Traditional_ system _of _medicine_hdt.ppt

HDT - HERBAL DRUG TECHNOLOGY

1. Thealternativesystemsinthesensethatmodernallopathic
systemhasbeengloballyacclaimedastheprincipalsystemof
medicine,andsoalltheothersystemsprevalentandpractisedin
variouspartsoftheworldaresupposedtobealternative
systems.
Thealternativesystemshaveservedthehumanityforthe
treatmentandmanagementofdiseasesandalsoformaintenance
ofgoodhealth.
About80percentoftheworldpopulationstillrelyandusethe
medicinesofthesetraditionalsystems.
TraditionalChinesemedicineinChina,UnanisysteminGreece,
AyurvedicsysteminIndia,AmachiinTibetormorerecently
HomoeopathyinGermanyarethesesystemsofmedicinewhich
wereoncepractisedonlyintherespectiveareasorsubcontinents
oftheworld,arenowpopularlypractisedallovertheworld.
Alternative Systems of Medicine

2. INDIAN SYSTEMS OF MEDICINE
Indiantraditionalmedicineisbasedondifferentsystems
includingAyurveda,SiddhaandUnani.
Almostinallthetraditionalmedicines,themedicinalplantsplay
acrucialroleinthetraditionalmedicine.
Indiahasarichheritageoftraditionalmedicineandthe
traditionalhealthcaresystemhavebeenflourishingformany
centuries.
Westernmedicinecontinuestoshowtheinfluenceofancient
practices.Forexample,cardiacglycosidesfromDigitalispurpurea,
morphinefromPapaversomniferum,reserpinefromRauwolfia
species,andquininefromCinchonaspeciesandartemisinin,an
activeantimalarialcompoundfromArtemisiaannua,etc.,show
theinfluenceoftraditionalmedicineinWesternmedicine.
InIndia,theAyurvedicsystemofmedicinedevelopedanextensive
useofmedicinesfromplantsdatingfromatleast1000B.C.

3. Ayurveda
TheoriginofAyurvedahasbeenlostinprehistoricantiquity,but
theirconceptswerenurturedbetween2500and500B.C.inIndia.
Ayurvedaisacceptedtobetheoldestmedicalsystem,whichcame
intoexistenceinabout900B.C.
ThewordAyurvedameansAyurmeaninglifeandVedameaning
science.Thus,Ayurvedaliterallymeansscienceoflife.
TheIndianHindumythologystatesfourVedawrittenbythe
Aryans:RigVeda,SamVeda,YajurVedaandAtharvaVeda.The
AyurvedaissaidtobeanUpaveda(part)ofAtharvaVeda.
CharakaSamhita(1900B.C.)isthefirstrecordedbookwiththe
conceptofpracticeofAyurveda.Thisdescribes341plantsand
plantproductsusedinmedicine.
SushrutaSamhita(600B.C.)wasthenextayurvedicliteraturethat
hasspecialemphasisonsurgery.Itdescribed395medicinal
plants,57drugsofanimalorigin,4mineralsandmetalsas
therapeuticagents.

4. Basic principles of ayurveda
According to ancient Indian philosophy, the universe is composed
of five basic elements or panchabhutas: prithvi(earth), jal(water),
teja(fire), vayu(air) and akash(space). Everything in the universe,
including food and the bodies were derived from these bhutas.
The PanchaBhutatheory and the human body: The human
body is in a state of continuous flux or dynamic equilibrium. The
panchabhutasare represented in the human body as the doshas,
dhatusand malas.
TRIDOSHAS
There are three doshasin the body. They are vata, pitta and kapha.
There are direct equivalents for these three doshas, known as
tridoshas.
Vata(airandether):Thefactorsresponsibleformovementand
sensationinasinglecell/wholebodyaretherepresentativesof
vata;itexplainstheentirebiologicalphenomena thatare
controlledbythefunctionsofcentralandautonomousnervous
system

5. Pitta(fireandwater):Thefactorsresponsiblefordigestion,
metabolism,tissuebuilding,heatproduction,blood
pigmentation,activitiesoftheendocrineglandsandenergyare
therepresentativesofpitta.
Kapha(waterandearth):Thefactorsresponsiblefor
strengtheningthestomachandthejoints,providingfirmnessto
thelimbs,andrefreshingthesenseorgansarethe
representativesofkapha.
Therearesomespecialareasinthebodyinwhicheachdosha
predominates,namely,thechestforkapha,digestiveorgansfor
pittaandthelargeintestineforvata.
DHATUS
Thedhatusarethebodyconstituentsandformthebasic
structureofthebody;eachonehavingitsownfunctions.
Thedhatusareseveninnumber:rasa(foodjuices),rakta
(haemoglobinportionoftheblood),mamsa(muscletissue),
medas(fattissue),asthi(bonetissue),majja(bonemarrow)and
shukra(semen).

6. MALAS
Malasaretheby-productsofthedhatus,partlyusedbythe
bodyandpartlyexcretedaswastematteraftertheprocessof
digestionisover.Theseplayasupportingrolewhiletheyarein
thebody,andwhentheyareeliminated,theirsupportingroleis
finished.
Theusefulelementsabsorbedbythebodyareretainedas
prasad(usefulmatter),whilethoseexcretedareknownas
malas(wastematter).
Thechiefmalasaremutra(urine),shakrit(faeces)andsweda
(perspiration).
Thedoshas,dhatusandmalasshouldbeinastateofperfect
equilibriumforthebodytoremainhealthy.
Anyimbalanceamongtheseconstituentsresultsinillhealth
anddisease.

7. Diagnosis
DiagnosisinAyurvedaimpliesamoment-to-momentmonitoringofthe
interactionbetweenorder(health)anddisorder(disease).
Thediseaseprocessisareactionbetweenthebodilyhumours(doshas)
andtissues(dhatus)andisinfluencedbytheenvironment.
TheclassicalclinicalexaminationinAyurvedaiscalledashtasthana
pariksha(eight-pointdiagnosis)andincludesanassessmentofthestate
ofthedoshasaswellasvariousphysicalsigns.
Theeight-pointdiagnosesare
nadipariksha(pulsediagnosis)
mutrapariksha(urineexamination),
vata/sparsha(Nervoussystemassessment)
Pitta/drik(assessmentofdigestivefireandmetabolicsecretions)
kapha/akriti(mucousandmucoidsecretionsassessment)
malapariksha(stoolexamination)
jihvapariksha(tongueexamination)and
shabdapariksha(examinationofbodysounds).

8. Treatment
Ayurvedictreatmentattemptstoestablishabalanceamongthe
bodilyhumoursofvata,pittaandkapha,aswellastoimprove
digestionandeliminationofama(undigestedfood).
Ayurvedictherapyoftenbeginswithshodhana(cleansing)in
whichtoxins,emotionalorphysical,areeliminatedorneutralized.
Onceshodhanaiscompleted,shamana(palliativetreatment)is
usedtoreducetheintensityofadiseaseandbalancethe
disordereddoshas.
Finally,rasayana(rejuvenationtherapy)isusedtomaintain
healthandreducethenegativeeffectsofdisease.
InAyurveda,vegetable,animal,mineralsubstancesormetals
couldbeusedfortheirhealingeffects.
Themetalsmentionedasdrugsweregold,silver,copper,lead,tin
andiron.
Alongwiththesesubstanceselementsfromtheearth,like
arsenic,antimony,sandandlime,werealsoused.
Earlier,600medicinalplantswererecordedinAyurveda,andit
hasincreasedtomorethan1200medicinalplants.

9. Properties of herbs
Ayurvedicherbs are described and classified according to five
major properties:
rasa (taste)
guna(physicochemical properties)
veerya(potency)
vipaka(postdigestiveeffect) and
prabhava(unique effect of the drug).
Asthedigestiveprocessbegins,thefoodordrugisactedupon
bytheagnis(variousdigestivejuices)andenzymes.
Rasaisdividedintosixmajortypes:madhura(sweet),amla
(sour),lavana(salty),katu(pungent),tikta(bitter),andkashaya
(astringent).

10. Eachtasteismadeupofacombinationoftwoofthefivebasic
elements(earth,water,fire,airandether).Eachtastehastheir
owneffectsonthethreebodilydoshas(vata,pittaandkapha).
Gunarepresentsthephysicalaspectsofamedicinalsubstance.
Therearefivemajorclassesofguna,andeachclass
correspondstooneofthemajorelements(mahabhutas):
unctuousnesscorrespondswithwater;heavinesswithearth;
keennessandsharpnesswithfire;drynesswithair;andlight
withether.Gunasaregenerallyconsideredinpairs:cold/hot,
wet/dry,soft/hardandstable/unstable,etc.
Veeryarepresentstheactiveprincipleorpotencyofadrug.The
twodivisionsaresitaveerya(indicateskaphavarag)andushna
veerya(indicatespittavarag);vataremainsbuffer.

11. Rasa Elements Action
Madhura(sweet) Earth + waterIncreases kapha, decreases pitta
Amla(sour) Earth + fireIncreases kapha/pitta, decreases vata
Lavana(salty) Water + fireIncreases kapha/pitta, decreases vata
Katu(pungent) Fire + air Increases vata/pitta, decreases kapha
Tikta(bitter) Air + ether Increases vata, decreases kapha/pitta
Kashaya(astringent)Air + earth Increases vata, decreases kapha/pitta
Vipakaisthequalityasubstancetakesonafterithasbeenactedonby
thebody(afterdigestion).Thethreetypesofvipakaaremadhura
(increaseskapha),sour(increasespitta)andkatu(increasesvata).
Thetypeoffoodresponsibleformadhura,sourandkatuare
carbohydrates,proteinsandfats,respectively.
Prabhavaistheactivityorinfluenceofadruginthebody.Thedrugs
mayhavethesamerasa,guna,veeryaandvipakabuttheprabhava
maybedifferentduetothechemicalcomposition.

12. Branches of ayurveda
Ayurvedahaseightbranches:
KayaChikitsa(Medicine),
SalyaChikitsa(Surgery)
SalakyaChikitsa(ENTtreatment)
BalaChikitsa(Paediatrictreatment)
JaraChikitsa(treatmentrelatedtogenetics),
RasayanaChikitsa(treatmentwithchemicals),
VajikaramaChikitsa(treatmentwithrejuvenationandaphrodisiacs)
GrahamChikitsa(planetaryeffects)and
VishaChikitsa(toxicology).

13. SIDDHA SYSTEM OF MEDICINE
SiddhamedicineispractisedinSouthernIndia.Theoriginofthe
TamillanguageisattributedtothesageAgasthya,andtheorigin
ofSiddhamedicineisalsoattributedtohim.
BeforetheAryanoccupationoftheSindregionandtheGangetic
plain,thereexistedinthesouthernIndia,onthebanksofthe
riverCauveryandTamiraparani,acivilizationwhichwashighly
organized.
Thiscivilizationhasasystemofmedicinetodealwithproblems
ofsanitationandtreatmentofdiseases.ThisistheSiddha
systemofmedicine.
ThetherapeuticsofSiddhamedicinesconsistsmainlyoftheuse
ofmetalsandminerals.
Thereismentionofmercury,sulphur,copper,arsenicandgold
usedastherapeuticagents.

14. Principle of Siddha system of medicine
Theuniverseconsistsoftwoessentialentities:matterandenergy.The
SiddhascallthemSiva(male)andShakti(female,creation).Matter
cannotexistwithoutenergyinherentinitandviceversa.Thetwo
coexistandareinseparable.
Theyaretheprimordialelements(bhutas),aremunn(solid),neer(fluid),
thee(radiance),vayu(gas)andaakasam(ether).Thesefiveelements
(bhutas)arepresentineverysubstance,butindifferentproportions.
Earth,water,fire,airandetheraremanifestationsoffiveelements.
Thehumanbeingismadeupofthesefiveelements,indifferent
combinations.Thephysiologicalfunctioninthebodyismediatedby
threesubstances(dravyas),whicharemadeupofthefiveelements.
Theyarevatham,pithamandkarpam.Ineachandeverycellofthebody
thesethreedoshascoexistandfunctionharmoniously.Thetissuesare
calleddhatus.Vathamisformedbyaakasamandvayu.Vatham
controlsthenervousactionssuchasmovement,sensation,etc.
Pithamisformedbytheeandcontrolsthemetabolicactivityofthebody,
digestion,assimilationandwarmth,etc.
Karpamisformedbymunnandneerandcontrolsstability.Whentheir
equilibriumisupset,diseasesetsin.

15. Tridoshas according to Siddha medicine
The tridoshas are involved in all functions of the body, physical, mental
and emotional.
1.Vatham:Characteristicisdryness,lightness,coldnessandmotility.
Formedbyaakasamandvayu,controlsthenervousactionthatconstitute
movement,activity,sensation,etc.Vathampredominatesinthebone.
Vathampredominatesinfirstone-thirdoflifewhenactivities,growth,
sharpnessoffunctionofsensearegreater.
2.Pitham:Heat—moverofthenervousforceofthebody.Formedby
thee,controlsthemetabolicactivityofthebody,digestion,warmth,lustre,
intellect,assimilation,etc.Pithampredominatesinthetissueblood.
Pithampredominatesinthesecondonethirdoflife.
3.Karpam:Smoothness,firmness,viscidity,heaviness.Formedby
munnandneer,controlsthestabilityofthebodysuchasstrength,
potency,smoothworkingofjoints.Karpampredominatesinothertissues.
Karpampredominatesinthelastone-thirdoflife.Diminishingactivityof
variousorgansandlimbs.

16. The seven dhatus are as follows:
1. Rasa (lymph).
2. Kurudhi (blood).
3. Tasai (muscle).
4. Kozhuppu (adipose tissue).
5. Elumbu (bone).
6. Majjai (marrow).
7. Sukkilam and artavam (male and female
hormones).

17. Method of treatment
The treatments for the imbalance of the Tridoshas are made up of the five
elements. The drugs are made up of the five elements. By substituting a
drug of the same constituents (guna), the equilibrium is restored. The
correction of the imbalance is made by substituting the drug, which is
predominately of the opposite nature.
An example of vatham imbalance is cold, dry; thus the treatment will be oily
and warmth. For inactivity of limbs, massage and activity are prescribed. If
pitham dosha is increased, warmth is produced; to decrease pitham,
sandalwood is administered, internally or externally because of its cold
characteristics.
Five type of vayu are as follows:
1. Prana: located in mouth and nostrils (inhaled); aids ingestion.
2. Apana: located at anal extremity (expelled); elimination, expulsion.
3. Samana: equalizer, aids digestion.
4. Vyana: circulation of blood and nutrients.
5. Udana: functions in upper respiratory passages.

18. ClassificationsofSiddhamedicine:
1.Uppu(Lavanam):Drugsthatdissolveinwateranddecrepitated
whenputintofiregivingoffvapours(watersolubleinorganic
compounds).Thereare25varietiesandarecalledkara-charam,
saltsandalkalis.
2.Pashanam:Drugsthatdonotdissolveinwaterbutgiveoff
vapourwhenputintofire(waterinsolubleinorganiccompounds).
3.Uparasam:Drugsthatdonotdissolveinwater(chemicals
similartoPashanambutdifferingintheiractions)suchasmica,
magneticiron,antimony,zincsulphate,ironpyrites,ferrous
sulphate.
4.Loham:Metalsandmineralsalloys(waterinsoluble,meltinfire,
solidifyoncooling)suchasgold,silvercopper,iron,tinandlead.
5.Rasam:Drugsthataresoluble(sublimewhenputinfire,and
changesintosmallcrystals),suchasmercuryamalgamsand
compoundsofmercury,arsenic.
6.Gandhakam :Sulphurinsolubleinwater,burnsoffwhenput
intofire.
7.Ratnasanduparatnas:Thirteenvarietiesaredescribed,suchas
coral,lapis-lazuli,pearls,diamonds,jade,emerald,ruby,sapphire,
opal,vaikrantham,rajavantham,spatikamharinmani.

19. The common preparations of Siddha medicines are:
1. Bhasma (Calcined metals and minerals).
2. Churna (powders).
3. Kashaya (decoctions).
4. Lehya (confections).
5. Ghrita (ghee preparations) and taila (oil preparations).
6. Chunna (metallic preparations which become alkaline).
7. Mezhugu (waxy preparations).
8. Kattu (preparation that are impervious to water and flames.

20. Sulphur:Calcinedsulphurorredoxideofsulphurcanbeobtained
bysolidifyingitfirstbytheSiddhamethodofpurification.Insmall
doses,itconservesthebody,anditisdiaphoreticandalterative.
Therapeuticallyisusedasbothexternalandinternalremedyagainst
skindiseases,rheumaticarthritis,asthma,jaundiceandblood
poisoning.
Arsenic:AsperSiddhakalpa,purifiedandconsolidatedarsenicis
effectiveagainstallfevers,asthmaandanaemia.
Gold:Itisalterative,nervinetonic,antidotetopoisonandapowerful
sexualstimulant.Verylittleisabsorbedinthesystem.Careistaken
toseethatcalcinationsofgoldisfreedfrommetallicstateandlustre
toensuresafeabsorptioninthesystem.
Thus,thesedrugsandmetallicmineralscanbescreenedforits
antiviral,immunestimulantandimmuno-modulatoractivity.AsHIV
negativepeoplehavetakenKalphadrugsforrejuvenationandlong
life,itisbelievedthatifKayakaplatherapyisthoroughly
investigatedusingmodernparameters,itmightleadonetofind
whetherthesedrugscouldbeusedinpreventativeorcurative
benefitsinAIDSorotherdiseases.

21. UNANI SYSTEM OF MEDICINE
UnanisystemofmedicineisoriginatedinGreecebytheGreek
philosopher,physicianHippocrates(460–377B.C.),whofreedmedicine
fromtherealmofsuperstitionandmagic,andgaveitthestatusof
science.
ThetheoreticalframeworkofUnanimedicineisbasedontheteachingsof
Hippocrates.Afterhim,anumberofotherGreekscholarsfollowedthe
systemconsiderably.
AmongthemGalen(131–212A.D.)wastheonetostabilizeits
foundation,onwhichArabphysicianslikeRaazes(850–925A.D.)and
Avicenna(980–1037A.D.)constructedanimposingedifice.
InIndia,ArabsintroducedUnanisystemofmedicine,andsoonit
enrichedinIndia.TheDelhiSultans,theKhiljis,theTughlaqsandthe
MughalEmperorsprovidedstatepatronagetothescholarsandeven
enrolledsomeasstateemployeesandcourtphysicians.
Duringthe13thand17
th
century,Unanimedicinewasfirmlyrootedin
IndiabyAbuBakrBinAliUsmanKasahani,SadruddinDamashqui,
BahwabinKhwasKhan,AliGeelani,AkablArzaniandMohammad
HoshimAlviKhan.

22. Unaniconsidersthehumanbodytobemadeupofsevencomponents.
Arkan(elements),mizaj(temperaments),aklath(humours),anza(organs),
arawh(spirits),Quo(faculties)andafal(functions),eachofwhichhas
closerelationtothestateofhealthofanindividual.Aphysiciantakes
intoaccountallthesefactorsbeforediagnosingandprescribing
treatment.
AccordingtoBasicPrinciplesofUnani,thebodyismadeupofthefour
basicelements,i.e.Earth,Air,WaterandFire,whichhavedifferent
Temperaments,i.e.Cold,Hot,WetandDry.
Aftermixingandinteractionoffourelements,anewcompoundhaving
newtemperamentcomesintoexistence,i.e.HotWet,HotDry,ColdWet
andColdDry.
Thebodyhasthesimpleandcompoundorgans,whichgottheir
nourishmentthroughfourhumours,i.e.blood,phlegm,yellowbileand
blackbile.Thehumouralsoassignedtemperamentasbloodis,i.e.hot
andwet.
Principles of Unani system of Medicine

23. Phlegmiscoldandhot,yellowbileishotanddryandblackbileiscold
anddry.Whentheequilibriumofthehumoursisdisturbedand
functionsofthebodyareabnormal,inaccordancetoitsown
temperamentandenvironment,thatstateiscalleddisease.
Unanimedicinebelievesinpromotionofhealth,preventionofdiseases
andcure.Healthofhumanisbasedonthesixessentials(AsbabeSitta
Zaroorya),ifthesearefollowedhealthismaintained;otherwise,there
willbediseases.
Sixessentialsareatmosphericair,drinksandfood,sleepand
wakefulness,excretionandretention,physicalactivityandrestand
mentalactivityandrest.
Diagnosis
Diseasesaremainlydiagnosedwiththehelpofpulse(nabz),physical
examinationoftheurineandstool.Also,patientsareexamined
systematicallytomakethediagnosiseasyasspotdiagnosiswiththehelp
ofsimple,moderngadgets.

24. Treatment
Diseasesaretreatedinthefollowingways:
1.IlajbilTadbeer(RegimentalTherapy):Somedruglessregimensare
advisedforthetreatmentofcertainailments,i.e.exercise,massage,
hamam(Turkishbath),Douches(ColdandHot)andtheRegimenfor
Geriatrics.
2.IlajbilGhiza(Dietotherapy):Differentdietsarerecommendedforthe
patientsofdifferentdiseases.
3.IlajbilDava(Pharmacotherapy):Thebasicconceptoftreatmentisto
correctthecauseofthediseasethatmaybeabnormaltemperamentdue
to:Environmentalfactors,Abnormalhumourseitherduetointernal
causesorexternalcauseswhichmaybepathogenicmicroorganism,
through
(a)drugsofoppositetemperamenttothetemperamentofthediseasethat
iscalledIlaj-bil-zidor
(b)drugsofsimilartemperamentasofthetemperamentofthedisease
thatiscalledasIlaj-bil-misl
4.IlajbilYad(Surgery).

25. Thedrugsusedaremostlyoftheplantorigin.Somedrugsof
animalandmineraloriginarealsoused.Patientsaretreated
eitherbysingledrug(crudedrugs)orbycompounddrugs
(formulationsofsingledrugs).
Therearetwotypesofcompounddrugsusedinthetreatmentof
thediseases,i.e.classicalcompounddrugswhichareinusefor
thehundredsandthousandsyears
patent/proprietarycompound drugswhichhavebeen
formulatedbytheindividualsorinstitutionsaspertheir
researchandexperiences.

26. HOMEOPATHIC SYSTEM OF MEDICINE
Homoeopathyisaspecializedsystemoftherapeutics,developed
byDrSamuelChristianFriedrichHahnemann (1755–1843),a
Germanphysician,chemistandapharmacist,basedonnatural
lawofhealing:SimiliaSimilibusCurantur,whichmeans‘Likes
arecuredbylikes’.
Homoismeanslike(similar)andpathosmeanstreatment.Thus,
Homoeopathyisasystemoftreatingdiseasesorsufferingby
theadministrationofdrugsthatpossesspowerofproducing
similarsuffering(diseases)inhealthyhumanbeings.
DrHahnemann believedthatsymptomsarenomorethanan
outwardreflectionofthebody’sinnerfighttoovercomeillness:
itisnotamanifestationoftheillnessitself.
Thislawofsimilarforcuringdiseaseshasbeinginusesince
thetimeofHippocrates,fatherofmedicine.
ButitwasDrHahnemann whodevelopeditintoacomplete
systemoftherapeuticsenunciatingthelawanditsapplication
in1810.

27. Fundamental Principles of Homoeopathy
Homoeopathyasascienceofmedicaltreatmenthasaphilosophyof
itsown,anditstherapeuticsisbasedoncertainfundamental
principlesthatarequitedistinctanddifferentfromthoseofother
schoolofmedicalscience.Thesefundamentalprincipleswere
discussedbyHahnemannindifferentsectionsofhismedicineand
philosophy.
They are as follows:
1. Law of Similia.
2. Law of Simplex.
3. Law of minimum.
4. Drug proving.
5. Drug dynamization or potentization.
6. Vital force.
7. Acute and Chronic Diseases.
8. Individualization.
9. Direction of cure

28. Lawofsimilia
ThetherapeuticlawonwhichhomoeopathyisbasedisSimilliaSimilibus
Curentur,whichmeans‘Letlikesbecuredbylikes’.Inthisartofhealing,
themedicineadministeredtoadiseasedindividualissuchthatifgiventoa
healthypersonitproducessamesufferings(diseases)asfoundinthe
diseasesindividual.Thus,thesymptomsofthediseasedindividualareto
bematchedwiththepathogenesisofthemedicine,andthemedicines
whicharemostsimilar,viz.Simillimumisselectedandadministeredwith
certaintytocure.
Lawofsimplex
Simpleandsingledrugsshouldbeprescribedatatime.Thus,medicines
areprovedonhealthyhumanbeingssinglyandinsimpleformwithout
admixtureofanyothersubstance.
Lawofminimum
Drugsareadministeredinaminimumquantitybecauseofhypersensitivity
indiseaseandtheactionofdrugisalwaysdirectedtowardsnormalby
virtueofalteredreceptivityoftissuetostimuliindisease.Themedicines
arejustrequiredtoarouseareactioninthebody.

29. Iftheyaregiveninlargedoses,theycausephysiologicalactionproducing
unwantedsideeffectsandorganicdamage.Theminutestquantityof
medicinehelpsittoreachthedisease,whichisofverysubtleinnature.The
curativeactionofdrugcanonlybeexpectedwithoutanyunwanted
aggravationbyusingminimumquantityofmedicine.
Drugproving
Toapplydrugsfortherapeuticpurposes,theircurativepowershouldbe
known.Thecurativepowerofadrugisitsabilitytoproducedisease
symptomswhenemployedonahealthyperson.Thecurativepowerofa
drugisknownbyitspathogenesisandisascertainedbyprovingthedrug
singlyonhealthyhumanbeing.Thisservestheonlytruerecordofthe
curativepropertiesofdrug.
Preparationofpotencies
Thepotencycanbepreparedbythreedifferentscales,likedecimalscale,
centesimalscaleandmillesimalscale.

30. Drugdynamizationorpotentization
Diseaseisadisturbanceordeviationinthenormalharmoniousflow
oflifeforcewhichisdynamicinnature.Nowmedicineusedto
encounterdiseaseshouldalsohavedynamicactiontoactonthe
dynamicdisturbanceoflifeforce.Therefore,thedrugsare
dynamizedorpotentizedliberatingtheirdynamiccurativepower
whichliesdormantinthem.Thisdynamizationisdonebythe
processofTrituration(incaseofinsolublesubstances)or
Succession(incaseofsolublesubstances).
Decimalscale
ThisscalewasintroducedbyDrConstantiveBering.Inthisscale,
thefirstpotencyshouldcontain1/10partoforiginaldrug.The
secondpotencywillcontain1/10partofthefirstpotency,andso
on.Thepotencyinthisscaleisdenotedbysuffixingtheletter‘X’to
thenumberindicatingthepotency,i.e.thefirstpotencyis1X,the
secondpotencyis2X,andsoon.

31. Centesimalscale
Inthisscalethefirstpotencyshouldcontain1/100oforiginaldrug
andthesecondpotencywillcontain1/100ofthefirstpotency,and
soon.Thepotencyinthisscaleisdenotedbysuffixingtheletter‘C’
tothenumberindicatingthepotency.Inpractice,itisgenerally
denotedbyasimplenumerical1Cpotencyequivalentto2Xpotency
and2Cpotencyisequivalentto4X,andsoon.
Millesimalscale
Inthisscale,thefirstpotencyshouldcontain1/50,000partofthe
originaldrugandsecondpotencywillcontain1/50,000ofthefirst
potency,andsoon.PotencyinthisscaleisdenotedbyI,II,V,X,
etc.,or0/1,0/2,0/5,0/10,etc.Inthisscalepotency0/2is
equivalentto4C=8X,0/4=8C=16Xandsoon.Preparationof
potencythroughtriturationismadebyeitherdecimalor
centesimal,andthepreparationofpotencythoughsuccessionis
madebydecimal,centesimalandmillesimal.

32. Vitalforce
Diseaseisnothingbutthedisharmoniousflowofthevitalforcegivingrise
toabnormalsensationandfunctions(symptomsandsigns).Inorderto
restorethehealth,thedisorderedvitalforceistobebroughtbackto
normal.Diseaseandhealtharetwodifferentquantitativestatesofthisvital
forceoflivingbeing,andcureistobeaffectedhere.Vitalforcehasthe
followingcharacteristics:spiritual,autocratic,automatic,dynamic,
unintelligentandinstinctive.
Acuteandchronicdiseases
Thediseasesareclassifiedintothesetypesdependingupontheironset,
natureofprogressandterminationofdiseases.
Individualization
Notwoindividualsarealikeintheworld,sothediseasesaffecting
individualscanneverbethesameassumingtheuniqueindividualpicture
ineachdiseasedindividual.Thus,medicinescanneverbeprescribedon
thebasisofthenameofthediseasewithoutindividualizingeachcase
ofdisease.
Directionofcure
Dr.Heringstatesthat‘curetakesplacewithinoutwardfromaboveto
downward andthesymptoms disappearsinthereverseoftheir
appearance’.Ifthedirectionisreverse
ofthatstatedthenitisnotcurebutsuppressionwhichhasoccurred.

33. PREPARATION AND STANDARDIZATION OF AYURVEDIC FORMULATIONS
Ayurvedicformulationscanbecategorizedintofourtypesbasedontheirphysical
natureofdosageforms.
1.Soliddosageforms:EgVati,Ghutika.
2.SemiSoliddosageformsEgLeha,Kalka
3.LiquiddosageformsEg:Aristas.Asavas
4.Powderdosageforms.EgBhasmasChurras
ARISTASANDASAVAS
Theyarealsoknownaspreparationscontainingselfgeneratedalcohol(alcoholic
preparations).Theyarepreparedbyaddingpowdereddrugoritsdecoctionintoa
solutionofsugarorjaggery,Itisthenfermentedforaspecifiedtimeduringwhich
alcoholisgeneratedwhichfacilitatestheextractionofactiveprinciplespresentinthe
drugs.Theselfgeneratedalcoholalsoactsasapreservative.BothAristasandAsavas
areselfgeneratingalcoholicpreparations,buttheydifferinthemethodsof
preparation.Aristasarepreparedbyextractingthepowdereddrugintheformof
decoctionandthenaddedtothesolutionofsugarorjaggery.Asavasarepreparedby
directlyaddingthepowdereddrugsintothesolutionofsugarorjaggery,the
remainingprocessofpreparationremainsthesame

34. MethodofpreparationofAristas
Thecrudedrugsarecoarselypowderedanddecoction(Kashaya)is
preparedandfiltered.
Otheringredientsaremixedwiththedecoctionandthesecontentsare
addedtoasolutionsugarorjaggeryorhoney.
Itisthenboiled,cooledandtransferredtowoodenbarrelsorpot.
Themouthofthecontaineriscoveredwithanearthenlidandtheedges
aresealedwithclaysmearedclothwhichiswoundinsevenconsecutive
layers.
Thecontaineriskeptinanundergroundcellaroraheapofpaddyin
ordertoensureaconstanttemperaturemaintainedduringtheprocessof
fermentation.
Afterthespecifiedperiod,thelidisremovedandthecontentsare
examinedtoensurethattheprocessoffermentation(Sandhana)has
beencompleted.Thefluidisfilteredandstored.

35. MethodofpreparationofAsavas
Thedrugisfinelypowderedandmixedwithotheringredientsandthesecontents
areaddedtoasolutionofsugarorjaggeryorhoney,mixedwell.
Itisthenboiled,cooledandtransferredtowoodenbarrelsorpots.Themouthof
thecontaineriscoveredwithanearthenlidandtheedgesaresealedwithclay
smearedclothwhichiswoundinsevenconsecutivelayers.
Thecontaineriskeptinanundergroundcellaroraheapofpaddyinorderto
ensureaconstanttemperatureismaintainedduringtheprocessoffermentation.
Afterthespecifiedperiod,thelidisremovedandthecontentsareexaminedto
ensurethattheprocessoffermentation(Sandhana)hasbeencompleted.Thefluid
isfilteredandstored
Standardization parameters for Aristasand Asavas
Aristasand Asavasshould be clear without any froth or foam at the top.
It should not become sour upon standing
It should have a characteristic aromatic and alcoholic odour.
There should be no effervescence produced.
Examples: Aristas: Ashokarista, Dasmularista, AshwagandhaaristaAsavas:
Arvindasava, Kumaryasava, Vasakasava.

36. VATI & GHUTIKA (TABLETS & PILLS)
These are medicines in the form of tablets (vati) and pills (ghutika). They
contain single or combinations of herbal, mineral or animal drugs.
Method of preparation
Thedrugsaredriedandfinelypowdered,mineraldrugsareconvertedinto
calcinatedproducts(bhasmas)oranyotherformasspecified.Asperthe
mentionedformula,thedrugsandotheringredientsaremixedtogether
andmadeintoasoftpastewithspecifiedliquids.Itisthenproperlyground
andmadeintovati(tablets)orghutikas(Pills).
StandardizationparametersforVati&Ghutikas
Vati&Ghutikasshouldbestableupto2yearsafterpreparation.
Iftheycontainonlymineralingredients,theycanbeusedindefinitely
Theyshouldnotlosetheiroriginalcolour,odour,tasteandformuponstorage.
Iftheycontainsugar/salt,theyshouldbeprotectedfrommoisture.Eg:Vati:
Gandhakavati,Sankhavati.Ghutika:Prandagutika,Lasunadigutika.

37. CHURNA
Theycontainsingleorcombinationofdrugsalongwithotheringredientsin
apowderedform.MethodofpreparationDrugsandotheringredients
mentionedintheformulaareseparatelydried,finelypowderedandsieved
togetuniformsizedparticles,theyaremixedtogetauniformpowder.
Standardization parameters for Churna
Churnasshould be free flowing powder and should not adhere or
become moist
Churnasare able up to one year if they are stored properly
Finer the powder, better is its potency and therapeutic value. Eg.
Triphalachurna, Drakshadichuma, Sudarshan churna

38. LEHA AVALEHA
These are semisolid preparations made by boiling the powdered drug/ extract
with solution of sugar or jaggery
Method of preparation
Sugar / jaggery is dissolved in a liquid, it is boiled and filtered. The powdered
drugs extract along with other ingredients are added with continuous stirring
to form a homogenous semisolid mass. If necessary ghee or oil is also added
while the preparation is hot.
Standardization parameters for Leha
It should neither become hard nor liquify.
There should be no growth of fungus over it.
It should not change its colourodourand taste.
They can be used up to one year it properly stored. Eg: Draksavaleha,
VasavalehaBilvadileha

39. BHASMA
Thesearethepowderedformsofdrugspreparedbycalcination(heatingthe
solidsinairtochangeisoriginalform)ofmetals,mineralsoranimal
productsbyaspecialprocessinclosedcrucibleorinpitscoveredwithcow
dung
MethodofpreparationTheyarepreparedintwostagesviz:
i.Sodhana:Itisaprocessofpurificationofmetals,mineralsbyheating
themandimmersinginaspecificliquid.Thisisdonetoremoveits
toxicity.
ii.Marana:Thisisthesecondstageofpreparingbhasmas,inwhichthe
purifieddrugsobtainedfromshodhanaprocessaregroundandmixed
withplants/extractsasspecified.Afterspecifiedtime,smallcakesare
madeanddriedinsunlight.Thedriedcakesarekeptinearthenvessels,
sealedwithclaysmearedclothandkeptinapitcoveredwithcowdung
andthefireisputonallthesides.Afterheatingforaspecifiedperiod,the
contentsareremovedandgroundintoafinepowderandstored.

40. StandardizationparametersforBhasmas
Bhasmasaregrey,whitish,yellowishorblackcolouredpowders.
Theyshouldnotchangetheircolouronstorage.
Theyarehighlystableforlongperiodsandshouldnotlosetheir
potency.Eg:Suvarnabhasma,Shankhabhasma,Taurabhasma.