Contemplating Vyadhi Bala, Agni Bala and Purusha Bala in Figuring out the Dose of Shamana Aushadha

Article by Dr Raghuram Y.S. MD (Ay) & Dr Manasa S, B.A.M.S

Acharya Sushruta, after explaining totally different teams of herbs which can be utilized as palliative medicines, explains concerning the very best dose of taking the medicines and what elements needs to be considered earlier than administration of medicines. These guidelines are relevant for ‘shamana aushadhas’ i.e. palliative medicines however might be typically understood as being very best in administering varied drugs types additionally, together with shodhana – purificatory medicines.

Ref – Sushruta Sutra Sthana, Chapter 39, verse 10 (Su.Su.39/10)

Very best dose of Shamana Aushadhas: Palliative Medicines and the elements to think about

तत्र सर्वाण्येवौषधानि व्याध्यग्रिपुरुषबलान्यभिसमिक्ष्य विदध्यात्। तत्र, व्याघिबलादधिकमौषधमुपयुक्तं तमुपशम्य व्याधिं व्याधिमन्यमावहति; अग्रिबलादधिकमजीर्णं विष्टभ्य वा वच्यते; पुरुषबलादधिकं ग्लानिमूर्च्छामदानावहति  संशमनम् ; एवं संशोधनमतिपातयति। हीनमेभ्यो दन्तमकिंचित्करं  भवति। तस्मात् सममेव विदध्यात् ॥१०॥

All medicines and herbs needs to be administered after contemplating the beneath talked about three elements in every affected person. Contemplating these elements may be very important and performs a serious half within the success of the remedy.

The elements to be thought of are –

1.    Vyadhi bala – power of the illness,
2.    Agni bala – power of the digestive fireplace and
3.    Purusha / Atura bala – power of the physique of the affected person

Dose of drugs vs power of illness

The dose of the medication shouldn’t be in extra of the power of the illness. If the power of the illness is much less i.e. weak illness or reasonable, if extreme dosage of palliative drugs is run than what’s required, the medication would relieve the illness however then again would additionally give rise to yet one more illness or complication. This isn’t desired within the remedy plan for any illness. We anticipate the medication to alleviate the signs, mitigate the doshas and remedy the illness and to not worsen a illness or trigger a brand new one.

Dose of drugs vs power of digestive fireplace

The dose of the medication needs to be ideally in sync with the power of agni i.e. digestive capability of the person. If the digestion energy of the agni is low to reasonable i.e. weak digestive fireplace, and if the palliative drugs is utilized in extreme dosage, it’ll end in manifestation of painful situations within the stomach. Additionally, the medication would get digested after a very long time because the agni is weak and therefore the medication won’t have the specified impact.

Dose of drugs vs power of the physique of the affected person

Earlier than administering the medication, the doctor must also analyse the bodily power of the affected person. The dose of the palliative drugs needs to be very best to the power of the affected person. The medicines shouldn’t be utilized in extra of the power of the affected person. If the bodily power of the affected person is low or reasonable, and if the medication is given in massive dose, it will give rise to the beneath talked about signs / problems –

–   Glani – exhaustion,
–   Murcha – fainting and
–   Mada – intoxication / toxicity

Ought to the identical ideas be adopted in case of Shodhana Aushadha additionally?

Sure, even in case of shodhana aushadha i.e. purificatory medicines additionally the power of vyadhi, agni and bala needs to be thought of. If shodhana medicines are administered in extra of power of the illness, digestive fireplace and physique of the affected person, they might cleanse the physique (evacuate) excessively and in flip hassle the affected person immensely.

Ought to the identical elements be thought of in administering low dose medicines?

Sure, if the medicines (palliative) are administered in inadequate portions of the power of vyadhi, agni and atura won’t produce any impact i.e. the medicines would develop into futile.

Subsequently, these medicines needs to be used solely in appropriate portions as acceptable to the power of vyadhi – illness, agni – digestive fireplace and atura – affected person.

Aushada matra: Dose of drugs

व्याध्यादिषु तु  मध्येषु क्वाथस्याञ्जलिरिष्यते ॥
बिडालपदकं चुर्णं देयः कल्कोऽक्षसंमितः ॥१४॥

Under talked about are the doses of varied drug types when the power of the illness, digestive fireplace and affected person are reasonable –