Bhaishajya Kala
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Dosing Time as per Ayurveda
Ayurveda has listed dosing guidelines for faster and long
lasting benefits of Ayurvedic medicines. One of these guidelines is ‘Bhaishajya
Kala’ i.e. time of the day to take Ayurvedic medicines. Herbs act differently
when ingested at different time of the day and for best results, herbs and
herbal formulations should be taken at the appropriate time.
These
dosing times are defined according to factors like daily variations of the doshas,
organ reflexes; the state of Agni (the digestive fire), and the stages of
digestion.
Bhaishajya
Kalas defined in Ayurveda are: Abhakta (To be taken on an empty
stomach), Pragbhakta (To be
taken before meal), Madhyabhakta (To be taken during the meal), Adhobhakta
(To be taken after meals), Samabhakta (To be taken mixed with
food), Antarabhakta (To be taken between lunch and dinner),
Samudga (To be taken both before and after eating),
Muhurmuhu (To be taken repeatedly), Sagrasa (To be taken with
each morsel of food),
Grasantara (To be taken between bites of food) and
Nisha (To be taken at night).
Examples of influence of Bhaishajya kala on different
indications:
As per Ayurveda, sexual disorders
are due to violated 'Apan Vaayu'. As per dosh kaal (timing of biological forces), Apan
Vaayu
is more aggressive before meal. Therefore one can get better efficacy of herbs or
herbal product that acts to regulate this violated Apan Vaayu dosha if taken
before meal (Pragbhakta). Therefore, medicines for sexual disorders (e.g.
E.D / Premature ejacuation) shows better efficacy, if taken before meal.
Ayurveda considers
kidney stones as a kapha dosha disorder. As per dosh kaal (timing of biological
forces) kapha dosha is more aggressive post meal.
Therefore one can get better efficacy of herbs that act to regulate this
violated kapha dosha if taken after meal (Adhobhakta).
Medicines for kidney
stones show better efficacy, if taken after meal.
As per Ayurveda, pachak pitta
(that regulates the digestion and absorption process) is downgraded in obesity.
If anti-obesity herbs are given after meal, the absorption will be very poor.
Therefore anti-obesity herbs need to give before meal (Pragbhakta) for better absorption. Anti-obesity medicines
show better efficacy if taken before meal. Thus Bhaishajya Kala plays an
immensely important role in efficacy of any Ayurvedic medicine.
It is always advisable to
check the appropriate dosing time for best effect.
