Integrating Ayurvedic Agni Modulation and Modern Appetite Pathways: Karvyadi Syrup in Paediatric Arocaka Cases

Abstract

Karvyadi syrup rapidly restored appetite and weight gain in three Paediatric Arocaka cases (Ayurveda's
selective anorexia equivalent) from Balrog OPD, targeting Jatharagni weakness, dosha blockage at Jihva-
Hridaya taste centres, and neuroinflammatory hypothalamic suppression of hunger signaling. Arocaka
represents profound food aversion despite intact taste perception, caused by dosha Sanchaya impairing
Jatharagni (gastric fire) at tongue-heart axis receptors. This parallels modern neuroinflammation where
cytokines (IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6) suppress NPY/AgRP hunger neurons, over activate POMC satiety pathways,
and disrupt ghrelin-dopamine reward circuits. Three children aged 4-9 years with 15-day to 4-month
anorexia histories received age-weight adjusted Karvyadi syrup (5-10 ml TDS pre-meals ×5 days with warm
water). The polyherbal formulation featured Deepana herbs (Kaarvi, Jeerak), Sroto shodhana (Maricha),
Grahi-Balya (Dadima, Draksha), Medohara (Vrukshamla), Yogavahi carriers (Madhu, Guda), and Anulomana
(Sauvarchala). All patients showed uniform rapid response: Day 3 marked spontaneous food requests; Day
5 demonstrated weight gains of 0.1-0.21 kg with complete fatigue resolution and appetite restoration. No
adverse effects occurred. Karvyadi syrup potently interrupts Arocaka pathogenesis through multi-pronged
action: Deepana-Pachana clears Ama-Sanchaya, Maricha removes Margavarana at taste centres, Dadima-
Draksha restore Agni-dhatu Poshana, while Vrukshamla addresses associated metabolic stagnation. This
synergizes classical dosha correction with putative anti-inflammatory modulation of ghrelin-responsive
hypothalamic circuits and cytokine-mediated appetite suppression. The formulation's rapid efficacy (72
hours to behavioral response) suggests potent Jihva-Hridaya de-blockage and Jatharagni reactivation.
Recommend randomized controlled trials incorporating serial ghrelin/IL-6 biomarkers, appetite visual
analog scales, hypothalamic functional imaging, and RoB2.0 assessment for dosha-specific validation across
larger Paediatric cohorts with varying anorexia etiologies.