Puvankurundaladi Taila – Ingredients, Preparation, Uses, Indications, Benefits & More
(पूवन्कुरुन्दलादि तैलम्)
Also known as Uttamakanyakādi Eranda Taila / Pūvankurundalādi Āvanakkenna
Introduction
Pūvankurundalādi Taila is a classical internal Ayurvedic formulation prepared primarily in Eranda Taila (Castor oil – Ricinus communis) base. It is widely referenced in Kerala Ayurvedic practice and is especially known for managing chronic fevers, pediatric Vata disorders (Phakka/Kana), respiratory distress, and gastrointestinal dysfunction. The formulation is highly complex, combining numerous Swarasa dravyas (fresh herbal juices) with a potent blend of Kalka dravyas having Deepana (digestive stimulant), Pachana (metabolic correction), Jvaraghna (anti-pyretic), and Vata-Kapha pacifying properties. Due to the castor oil base, it also exerts mild purgative and detoxifying actions.
Classical Reference
सहदेवी पलंवशि ताम्बूलं क्षीरिणो तथा।
पर्णाजमोदो भृङ्गश्च जम्बूपत्रं तथैव च।।
यासापत्रं शक्रलता विष्णुक्रान्ता च तिन्दुकम्।
ब्रह्मी मण्डूकपर्णी च पत्रं च कटुतुम्बिजम्।।
पल्लवाः आम्रवृक्षस्य काकमाची च सर्वतः।
बिल्वार्धमानसंयुक्तालयरसं ग्राहयेद्भिषक्।।
तुलस्याश्च रसोनस्य रसो ग्राह्यश्च तत्समः।
दद्याद्विकुडवं तत्र तैलमेरण्डसंभवम्।।
कल्कार्थं सारिवा मुस्ता पाठा कुटजमूलकम्।
बालं दाडिमकं चैव पर्पटं चाष्टमाषकम्।।
देवदारु यवानी च रास्नामधुकजीरकम्।
निम्बाश्वगन्धातिविषा भारङ्गी कटुरोहिणी।।
हिङ्गु निर्वेषी जातिपत्रिका जातीफलं लवङ्गकम्।।
तैलं संसाध्य विधिवद्भक्षयेच्च विधानवित्।
ज्वरं श्वासं बालरोगं विवन्धं मलमूत्रयोः।
जिह्वापाकं कोष्ठपाकं मोहालस्यं च नाशयेत्।।
पानाज्ज्वरं तथा तीव्रं चतुःषष्टिविधं जयेत्।। (Sahasrayogam)
Meaning Of The Shloka
The verse describes a medicated castor oil preparation processed with numerous herbal juices such as Sahadevi, Tambula, Vishnukranta, Brahmi, Tulasi, and Lasuna. It is fortified with digestive, carminative, anti-pyretic, and Vata–Kapha pacifying herbs. The oil, when prepared properly and administered internally in appropriate dosage, alleviates Jvara (fever), Śvāsa (dyspnea), Balaroga (childhood Vata disorders), constipation, urinary obstruction, oral inflammation, digestive disorders, Moha (delirium), Alasya (lethargy) and is said to manage even 64 types of fever.
Composition
I. Drava Dravyas (Fresh Juices – Swarasa)
- Sahadevi (Vernonia cinerea) – 20 ml
- Palamvamsi (regional herb) – 20 ml
- Tambula (Piper betle – Betel leaf) – 20 ml
- Ksirini (milky latex plant, regional reference) – 20 ml
- Parnajamoda (Trachyspermum roxburghianum) – 20 ml
- Bhringaraja (Eclipta alba) – 20 ml
- Jambu Patra (Syzygium cumini leaf) – 20 ml
- Vasa Patra (Adhatoda vasica) – 20 ml
- Shakralata (regional creeper) – 20 ml
- Vishnukranta (Evolvulus alsinoides) – 20 ml
- Tinduka (Diospyros peregrina) – 20 ml
- Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) – 20 ml
- Mandukaparni (Centella asiatica) – 20 ml
- Katutumbi (Lagenaria siceraria) – 20 ml
- Amra Patra (Mangifera indica tender leaf) – 20 ml
- Kakamachi (Solanum nigrum) – 20 ml
- Tulasi (Ocimum sanctum) – 320 ml
- Lasuna (Allium sativum – Garlic) – 320 ml
II. Taila Dravya
- Murchita Eranda Taila (Ricinus communis – Processed castor oil) – 320 ml
III. Kalka Dravyas
- Sariva (Hemidesmus indicus) – 8 gm
- Musta (Cyperus rotundus) – 8 gm
- Patha (Cissampelos pareira) – 8 gm
- Kutaja Mula (Holarrhena antidysenterica) – 8 gm
- Bala (Sida cordifolia) – 8 gm
- Dadima (Punica granatum) – 8 gm
- Parpataka (Fumaria indica) – 8 gm
- Devadaru (Cedrus deodara) – 2 gm
- Yavani (Trachyspermum ammi – Ajwain) – 2 gm
- Rasna (Pluchea lanceolata) – 2 gm
- Yastimadhu (Glycyrrhiza glabra) – 2 gm
- Jiraka (Cuminum cyminum) – 2 gm
- Nimba (Azadirachta indica) – 2 gm
- Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) – 2 gm
- Ativisha (Aconitum heterophyllum) – 2 gm
- Bharangi (Clerodendrum serratum) – 2 gm
- Katuki (Picrorhiza kurroa) – 2 gm
- Haritaki (Terminalia chebula) – 2 gm
- Hingu (Ferula asafoetida) – 2 gm
- Jatipatrika (Myristica fragrans – Mace) – 2 gm
- Jatiphala (Myristica fragrans – Nutmeg) – 2 gm
- Lavanga (Syzygium aromaticum – Clove) – 2 gm
Method Of Preparation
The Kalka dravyas are finely ground into a paste. These are added to the Murchita Eranda Taila along with all Drava dravyas in a stainless steel vessel. The mixture is cooked over mild heat with continuous stirring until the liquid content evaporates and only the prescribed quantity of castor oil remains, indicating proper Sneha Siddhi. The oil is filtered and stored in airtight glass containers.
Method Of Use
Internal Administration
- Dose: 5–10 ml twice daily
- Time: Morning and evening, as directed by an Ayurvedic physician
Indications
- Jvara (acute and chronic fevers)
- Chatushashti Jvara (64 types of fevers)
- Shvasa (breathlessness, respiratory distress)
- Balaroga (especially Kerala-described ‘Kana’ – pediatric Vata disorder)
- Malavibandha (constipation)
- Mutravibandha (urinary obstruction)
- Jihvapaka (oral inflammation)
- Kosthapaka (intestinal inflammation)
- Moha (delirium)
- Alasya (lethargy)
Pharmacological Actions
- Jvaraghna (anti-pyretic)
- Vata-Kapha shamaka
- Deepana and Pachana (digestive stimulant and metabolic corrector)
- Mild virechana (purgative action due to castor oil)
- Shvasa hara (relieves respiratory distress)
Conclusion
Pūvankurundalādi Taila is a highly potent internal classical formulation centered on castor oil, enriched with numerous Swarasa dravyas and powerful digestive–anti-pyretic herbs. Its broad therapeutic spectrum, especially in fevers, respiratory disorders, pediatric Vata conditions, and gastrointestinal dysfunction, demonstrates the depth of Ayurvedic pharmaceutics in designing multi-target formulations. The synergy of Tulasi ((Ocimum sanctum)), Lasuna (Allium sativum), Deepana-Pachana herbs, and Eranda Taila (castor oil) enables detoxification, digestive correction, and systemic Vata-Kapha regulation. Classical texts attribute to it the capacity to manage even complex and severe febrile conditions. When administered in proper dosage under medical supervision, Pūvankurundalādi Taila serves as a comprehensive Ayurvedic internal remedy for chronic metabolic and febrile disorders.
