Suvarna Prashana also known as Swarna Bindu prashan is a unique Ayurvedic preparation that is known to enhance the immune power of human body.  Suvarna means gold and Prashana refers to act of consuming. The act of consuming noble metal gold “Suvarna Prashana” is considered as one of the 16 essential Sanskar’s (regimens) described for improving overall health in children. According to Ayurveda our body needs to get right nourishment to support proper physical and mental development that can sustain till the old age. Suvarna Prashan is therefore recommended to be taken immediately after birth and continued till the age of 16 years. Swarna Prashana (Suvarna Prashana) is made using   Suvarna bhasma (gold ash) mixed with honey and cow ghee containing herbal extracts like vacha, brahmi, shankupushpi, all of which show strong immune boosting properties.

The health benefits of Suvarna Prashana are explained in an ancient classic textbook called “Kashyapa Samhita.” According to Ayurvedic texts Suvarna Prashana shows following benefits.

1. Boosts Immune system
2. Enhances Memory
3. Improves Digestion
4. Nourishes the skin
5. Reduces mental agitation
6. Improves hearing and vision
7. Improves overall physical and mental health

Suvarna Prashana is a unique combination of Suvarna bhasma (gold ash) mixed with honey and ghee that is fortified with herbal extracts like vacha, brahmi, shankupushpi, etc.

Suvarna Prashana contains gold as the main ingredient. It is made into Suvarna bhasma through a special process because gold cannot be consumed in its metallic form. Gold is known to boost Immunity as well as enhance memory.

Another important ingredient present in Suvarna Prashana is the honey. Honey is prepared by collection of pollen grains. Since pollen grains are known to cause allergic reactions, consumption of honey in very low doses is believed to gradually prepare the body to fight against other allergens. Honey is also known to act against inflammation and improve digestion.

Ghee or Ghritam which is the third important component of Suvarna Prashana, acts as an effective medium in which herbal medications can be prepared. Ghee or Ghritam shows unique properties of acquiring the medicinal values of herbs added to it.

Suvarna Prashan can be given to anyone aged 0 to 16 years. It can be taken daily for a period of 30 days or can be taken specifically on the pushya nakshatra.

Suvarna Prashan can be given every day as per the below chart –

Infants to 5 years – 1 drop every day
5 to 10 years – 2 drops every day
10 to 16 years – 3 drops every day

When to take:
1. On an empty stomach preferably in the morning
2. Do not have food at least for 30 minutes after consumption of swarnaprashan

It is recommended that Suvarna Prashna should be taken on pushya nakshatra. Pushya refers to nourishment and pushya nakshatra is one of the most auspicious of the 27 nakshatras.  The symbol of pushya nakshatra is the cow udder. If observed on the pushya nakshatra, the stars in the sky appear in an arrangement that that creates cow udder. Cow udder is associated with nourishment and so the Suvarna Prashna is taken on pushya nakshatra to get optimum nourishment and benefits. Suvarna Prashna can be consumed on any other day, however, the efficacy can vary and it may not be as effective as pushya nakshatra.

Charaka & Vaghbhata in Sutrasthana define health as:

“samadosha, samagnischa samadhatu malakriyaha

prasanna atmenindriya manaha swasthya ityabhidheeyate”

Ayurvedic Definition of Health – Sushruta has described the features of a healthy person in the above quote. It follows that the doshas must be in equilibrium, the digestive fire must be in a balanced state and the tissues (dhatus) and malas (wastes) must work in a normal state. The sensory and motor organs and mind, Atma must be also in a pleasant state. Such a person is called a healthy person or Swastha.

Samadosha: The doshas that are present in the body and mind, namely vata, pitta and kapha, must be in a balanced state in order to keep a person healthy. When the balance of the doshas is disturbed, either aggravated or decreased (vitiated) it produces a state of Dosha Vaishamya, which is called disease.

Samagni: In order to keep an individual healthy and digestive fire (koshtagni) and dhatuagni (tissue enzymes) must be in a proper state. When agni is less in quality (Mandagni) it will cause many diseases (“Rogaha Sarvepi Mande Agnou”). It is a well-known that the health of an individual depends on the proper strength of his digestive power.

Sama dhatu mala kriya: (Balanced state of dhatus and malas): According to Ayurveda there are seven Dhatus namely Rasa, Rakta, Mansa, Medas, Asthi, Majja and Shukra. And the excreta or Malas – purisa (faeces), Mutra (urine), Sweda (sweat). The dhatus of the body must function properly and so also the malas of the body.

Prasanna Atmendriya Manaha: In Ayurveda the functions of the sensory and motor organs and mind have been given special importance. When these are not in equilibrium and not discharging there functions properly, it will lead to a state called disease. Even though the above a functioning properly the bodily activities must not vitiate (decrease) the above. The state of mental health is more important than that of the physical health of a person.

Swastha or the healthy state is maintained from birth and the three doshas remain in a balanced state, then the person achieves a well-balanced constitution, attractive appearance, good muscular strength and complete peace of mind.

Good health can be maintained until death. For this one should intelligently follow all the rules laid down according to this science. Only then will a person enjoy an optimum life span of a hundred years without contracting disease. He will also gain recognition in society, friendship with people and honor and wealth as he has the energy and ability to achieve all the goals in life.