Dhootapapeshwar Drakshasava (Drakshasav) Tonic for Loss of Appetite and Weakness

What are the uses of Drakshasava?

Dhootapapeshwar Drakshasava is an Ayurvedic tonic made to increase appetite and give strength to a weak body. It helps when you don't feel hungry, the stomach stays heavy after meals, you feel weak all day and your face looks dull. Munakka is its main ingredient. Thirteen herbs like laung, jaiphal, kali mirch and pippali are added in small amounts. With regular use, hunger returns and skin colour improves.

Quick Facts:

• Ingredients — Chitrak, chavya and pippalamool make digestion stronger. Nagkesar helps control bleeding, and kabab chini is there for the throat. Dalchini, tejpatta and small elaichi ease gas. Renuka seeds are added as well.
• It is an asava. Most asavas are never boiled, but here the munakka is boiled in water and only the strained liquid is kept. Dhai flowers go into it to start the fermenting, along with the other herbs in powder form. It then stays in a closed jar for about a month. A little alcohol forms in it naturally while it sits.
• Benefits — Helpful for people recovering from a long illness or a bad fever, when even small jobs still tire them out.
• Indications — Given for piles, gas with constipation, loose motions that keep coming back with poor digestion, nosebleeds, common skin problems, head and throat problems, low haemoglobin, jaundice, and stomach worms.
• Dosage — 10 to 20 ml, which is 2 to 4 teaspoonfuls, twice a day. Mix it with the same quantity of lukewarm water before drinking.
• Side Effects — Problems are rare at the usual dose. Taking much more can loosen the stools and upset the stomach. Pregnant and breastfeeding women usually avoid it, and small children should get it only if a doctor says so.
• When the weakness comes from low iron in the blood, Lohasava is often taken along with it.
• Try not to snack between meals, and keep lunch and dinner at fixed times. You'll feel properly hungry at mealtimes that way.