Regulatory Perspectives of Preservatives in Ayurvedic Kwatha Formulations

Abstract

In order to recover from disease and achieve healthy status, quality medicines play a pivotal role. The medicine is therefore being given an integral position in triskanda Ayurveda (Hetu Linga and Oushadi). Herbal drugs can be preserved for longer duration in different dosage forms like powder, tablet, leha (linctus) etc. These formulations have less water content and the reduced water activity resists the growth of micro-organisms. Liquid dosage forms cannot be preserved for longer duration because of growth of micro-organisms. The maximum shelf life of basic formulations obtained from natural resource like swarasa kalka and kwatha is 3 hours. Among these kwatha (coarse powder meant for decoction) is the most common formulation used in Southern India especially in Kerala. As per the classical rafaranca luatha has to be consumad in lukewarm statelor after