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 completely different teams of herbs which can be utilized as palliative medicines, explains concerning the ideally suited dose of taking the medicines and what elements ought to be considered earlier than administration of medicines. These guidelines are relevant for ‘shamana aushadhas’ i.e. palliative medicines however might be usually understood as being ideally suited in administering varied drugs types additionally, together with shodhana – purificatory medicines.

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

Superb 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 ought to be administered after contemplating the under talked about three elements in each affected person. Contemplating these elements could be very important and performs a significant half within the success of the remedy.

The elements to be thought of are –

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

Dose of drugs vs energy of illness

The dose of the drugs shouldn’t be in extra of the energy of the illness. If the energy of the illness is much less i.e. weak illness or average, if extreme dosage of palliative drugs is run than what’s required, the drugs would relieve the illness however however would additionally give rise to one more illness or complication. This isn’t desired within the remedy plan for any illness. We anticipate the drugs 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 energy of digestive hearth

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

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

Earlier than administering the drugs, the doctor must also analyse the bodily energy of the affected person. The dose of the palliative drugs ought to be ideally suited to the energy of the affected person. The medicines shouldn’t be utilized in extra of the energy of the affected person. If the bodily energy of the affected person is low or average, and if the drugs is given in giant dose, it might give rise to the under 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 energy of vyadhi, agni and bala ought to be thought of. If shodhana medicines are administered in extra of energy of the illness, digestive hearth and physique of the affected person, they might cleanse the physique (evacuate) excessively and in flip bother 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 energy of vyadhi, agni and atura won’t produce any impact i.e. the medicines would turn into futile.

Due to this fact, these medicines ought to be used solely in appropriate portions as applicable to the energy of vyadhi – illness, agni – digestive hearth 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 energy of the illness, digestive hearth and affected person are average –