and rice water/Tandulodaka.
- Or take as directed by a doctor.
Suggestions, Contraindications, Interactions, Side-effects, and Warnings
- 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.
- It is constipating. Do not take in excess dose.
- 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 humours, 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.
- The potency of Churna is 1 year is according to Sharngadhara Samhita, Prathama khanda.