Kumari Asavam: A fertility drug that is also used in the treatment of diabetes

My vaidyar was narrating this incident to show how ayurvedic medicines can be used for apparently dissimilar ailments. A husband and wife pair had come to consult the vaidyar for different ailments- the wife had painful periods, the husband was suffering from diabetes and dysuria. On reading the prescription, the husband half jokingly said “But doctor, I have no periods problem, why have you prescribed the same Kumari asavam for me?”. That is really something remarkable about many ayurvedic medicines. A single preparation can be used to treat a variety of ailments. Kumari asavam is one such preparation.

A lot is being written about the benefits of Aloe vera, which is being used as an ingredient in many cosmetics and is touted as a home remedy by many others. It has anti-aging properties and has a profound effect on the skin, digestive system and energy levels. It is the only known natural vegetarian source of vitamin B 12. Aloe vera is a general tonic for the immune system helping it to fight illnesses of all kinds. Ongoing studies all over the world strongly suggest that high doses of Aloe vera can stimulate production of white blood cells which can help fight viruses and even tumours. My respect for our ancient vaidyars increases when I see how much of modern research vindicates and validates what was documented by them many centuries back.

As early as the 13th century, the Sarangadhara Samhita, recognising the value of Aloe vera gives a detailed description of Kumari asavam in which the main ingredient is the juice of Aloe vera. Aloe vera is known as Kumari in Sanskrit and hence the name. The Sarangadhara Samhita is itself a compilation of the preparations that were effective and in use during the previous centuries.

Kumari asavam is prepared by fermenting the juice of Aloe vera with jaggery and honey and some 45 herbals along with loha bhasmam (a type of iron preparation). It is allowed to ferment for one month and then filtered for use. The herbals include some of the old faithfuls of many ayurvedic remedies such as triphala and trikatu, turmeric, nut grass tubers, dill seeds, deodar, pepper, large long pepper, small caltrops, Alpinia galgangal, punarnava, roots of Sida cordifolia, areca nut, hingupatri and blepharis seeds.

It is essentially used by many women as a remedy against dysmenorrhoea (painful periods). Many teenagers use allopathic pain killers for treating menstrual cramps which in the long run causes many side effects. Kumari asavam is a wonderful remedy for such problems. It is also very helpful in treating teenage anaemia. It is prescribed by many vaidyars for disorders of semen and helps to promote fertility. The asavam is a diuretic, an appetiser and is useful in the treatment of gastric and duodenal ulcers, flatulence, indigestion, abdominal enlargement, reverse peristalsis and urinary disorders which involve kidney stones. The dosage recommended by many vaidyars is 10 to 30 ml ( to be taken with equal quantity of water) twice or thrice a day.

--- The writer was earlier Health Secretary, Govt. of Tamil Nadu and is currently CMD, TN Industrial Investment Corporation; Sheelarani.arogyamantra@gmail.com