Anjbar — bistort root, Polygonum bistorta — is the astringent Unani physicians have relied on for centuries when the gut will not hold. It grows twisted and dark in cold hill soil, and its power is entirely in that root. Laraib prepares it as an adwiyati, a properly medicinal syrup, decocted at full strength and registered with DRAP rather than sold as a pleasant drink.
What it is traditionally used for
- Long given in dysentery (pechish) and loose, urgent motions
- Taken to ease griping, twisting pain and cramps in the intestines
- Used to cool the heat of the heart and liver while lending them strength
- Traditionally given to assist the healing of ulceration in the lungs
- Classically indicated where there is blood in the stool
- Taken in Unani practice for bleeding from the mouth and gums
How it is made
Bistort roots are dug, washed and dried whole from a single highland source, then broken and drawn out as a long slow decoction so the astringent tannins pass fully into the liquid. The decoction is filtered, sweetened lightly and reduced under pharmacopoeial control. No artificial colour, essence or preservative is used.
How to take it
Take 2 tablespoons, about 30 ml, in half a glass of water, twice or three times a day during an acute episode; children over twelve, half that measure. Take it after food rather than on an empty stomach, and keep up your fluids and salts alongside it.
Good to know
- Supplied in an 800 ml bottle
- DRAP registered, Product Ent. No. 0803812093
- A medicinal (adwiyati) grade preparation, 100% natural
- Refrigerate after opening and use within two months
Haris Bashir (verified owner) –
Effective, no complaints on quality. I took it three times a day for four days as advised and things settled. Marking down slightly because the 800 ml is the only size and I did not need that much.
Owais Farooq (verified owner) –
Bought it on recommendation from a relative in Larkana. It is not a nice-tasting syrup, it is a medicine, and it does what it is meant to. Registration number printed on the label, which reassured me.
Sadia Jamil (verified owner) –
Our family hakeem in Dera Ghazi Khan writes anjbar for stomach trouble every time and this is the bottle he names. Strong, properly astringent. Worked within two days for my son after a bad week.