A Critical Review and Significance of Ayurvedic preparation Kwatha - Herbal decoction

Abstract

The standardization of Ayurvedic classical dosage forms has been an area of academic, research, industrial and regulatory interests.  It is crucial to understand the basic principles and rationality of these dosage forms for their therapeutic relevance while adapting to newer technologies for its right pharmaceutical and clinical use. Kwatha Kalpana -frequently referred to as decoctions - aqueous extraction of a group of herbs, is one of the most commonly used classical dosage forms where the therapeutic attributes are extracted from the group of botanicals into water, with the use of heat. Though clinically effective, it is seldom used due to the cumbersome preparatory method, short shelf life and poor palatability. This elaborate review covers historical and basic concepts of the dosage form, its salient features, nuances of classical preparations, traditional and newly developed methods of preparations. This paper covers intricate classical information and specifics about Kwatha, the herbal decoction.