A Comprehensive Review of Ayurvedic Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms: Historical Perspectives and Modern Innovations

In different Ayurvedic classical texts, special emphasis has been given to the clarification of the fundamental dosage forms of Ayurveda, referred to as Panchavidha Kasaya Kalpana. Panchabidha Kasaya Kalpana comprises five basic dosage forms: Swarasa (juice), Kalka (Paste), Kwatha (Decoction), Hima (Cold infusion), and Phanta( hot infusion). The literature discusses these techniques in considerable detail, which explains how medicines are changed into various forms according to the patient’s Prakriti (inheriting nature) and the state of the illness. Short self-life period and disagreeable taste of Panchavidha Kasaya Kalpana were the drawbacks, so from time to time, different Acharyas created derived concoctions called Upkalpana. The challenges faced by basic Kalpana preparations are addressed by these new dosage forms, which include Churna, Vati, Ghruta and Taila, Avaleha, Asava and Arista, etc. These derived preparations offered benefits like ease of administration, pleasant taste, safety, enhanced therapeutic efficacy, cost-effectiveness, and longer shelf life. The Sarangadhara Samhita is a key work on Ayurvedic medicines, offering concise explanations of medical terminology and step-by-step instructions for making various formulations. Through this investigation, the rich history of traditional medicine is combined with new scientific understandings to enable the ongoing refinement of herbal formulas and their incorporation into international medical practices. The literature discusses these techniques in considerable detail.