Ayurveda evam Samagra Swasthya Shodhamala 2019;1(1):3
Commentary
Pragya Peya - A Combination of Selected Medicinal Herbs, which is Being Used as a Healthy Alternative to Tea / Coffee
Vandana Shrivastava*
Department of Ayurveda and Holistic Health, Dev Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya, Gayatrikunj-Shantikunj, Haridwar, Uttarakhand, India
*Corresponding Author: Vandana Shrivastava - Email: vandana.shrivastav@dsvv.ac.in
Cite this article as follows:
Shrivastava V. Pragya peya - a combination of selected medicinal herbs, which is being used as a healthy alternative to tea / coffee. Ayurveda evam Samagra Swasthya Shodhamala. 2019;1(1):3. [cited date]. Available from: https://sites.google.com/dsvv.ac.in/shodhamala-dahh/asssm11/asssm113
License information for readers:
The original contents published in this research publication, which include research articles, case reports, etc., are published under the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) License. Anyone may reproduce, distribute, translate and create derivative works of this original content, subject to full attribution to the original research publication (Ayurveda evam Samagra Swasthya Shodhamala) and authors. The full terms of this license may be seen at https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Published by:
Department of Ayurveda and Holistic Health
Dev Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya
Gayatrikunj-Shantikunj, Haridwar - 249411
Uttarakhand, India
Email: dahh@dsvv.ac.in
Mobile: +91 9258360953, +91 8954890390
Website: http://www.dsvv.ac.in/dahh
1. Introduction
Pragya Peya is a nervine tonic, which preserves energy and safeguards against various diseases. This article describes Pragya Peya (manufactured by Shantikunj Pharmacy, Haridwar since 1980's - License Number A-1055/84) as a healthy alternative to tea / coffee for daily use.
2. Composition of Pragya Peya
Pragya Peya is composed of 12 medicinal herbs, as shown in Table 1. The common names and botanical names of the herbs have been listed in Table 1.
Table 1: Composition of Pragya Peya
Common Name of Medicinal Herb | Botanical Name |
Brahmi | Centella asiatica |
Shankhpushpi | Convolvulus pluricaulis |
Tulsi | Ocimum sanctum |
Saunf | Foeniculum vulgare |
Patang | Caesalpinia sappan |
Dalchini | Cinnamomum zeylanicum |
Yashtimadhu | Glycyrrhiza glabra |
Nagarmotha | Cyperus rotundus |
Tejpatra | Cinnamomum tamala |
Arjuna Chhal | Terminalia arjuna |
Sharpunkha | Tephrosia purpurea |
Aagya Ghas | Andropogon schoenanthus |
3. Medicinal Properties of the Herbs used in Pragya Peya
The medicinal herbs used in Pragya Peya are known to be beneficial for human health as Memory Enhancer, Immuno-Modulator, Anti-Oxidant, Relaxant, Anti-Allergic, Cardiac Tonic, etc. [1-3]. These herbs cause no hazard for the human health or the environment [1-3], both with regards to their composition and the amounts present in Pragya Peya.
4. Research Findings
Kumar et al. (2005) [4] analyzed the 12 herbal ingredients of Pragya Peya for 7 minor (Al, Ca, Cl, Mg, Na, K, P) and 15 trace (Ba, Br, Co, Cr, Cs, Fe, Hg, La, Mn, Rb, Sc, Se, Th, V, Zn) elements by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA), as well as Cd, Cu, Ni and Pb contents by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS), and found that Pragya Peya is rich in several nutrient elements such as Ca, K, V, Fe, Mn, Se and Zn, which contribute to its beneficial properties.
5. Method of Preparation
Three different methods can be adopted to make this healthy drink (Figure 1).
Pragya Peya can be taken on a daily basis just like tea / coffee.
Figure 1: Pragya Peya - a healthy alternative to tea / coffee
6. Usage Details
It is being widely used in India, as well as in various other countries. For example, more than 22 tonnes (22,000 kg) were manufactured & consumed over a period of one year from September 2016 to August 2017.
7. Conclusion
Pragya Peya is a nervine tonic, which preserves energy and safeguards against various diseases. It is being widely used as a healthy alternative to tea / coffee in daily life.
Acknowledgements
Author would like to acknowledge the subtle guidance of her spiritual guide, Revered Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya, who founded the organization, All World Gayatri Pariwar (www.awgp.org). Author would also like to acknowledge the efforts of the staff members of Shantikunj Pharmacy in the preparation and widespread propagation of this healthy drink.
Conflict of interest: The author declares that there is no conflict of interest.
References
1. Sharma PV. Dravyaguna vijnana - volume II (vegetable drugs) (hindi). Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India: Chaukhambha Bharati Academy; 2001.
2. Misra B, Vaisya R. Bhavaprakasa of shri bhava misra (including bhavaprakasa nighantu portion) - edited with the 'vidyotini' hindi commentary, notes and appendix - first part. Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India: Chaukhambha Sanskrit Bhawan; 2013.
3. Sastry JLN. Illustrated dravyaguna vijnana - volume II (study of the essential medicinal plants in Ayurveda). Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India: Chaukhambha Orientalia; 2017.
4. Kumar A, Nair AGC, Reddy AVR, Garg AN. Analysis of essential elements in pragya-peya - a herbal drink and its constituents by neutron activation. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis. 2005; 37(4): 631-638.