13. Arka (Concentrate): Arka is a liquid preparation obtained by distillation of

certain liquids or drugs soaked in water using the Arkayantra (distilator) or any

modern distillation apparatus.

14. Avaleh or Leha and Paka: These are the semisolid preparation of drugs,

prepared with addition of jiggery, sugar, or sugar candy and boiled with

prescribed drug juice or decoction. They are also known as Rasayana, Lek,

Paka, etc.

15. Lepa: Medicines in form of a paste used for external application are called

lepas.

16. Vati and Gutika (Tablets): These are the compressed form of the powdered

drug material mixed with some inert binder, and it is ensured that the tablets

rapidly dissolve in the water. These may be coated with some coloring agent and

made smooth to make them easily swallowed. Although the modern times on the

analogy of allopathic drugs, it is customary to take the tablet form in many

Ayurvedic formulations, as it is easy to swallow and carry them, but it can be

difficult to provide adequate dose of extract, especially if it contains several

compounds that need a higher dosage for optimum efficacy. Old-fashioned teas

or decoctions might be more appropriate dosage forms in such cases.

17. Ghrita (Snehakalpa): Ghrit is the preparation in which ghee is prepared by

heating with prescribed Kasayas (decoction) and Kalkas of drugs according to

the formula. This process ensures absorption of the active therapeutic principles

of the ingredients used.

18. Varti, Netrabindu, and Anjana (Eye Drops and Applications): Medicines

used externally for the eyes come under the category of Varti, Netrabindu, and

Anjana.

(Source: AFI, Ministry Of AYUSH, GOI)

In addition there are other dosage forms like teas, ointments, capsules, granules,

suppositories, etc. in practice. For the drugs derived from mineral, metallic, and

animal source, there are different dosage forms described separately.

Out of the long list of medicinal plants under use in the various drug formulations

in Ayurveda, an attempt has been made to short-list some of the important medicinal

plants species that play an important role to act as immunity booster either as a

single-herb preparation or compound poly-herbal formulations. The medicinal

plants species included in the following table have been selected very carefully on

the basis of the properties they possess to act as general tonic and antioxidant, to cure

debility, to act as cardiac tonic, to act as blood purifier, to strengthen pulmonary

system, to act as Nervine tonic, to fight against infections, and over all to strengthen

the immune system of the body.

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D. R. Nag and A. Nag