PHYTOCHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS OF BHARANGI SAUVARCHALADI CHURNA AND THEIR PHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE IN THE MANAGEMENT OF TAMAKA SHWASA: A CRITICAL REVIEW

Background: Tamaka Shwasa, a Kaphavataja disorder described in Brihattrayi with its Pratiloma Gati of Vata obstructing Pranavaha Srotas, is clinically correlated with bronchial asthma. Sauvarchaladi Churna — composed of Bharangi (Clerodendrum serratum), Sauvarchala lavana, Sita/Sharkara and Shunti (Zingiber officinale) — is a classical Shwasahara Yoga documented in Ayurvedic compendia and repeatedly evaluated in postgraduate clinical research for Tamaka Shwasa. Objective: This review compiles the phytochemical and pharmacological profile of each ingredient of Bharangi Sauvarchaladi Churna and correlates these findings with the Samprapti (pathogenesis) of Tamaka Shwasa and with the pathophysiology of bronchial asthma. Methods: A narrative review of classical Ayurvedic texts and contemporary peer-reviewed phytochemical/pharmacological literature (PubMed, ScienceDirect, ResearchGate, DOAJ) was undertaken. Results: The formulation combines saponin- and flavonoid-rich Bharangi (bronchodilator, mast-cell stabilising, anti-allergic), gingerol/shogaol-rich Shunti (β-adrenergic mediated bronchodilation, PDE4 inhibition, Th2/NF-κB-modulated anti-inflammatory action), mineral-rich Sauvarchala lavana (Srotoshodhaka/mucolytic, Vatanulomana action) and sucrose-rich Sita (Yogavahi vehicle, Ushna-virya buffering, demulcent, palatability corrigent). Conclusion: The individual and combined pharmacological actions of the four Dravyas provide a plausible scientific rationale for the traditional indication of this Churna in Tamaka Shwasa, supporting its Samprapti-Vighatana (pathogenesis-breaking) potential through complementary bronchodilator, anti-inflammatory, mucolytic and antioxidant mechanisms.