In the ayurveda tradition, practitioners create several different types of formulations to treat their patients, including artistavas, asawas, and churnas. Each one of these popular ayurvedic formulations are designed to treat specific types of dysfunction within the body, and are formulated by a qualified practitioner for each individual patient. Mixing ayurvedic formulations is best left to the experts, and it is recommended anyone who wishes to use these herbal supplements only take those preparations made by a holistic, ayurvedic doctor. In most ayurvedic treatments, a wide variety of herbs and other ingredients are combined in specific ways to most effectively treat and prevent disease. This type of medicine is native to India, and has been practiced for thousands of years.
One of the most popular types of ayurvedic formulations prescribed is known as artistavas. These medicines are made by soaking the herbs and other medicines in water or another fluid, often a sugar solution, to produce a decoction or tea. The mixture is then allowed to rest while the sugar ferments and creates an alcohol base. Among the most common formulas are treatments for bronchial asthma, arthritis, inflammation of the tissues, and fever. There are base mixtures for these remedies, but it is not unusual for the practitioner to modify the treatment for each patient by adding or subtracting herbs as the physician sees fit.
Asawas are another type of ayurvedic formulation used for treating various illnesses and disease. These medications are made in much the same manner as the artistavas, but they typically treat constipation, stomach indigestion, and dry, hacking coughs. This type of medicine may also be used to treat the symptoms of diabetes mellitus, or type II diabetes. Both asawas and artistavas are frequently created to stimulate sluggish systems of the body, as well as to soothe and strengthen the digestive system.
Among the most common types of ayurvedic formulations are the churnas. These medications are made from carefully dried herbs and medicines that are sieved to create a fine powder, and then weighed to ensure accurate dosing. If the patient requires more than one herbal medication to fully treat their condition, the practitioner will repeat the process for each ingredient before mixing them together for the patient's use. These powders are often used to treat diseases and conditions relating to rheumatoid arthritis and peptic ulcers, as well as a blood protection and cleaning medicine. The ayurvedic doctor will choose which ingredients and herbs are needed and customize an appropriate treatment for each patient.