E-ISSN:2456-3110

Research Article

Ashwagandadhi Ksheera Paka

Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences

2025 Volume 10 Number 4 APRIL
Publisherwww.maharshicharaka.in

Role of Ashwagandadhi Ksheera Paka and its influence on Maternal and Foetal Weight during Pregnancy

Meghashree B1*, Ramadevi G2
DOI:10.21760/jaims.10.4.3

1* Meghashree B, Final Year Post Graduate Scholar, Dept of Prasuti Tantra and Stree Roga, Sri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara College of Ayurveda Hospital and Research Centre, Kuthpady, Udupi, Karnataka, India.

2 Ramadevi G, Professor and HOD, Dept of Prasuti Tantra and Stree Roga, Sri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara College of Ayurveda Hospital and Research Centre, Kuthpady, Udupi, Karnataka, India.

Background: Ashwagandadhi Ksheera Paka, a traditional Ayurvedic preparation, which is rich in protein, is been used for its potential benefits during pregnancy. However, its impact on maternal and foetal weight gain has not been thoroughly studied.

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the effect of Ashwagandadhi Ksheera Paka administration on maternal and foetal weight gain in pregnant women during the 6th and 7th month of pregnancy along with the analytical study of Ashwagandadi Ksheerapaka.

Materials and Methods: Twenty pregnant women were given Ashwagandadhi Ksheera Paka for two months i.e., 6th and 7th month. Maternal weight gain was monitored every 15th day, and fetal weight gain was estimated via ultrasound. Observations were recorded to assess the correlation between the administration of the Ksheera Paka and weight changes.

Results: The administration of Ashwagandadhi Ksheera Paka was associated with a statistically significant increase in both maternal and foetal weight over the two-month period. Analytical Study revealed the presence phytochemicals & presence of protein concentration higher in its hydroalcoholic extract.

Conclusion: The findings suggest that Ashwagandadhi Ksheera Paka may contribute positively to maternal and foetal weight gain during pregnancy. Further studies with larger sample sizes are recommended to confirm these results.

Keywords: Ashwagandadhi Ksheerapaka, Maternal health, Ayurveda

Corresponding Author How to Cite this Article To Browse
Meghashree B, Final Year Post Graduate Scholar, Dept of Prasuti Tantra and Stree Roga, Sri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara College of Ayurveda Hospital and Research Centre, Kuthpady, Udupi, Karnataka, India.
Email: 		Meghashree B, Ramadevi G, Role of Ashwagandadhi Ksheera Paka and its influence on Maternal and Foetal Weight during Pregnancy. J Ayu Int Med Sci. 2025;10(4):10-13.
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https://jaims.in/jaims/article/view/4199/

Manuscript Received Review Round 1 Review Round 2 Review Round 3 Accepted
2025-03-07 2025-03-17 2025-04-03 2025-04-15 2025-04-23
Conflict of Interest Funding Ethical Approval Plagiarism X-checker Note
None Nil Yes 11.41

© 2025 by Meghashree B, Ramadevi G and Published by Maharshi Charaka Ayurveda Organization. This is an Open Access article licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ unported [CC BY 4.0].

J Ayu Int Med Sci 2025;10(4)10
Download PDFBack To ArticleIntroductionObjectivesMaterials and MethodsResultsDiscussionConclusionReferences
Meghashree B et al. Ashwagandadhi Ksheera Paka and its influence on Maternal

Introduction

Pregnancy is a critical period where the health and nutrition of the mother directly influence the growth and development of the fetus. During the second and third trimesters, especially in the 6th and 7th months, the fetus undergoes rapid growth, including substantial increases in weight and organ development.[1] According to ACOG guidelines there is average of 3-4grms per day weight gain in 6th month, in 7th month average fetal weight gain should be around 4-5gms per day.[2]

Ksheerapaka helps improve maternal strength, digestion, and immunity, while supporting healthy fetal growth. Rich in essential nutrients, promotes opti. weight gain for both mother & baby, reducing risk of deficiencies during this critical stage.[3]

Objectives

1. To analyze the effect of Ashwagandadhi Ksheerapaka on the general health of pregnant women and fetal well-being during the 6th and 7th months of pregnancy.
2. Phytochemical screening and protein estimation of Ashwagandhadhi ksheerapaka

Materials and Methods

Study Design

Sample - 20 pregnant patient

Intervention - The administration of Ashwagandhadhi Ksheera Paka was advised to the patient, prepared as per classical references, with a recommended dosage of 50 ml in the morning and evening after food.

Duration - 8 weeks

Method of preparation

The patient was instructed to take 6 grams of Ashwagandhadi Churna, add 50 ml of milk and 200 ml of water, boil the mixture, and reduce it to 50 ml. The prepared Ksheerapaka was advised to be consumed twice daily, 50 ml each in the morning and at night after food.[4]

Drug Review

Dravya is Panchabauthika these are the physico- chemical basis of the material objects.

These Dravya work on Panchamahabhutha and Tridosha Sidhantha contributing to balance state of Dosha, Dhathu, Mala and Agni. Dravya is again classified into Ahara Dravya and Aushada Dravya, where in food or diet which we consume daily also have got medicinal property hence at most care must be given to daily diet especially in pregnancy.

Criteria for selection of Madhura Dravyas for the study

Ayurveda emphasizes importance of consuming Madhura (sweet) Ahara (food) and Madhura Auṣada (medicine) during pregnancy. The intake of milk and medicines from Madhura Gana is recommended throughout pregnancy. These Madhura substances are anabolic, promoting mother’s health and foetus’s growth and development. In light of significance of Madhura Auṣadha during pregnancy, as described in Caraka Saṃhita, Susruta Saṃhita, Aṣṭanga Saṃgraha, and Aṣṭanga Hṛdaya, study has been planned. The selection also considered availability of drugs, their action, potency, and shelf life in their pharmaceutical form, particularly as Churna (powder) which is used for Ksheerapaka.

Study contains 5 drugs which are taken from Vidarigandadi Gana and Madhura Skanda, they are given in table no 1.

Table 1: Ashwagandhadi Churna

DrugsRasaGunaViryaVipakaKarma
Ashwagandha
[5]		Kashaya
Madhura		Laghu
Snigdha		UshnaMadhuraDipana
Yashtimadhu[6]MadhuraGuruSheetaMadhuraRasayana
Punarnava[7]MadhuraRukshaUshna MadhuraPandugna
Sariva[8]Madhura
Thiktha 		Guru
Snigdha 		SheetaMadhura Ruchya
Vidarikanda[9]Thiktha MadhuraGuru UshnaMadhuraTridoshashamaka

jaims_4199_01.JPG
Image 1: Ashwagandhadi Churna


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Meghashree B et al. Ashwagandadhi Ksheera Paka and its influence on Maternal

Inclusion Criteria

1. Primi and multi gravida
2. Subjects limited to the age group of 20-35 years.

Exclusion Criteria

1. Pregnancy complicated by anaemia, Multiple Pregnancy, APH, GDM, PIH, pre-eclampsia, Eclampsia, co-existing fibroid, Thyroid disfunction, Hyperemesis gravidarum and other Systemic diseases.
2. Diagnosed cases of IUGR, Oligohydramnios, Polyhydramnios.

Subjective Parameter

1. Appetite, General weakness, Headache, Back ache, Constipation, Flatulence, Giddiness, Heart Burn, Palpitation, Vomiting, Pedal oedema, Sleep
2. Assessment done based on scoring

Objective Parameter

1. Maternal Weight assessment
2. Haemoglobin
3. Foetal weight assessment

Results

This study was statistically tested with Wilcoxson test for subjective parameter and for objective parameter paired ‘t’ test is used

Subjective Parameter

jaims_4199_02.JPG
Graph 1

In subjective parameters there was marked difference observed before and after treatment, percentage of improvement in each subjective parameter is been given in graph no 1. Extremely statistical and clinical significance was noted in appetite, leg cramps, fatigue, headache, backache,

heart burn, sleep. pedal oedema and constipation there was no statistical significance noted.

Objective Parameter

Mean of before treatment and after treatment in given in table no 4. haemoglobin, serum protein, maternal weight, estimated foetal weight there was statistical significance noted.

Table 4

ParametersMean BTMean AT
Haemoglobin10.5210.83
Serum protein7.368.51
Maternal weight64.7567.98
Estimated foetal weight354.31424.5

Analytical Study

Results obtained for qualitative screening of phytochemicals in Ashwagandhadi Churna are presented in table no. 5. The qualitative phytochemical analysis of both aqueous and hydroalcoholic extract revealed the presence of key bioactive compounds including carbohydrates, phytosterols, tannins, reducing sugar, proteins.

Table 5

SNPhytochemicalsAshwagandhadi Churna
Aqueous extract Hydroalcoholic extract
1.Alkaloid+-
2.Carbohydrates++
3.Phytosterols++
4.Glycosides--
5.Tannins++
6.Saponins++
7.Reducing sugar++
8.Flavonoids--
9.Proteins++

Estimation of protein concentration by Biuret Method

The hydroalcoholic extract of Ashwagandhadi at a 1:10 dilution had an exceptionally high protein concentration of 12739.25 µg BSAE/mg of extract, making it the most protein-rich sample among all tested groups

Discussion

Weakness, fatigue, depletion in maternal Bala & Varṇa, backpain, leg cramps, constipation, palpitation are anticipated due to the growing fetus, especially in the 6th and 7th month of pregnancy.


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Meghashree B et al. Ashwagandadhi Ksheera Paka and its influence on Maternal

The drugs selected for the study belonging to Madhura Rasa Gana, which overcomes these hindrances efficiently in this phase of pregnancy.

Madhura Rasa is considered to be Ajanma Satmya. It could be administered irrespective of age limit and time. Supplementing Madhura Rasa through maternal diet, may facilitate the fetus in the womb to gain all the superior qualities and effects of it.

  • Thereby may improve the Dhatu, Ojas, Vīrya, Bala, Varṇa of the fetus from the very beginning itself and thus it can attain Ayuṣhya, Tarpaṇa, Jivana and Balya qualities.
  • Ksheerapaka of Ashwagandhadhi Churna, promotes maternal and foetal weight gain by enhancing nourishment and vitality due to its Balya, Rasayana Guna.
  • Ashwagandha and Vidarikanda boost tissue growth and muscle strength, while Yashtimadhu supports healthy weight gain and immune function.
  • Punarnava regulates fluid balance, maintains the Hb and Sariva improves blood circulation and digestion, ensuring proper nutrient absorption.
  • The milk-based preparation (Ksheerapaka) enhances the bioavailability of these herbs, maximizing their nutritive benefits for both mother and foetus.

Conclusion

Study showed statistically significant results in the subjective parameters-appetite, leg cramps, fatigue, general weakness, backache, constipation, heart burn, palpitation & sleep. Hemoglobin, serum protein, EFW, Maternal weight showed statistically significant results. Analytical study proved that, higher concentration of protein in Ashwagandhadi Churna in 1:10 dilution

References

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