Balya Gana Herbs: Review, Benefits, Formulations

By Dr M S Krishnamurthy MD(Ayu) PhD.
Acharya Charaka has grouped 10 herbs as Balya Maha Kashaya. The substance, food or medicine which gives strength or invigorates is called ‘Balya’. Even though tonic is the common word used in practice Ayurvedic concept of tonic is very vast and it discusses about various factors and phenomenon concerned to this. 

That is the reason all enlivening, energizing, nutritive and anti aging drugs are grouped together under this heading.
Classical reference: Charaka sutra 4/10

Balya Gana

Let us review the quality and action of these drugs one by one in brief-

1. Aindri (Citrullus colocynthis) –Root
Bitter tonic, liver stimulant, laxative, carminative , anti flatulent, anti spasmodic etc.

2. Rishabhi – Rishabhaka – Manilkara hexandra-Root
Rejuvinative, tonic , energizer, bulk enhancer, stabilizer, aphrodisiac etc.

3. Atirasa – Asparagus – Asparagaus racemosus–Root
Galactogogue, aphrodisiac, nourishing, nutritive, soothing, coolant, hair tonic, rejuvinative etc.

4. Rishyaprokta – Teramnus labialis
Rejuvinative, envigorative, stimulant, bulk enhancer, nutritive etc.

5. Payasya – Impomoea paniculata –Rhizome
Nutritive, nourishing, galactogogue, soothing, coolant, bulk enhancer etc.

6. Ashwagandha – Winter Cherry / Indian ginseng – Withania somnifera–Root
Aphrodisiac, envigorative, rejuvinative, energizer, immune modulator ,strengthner of the mind, stabilizer etc.

7. Sthira – Desmodium gangeticum – Root
Stabilizer, energizer, neuro muscular stimulant, tonic, muscle buylk enhancer etc.

8. Katukarohini – Picrorhiza kurroa-Root
Liver stimulant, cholegogue, laxative, scraping, carminative, bitter tonic etc.

9. Bala – Country mallow– Sida cordifolia-Root
Tonic, energizer, stabilizer, rejuvinative, anti inflammatory, analgesic etc.

10. Atibala – Abutilon indicum –Root
Stabilizer, tonic, rejuvinative, aphrodisiac, anti inflammatory, analgesic, energizer, immune modulator,  etc.

Qualities, action

Qualities in general and actions of Balya gana drugs:
The drugs of this group are usually sweet mixed bitter taste in nature, undergo sweet kind (some may be exceptional) of metabolic transformation, most of the drugs are cold in potency and nutritive in action.

They are tissue building, nutritive, muscle bulk enhancers, rejuvinative, aphrodisiac, immune modulator and stabilizers in action.

Therapeutic uses

Therapeutic uses of Balya gana drugs:
The drugs of Balya gana are used in emaciation, fatigue, nervine disorders,Vata predominant conditions, Immune difficiency disorders, loss of libido, degenerative disorders, geriatric health issues etc.

Formulations

Formulations containing Balya drugs:
Balarishtha, Ashwagandharishtha, Vidaryadi kashayaa, Dhatupushthi rasayana, Asheagandhavaleha, Chyavanaprasha, Brahma rasayana etc are the few formulations containing the members of this group of herbs.

Disadvantages

Disadvantages of Balya gana drugs:
The drugs grouped under this category should not be practiced in large amount in the patients who are stout, suffering from few of the metabolic disorders etc.

Simple formulations that can be made from the above drugs and their application in routine practice:
The drugs like Bala-Atibala-Payasya etc can be taken individually or in combination and medicated milk is made. This is effective in emaciating disorders, thirst, fatigue, degenerative troubles, arthritis etc.

Formulation development opportunities:
From the selective drugs of this group health beneficial rejuvinative tonics can be prepared. Also they can be included along with raisins, pista, cashew nut etc and good lehya preparations can also be formulated.
These drugs can be used in routine if granules are made along with few carminative and flavoring agents.
Click to consult Dr MS Krishnamurthy MD (Ayu), PhD.