Introduction
Bhaishajya Kalpana is the Ayurvedic science of pharmaceutical preparation — the art and science of transforming raw herbs and minerals into effective medicines. The foundation of Bhaishajya Kalpana is the Panchavidha Kashaya Kalpana, the five basic dosage forms that serve as the basis for all other pharmaceutical preparations in Ayurveda.
The five basic dosage forms are: Swarasa (fresh expressed juice), Kalka (fresh herb paste), Kwatha (decoction or boiled extract), Hima (cold infusion), and Phanta (hot infusion). Each of these forms extracts the active principles of the herb in a specific way, making it suitable for particular herbs, particular conditions, and particular patients.
The principle of selection is based on the nature of the herb and the desired therapeutic effect. Delicate aromatic herbs are best prepared as cold infusions (Hima) or hot infusions (Phanta) to preserve their volatile compounds. Tough roots and barks require prolonged boiling as decoctions (Kwatha). Fresh herbs with abundant juice are best used as Swarasa or Kalka.
For the student, Panchavidha Kashaya Kalpana is the foundation of all pharmaceutical knowledge in Ayurveda. Understanding these five basic forms makes it possible to understand all the more complex preparations — powders (churna), medicated ghees (ghrita), medicated oils (taila), fermented preparations (arishta/asava), and confections (avaleha).
For the patient, understanding the different forms of medicine helps them to follow the prescription correctly. A decoction must be prepared differently from an infusion, and the method of preparation affects the potency and therapeutic effect.
For the practitioner, the selection of the appropriate dosage form is a critical clinical decision. The same herb in different forms has different potency, different onset of action, and different suitability for different conditions and patients.
Swarasa: Fresh Expressed Juice
Swarasa is the juice expressed from fresh plant material. It is the most potent of the five basic forms because it contains the full range of active principles in their natural state and proportion.
Method of Preparation
Fresh, clean plant material is washed and ground to a fine paste (kalka). The paste is then wrapped in a clean cloth and squeezed firmly to express the juice. The juice is collected in a clean vessel and used immediately or within a few hours.
For herbs with low water content, a small amount of water may be added during grinding to facilitate juice extraction. The ratio of herb to added water should be minimal — just enough to enable expression.
Dose
The standard dose of Swarasa is 12 to 24 ml (one to two tolas), taken once or twice daily. The dose varies with the potency of the herb, the age and strength of the patient, and the condition being treated.
Indications
Swarasa is indicated when the full potency of the fresh herb is required. It is the preferred form for acute conditions where rapid action is needed. Fresh herbs with abundant juice — tulsi (Ocimum sanctum), ginger (Zingiber officinale), aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis), and brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) — are commonly used as Swarasa.
Shelf Life
Swarasa is highly perishable. It should be prepared fresh daily and used within 12 hours. It can be preserved for a slightly longer period by adding an equal quantity of alcohol or by mixing with honey, but the fresh preparation is always preferred.
Kalka: Fresh Herb Paste
Kalka is a fine paste made by grinding fresh plant material with a small amount of water. It is used both for internal administration and for external application.
Method of Preparation
Fresh, clean plant material is washed and ground to a fine, uniform paste on a stone or in a mortar. The amount of water added should be just sufficient to achieve a paste consistency. The paste should be smooth, uniform, and free of coarse particles.
Dose
The standard internal dose of Kalka is 6 to 12 grams, taken with an appropriate vehicle (honey, ghee, warm water). The dose varies with the potency of the herb.
Indications
Kalka is indicated when the full plant material, including its fibrous components, is desired for therapeutic effect. It is used when the active principles are not fully water-soluble and require the whole plant matrix for optimal delivery. Externally, Kalka is used as a poultice (lepa) for skin conditions, inflammatory swellings, wounds, and joint pain.
Shelf Life
Kalka should be prepared fresh daily. It loses potency within 24 hours, especially in warm weather.
Kwatha: Decoction
Kwatha is the most commonly used of the five basic dosage forms. It is prepared by boiling coarse herb powder in water until the volume is reduced to one-quarter or one-eighth of the original.
Method of Preparation
Coarse powder of the dry herb (or a combination of herbs) is added to water in the ratio of 1:16 (one part herb to sixteen parts water by weight). The mixture is boiled over a moderate fire until the volume is reduced to one-quarter or one-eighth of the original. The decoction is then strained through a clean cloth, and the residue is discarded.
The time of boiling varies with the nature of the herbs. Tough roots and barks require longer boiling (45-60 minutes). Leaves and soft parts require shorter boiling (15-20 minutes). Herbs with volatile oils should not be boiled.
Dose
The standard dose of Kwatha is 30 to 60 ml, taken once or twice daily. The dose should be warm, as warm decoctions are more easily digested and absorbed.
Indications
Kwatha is the preferred form for tough, dense plant materials — roots, barks, stems, and woody parts — that require prolonged boiling to extract their active principles. It is the most common form for the majority of Ayurvedic herbal formulations. Most classical formulations that are not specified as Swarasa, Kalka, Hima, or Phanta are prepared as Kwatha.
Shelf Life
Kwatha can be stored for 24 hours in a cool place. In hot weather, it should be prepared fresh daily. It can be preserved for longer by adding a preservative (a small piece of camphor or a few drops of alcohol).
Hima: Cold Infusion
Hima is prepared by soaking coarse herb powder in cold water for a specified period, usually overnight. It is the preferred form for herbs with volatile constituents that would be destroyed by heat.
Method of Preparation
Coarse powder of the herb is added to cold water in the ratio of 1:6 (one part herb to six parts water). The mixture is kept in a closed vessel at room temperature for 12 hours (overnight), with occasional shaking. The infusion is then strained through a clean cloth.
Dose
The standard dose of Hima is 30 to 60 ml, taken once or twice daily.
Indications
Hima is indicated for: delicate aromatic herbs whose volatile oils would be destroyed by heat (coriander, fennel, mint, chamomile); cooling herbs used in Pitta conditions where heat would alter their properties (coriander, fennel, sandalwood); and conditions requiring cooling, soothing therapy. Hima is also the preferred form for herbs that need prolonged extraction at room temperature.
Shelf Life
Hima should be prepared fresh daily. It is more perishable than Kwatha and should be used within 12 hours.
Phanta: Hot Infusion
Phanta is prepared by pouring boiling water over coarse herb powder and allowing it to steep for a specified period. It is similar to the common herbal tea.
Method of Preparation
Coarse powder of the herb is added to a vessel, and boiling water is poured over it in the ratio of 1:8 (one part herb to eight parts water). The vessel is covered and allowed to steep for 10-15 minutes (or longer, depending on the herb). The infusion is then strained.
Dose
The standard dose of Phanta is 30 to 60 ml, taken warm or hot.
Indications
Phanta is indicated when volatile oils and aromatic constituents are desired but the herb is not fresh enough for Swarasa. It is the preferred form for: aromatic digestive herbs (ginger tea, fennel tea, mint tea); herbs used for respiratory conditions (tulsi, ginger, licorice); and mild, supportive herbs used as daily tonics. Phanta is the most convenient form for self-preparation and is widely used in home remedies.
Shelf Life
Phanta should be prepared fresh for each use. It loses potency rapidly and should be consumed within a few hours of preparation.
The selection of the appropriate dosage form depends on several factors: the nature of the herb (delicate, aromatic, tough, fresh, dry); the condition (acute vs. chronic, Vata vs. Pitta vs. Kapha); the patient (digestive strength, age, constitution); the desired onset (rapid for Swarasa, moderate for Kwatha and Phanta, slow for Hima); and the availability of fresh ingredients.
In general, acute conditions requiring rapid action are best treated with Swarasa or Phanta. Chronic conditions requiring sustained action are best treated with Kwatha. Conditions involving heat (Pitta) benefit from Hima or cooling Phanta. Conditions involving digestion benefit from warm Phanta or Kwatha taken before meals.
Comparison of the Five Forms
| Form | Medium | Method | Ratio | Dose | Onset | Shelf Life |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Swarasa | Fresh juice | Expression | N/A | 12-24 ml | Rapid | < 12 hours |
| Kalka | Fresh paste | Grinding | N/A | 6-12 g | Moderate | < 24 hours |
| Kwatha | Water decoction | Boiling (1/4th) | 1:16 | 30-60 ml | Moderate | 24 hours |
| Hima | Cold infusion | Soaking (12 hr) | 1:6 | 30-60 ml | Slow | 12 hours |
| Phanta | Hot infusion | Steeping (15 min) | 1:8 | 30-60 ml | Rapid | < 6 hours |
Conclusion
Panchavidha Kashaya Kalpana — the five basic dosage forms — is the foundation of Ayurvedic pharmacy. These five forms — Swarasa, Kalka, Kwatha, Hima, and Phanta — represent the basic methods of extracting the active principles from herbs and preparing them for therapeutic use.
The selection of the appropriate dosage form is a critical clinical decision that depends on the nature of the herb, the condition being treated, the patient’s constitution, and the desired therapeutic effect. The skillful practitioner selects not only the right herb but the right form of that herb for the specific patient and condition.
The five basic forms are the foundation upon which all of Ayurveda’s more complex pharmaceutical preparations — the powders, the medicated oils and ghees, the fermented preparations, and the confections — are built. A thorough understanding of these five forms provides the key to understanding the entire system of Bhaishajya Kalpana.