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

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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

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).

• For Black Tea - Boil 1 tea-spoon powder with water and add sugar according to taste; filter this mixture and use.
• For Hot Tea - Put 1 tea-spoon powder in a cup (120 ml). Pour boiling water, cover and leave for 3 to 4 minutes. Add sweetener, if desired. Add a tea-spoon of honey for added benefit and flavor. Strain, add milk and use.
• For Iced Tea - After straining the tea in the above case, let it cool for 15  to 20 minutes. Refrigerate for 1 hour. Add ice cubes and some drops of lemon juice to enhance the taste.

        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.