Ancient Ayurveda Longevity Supplements

#1 Amrit Kalash

One of the most important anti-aging compounds is Maharishi Amrit Kalash. Its chemical analysis shows that it contains plant phytochemicals with strong antioxidant properties that include polyphenols, bioflavonoids, vitamins C and E, beta carotene, catechin, tannic acid, and resveratrol. Maharishi Amrit Kalash is a combination of two separate compounds, “Nectar” (M-4), and “Ambrosia” (M-5) and is composed of 23 herbs.

There has been extensive scientific research at institutions such as the National Institutes of Health, the National Cancer Institute, the Niwa Institute of Immunology in Japan, Ohio State University College of Medicine, Loyola University Medical School, University of Kansas Medical Center, South Dakota State University, University of Colorado, Indiana University, SRI International, and the University of California at Irvine.

Studies have shown the rasayana Maharishi Amrit Kalash to have important potential benefits:

• inhibiting tumor growth
• scavenging free radicals
• positively influencing known cardiovascular risk factors
• inhibiting degenerative processes, including abnormal platelet aggregation (clotting leading to cardiovascular disease) and the aging process
• enhanced immune response

This preparation and other rasayanas have been time-tested over many hundreds of years. According to Ayurveda, this herbal preparation helps to reset the proper sequential unfoldment of the inner intelligence of the body, and automatically corrects imbalances that may lead to disease.

Scientific Evidence in Animals: A

Scientific Evidence in Humans: B

Cost: Reasonable to High

References

• Penza M, Montani C, Jeremic M, Mazzoleni G, Hsiao WL, Marra M, Sharma H, Di Lorenzo D. MAK-4 and -5 supplemented diet inhibits liver carcinogenesis in mice. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2007 Jun 8;7:19. doi: 10.1186/1472-6882-7-19. PMID: 17559639; PMCID: PMC1894988.
• Dwivedi C, Agrawal P, Natarajan K, Sharma H. Antioxidant and protective effects of Amrit Nectar tablets on adriamycin- and cisplatin-induced toxicities. J Altern Complement Med. 2005 Feb;11(1):143-8. doi: 10.1089/acm.2005.11.143. PMID: 15750373.Inaba R, Mirbod SM, Sugiura H. Effects of Maharishi Amrit Kalash 5 as an Ayurvedic herbal food supplement on immune functions in aged mice. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2005 Mar 25;5:8. doi: 10.1186/1472-6882-5-8. PMID: 15790423; PMCID: PMC1084244.
• Vohra BP, Sharma SP, Kansal VK. Effect of Maharishi Amrit Kalash on age dependent variations in mitochondrial antioxidant enzymes, lipid peroxidation and mitochondrial population in different regions of the central nervous system of guinea-pigs. Drug Metabol Drug Interact. 2001;18(1):57-68. doi: 10.1515/dmdi.2001.18.1.57. PMID: 11522125.
• Sharma H, Keith Wallace R. Ayurveda and Epigenetics. Medicina (Kaunas). 2020 Dec 11;56(12):687. doi: 10.3390/medicina56120687. PMID: 33322263; PMCID: PMC7763202.

#2 Triphala

Triphala is classified as a tridoshic rasayana. It is an important Ayurvedic preparation consisting of the following three medicinal fruits:

• amla (Emblica officinalis, or Indian gooseberry)
• bibhitaki (Terminalia bellirica)
• haritaki (Terminalia chebula)

Animal research has found many potential beneficial properties such as anti-inflammatory, appetite stimulation, gastric hyperacidity reduction, dental caries prevention, and anticancer and chemopreventive effects. It has been studied extensively for its use in gastrointestinal health and is commonly used to reduce constipation and flatulence while improving the consistency of bowel movements. It also has unique properties of reducing stress and improving cardiovascular health.

Scientific Evidence in Animals: A

Scientific Evidence in Humans: B

Cost: Reasonable

References

• Peterson CT, Denniston K, Chopra D. Therapeutic Uses of Triphala in Ayurvedic Medicine. J Altern Complement Med. 2017 Aug;23(8):607-614. doi: 10.1089/acm.2017.0083. Epub 2017 Jul 11. PMID: 28696777; PMCID: PMC5567597.
• Baliga MS, et al.. Scientific validation of the ethnomedicinal properties of the Ayurvedic drug Triphala: A review. Chin J Integr Med 2012;18:946–954

#3 Ashwagandha

One of the primary uses of this Ayurvedic herb is in reducing stress and improving mental alertness in elderly individuals. A number of studies have shown reduced anxiety, depression, and improvements in insomnia and overall well-being.

Scientific Evidence in Animals: A

Scientific Evidence in Humans: B

Cost: Reasonable

References

Speers AB, Cabey KA, Soumyanath A, Wright KM. Effects of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) on Stress and the Stress- Related Neuropsychiatric Disorders Anxiety, Depression, and Insomnia. Curr Neuropharmacol. 2021;19(9):1468-1495. doi: 10.2174/1570159X19666210712151556. PMID: 34254920; PMCID: PMC8762185.

#4 Brahmi

Brahmi (Bacopa monieri) is an important herb in Ayurveda. Animal studies have shown clear anti-inflammatory properties. Other studies have shown improvements in cognitive function such as learning, attention, and memory. Other research suggests its role in improving the body’s ability to deal with stress.

Scientific Evidence in Animals: A

Scientific Evidence in Humans: B

Cost: Reasonable

References

• Nemetchek MD, Stierle AA, Stierle DB, Lurie DI. The Ayurvedic plant Bacopa monnieri inhibits inflammatory pathways in the brain. J Ethnopharmacol. 2017 Feb 2;197:92-100. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2016.07.073. Epub 2016 Jul 26. PMID: 27473605; PMCID: PMC5269610
• Williams R, Münch G, Gyengesi E, Bennett L. Bacopa monnieri (L.) exerts anti-inflammatory effects on cells of the innate immune system in vitro. Food Funct. 2014 Mar;5(3):517-20. doi: 10.1039/c3fo60467e. PMID: 24452710.
• Stough C, Lloyd J, Clarke J, Downey LA, Hutchison CW, Rodgers T, Nathan PJ. The chronic effects of an extract of Bacopa monniera (Brahmi) on cognitive function in healthy human subjects. Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2001 Aug;156(4):481-4. doi: 10.1007/s002130100815. Erratum in: Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2015 Jul;232(13):2427. Dosage error in article text. PMID: 11498727.
• Peth-Nui T, Wattanathorn J, Muchimapura S, Tong-Un T, Piyavhatkul N, Rangseekajee P, Ingkaninan K, Vittaya-Areekul S. Effects of 12-Week Bacopa monnieri Consumption on Attention, Cognitive Processing, Working Memory, and Functions of Both Cholinergic and Monoaminergic Systems in Healthy Elderly Volunteers. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2012;2012:606424. doi: 10.1155/2012/606424. Epub 2012 Dec 18. PMID: 23320031; PMCID: PMC3537209.
• Rai D, Bhatia G, Palit G, Pal R, Singh S, Singh HK. Adaptogenic effect of Bacopa monniera (Brahmi). Pharmacol Biochem Behav. 2003 Jul;75(4):823-30. doi: 10.1016/s0091-3057(03)00156-4. PMID: 12957224.
• Benson S, Downey LA, Stough C, Wetherell M, Zangara A, Scholey A. An acute, double-blind, placebo-controlled cross-over study of 320 mg and 640 mg doses of Bacopa monnieri (CDRI 08) on multitasking stress reactivity and mood. Phytother Res. 2014 Apr;28(4):551-9. doi: 10.1002/ptr.5029. Epub 2013 Jun 21. PMID: 23788517.
• Calabrese C, Gregory WL, Leo M, Kraemer D, Bone K, Oken B. Effects of a standardized Bacopa monnieri extract on cognitive performance, anxiety, and depression in the elderly: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. J Altern Complement Med. 2008 Jul;14(6):707-13. doi: 10.1089/acm.2008.0018. PMID: 18611150; PMCID: PMC3153866.