Anjatraya: the Three Anjanas of Ayurveda

TL;DR

Here is the awkward truth. I could not verify "Anjatraya" as a classical or pharmacopoeial formulation; it looks like a variant spelling or brand name. The closest classical concept is the triad of anjana collyria, lekhana, ropana, and prasadana, from Ashtanga Hridaya. Two small studies tested a collyrium for vernal keratoconjunctivitis. Never put non-sterile preparations in your eyes.

What it is

⚠️ Identity flag: "Anjatraya" is not a formulation name found in the Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita, Ashtanga Hridaya/Sangraha, Bhaishajya Ratnavali, the Ayurvedic Formulary/Pharmacopoeia of India, or PubMed-indexed literature. I went looking, and the name simply does not appear. It may be a variant transliteration or a proprietary brand name. The most plausible classical referent, anjana-traya ("the triad of collyria"), is the threefold classification of anjana (medicated eye collyrium) given in Ashtanga Hridaya Sutrasthana 23: lekhana (scraping/cleansing), ropana (healing), and drishti-prasadana (soothing/vision-clarifying) (easyayurveda translation). Because no verifiable "Anjatraya" formulation exists, this article covers the classical anjana triad and the evidence around Ayurvedic eye collyria. Not a specific product.

Traditional use

Anjana is one of the seven netra kriyakalpas (ocular therapies) and shows up in daily-routine (dinacharya) guidance. Charaka lists eye collyrium among routines for maintaining positive health, and Ashtanga Hridaya recommends daily sauvira-anjana for eye health (slideshow of classical verses; easyayurveda). Sushruta's Uttara Tantra (Chapter 18) gets technical: draw the lid aside, move the applicator rod from inner to outer canthus, and dose by form: pill (varti), semisolid (rasakriya), powder (Sushruta via Pocket Ayurveda). Classical practices. Not proven therapies.

What modern research says

No trial has tested anything called "Anjatraya." Research on Ayurvedic anjana as a category is sparse, and I will not pad it:

Dosage

Dosage section omitted: there is no verifiable formulation called Anjatraya and no API/AFI or clinical-trial dose to cite. Classical anjana dosing is form-based (e.g., varti size relative to a pulse grain, per Sushruta) and administered by a trained practitioner. It is not self-dosing information, and I will not invent some.

Safety & contraindications

Sterility is the overriding risk. The eye is uniquely vulnerable to infection; applying non-sterile powders, pastes, or homemade preparations can cause corneal abrasion, infection, or vision loss. Anjana should only be prepared and applied under qualified supervision with sterile technique. Never DIY. I mean never. Heavy metals: Some classical collyria contain metals or minerals. For example, one commercial eye anjana (Nayanamrita) is reported to contain purified mercury, with its own vendor page advising caution in pregnancy and against overuse (Ask-Ayurveda). This is exactly why unregulated eye products are dangerous. Classical contraindications: Amrita's SOP lists contraindications including fever, head disorders, fatigue, excessive lacrimation, redness/swelling/discharge of the eyes, recent alcohol use, and post-purification states (Amrita SOP). Pregnancy/breastfeeding/children: No safety data. Vendor pages for anjana products advise consulting a practitioner first. Do not use eye collyria on children without professional supervision. Red-flag symptoms: Eye pain, sudden vision change, trauma, or copious discharge need an ophthalmologist. Not a collyrium.

FAQs

Is Anjatraya a real Ayurvedic medicine?

We could not verify it. The name does not appear in the major classical texts, the Ayurvedic Formulary or Pharmacopoeia of India, or PubMed-indexed research. It may be a misspelling or a brand name. The closest classical concept is the "three anjanas" classification from Ashtanga Hridaya.

What are the three anjanas?

Ashtanga Hridaya (Sutrasthana 23) classifies medicated eye collyria into three types: lekhana (scraping/cleansing, made from astringent, sour, salty, heating herbs), ropana (healing, from bitter herbs), and drishti-prasadana (soothing, from sweet, cooling herbs with ghee or oil).

Is there scientific proof that anjana improves eyesight?

No. Two small studies reported benefit of a medicated collyrium in vernal keratoconjunctivitis, and ingredient-level lab studies suggest anti-inflammatory properties. There is no credible evidence that collyria prevent or treat cataract, glaucoma, myopia, or other structural eye disease. I would say this more gently if gentleness were warranted. It is not.

Can I make anjana at home?

No. Eye products must be sterile and precisely formulated; homemade powders or pastes risk corneal scratches, infection, and vision loss. Classical application is a practitioner procedure with specific applicators and follow-up eye washes. Not a home remedy.

Do Ayurvedic eye medicines contain heavy metals?

Some do. Classical formulations occasionally include purified mercury, lead, or antimony compounds, and at least one commercial eye anjana lists purified mercury among ingredients. Only use eye products from reputable manufacturers under professional supervision, and ask about metal content. This question deserves a straight answer, so there it is.

When should anjana not be used?

Classical procedure guidelines list fever, eye redness, swelling or discharge, excessive tearing, fatigue, recent alcohol intake, and post-purification states as contraindications. Any eye pain, injury, sudden vision change, or heavy discharge warrants an ophthalmologist instead.

What is the safest way to care for eyes Ayurveda-style?

The verifiable classical advice is modest: eye hygiene, rest, and practitioner-applied therapies when indicated. For screen-related dryness or strain, evidence-based steps like blinking breaks, humidified air, and preservative-free artificial tears have far stronger support than any collyrium.

Sources

Tier 1 (API/AFI/CCRAS/WHO/peer-reviewed):

Tier 2 (PubMed-indexed/other):

Tier 3 (classical aggregators, labeled as such):

This article is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Consult a qualified practitioner before using any Ayurvedic formulation.