E-ISSN:2456-3110

Review Article

Kanakasava

Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences

2022 Volume 7 Number 8 September
Publisherwww.maharshicharaka.in

Composition of Kanakasava and its medicinal properties

Abhilash S.1*, Subrahmanya P.2
DOI:

1* SV Abhilash, Final Year Post Graduate Scholar, Department of PG Studies in Dravyaguna Vijnana, Alvas Ayurveda Medical College, Moodubidire, Dakshina Kannada, Karnataka, India.

2 P Subrahmanya, Professor and HOD, Department of PG Studies in Dravyaguna Vijnana, Alvas Ayurveda Medical College, Moodubidire, Dakshina Kannada, Karnataka, India.

Kanakasava is an Ayurvedic polyherbal formulation which comes under Sandhana Kalpana. It is explained in the context of Hikkaswasa Rogadhikara in Bhaishajya Ratnavali. Datura (Datura metel Linn.), Vasa (Justicia adhathoda L.), Yashtimadhu (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.), Pippali (Piper longum L.), Kantakari (Solanum virginianum L.), Nagakesara (Mesua ferrea L.), Shunti (Zingiber officinalis Rosc.), Bharangi (Rotheca serrata L.), and Talisapatra (Abies spectabilis D.don) are the ingredients of Kanakasava. Dhataki Pushpa (Woodfordia fruiticosa Kurz) is used as the Sandhana Dravya and Draksha as Kwatha Dravya. This formulation is mainly indicated in Kasa, Swasa, Rajayakshma, Kshataksheena, Jirna Jwara, Raktapitta and Urakshata. The present review highlights on the method of preparation, Properties of each ingredient in the preparation and its mode of action.

Keywords: Kanakasava, Polyherbal formulation, Pranavaha Srotovikaras

Corresponding Author How to Cite this Article To Browse
SV Abhilash, Final Year Post Graduate Scholar, Department of PG Studies in Dravyaguna Vijnana, Alvas Ayurveda Medical College, Moodubidire, Dakshina Kannada, Karnataka, India.
Email: 		SV Abhilash, P Subrahmanya, Composition of Kanakasava and its medicinal properties. J Ayu Int Med Sci. 2022;7(8):72-80.
Available From
https://www.jaims.in/jaims/article/view/2029

Manuscript Received Review Round 1 Review Round 2 Review Round 3 Accepted
2022-07-27 2022-07-29 2022-08-05 2022-08-12 2022-08-19
Conflict of Interest Funding Ethical Approval Plagiarism X-checker Note
Nil Nil Yes 18%

© 2022by SV Abhilash, P Subrahmanyaand Published by Maharshi Charaka Ayurveda Organization. This is an Open Access article licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ unported [CC BY 4.0].

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Introduction

Kalpana or the formulations are performed to potentiate properties of Drava’s.[1] Asava is the preparation which comes under Sandhana Kalpana and specifically under Madhya Kalpana, which is popular since Vedic as well as Samhita period. It is more popular and appreciated because of their palatability, quick action and high preserving qualities. Moreover it helps to increase the digestive capacity along with their specific action on different diseases.[2]

Basically, Sandhana Kalpana is a biochemical process of fermentation in a mildly self-generated alcohol medium in order to extract the active constituent of the drug.

Kanakasava is one of the polyherbal formulation that consists of Datura (Datura metel Linn.), Vasa (Justicia adhathoda L.), Yashtimadhu (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.), Pippali (Piper longum L.), Kantakari (Solanum virginianum L.), Nagakesara (Mesua ferrea L.), Shunti (Zingiber officinalis Rosc.), Bharangi (Rotheca serrata L.), and Talisapatra (Abies spectabilis D.don). It has been widely used in the treatment of Swasa, Kasa, Rajayakshma, Kshataksheena, Jirna jwara, Raktapitta and Urakshata.[3] This article describes about brief introduction of Asava, Composition of Kanakasava, Method of preparation, Properties of each ingredient in the preparation and its mode of action.

Etymology and definitions of Asava

Etymology

The root word Asava means “Asuya Nishpadyate” suggestive of a process that introduces separated or isolated source materials, indicates fermentation process.[4]

Definitions

Table 1: Definition of Asava by various Acharya’s

Charaka Asava is those formulations which are prepared by "Asuta Prakriya"- Fermented products.[5]
Susruta Asava is one type of Madya which includes different medicines like Guda, Dhataki.[6]
Sharangdhara Asava is Madya which is prepared by "Apakwaaushadha" i.e., without application of heat.[7]
Bhaishajya-Ratnavali Madya containing medicine or medicinal properties is known as Asava.[8]
Dalhana Asava is Dravapradhana.[9]

General Properties of Asava[2]

According to Caraka: Asava provides Manobala, Sareera Bala, Agnibala and relieves Aswapna, Shoka and Aruchi.

According to Bhavamishra: The properties of Asava are to be understood as same as Bijadravya or the Dravya used for the preparation of particular Asava.

Composition of Kanakasava: The reference of Kanakasava is from compendium Bhaishajya Ratnavali, Hikkaswasadhikara; 98-101

Table 2: Composition of Kanakasava

SN Common name Botanical name Part used Qty(g)
1. Datura Datura metel Linn. Whole plant 4 Pala (192g)
2. Vasaka Justicia adhathoda L. Roots  4 Pala (192g)
3. Yashtimadhu Glycyrrhiza glabra L. Roots 2 Pala (96g)
4. Pippali phala Piper longum L. Fruits 2 Pala (96g)
5. Kantakari Solanum virginianum L. Whole plant 2 Pala (96g)
6. Nagakesara Mesua ferrea L. Stamens 2 Pala (96g)
7. Shunthi Zingiber officinalis Rosc. Rhizome 2 Pala (96g)
8. Bharangi Rotheca serrata (L.) Roots 2 Pala (96g)
9. Talisapatra Abies spectabilis (D.don) Leaves 2 Pala (96g)
10. Dhataki Woodfordia fruticosa Kurz Flowers 1 Prastha (768g)
11. Draksha Vitis vinifera Linn. Dry fruits 20 Pala (960g)
12. Water Distilled water - 2 Drona (24.576 l)
13. Sarkara - - 1 Tula (4.800kg)
14. Madhu - - ½ Tula (2.400kg)

Method of Preparation[10]
1. Prakshepa Dravyas and Sandhana Dravya are kept ready.

2. Kwatha Dravya - Draksha: 20 Pala (960g), Water for decoction 2 Drona (25 ltrs) reduced to 6.2 liters.

3. Sarkara is added into the filtered Kashaya and after the decoction cools down mentioned quantity of Madhu is added and stirred.

4. Sandhana Patra is selected and Dhupana is carried out using Dhupana Dravya’s and kept in appropriate place (husk or dark room).

5. The Sarkara and Madhu dissolved decoction is poured into the Sandhana Patra.

6. The coarse powder of the ingredients along with Sandhana Dravya (Dhataki Pushpa) is added.

7. The mixture is cautiously stirred and the vessel is kept undisturbed by temporarily closing its mouth with a cloth and a lid.


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8. The onset of fermentation is observed daily for 3 to 5 days.

9. Soon after fermentation, the Sandhibandhana of the vessel is done.

10. The vessel is kept undisturbed for 25 to 30 days.

11. After the confirmation of the fermentation, through all the classical guidelines, the preparation is siphoned out.

12. The end product will be dark reddish liquid with sweet and sharp taste and odor of self-generated alcohol.

Dose and Therapeutic Indications[10]

Dose: 12 to 24 ml (AFI)

In doses of 10-20ml, mixed with equal quantity of water (Bhaishajya Ratnavali)

Therapeutic indications

Kasa, Swasa, Rajayakshma, Kshataksheena, Jirna Jwara, Raktapitta and Urakshata.

Properties of ingredients in Kanakasava

1. Datura[11,12]

Botanical name - Datura metel L.

Family - Solanaceae

Rasa Panchaka[13,14]

Rasa - Tikta, Katu

Guna - Laghu, Ruksha, Vyavayi, Vikasi

Veerya - Ushna

Vipaka - Katu

Prabhava - Madaka

Doshagnata

Kapha Vatahara, Pittavardhaka

Karma[15]

Madakari, Swasahara, Kasahara, Vishamajvaragna, Shulahara, Agni Vrudhikara

Pharmacological action[16]

Anti-asthmatic, Anti-spasmodic, Anti-tussive, Bronchodilator


2. Vasa [17]

Botanical name - Justicia adhatoda L.

Family - Acanthaceae

Rasa Panchaka

Rasa - Tikta, Kashaya

Guna - Ruksha, Laghu,

Veerya - Sheeta

Vipaka - Katu

Doshagnata

Kapha Pitta Shamaka

Karma: Swasahara, Kasahara, Swarya, Hridya, Rakthapittahara, Jwaraghna

Pharmacological action[18]

Bronchodilator, Expectorant, Anti-tussive, Anti-asthmatic, Anti-tubercular.

3. Yashtimadhu[19]

Botanical name - Glycyrrhiza glabra Linn.

Family - Papilionaceae

Rasa Panchaka

Rasa - Madhura

Guna - Guru, snigdha

Veerya - Sheeta

Vipaka - Madhura

Doshagnata

Vata Pitta Shamaka

Karma: Balya, Swarya, Kasahara, Swasahara

Pharmacological action[20]

Expectorant, Immunomodulatory, Anti-asthmatic, Anti-allergic, Anti-spasmodic, Anti-inflammatory, Anti-tussive.

4. Pippali [21]

Botanical name - Piper longum Linn

Family - Piperaceae

Rasa Panchaka

Rasa - Katu

Guna - Tikshna, Laghu, Snigdha


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Veerya - Anushna

Vipaka - Madhura

Doshagnata

Kapha Vata Shamaka

Karma: Dipana, Rasayana, Vrshya, Swasahara, Kasahara, Jwarahara.

Pharmacological action[22]

Immunomodulatory, Anti-asthmatic, Anti-allergic, Anti-histamine

5. Kantakari [23]

Botanical name - Solanum virginianum L. (Solanum xanthocarpum Schrad.)

Family - Solanaceae

Rasa Panchaka

Rasa - Tikta katu

Guna - Laghu ruksha

Vipaka - Katu

Virya - Ushna

Doshagnata

Kapha Vata Shamaka

Karma: Kanthya, Kasahara, Swasahara, Jwaraghna, Dipana, Pachana, Hridya.

Pharmacological action[24]

Expectorant, Demulcent, Immunomodulatory, Anti-asthmatic, Anti-allergic, Anti-histamine, Anti-tussive.

6. Nagakesara[25]

Botanical name - Mesua ferrea L.

Family - Calophyllaceae

Rasa Panchaka

Rasa - kashaya, Tiktha

Guna - Ruksha, Laghu

Veerya - Ushna

Vipaka - Katu

Doshagnata

Kapha Pitta Shamaka

Karma: Pachana, Jwaragna, Vishagna

Pharmacological action[26]

Immunomodulatory, Anti-histamine, Anti-oxidant, Anti-inflammatory.

7. Shunti [27]

Botanical name - Zingiber officinalis Rosc.

Family - Zingiberaceae

Rasa Panchaka

Rasa - Katu

Guna - Laghu, Snigdha

Veerya - Ushna

Vipaka - Madhura

Doshagna - Vata Kapha Hara

Karma: Dipana, Kasahara, Swasahara, Hridya, Swarya, Sulahara, Vrishya.

Pharmacological action[28]

Immunomodulatory action, Anti-tussive activity,

8. Bharangi [29]

Botanical name - Rotheca serrata (L.)

Family - Lamiaceae

Rasa Panchaka

Rasa - Katu, Tiktha, Kashaya

Guna - Ruksha, Laghu

Veerya - Ushna

Vipaka - Katu

Doshagnata

Kapha Vata Samaka

Karma: Swasahara, Kasahara, Pachana, Dipana, Jwaraghna.

Pharmacological action[30]

Immunomodulatory, Anti-asthmatic activity, Anti-histaminic activity, Bronchodilator.

9. Talisapatra[31]

Botanical name - Abies spectabilis (D.don)

Family - Pinaceae



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Rasa Panchaka

Rasa - Katu, Tiktha, Madhura

Guna - Snigdha, Guru

Veerya - Ushna

Vipaka - Madhura

Doshagnata

Tridosha Shamaka

Karma: Swasahara, Kasahara, Ruchikara, Dipana, Hikkanigrahana

Pharmacological action[32]

Expectorant, Anti-spasmodic, Bronchodilator, Anti-tussive, Anti-platelet

10. Draksha[33]

Botanical name - Vitis vinifera L.

Family - Vitaceae

Rasa Panchaka

Rasa - Madhura

Guna - Snigdha, guru

Veerya - Sheeta

Vipaka - Madhura

Doshagnata

Vatapittahara

Karma: Brmhana, Vrishya, Swarya, Kandya, Balya, Pushti, Kshayahara, Kasahara, Swasahara, Kshatahara, Rakthapittahara

Pharmacological action[34]

Anti-inflammatory, Bronchodilator, Anti-asthmatic

11. Dhataki[35]

Botanical name - Woodfordia fruticosa (L.) Kurz

Family - Lythraceae

Rasa Panchaka

Rasa - Kashaya, Katu

Guna - Laghu, Ruksha

Veerya - Sheeta

Vipaka - Katu

Prabhava - Madakari

Doshagnata

Kaphapittahara

Karma: Madakrut, Trishnahara, Rakthapittahara, Stambhaka, Vishagna, Krimighna, Sandhaniya

Pharmacological action[36]

Anti-asthmatic, Anti-inflammatory, Broncho-protection, Immunomodulatory activity

Research works on Kanakasava

1. Investigation of anti-asthmatic potential of Kanakasava in ovalbumin-induced bronchial asthma and airway inflammation in rats. (Poonam Arora et.al)

2. Preliminary study of the immunostimulating activity of an Ayurvedic preparation, Kanakasava, on the splenic cells of BALB/c mice in vitro. (Md. Moklesur Rahman Sarker et al.)

Research works on composition of Kanakasava

1. Datura - Datura metel Linn ameliorates Asthma symptoms in BALB/c mice (Muhaimin Rifa et al.)

2. Vasa - A clinical review of different formulations of Vasa (Adhatoda vasica) on Tamaka Shwasa; Asthma (Ankit Gupta et al.)

3. Yashtimadhu - In vitro and in vivo antiallergic effects of Glycyrrhiza glabra and its components. (Yong-Wook Shin et al.)

4. Pippali - In vivo and in vitro Anti-asthmatic studies of Plant Piper longum (Dhirender Kaushik et al.)

5. Kantakari - In vivo antitussive activity of a pectic arabinogalactan isolated from Solanum virginianum in Guinea pigs. (Washim Raja et al.)

6. Nagakesara - Mesua ferrea: A review of the medical evidence for its phytochemistry and pharmacological actions. (Manoj Kumar Chahar et al.)

7. Shunti - Structural elements and cough suppressing activity of polysaccharides from Zingiber officinale rhizome (K Bera et al.)

8. Bharangi - Anti-histaminic, mast cell stabilizing and bronchodilator effect of hydroalcoholic extract of polyherbal compound- Bharangyadi (Divya Kajaria et al.)



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9. Talisapatra - Pharmacological Studies on the Antispasmodic, Bronchodilator and Anti-Platelet Activities of Abies webbiana (Mamoona Yasin et al.)

10. Draksha - Investigation of anti-asthmatic potential of dried fruits of Vitis vinifera in animal model of bronchial asthma (Poonam Arora et al.)

11. Dhataki - Pharmacological evaluation for anti-asthmatic and anti-inflammatory potential of Woodfordia fruticosa Kurz. Flower extracts. (Mahavir Hiralal Ghante et al.)

Discussion and Conclusion

Kanakasava is a polyherbal Ayurvedic preparation mainly used for the treatment of respiratory tract diseases, such as Swasa, Kasa etc. According to Ayurveda, Kanakasava helps to balance Kapha and remove excess mucus from the lungs, providing relief from the symptoms of Swasa and Kasa. It also helps to remove dryness and release sputum out of respiratory tract due to its Vata and Kapha balancing properties. Kanakasava is also helpful in reducing the Jwara due to its Dipana and Pachana properties, which aid in digestion and absorption of food. The mode of action of each ingredient in the preparation is enlisted below:

jaims_2029_01.PNGDatura meted L.

Difficulty in breathing or shortness in breath is due to Vata and Kapha Doshas. Datura due to its Ushna Virya does Vata-Kapha Hara action removes obstruction and relieves bronchial spasm.jaims_2029_02.PNGJusticia adhathoda L.

It expectorates phlegm and dialates bronchi; stops breathlessness in Swasa. Useful in Kasa and stops bleeding with the sputum. Pacifies Tikshna and Ushna Gunas of Pitta and purifies Raktha by its Tiktha Kashaya Rasas and Sheetha Virya. Useful in Kshaya as it eliminates the Kapha and improves the formation of Dhatus by causing Deepana of Dhatvagnis.

jaims_2029_03.PNGGlycyrrhiza glabra L.

Being Snigdha and Madhura it acts as expectorant and gives strength to the laryngopharynx (In vatanubandha Kasa, Swasa and Swarabheda). In Rajayakshma it promotes Balya to the Pranavaha Srotas and acts as expectorant. It pacifies Raktha Pitta due to its Madhura Rasa and Sheeta Virya.

jaims_2029_04.PNGPiper longum L.

The Katu rasa and Madhura Vipaka of Pippali Phala helps in the Vata and Kapha Shamaka action in Kasa and Shwasa. Tikshna Guna of pippali causes Bhedana of Kapha which is stucked into the Srotas.jaims_2029_05.PNGSolanum virginianum L.


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The Katu Rasa and Ushna Virya of Kantakari acts as Kanthya by liquifying the Kapha.

It also removes obstructions of Kapha in the Pranavaha Srotas and thereby acts as Kasahara and Swasahara.

jaims_2029_06.PNG

Mesua ferrea L.

Nagakesara acts as Raktha Sthambaka due to its Kashaya rasa, hence indicated in Raktha Pitta.

jaims_2029_07.PNG

Zingiber officinale L.

Being Katu, Ushna and Laghu, Shunti acts as Kaphagna. Vataghna being Snigdha and Madhura Vipaki.

jaims_2029_08.PNG

Rotheca serrata (L.)

Bharangi liquifies Kapha accumulated in the chest and thereby carries out Anulomana of Prana, thus indicated in Shwasa, Kasa and Rajayakshma.

jaims_2029_09.PNGAbies spectabilis (D.don)

Being Kaphaghna and Swasahara, Talisapatra is indicated in Kasa, Shwasa, Swarabheda and Rajayakshma. Due to its Dhatvagni Deepana property it is indicated in Kshaya and Samanya Dourbalya.

jaims_2029_10.PNGVitis vinifera L.

Draksha is Balya to the lungs and acts as expectorant, Thus indicated in diseases like Urakshata, Kshaya, Kasa, Swasa, Swara Bheda

jaims_2029_11.PNGWoodfordia fruticosa Kurz

Dhataki contain substantially high concentration of tannins. These polyphenolic compounds are susceptible to enzymatic conversion to simple phenols and alcohol during anaerobic fermentation of Asavarishta preparations. The endogenous invertase fructofuranosidase in Dhataki pushpa helps sucrose hydrolysis to alcohol.

On the basis of the actions of drug in the formulation it can be suggested that Kanakasava has the potential to cure the diseases of


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Pranavahasrotas as well as in Rakthapitta and Vishama Jvara. Moreover, we can conclude that the preparation will be useful in regulating the immune responses too.

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