Sapthasaram Kwath

BASIC INFO

Sapthasaram Kwath - Ayurvedic Medicine for Constipation 

Sapthasaram Kwath is an Ayurvedic medicine used in the treatment of ascites, constipation, dyspareunia and other related conditions. It is made using seven Ayurvedic herbs and hence the name saptasaram.

• Kerala Ayurveda’s Sapthasaram Kwath is one of the prescriptions for treating stomach ache as well as spleen disorders.

• It is widely used in the Ayurvedic treatment for hip pain, lower back pain, constipation, low digestion power,

• It is also used in Ayurvedic treatment of menstrual pain and painful periods.

• It is an effective medicine to treat pain arising due to pathology in the underlying organs of the lower abdomen.

• It is well known as an Ayurvedic medicine for constipation and medicine for ascites. 

• It is one of the prescriptions for dyspareunia treatment.

• It helps to bring about a balance in Vata.

Ingredients

• Varshabhu (Boerhaavia diffusa)

• Bilva (Aegle marmelos)

• Horse Gram (Dolichos biflorus)

• Castor (Ricinus communis)

• Sahacara (Barteria prionitis)

• Shunti (Zingiber officinale)

• Agnimantha (Clerodendrum phlomidis)

Constipation - An Overview

Constipation occurs when an individual has difficulty emptying the large bowel.  Though occasional constipation is very common, some individuals experience chronic constipation that can interfere with their ability to go about their daily tasks. Chronic constipation is infrequent bowel movements or difficult passage of stools that persists for several weeks or longer. Chronic constipation may also cause an individual to strain excessively in order to have a bowel movement. It is generally described as having fewer than three bowel movements a week.

Some of the symptoms of constipation include lower abdominal discomfort, a sense of incomplete evacuation after a bowel movement, straining to have a bowel movement, hard or small stools, rectal bleeding and/or anal fissures caused by hard stools, physiological distress and/or obsession with having bowel movements.

The main symptoms of constipation are:

• Difficulty in passing stool

• Straining when passing stool

• Passing less stool than usual

• Lumpy, dry, or hard stool

• Few bowel movements

• Trouble having a bowel movement (straining to go)

• Belly bloating

• Stomach Ache 

• Pain and cramping in the abdomen

• Nausea

• Loss of appetite

Some causes of constipation include:

• Changes in diet or in daily activities

• Not consuming enough water or fiber 

• Eating an excess of dairy products

• Not being active, having a sedentary lifestyle

• Resisting the urge to poop

• Stress

• Overuse of laxatives

• Some medications especially strong pain drugs such as narcotics, antidepressants, and iron pills

• Antacid medicines that have calcium or aluminum

• Eating disorders

• Irritable bowel syndrome

• Pregnancy

• Nerve or muscle issues in the digestive system

• Colon cancer

• Neurological conditions such as Parkinson's disease or multiple sclerosis

• Under-active thyroid (called hypothyroidism)

Ascites - An Overview

Ascites is one of the most common liver diseases that is caused by cirrhosis of the liver. It causes excess fluid to build up in the abdomen, making the belly swell and protrude.

Ascites is usually accompanied by a feeling of fullness, a ballooning belly, and rapid weight gain. Other symptoms often include:

• Shortness of breath

• Nausea

• Swelling in legs and ankles

• Indigestion

• Vomiting

• Heartburn

• Loss of appetite

• Fever

• Hernia

Causes of Ascites 

Ascites happen when pressure builds up in the veins of the liver causing it to function at less than optimal capacity. These problems are usually caused by some other condition such as cirrhosis, heart or kidney failure, cancer, or an infection.

Ascites also occur when the pressure blocks blood flow in the liver, which over time keeps the kidneys from removing excess salt from the body. This, in turn, causes fluid to build up.

An Ayurvedic Perspective to Constipation and Ascites 

The word Ayurveda is a Sanskrit word that evolves from a combination of two words, ‘Ayush’ meaning life and ‘Veda’ meaning knowledge. Ayurveda means 'Knowledge about Life’ and is 5000-year-old science that originated in India.

Ayurveda is based on the premise that the universe is made up of five elements - Pradvi – earth, Aap – water, Tejus – Fire, Vayu – Air, and Akash – Space.

 These elements are represented in humans by three ‘doshas, or principle energies: Vata, Pitta and Kapha. When any of the doshas accumulate in the body beyond the desirable limit, the body loses its balance. Every individual has a distinct balance, and overall health and well-being depend on maintaining the balance of the three doshas (tridoshas). Ayurveda suggests specific lifestyle and nutritional guidelines to help individuals reduce the excess dosha.

According to Ayurveda, constipation occurs when vata’s cold and dry qualities disturb the colon, inhibiting its proper functioning. The excess of Vata in the body causes disruption to apana vayu, the downward energy which supports elimination and stability. Due to the Vata imbalance, apana vayu flows in an upward direction rather than its usual downward flow.

In Ayurveda, Constipation is known as ‘Vibandh.’ It is a common condition that affects an individual's normal bowel movements where an individual experiences difficulty in passing stools and emptying the bowel. In severe cases, the individual may be unable to pass stools altogether for some time. Because many imbalances can contribute to chronic constipation including poor diet, compromised digestion, and sluggish elimination which can lead to a buildup of toxins, creating blockages in channels of elimination. In addition, the accumulation of stress and the disruption of bodily rhythms due to a busy lifestyle can destabilize the nervous system, predisposing an individual to poor elimination.

Ascites are aptly called Jalodar in Ayurveda, Jal meaning water and udar meaning stomach. So the accumulation of water in the stomach is called Jalodar. According to Ayurveda, the following are the causative factors for Jalodar:

• Decreased agni (digestive fire) due to vitiated pitta dosha

• Vitiation of vata dosha specifically prana and apana vayu

• Blockage of water and sweat carrying systems

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