Chyawanprash (Chy) or Chyavanprash is a sticky mixture of herbs, and spices from the Ayurvedic tradition that is used in India for its toted health benefits. It is generally known as a rejuvenating tonic that strengthens the immune system and protects against aging, senility and debility.
Key Ingredients Found In Chyawanprash
In general, Chy contains 49 ayurvedic herbs, with the highest dose being Indian gooseberry (Emblica officinalis, or Amalaki). Other ingredients include ashwagandha, pippali, cardamom, nutmeg and cinnamon mixed into ghee (clarified butter), and honey.
This herbal mixture contains a large number of herbs, and the exact constituents and doses vary by the manufacturer.
Top Health Benefits of Chyawanprash Supplements
Immune Boosting Benefits
Chy is immunoprotective and to boost the activity of certain immune cells called macrophages. These are the cells that ingest and destroy harmful substances in our bodies. The main ingredient in Chy is Indian gooseberry, which is rich in vitamin C (445mg/100g). This could be a reason for its immune benefits, although further research is required to be sure.
Brain Health Advantages
Preliminary research in mice has shown that supplementing with Chy can increase brain glutathione levels and help protect against age-associated memory loss. Chy was shown to increase nerve transmission in the brain by boosting a brain-signalling molecule called acetylcholine. Since this result has only been seen in mice, more research is needed before we can be sure the same effect will occur in humans.
Blood Sugar Regulation
When a group of healthy adults were given 15g/day of Chy, they were found to have lower blood sugar following meals and healthier blood cholesterol levels after 16 weeks of use. This could benefit people suffering from diabetes or metabolic syndrome as it can prevent the after-meal glucose spikes that can eventually lead to peripheral insulin insensitivity. Regulating blood cholesterol can also help to protect the cardiovascular system in diabetics and reduce the risk of developing metabolic syndrome.
How To Take Chyawanprash Supplements
The only dose of Chy that has been studied in humans is 15 grams per day (1 Tablespoon). Thus, this is the dose that we know can be taken safely while providing the health benefits listed above. Ayurvedic practitioners have used doses larger than this for hundreds of years. As such, your healthcare practitioner may recommend a different dosage than the one listed here.
