Gandhak Rasayan: Uses, Benefits and Side Effects By Dr. Rajeev Singh
By Dr Rajeev Singh +2 more
Medically reviewed by Dr Rajeev Singh
Last updated: Mar 20, 2024Click to rate this article!
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By Dr Rajeev Singh +2 more
Medically reviewed by Dr Rajeev Singh
Last updated: Mar 20, 2024Table of Contents
Gandhak Rasayan is a herbal medicine, known as Moringa ovalifolia in various botanical sources. The formulations made from Gandhaka are referred to as Gandhaka Kalpas, where Gandhak in English refers to sulphur and Kalpas refers to medicinal preparation. It is used as a rejuvenator in Ayurveda, which promotes positive health and immunity. The increase in immunity helps the human body to resist various diseases. This property of Gandhak Rasayan also makes it a prophylactic agent (an agent that prevents disease) along with a therapeutic agent.
According to ancient scholars, it is known as “Balivas”, as the king of Bali uses this very attractive sulphur internally to gain more power. Also, if Gandhak is combined with mercury, it transforms into a substance capable of eliminating diseases, known as murcchita state. Thus, gandhak based preparation has widespread clinical use and therefore, holds an important place in ayurvedic pharmaceutics 1-3
You can also read about Moringa benefits
| Nutritional Component | Value |
| Gandhak – Purified Sulphur | 1.5kg |
| Godugha (Cow Milk) | 18 L |
| Twak (Cinnamon) (Cinnamomum Zeylanicum) | 2 Kg |
| Ela (Cardamom) | 2 Kg |
| Patra (Cinnamomum Tamala) | 2 Kg |
| Nagkeshara (Mesua Forrea) | 2 Kg |
| Guduchi (Tinospora Cardifoloa – Stem) | 4.8 Kg |
| Haritaki (Terminalia Chebula – Fruit Rind) | 2.4 Kg |
| Amalaka (Emblica Officinalis) | 2.4 Kg |
| Vibhitaki (Terminalia Bellerica) | 2.4Kg |
| Shunto (Ginger Zingiber Officinalis – Rhizome) | 2.4 Kg |
| Bhringaraja (Eclipta Alba) | 4.8 Kg |
| Sita (Sugar syrup) | 1.025 Kg |
Table 1: Nutrient composition of Gandhak Rasayan (4.34 kg) 4
I recently read an article which says the use of Gandhak Rasayana may aid in relieving the symptoms of arthritis. Gandhak Rasayana is known for its rejuvenating and anti-inflammatory properties.
Dr. Siddharth Gupta, MD
Did you now ?
The properties of Gandhak Rasayan are:
Gandhak Rasayan vati (tablet) and Gandhak Rasayan powder possess various health benefits. Some of its potential benefits are:
Clinical trials conducted by Sachin et al., 2017 to investigate the role of Gandhak Rasayan vati in Shushka Vicharchika (Eczema) exhibited good clinical improvement in terms of relieving individual symptoms as well as reducing the severity of the disease. Significant reduction in Daha, Kandu (itching), Ruja (sickness) and Sparshasahatva (burning sensation) was observed. Thus, it might be an effective solution for eczema.6
Gandhak Rasayan is considered a wide-spectrum antimicrobial agent with anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties. Various physicians recommend Gandhak Rasayan vati for the treatment of fungal or viral infection because of its bigger zone of inhibition with less side effects and comparatively low cost. The clinical efficacy of Gandhak Rasayan in non-infective post-operative cases was assessed by Kadam et al., 2022. This study revealed that various microorganisms that presented resistance to certain tested antibiotics showed good susceptibility to the Gandhak Rasayan. Therefore, Gandhak Rasayan is a versatile ayurvedic medicine that has a wide range of health-benefiting effects.2
In a case study, the patient suffering from kushta (Tinea corporis) was treated with Gandhaka Rasayan along with exterior and interior applications of a combination of various oils and vati for 14 days. It has antifungal and antibacterial qualities. It mostly influences Rakta Dhatu and results in Rakta shodhan (purification of blood). Due to its antifungal qualities, it aids in decreasing infection. Additionally, it functions as a rasayan and aids in digestion and skin complexion improvement. Skin problems are treated with sulphur both orally and topically.5
Vulvitis is the inflammation of the vulva (soft folds of skin outside the vagina) which can result either from injuries, infection, allergy or irritants. Verma and his colleague, 2021 evaluated the efficacy of Gandhak Rasayan lotion mixed with Gomutra arka, suddha Tankan in an effective and palatable management of vulvitis. It was advised to apply lotion on the affected area after the bath for 10 minutes and washed with lukewarm triphala. The treatment was continued for 15 days in two consecutive months. The results demonstrate a little reduction in the primary vulvitis symptoms and the patches of redness or swelling caused by vulvitis also effectively faded after therapy. Thus, concluding that Gandhak Rasayan may have some potential in the management of vulvitis.7
Gandhak Rasayan may also help in patients with complications as ulcerative skin lesions over the legs, hands and back. A similar case was treated with Gandhak Rasayan tablet (125mg), BD for 15 days, by Dr Dhodapkar in 2018. Patient with discharge and pruritis along with pedal oedema and ulcerative skin lesions. Gandhak Rasayan was prescribed for the reduction of infection and healing of skin lesions. It showed a significant reduction in oedema and partial healing of skin lesions in around 15 days.8
Though there are studies that show the benefits of the herb in various conditions, these are insufficient and there is a need for further studies to establish the true extent of the benefits of Gandhak Rasayan on human health.
Gandhak Rasayan is used in tablet form for the management and potential treatment of various diseases.8 It may also be used in the form of topical agents like lotions mixed with other herbal medicines to treat skin disorders.7 Gandhak Rasayan is also used as a powder with different herbal juices.2
You must consult a qualified doctor before taking any herbal supplements. Do not discontinue or replace an ongoing treatment of modern medicine with an ayurvedic/herbal preparation without consulting a qualified doctor.
The most common Gandhak Rasayan side effects are loose stools, upset stomach, abdominal cramps and bloating.2 The histopathological analysis of rat models administered with repeated doses of Gandhak Rasayan showed mild haemorrhage in the Kidneys of rats along with mild fatty liver.1
In my experience, Gandhak Rasayana may be used to delay the premature greying of hair. Gandhak Rasayana has a proven rejuvenator property.
Dr. Rajeev Singh, BAMS
Since there is insufficient information available on the safety and efficacy of Gandhak Rasayan during pregnancy and breastfeeding, it is best to avoid this rasayan in these groups.2
Though there is no information on the interaction of gandhak rasayan with other drugs, some medications should never be combined. If you’re using any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medication, consult your doctor before taking it.
The side effects of Gandhak Rasayan include loose stool, abdominal cramps, upset stomach and bloating. Fatty liver and kidney haemorrhage are also some other side effects reported in preclinical studies.
Gandhak Rasayan may help in relieving pain, managing diabetes, respiratory and skin disorders along with treating allergies. It may also act as an appetizer and rejuvenator. Gandhak Rasayan may also help in building immunity and positive health.
It is mostly advised to avoid Gandhak Rasayan during pregnancy and lactation. One should always consult a medical health practitioner before taking any herbal drugs.
Gandhak Rasayan consists of sulphur, cow milk, cinnamon, amala, cardamom, patra, guduchi, vibhitaki, haritaki, shunto and bringharaj along with sugar and water.
It is available as Gandhak Rasayan powder, which can be formulated as Gandhak Rasayan vati (tablet) and as a topical lotion for skin disorders.
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