Alcohol has a lesser-known, but relatively common, use as a medicinal substance in holistic health practices. In classical Ayurveda, asavas and arishtas are used as medicinal wines produced by the fermentation of herbs, fruits and other plant-based ingredients to create an easily-absorbable and highly-effective form of medicine. After fermentation, their alcohol content usually reaches about 12 percent, similar to wine.
Ayurvedic patients take doses of the herbal wine in teaspoon quantities to address conditions ranging from inflammation, heart disease, anemia, menstrual difficulties, autoimmune disorders, fever, diabetes, and many others. Asavas and arishthas are not consumed socially, nor are they indicated outside of clinical treatment.
Modernly, herbal tinctures are prepared by infusing herbs in a highly-concentrated liquor such as vodka for a period of time. Tinctures are very common and widely available as holistic health remedies for a host of symptoms and conditions.
You can find tinctures in most health food stores and some grocery stores and pharmacies. As highly-concentrated remedies, they should be used in moderation and under the care of a trained clinician. A small amount of an alcohol-base tincture can go a long way and should never be abused. Some tinctures are available in glycerin form for those who cannot consume alcohol.
Because their alcohol content provides for more direct absorption into the bloodstream through the stomach lining, asavas, aristhas and herbal tinctures can be considered effective delivery mechanisms for herbal medicines but need to be prescribed only in the context of the person receiving the medicine, their unique constitution, their imbalances and their lifestyle. Not everything is right for everyone.
Check out our article on Alcohol, Ayurveda & Holistic Health for more information on alcohol consumption from an Ayurvedic perspective.
Article authored by Kirsten Ahern, Founder of Path Wellbeing, Clinical Ayurvedic Specialist (CCA) and Wellbeing Advocate, E-RYT, Meditation, Mindfulness and Spiritual Wellbeing Coach.
The information contained within this article is for educational purposes only and should not replace the direct advice of a qualified healthcare professional. Always consult a medical or other professional healthcare provider when considering a new health regime.
