Medaka

Modern description

Medaka is a grain-based Asava (fermented drink) used traditionally to stimulate digestion, improve appetite, and promote strength.

Purpose

Classical formulation

Indications

• Weakness
• Emaciation
• Vata disorders
• Pitta disorders
• Kapha disorders
• Low sperm count
• General debility
• Tissue depletion (Dhatu Kshaya)

Classical indications

• General debility
• Digestive impairment
• Weakness

Karma

• Vatahara
• Pittahara
• Kaphahara
• Balya
• Rasayana
• Shukrala
• Pushtida

Key ingredients

• Based on common usage
• 'Medaka' most likely refers to *Polygonatum cirrhifolium* . If so
• the simplest formulation is dried rhizome powder. If 'Medaka' refers to a complex formulation
• more context is needed.

Adult dose

12-24 ml (approximately 1/2 to 1 ounce)

Pediatric dose

Not recommended for children

Preparation steps

• The herbs are coarsely powdered.
• Jaggery or sugar is dissolved in the required quantity of water, boiled and cooled.
• This is poured into the fermentation vessel.
• The fine powder of the drugs is added in the container which is covered with a lid.
• The edges are sealed with clay smeared cloth wound in seven consecutive layers.
• A constant temperature is maintained for fermentation by keeping the container either in a special room, in an underground cellar or in a heap of paddy.
• After a specified period the lid is removed and the contents examined to ascertain whether fermentation has been completed.
• The fluid is first decanted and then strained after two or three days.
• When the fine suspended particles settle down, it is strained and bottled.

Safety contraindications

• Not recommended for children.
• High blood sugar levels.