Introduction

Medicinal herbs and minerals have been in use for thousands of years in one form or the other
under indigenous system of medicine like Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani in addition to natural
products used for their pharmacological actions. There are herbs, which are natural sources of food
supplements, taste enhancers, colors and cosmetics2. Different ayurvedic companies manufacture
sudarshan3, vyswanara and panchasakar in the form of churnas, which are being widely prescribed
by the ayurvedic physicians. They are intended to be dispersed or mixed in liquids like water, milk or
water plus honey, etc prior to administration orally. Sudarshan churna, an ayurvedic preparation,
contains various active plant materials that include kantakari, shunti, haridra, haritaki, rajani,
devadaru etc and is indicated for many complications associated with fever. Especially effective in
relieving the problems associated with typhoid and jwar etc. Normal prescribed dose of this
preparation is 1 to 2 teaspoonfuls immediately after meals twice a day with water or milk. The main
active ingredients of vyswanara churna are: saindhav lavan, jeera, ajmoda, pippali, sonth and
hareetaki and it is indicated for rheumatoid arthritis, constipation, piles and abdominal colics.