Mahagandhakam is a classical Ayurvedic formulation mentioned in Bhaishajya Ratnavali that is helpful for diseases of the Annavaha Srotas like Grahani Roga. It contains ingredients like parada, gandhaka, lavanga, elabeeja, jatiphala, nimba patra, and mukta shukti that are prepared using methods like kajjali, parpati, and pottali paka. It possesses qualities like deepana, grahi, and balavarna prasadaka and is helpful for mandagni, the root cause of many diseases according to Ayurveda. It works by improving digestion

1. Mahagandhakam : Essential
boon for Mahasrotas
Name : DR. PRIYANKA PATIL
Designation : Final year PG Scholar
Registration ID : 746
Institution : TGAMC & hospital, Ballari
University : RGUHS Bengaluru.

2. Content of presentation
1 • Aushadha yoga intro
2 • Reference
3 • Method of preparation
4 • Matra & anupana
5 • Phalashruti & Phytochemistry
6 • Mode of action
7 • Conclusion

3. Introduction
• Srotas are channelized system for
transportation and transformation of Dhatu.
• Annavaha srotas is the most important srotas
described in our classics . Ayurveda has given
most importance to optimal dietary regimen
and its variations as per seasons, agni, prakriti.
When these are not followed, leads to
imbalance in dosha in turn leading to the
manifestation of annavaha srotas diseases.
• A Rasakalpa ‘Mahagandhakam’ which is
helpful in these diseases is discussed in
upcoming slides.

4. Introduction to formulation
• Etymology of the word Mahagandhakam:
Maha – mahat.(mahate pujyate iti)
Gandhakah - gandha, Atigandha, Sugandha,
Divyagandha.
• A formulation which is having good smell.
• Mahagandhakam is classical, potent and unexplored
formulation mentioned in bhaishajya ratnavali under
grahani rogadhikara with unique method of
preparation kajjali, parpati & pottali paka using shukti.
Possesses qualities like laghu, deepana, grahi,
balavarna prasadaka & raktodbava vyadhihara. As most
of disease arise because of mandagni this formulation
helps to maintain svasthya of mahasrotas.

5. References
• Bhaishajya ratnavali Grahani rogadhikar
रसगन्धकय ोःकर्ष्ं ग्राह्यमेक
ष सुश धधतष।
ततोः कज्जलिकाषकृ त्व म्रुदुपाक
े न साधयेत्
जाततफिष तथाक रष िवन्गाररष्टपत्रक
े ।
लसन्धुवारदिषचैवमेिाबीजष तथैव च
एराषच कर्ंमात्रेण त येनाथववमद्ंयेत्।
मुक्तागृहे पुनोःस्थप्यष पुटपाक
े न्साधयेत्
घनपषक
ष बहहलि्ंप्त्वा पुटमध्येतनधपयेत्।
गुन्जारट् प्रमाणेन प्रत्यहष भक्षयेन्नरोः
ज्वरघ्नष दीपनषचैव बिवण्ंप्रसाधनम्।
दुवा्ंरषग्रहणीर गष जयत्येव प्रवाहहकम ्
बािानाष गदयुक्तानाष स्त्रीणाषचैव ववशेरतोः।
महागन्धकमेतध्ध्द सव्ंव्याधधतनरूदनम्

6. Ingredients and method of preparation
Ingredients
Shuddha parada - 1 part
Shuddha gandhaka - 1 part
Lavanga -1 part
Elabeeja -1 part
Jatiphala - 1 part
Nimbapatra -1 part
Jatikosha - 1 part
Nirgundipatra - 1 part
Muktashukti - Q.S
•Rasa
parpati
•Shukti
filled
parpati
& herbal
drugs
•Parada
+
gandha
ka
•Pottali
paka
Putapaka kajjali
parpati

7. Dose, Aushadakala, Anupana
Dose :
6gunja/day
Aushadhakala :
Annadou/ Before
food
Anupana :
• 2 gunjaTID divided
doses
• As drug is deepana &
grahi it acts on apana
vayu more efficaciously
if given before food.
• Acc to the disease
condition

8. Indications

9. Phytochemistry
Sl.no Drug Rasa Guna Veerya Vipaka Karma
1. Rasa
parpati
- Laghu ushna - Dipana grahi
2. Jatiphala
&
Jatikosha
Katu tikta Laghu
tikshna
Ushna Katu Kaphavatahara
dipana & grahi
3. Lavanga Tikta katu Laghu
tikshna
Sheeta Katu Kapha pitta
hara, ruchya,
dipana pachan
4. Elabeeja Madhura
katu
Laghu
ruksha
Sheeta Madhur
a
Kapha
vatahara,
dipana
5. Nimba
patra
Tikta Ruksha Sheeta Katu Pitta vatahara
Grahi
6. Nirgundi
patra
Katu tikta Laghu
ruksha
Ushna Katu Kapha
vatahara
7. Mukta
shukti
Kashaya
madhura
Guru
snidga
Sheeta Madhur
a
Kapha
pittahara

10. Mode of action in Srotodusthi
• Its due to mandagni. All drugs of formulation
posseses dipana karma
Anannabhilasha
• Ela, jatiphala & Lavanga have property of ruchya.
Arochaka
• Avipaka or ama it produces vidaha. Drugs like
shukti bhasma reduces daha & does pachana
Avipaka
• Due to grahi guna of the lavanga rasaparpati
jatikosha nimba patra turns it into samyak
pravrutti.
Atipravrutti
• Formulation possess the quality of chardihara.
Chardi
• As most drugs posseses tikta rasa does
rasaprasadana.
Rasadusthi

11. Mode of action
Prostaglandin inhibitory activity of gut / anti
inflammatory
Myristica
fragnans seed
extract
Mace)Myristica
fragnans aril
ethonolic extract
Muktashukti
bhasma
Antimicrobial activity against H.Pylori
Mace)Myristica
fragnans aril
Azardiracta indica has
antihelmentic,
antibacterial mainly
acts on multidrug
resistant vibrio cholera,
anti helicobacter pylori
Vitex nirgundo
Proven activity of drugs in the formulation. (pubmed)

12. Mode of action
Proven activity of drugs in the formulation. (pubmed)
Gut protective, anti cancerous activity & anti oxidant
activity
Myristica fragnans
seed & aril extract
Elettaria cardamom
Syzgizium
aromaticum have
antiulceric property
Spasmolytic & antisecretory action (anti diarrhoe).
Azardiracta indica
inhibits contraction
of ileum & it’s
antisecretory
Muktashukti
bhasma delayed
castor oil induced
diarrhoe
Vitex nirgundo is
spasmolytic &
Rasaparpati

13. Other Indications

14. Conclusion
• According to our classics, diseases affecting the
digestive system arises due to improper functioning
of Agni (digestive fire). Grahani is considered as the
seat of Agni. Drug mahagandhakam which mainly
acts on seat of agni and promotes it. Along with it
works rasadi shukra dhatu vardhana & improves
bala. As it’s laghu & soumya in nature its indicated in
balaroga too.