Anjatraya in classical Ayurveda

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. 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.

Classical properties

• Taste (rasa): bitter (Tikta), astringent (Kashaya)
• Qualities (guna): light (Laghu), dry (Ruksha)
• Potency (virya): cooling (Sheeta)
• After digestion (vipaka): pungent (Katu)
• Doshas: traditionally said to settle Kapha and Pitta; may increase Vata

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 describes forms: pill (varti), semisolid (rasakriya), powder (Sushruta via Pocket Ayurveda). Classical practices. Not proven therapies.

What research has looked at

No trial has tested anything called "Anjatraya." Research on Ayurvedic anjana as a category is sparse:

• Clinical study: Triyushnadi Anjana, a medicated collyrium, was tested in two small studies for kaphaja abhishyanda (vernal keratoconjunctivitis): 38 patients in an open study, then 32 patients in a small randomized comparison with a conventional eye-drop medicine, with the authors reporting symptomatic improvement (AYU journal, PMCID PMC3202256). Small. Unblinded. Short. Preliminary at best, and not a treatment. Never use it in place of, or alongside, prescribed medicine without your doctor.
• Ocular drug-delivery framing: Modern SOPs (e.g., Amrita's Panchakarma e-learning module) describe anjana as medicated collyrium applied to the lower eyelid, with triphala kashaya eye-wash as the follow-up step, and a 20–30 minute procedure (Amrita SOP).
• Pharmacology claims: Reviews attribute anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant actions to collyrium ingredients. Ingredient-level claims from preclinical work, not proof that collyria treat eye disease (same PMC study's background).
• There is no modern evidence that routine anjana use prevents cataract, glaucoma, or refractive error, despite marketing claims to that effect. Marketers say it anyway.

Safety notes

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. 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.

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.

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):

• Triyushnadi Anjana in Kaphaja Abhishyanda (vernal keratoconjunctivitis), AYU journal (PMCID PMC3202256), PMC · PMC3202256
• Anjana standard operating procedure, Amrita Panchakarma e-learning module, emap.ay.amrita.edu

Tier 2 (PubMed-indexed/other):

• None specific to "Anjatraya" (name not found in indexed literature).

Tier 3 (classical aggregators, labeled as such):

• Ashtanga Hridaya Sutrasthana 23: three types of anjana, application method (aggregator translation), easyayurveda.com
• Sushruta Samhita Uttara Tantra Ch. 18: anjana application and forms (aggregator translation), pocketayurveda.com
• Nayanamrita Anjana ingredients incl. purified mercury; pregnancy/children cautions (aggregator), ask-ayurveda.com

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