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Should I continue Ashwagandha or Shilapravang for my constipation?
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General Medicine
Question #47473
43 days ago
481

Should I continue Ashwagandha or Shilapravang for my constipation? - #47473

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I am taking ashwagandha and shilapravang in small qty since a week , I am feeling constipation issues ,so which one out of 2 should I continue and stop the other one for a while?

How severe is your constipation?:

- Moderate, frequent issues

Have you made any recent changes to your diet?:

- No changes

What other symptoms are you experiencing?:

- Bloating
PAID
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Doctors' responses

Don’t woory many patients are complaints mild constipation after using these medicines bcz of its dry property… dnt panik

Take TRIPHALA CHURNA = 1 TSP AT BED TIME WITH LUKE WORM WATER

Regards Dr atul PAINULI Patanjali yogpeeth chikisyayala

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- Since your constipation is moderate and frequent, and you’ve noticed bloating too, the safer step would be to pause Ashwagandha for now and continue Shilapravang in small quantity. - Monitor your digestion for a week: if constipation eases, Ashwagandha was likely the trigger. - If symptoms persist, then Shilapravang may also be contributing, and you can consider pausing that too.

🌱 Gentle supportive steps - Drink warm water frequently. - Add fiber-rich foods (papaya, soaked raisins, cooked vegetables). - A teaspoon of ghee in warm milk at night can soften stools. - Light yoga twists (like Ardha Matsyendrasana) help relieve bloating.

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HELLO,

1) ASHWAGANDHA -TASTE= bitter,astringent -QUALITY= heavy, unctous -POTENCY= hot -EFFECT ON DOSHAS= pacifies vata, may aggravate kapha in digestion is weak

KEY POINT Ashwagandha is heavy to digest. If agni is weak or moderate it often causes -constipation -bloating -heaviness in abdomen This effect is more pronounced when taken without a digestive adjuvant or at night

2) SHILAPRAVANGA -A herb mineral formulation, usually used for -urinary issues -weak digestion -general debility

Generally does not directly cause constipation, but -If digestion is sluggish , it can mildly increase dryness

Compared to Ashwaandha, shilapravang is less likely to be the primary cause of constipation

LIKELY DIAGNOSIS -Vata prakopa in colon -Low digestive fire

RESULTING IN -hard stools -bloating -Incomplete bowel evacuation

CLEAR ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTION -Stop Ashwagandha temporarily -You may continue shilapravang in small dose Ashwagandha should be reintroduced only after digestion and bowel movements normalize

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO NOW (important)

1) CORRECT CONSTIPATION FIRST

AT BEDTIME -Triphala churna= 1 tsp -with warm water

OR IF CONSTIPATION IS MORE STUBBORN -Gandharva Haritaki- 1-2 tabs at night for 2-3 times/week

2) IMPROVE DIGESTION Before meals -Warm water with -A pinch of dry ginger -OR a few drops of lemon

Avoid cold water completely

DIET -warm, freshly cooked food -ghee in small quantity -moong dal, rice, cooked vegetables

AVOID -dry foods -bakery items -excess tea/coffee -late night eating

IF YOU RESTART ASHWAGANDHA LATER When stools become regular -Take only 250 mg once daily -Always with -warm milk + a pinch of ginger -OR after meals, never on empty stomach

THANK YOU

DR. MAITRI ACHARYA

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Hlo,

Based on your symptoms (moderate constipation + bloating) and the medicines you mentioned, the more likely cause is Shilapravang, not Ashwagandha.

Why this is happening Shilapravang (calcium-based preparation) 🔹 Very commonly causes constipation, gas, and bloating, especially if digestion (Agni) is weak 🔹 This effect can appear within 5–7 days, exactly like your case

Ashwagandha 🔹 Usually does not cause constipation 🔹 In some people it feels “heavy,” but it rarely blocks bowels 🔹 Often improves strength, stress, and Vata balance

✅ What you should do now ✔ Continue: Ashwagandha ✖ Stop for now: Shilapravang (for at least 2–3 weeks)

How to take Ashwagandha to avoid constipation Take after food, not on an empty stomach Prefer with warm milk or warm water

Dose: small quantity as you are already taking is fine To relieve constipation & bloating (simple Ayurvedic support)

- Choose one of the following at night: Triphala churna – ½ tsp with warm water OR Isabgol husk – 1 tsp with warm water Also: Warm water sips through the day

Avoid cold foods, bakery items, cheese for now

When can Shilapravang be restarted? Only after: Constipation completely settles And only with a digestive corrector (like Triphala or Hing-based medicines)

⚠️ Important note: Since you already have issues like bloating and have a history of BP concerns, do not push calcium-based medicines unless clearly needed.

Tq

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AMONG THE TWO, CONSTIPATION IS MOST LIKELY DUE TO ASHWAGANDHA EVEN THOUGH TAKING IN SMALL QUANTITIES ASHWAGANDHA HAS DRYING EFFECT IT CAN SLOW BOWEL MOVEMENT SO FOR TIME BEING STOP ASHWAGANDHA AND TAKE TRIPHALA CHURNA 1 TSP WITH WARM WATER AT NIGHT

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Don’t worry take swadista virechana churnam 1tsp with lukewarm water Enough

Dr RC BAMS MS

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Aswagandha is not usually used for constipation. It make digestion slower in some person. So you can stop this one.

Drink enough water. Intake warm water sip after meals.

Include banana, apple, orange, green vegetables, cucumber, oats etc.

Avoid spicy and junk foods.

By these methods you didn’t get any relief take avipathy choornam/ Triphala choornam for 2 weeks

Triphala choornam will help in bowel movement, improves digestion - you take it with ghee/ warm water dose 1 tsp.

Avipathy choornam can be used while your constipation is combines with burning sensation, burps issue, acidity problems. You can take 1/2 tsp with warm water at night .

Take care, Dr. Shaniba

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Stop this medicine Use triphala 2 bd Take castor oil 3 ml at night with warm water

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Hello I get it, dealing with constipation and bloating is no fun, especially when it pops up right after starting new meds. But dont worry we are here to help you out 😊

YOUR CONCERN

* Started Ashwagandha + Shilapravang about a week ago. * Since then, you’ve had moderate constipation and bloating. * Your diet hasn’t changed.

This pretty much points to one or both of these medicines messing with your digestion.

AYURVEDIC UNDERSTANDING

👉Ashwagandha: It can be a bit heavy and might cause constipation for some. If your digestion isn’t strong, it can even increase Kapha and slow things down if you don’t take it with something to help digest it.

👉Shilapravang: This tends to be warming and dense. It can dry out your insides and often leads to constipation and bloating, especially if you’re not drinking enough water or already have a bit of Vata imbalance.

Basically, since both of these aren’t super kind to your digestion, taking them together often results in constipation.

So, here’s the plan:

❌STOP Shilapravang right now. This is likely the main culprit for your constipation and bloating. Don’t even think about restarting it until your digestion is back to normal.

✅You can keep taking Ashwagandha, BUT with some changes: * Only if your dose is low. * Take it the right way: 250–500 mg once a day, after dinner, with warm milk or warm water. Don’t take it on an empty stomach. * If you stop Shilapravang and still have constipation, then stop Ashwagandha too.

To help with constipation now (super important!):

1. Triphala Take ½ tsp powder or 1 tablet at bedtime with warm water. It’s safe and won’t make you dependent.

2. Simple home remedies: * Drink warm water first thing in the morning. * Add 1 tsp of ghee to your lunch. * Eat more cooked veggies like bottle gourd, ridge gourd, and pumpkin.

❌AVOID * Dry foods * Too much tea/coffee * Late dinners * Skipping meals

WHEN CAN YOU THINK OF SHIVAPRAVANG AGAIN?

Only when:

* You’re having smooth, regular bowel movements. * No more bloating. * And only if you take it with digestive support and someone watching over you.

To sum it all up:

* Stop Shilapravang immediately. * You can cautiously continue Ashwagandha. * Start taking Triphala at night. * Focus on getting your digestion back on track first.

Warm Regards Dr. Snehal Vidhate

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Constipation is mainly due to shilapravanga so u can avoid it but Ashwagandha will not cause constipation so u can continue it

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Since you are experiencing moderate constipation with bloating, after taking both Ashwagandha and shilapravang in small quantity, it is most likely that Ashwagandha is contributing to the dryness and Avinash, that is slowing your bowel movement… Shilapravang is less constipating and can generally be continued for now. I would advise pausing Ashwagandha for few days while you can focus on improving your digestion… Drink warm water throughout the day, include ghee in diet, take light easily, digestible food like rice porridge moong dal water, boiled vegetables, fruits, coconut water once constipation clears, you can restart Ashwagandha with warm milk on alternative days at night

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You have not mentioned why you are taking both medicines.

In general ashwagandha can cause dryness of the GIT eventually causing bloating and constipation.

💊Take Castor oil 3 tsp at bed time with a cup of hot water as it will remove the dryness caused by ashwagandha and will also treat your constipation.

Also follow some of these regime changes

✔️ Do’s: ✔️ Millet roti Buttermilk (daily include in your meal) Moong dal (green and yellow both are ok) All fruit vegetables Leafy vegetables (except methi and dil)

🧘‍♀️ Yogasan : 🧘‍♀️

1. Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose) 2. Dhanurasana (Bow Pose) 3. Ardha Matsyendrasana (Half Lord of the Fishes Pose) 4. Paschimottanasana (Seated Forward Fold) 5. Halasana (Plow Pose) 6. Sarvangasana (Shoulder Stand Pose) 7. Matsyasana (Fish Pose) 8. Supta Matsyendrasana (Reclined Spinal Twist) 9. Surya Namaskar 10. Malasan (Squats Pose)

❌ Donot’s: ❌ Tea Coffee Addictions Dals (except moong) Sour Packed food Processed food Achar (pickles) Papad Fried food Avoid dairy completely Non veg products

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You can stop Ashwagandha as Shilapravang already contains ashwagandha, no need to take additional medicine. Include cow’s ghee 2-4tsp/ day. Include fresh green vegetables in your diet daily either semi cooked or sauted. Add Triphala tablet 1-0-1 after food with water.

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