Ayurvedic Liquid Dosage form Asava and Arista: An Overview

Introduction: Ayurveda, the science of life, has a strong heritage in India and is being practised for last several thousand of years for treating various ailments. Asava and arista are considered as unique dosage forms of Ayurveda due to their indefinite shelf life. The self generated alcohol in these preparations potentiates the products pharmaceutically and therapeutically. Objectives: These asava and arista preparations are popular since the Samhita period due to their better absorption, quicker action, longer shelf life and easy palatability. Methodology: Different Vedic books, classics and modern texts provide elaborate information about these fermented products with their method of preparation and therapeutic uses. In this review the knowledge available in different treaties and Ayurvedic books from the Vedic period to recent publications of Government of India, i.e., Ayurvedic Formulary of India are highlighted. Further, the methods of preparation and various parameters which mostly affect the preparation of asava and arista are also discussed. Conclusion: This review is aimed at furnishing some of these basic information which may further assist in strengthening the knowledge of academician and researcher who garner interest in such dosage forms.