Key takeaways
- Fresh herbal juice, swarasa, is one of the five basic forms of Ayurvedic preparation.
- Bottled juices include single herbs such as amla, aloe vera and giloy, and multi-herb blends.
- Most juices are diluted with water and taken on an empty stomach, as directed.
- Refrigerate after opening if the label says so, and use within the stated time.
- Check for added sugar, and ask a doctor first if you take regular medicines.
A morning glass of amla or aloe vera juice has become a daily habit for many Indian families. Herbal juices are based on one of the oldest forms of Ayurvedic preparation, and bottled versions have made them easy to use. This guide explains what herbal juices are, the products in our Ayurvedic herbal juices range, and how to take and store them sensibly.
Swarasa: fresh juice in Ayurveda
The Ayurvedic texts list five basic forms of herbal preparation, the panchavidha kashaya kalpana. The first and most potent is swarasa, the juice pressed from fresh herbs. Fresh juice cannot be kept for long, so classical texts describe pressing it just before use. Modern bottled juices are made from fresh or dried herbs and preserved so that they keep until opened.
Popular herbal juices
| Juice | Herb | Traditional context |
|---|---|---|
| Amla juice | Indian gooseberry | A rasayana fruit, rich in vitamin C |
| Aloe vera juice | Kumari | Traditionally used for digestion and skin |
| Giloy juice | Guduchi | A rasayana herb linked with natural resistance |
| Karela jamun juice | Bitter gourd and jamun | Often used alongside diabetes care, with a doctor's advice |
| Tulsi and panchtulsi ras | Holy basil varieties | Used for seasonal wellbeing |
| Triphala ras | Amla, haritaki, bibhitaki | A juice form of the classical triphala |
| Wheatgrass, sea buckthorn and noni | Various | Popular modern additions |
| Multi-herb blends | Various | Liver, joint, digestive, women's care and others |
Our range includes juices from Krishna's Herbal and Herbal Canada, as well as apple cider vinegar and olive vinegar. Multi-herb blends list their herbs on the label, so check the composition before you buy.
How to take herbal juices
- Shake the bottle well before use.
- Measure the dose, usually 15 to 30 ml, with the cup provided.
- Dilute it with the amount of water stated on the label; do not drink it neat unless the label says so.
- Take it at the stated time, often in the morning on an empty stomach.
- Start with the lower dose to see how your stomach responds.
- Do not combine several juices with similar herbs.
Storing herbal juice
- Before opening: keep in a cool, dry place away from sunlight.
- After opening: refrigerate if the label says so, close the cap tightly and use within the stated period, often 30 to 45 days.
- Discard juice that smells sour, fizzes or has visible mould.
Who should check first
Ask your doctor before starting a herbal juice if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, buying for a child, have diabetes, low blood pressure, kidney or liver disease, or take regular medicines such as blood thinners or diabetes medicine. Aloe vera juice in particular may not suit everyone. Some juices contain added sugar, so check the label.
Our recommendation
Choose a single-herb or blended juice that fits your needs, check the label for sugar, dilute it as directed, start with the lower dose and refrigerate it after opening if the label says so. Ask your doctor first if you take other medicines.
