Background: Ayurved classics accentuates wet and dry drug collection principle i.e. wet state of drugs should be taken in double quantity to the quantity of dry drugs during the preparation of any formulation. But some Acharya has given the exceptional drugs for this principle where those drugs should be taken always in wet state with mentioned quantity. Shatavari is one of exceptional drug for this principle. Aim: The present study was aimed to validate the wet and dry drug collection principle in the preparation of Shatavari Ghrita through quantitative estimation of Shatavarin IV. Methods: Three samples of Shatavari Ghrita was prepared with equal quantity of wet and dry state of Shatavari and double quantity of wet state of Shatavari as per the reference mentioned in Chakradatta. The raw drugs and finished product were analysed by organoleptic characters, phytochemical analysis, physicochemical analysis, contamination of heavy metals and quantification of Shatavarin IV by HPTLC method. Result: On comparison with all three samples, Shatavari Ghrita prepared from wet state with equal quantity of Shatavari was easy to prepare with more yield (92.33 %). Physicochemical parameter and percentage of Shatavarin IV in dry state of Shatavari is found more than wet state. Physicochemical analysis of three samples of Shatavari Ghrita showed no considerable difference in all three samples. Equal quantity of wet state of Shatavari Ghrita found more percentage of Shatavarin IV in compare to other samples. Conclusion: Shatavari should be used in always wet state without taking in double quantity.
