Gajananda Rasa – Medicinal Properties, Ingredients, Indications, Dosage & More

Classical Reference : Ras tantra Saar and Siddha Prayog Sangreha

Classical Indication : Jwara (Fever)

Introduction

Gajānanda Rasa is a classical Ayurvedic herbo-mineral formulation traditionally used in the management of Jwara (fever), especially when associated with Ama, chills, body ache, and digestive weakness. It works by strengthening Agni, clearing metabolic toxins, and balancing aggravated Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. The synergistic combination of purified mineral ingredients with potent digestive and antipyretic herbs helps in breaking acute as well as recurrent fevers and supports faster recovery. Gajānanda Rasa is particularly valued in stubborn, chronic, and intermittent fever patterns where digestion and immunity are compromised.

Ingredients

1. Purified Hingula (Cinnabar) – 22 tola
2. Loha Bhasma (Iron calx)
3. Purified Kuchla (Strychnos nux-vomica)
4. Purified Vatsanabha (Aconitum ferox)
5. Kali Mirch (Black pepper)
6. Saunth (Dry ginger)
7. Pippali (Long pepper)
8. Harad (Terminalia chebula)
9. Baheda (Terminalia bellirica)
10. Amla (Emblica officinalis)
11. Chitrak Moola (Plumbago zeylanica root) – each 10 tola
12. Ela (Cardamom) – 3 tola
13. Dried Kutki (Picrorhiza kurroa) – 6 tola

Description Of Ingredients

1. Purified Hingula (Cinnabar / Mercuric Sulphide)

Hingula acts as a potent antipyretic and catalyst (Yogavahi). Chemically, once purified (Shodhana), it helps in reducing body temperature by regulating the thermal center in the hypothalamus and possesses strong antimicrobial properties to fight underlying infections.

2. Loha Bhasma (Iron Calx)

Loha Bhasma provides bioavailable iron which supports the formation of hemoglobin and strengthens the immune system. During fever, the body’s metabolic rate increases; iron calx helps maintain tissue oxygenation and prevents the weakness (anemia) often associated with chronic febrile conditions.

3. Purified Kuchla (Strychnos nux-vomica)

Kuchla contains alkaloids like strychnine and brucine which, in purified micro-doses, act as a nervous system stimulant. It helps improve peripheral blood circulation and muscle tone, aiding the body in overcoming the lethargy and body aches typically associated with high fever.

4. Purified Vatsanabha (Aconitum ferox)

Often called “Green Vitriol” of the herbal world, it is a powerful diaphoretic (induces sweating). Scientific studies suggest its alkaloids help in reducing inflammatory markers and rapidly lowering body temperature by promoting heat loss through the skin.

5. Kali Mirch (Black Pepper)

Contains piperine, which enhances the bioavailability of the other herbs in the formula. It acts as an antitussive and helps clear congestion, while its thermogenic properties help burn the metabolic toxins that Ayurveda suggests cause fever.

6. Saunth (Dry Ginger)

Gingerols in Saunth have potent anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. It stimulates digestion and suppresses Prostaglandin synthesis, which helps reduce the inflammatory response and the shivering sensations often felt during fever.

7. Pippali (Long Pepper)

Pippali is a powerful bio-enhancer and respiratory tonic. It helps in clearing mucus from the lungs and enhances the body’s innate immunity, making it particularly effective for fevers related to respiratory infections or malaria.

8. Harad (Terminalia chebula)

Known as a systemic cleanser, Harad improves bowel movements to expel toxins. It contains chebulic acid, which has broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, helping the body eliminate the pathogens responsible for the febrile state.

9. Baheda (Terminalia bellirica)

Baheda is specifically used for its febrifuge and antimicrobial properties. It targets the respiratory tract, reducing cough and congestion, and contains gallic acid which provides antioxidant support to cells stressed by high temperatures.

10. Amla (Emblica officinalis)

Amla is one of the richest sources of Vitamin C and tannins. It acts as an immunomodulator and refrigerant (Sheetavirya), protecting the liver and internal organs from the oxidative stress and heat damage caused by prolonged fever.

11. Chitrak Moola (Plumbago zeylanica)

The active compound plumbagin stimulates the digestive fire (Agni). By improving digestion and liver function, it ensures that metabolic waste is processed correctly, preventing the recurrence of fever due to poor metabolism.

12. Ela (Cardamom)

Cardamom acts as a cooling agent and a carminative. It helps in reducing the burning sensation and thirst often associated with fever, while its essential oils provide a mild antimicrobial effect and soothe the gastric lining.

13. Dried Kutki (Picrorhiza kurroa)

Kutki is a premier liver-protective herb. It contains kutkin, which stimulates bile secretion and has a direct cooling effect on the blood. It is scientifically recognized for its potent antipyretic properties, especially in cases of viral or malarial fever.

Method Of Preparation

First, mix Hingula and Vatsanabha thoroughly. Then add Loha Bhasma, Kuchla, and the remaining medicines in powdered form and triturate them sequentially to prepare a homogeneous mass. After this, levigate the mixture with lemon juice continuously for 12 hours. Finally, prepare pills of 1–1 ratti each.

Indications And Clinical Use

• This formulation is antipyretic, appetizing, digestive, vermicidal, detoxifying, vāta-hara, and strength-promoting. After prolonged or severe fever, the patient often experiences weakness, sluggish digestion, heaviness in the abdomen, mild intermittent pain, and irregular bowel movements due to extreme debility. This pill is highly beneficial in removing such debility and restoring bodily strength.
• When digestive fire becomes weak, bile from the gallbladder does not properly enter the small intestine. In such a state of agnimāndya, stools become pale and mucus-laden. If vāyu becomes aggravated and putrefactive processes increase, minute parasites are produced, which may proliferate in large numbers in the intestines. In this condition, this pill provides immediate benefit. It destroys intestinal parasites, prevents their reproduction, strengthens the liver and spleen, facilitates proper digestion of food, and enhances physical strength.
• After malarial attacks, symptoms such as headache, abdominal heaviness, nausea, lethargy, and yellowish discoloration of urine commonly appear. Debility increases and enthusiasm for work diminishes. If this condition is not treated promptly, it may become life-threatening. This pill removes fever along with debility and associated symptoms, restoring health and lightness to the body.
• In tamaka śvāsa (asthma), attacks occur due to cold exposure and indigestion. When the lungs gain strength, the impact of cold is reduced, and when the digestive system becomes strong, indigestion decreases. This pill strengthens both these organs; therefore, it is also useful in preventing and managing attacks of tamaka śvāsa.

Dosage And Adjuvant

1–2 pills, twice daily—up to the subsidence of fever—administered with water; in conditions of marked physical debility, it may be given with milk.

Note

According to Vaidya Mūlagrantha, this formulation does not contain Loha Bhasma or Chitrakamūla; however, from the perspective of guṇa-prabhāva, and based on the practical experience of physicians, its efficacy is well established. Its potency is attributed to the bhāvanā given with Neem juice.

Conclusion

In summary, this herbo-mineral formulation operates through a multi-dimensional approach to manage fever. The mineral components and potent alkaloids like Vatsanabha act as the primary antipyretics, resetting the body’s thermal regulation. These are balanced by the Trikatu (Pepper and Ginger) and Chitrak Moola, which enhance bioavailability and clear metabolic toxins. Meanwhile, the Triphala and Kutki provide essential hepatoprotective and immune-boosting support, ensuring the body recovers without secondary weakness. By combining rapid heat reduction with deep-seated metabolic cleansing, the formula addresses both the symptoms and the underlying causes of chronic febrile conditions.