Chyavanprash (), originally Chayavanaprasham, is a cooked mixture of sugar, honey, ghee, Indian gooseberry (amla) jam, sesame oil, berries and various herbs and spices. It is prepared as per the instructions suggested in Ayurvedic texts. Chyavanprash is widely sold and consumed in India as a dietary supplement. Origin Chyavanprash is an ancient formulation and product. Various ancient Indian texts like Mahabharata, Puranas etc., relate that Ashvin twins, who were Raja Vaidya (Royal Physicians) to Devas during Vedic times, first prepared this formulation for Chyavana Rishi at his Ashram on Dhosi Hill near Narnaul, Haryana, India, hence the name Chyavanprash. The first historically documented formula for chyavanprash appears in the Charaka Samhita, the ancient Ayurvedic treatise from the early first millennium BCE. Taste and appearance Chyavanaprash tastes sweet and sour at the same time. The taste is dominated by the flavors of honey, ghee (clarified butter) and amla, and the smell by ghee and other spices including sandalwood, cinnamon and cardamom. Consumption Chyavanaprash is usually consumed directly. It can also be consumed along with warm water. Composition The recipe of chyavanprash is mentioned in manuscripts written for ayurvedic method of treatment viz. Ashtangahridayam, Charakasamhita, Sangandharasamhita. The number of herbs used may vary from 25 to 80 but the main ingredient of all chyavanprash is amla. Other chief ingredients are: Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera or Winter cherry) Asparagus (Asparagus racemosa) Amla Bamboo manna Blue Egyptian water lily (Makhana) Cardamom Chebulic myrobalan Chinese cinnamon Cinnamon bark Clove Indian rose chestnut Country mallow Feather foil plant (Phyllanthus niruri or Bhumiamalaki) Galls Ghee Giant potato (Ipomoea mauritiana or Kiribadu Ala) Giloy (Guduchi) (Tinospora cordifolia) Honey Indian kudzu Irish root Liquorice Long pepper (Piper longum) Malabar nut (Seed of Adhatoda vasica) Nut grass Potassium sorbate Raisins Round zedoary Sandalwood Sesame oil Spreading hogweed (Boerhavia diffusa) Sugar Tiger's claw or Ice plant (Erythrina variegata) Wild black gram Wild green gram All of the major brands of chyavanprash were determined to be safe with respect to heavy metal content as of 2011 by Consumer Voice. References Dietary supplements Dabur Group