critical study on ku aghna mah ka ya of charaka...

AAMJ / Vol. 2 / Issue 4 / July – August 2016

A A M J Anveshana Ayurveda Medical Journal

www.aamj.in ISSN: 2395-4159

Research Article

Critical study on Kuṣṭaghna Mahākaṣāya of

Charaka Samhita

Somil Dubey 1 Deepti 2 G. Rama Mohan Rao 3

A b s t r a c t

Kuṣṭa (obstinate skin diseases including leprosy) is the disease which causes discon-

tinuation and discoloration of skin. All skin diseases and almost all diseases that afflict

skin are classified under the single heading Twagāmaya’. Kuṣṭa occurs due to vitia-

tion of three doṣas (humors) and four dhātus (Twak, māmsa, Rakta, ambu). Though all

types of Kuṣṭas are due to vitiation of above seven factors, predominance of specific

doṣas results in difference of signs and symptoms. Acharya Charaka mentioned 50

Mahākaṣāya kalpanās (decoctions) in Sūtra sthāna 4th chapter Śadvirechanaśatāś-

ritīya adhyāya. Among these Acharya has mentioned Kuṣṭaghna mahākaṣāya (Anti-

dermatosis, anti-leprotic decoction) comprising group of ten drugs. An attempt is made

to study individual property of each drug from nighantus and to understand their ac-

tion on various Kuṣṭas according to their rasapanchaka.

Key words: Kuṣṭa, Mahākaṣāya kalpanās (decoction), Kuṣṭaghna māhakaṣāya (anti-

lepromatous).

1 PG Scholar, 2 Professor and H.O.D, Department of Rasa Śastra and Bhaiśajya Kalpanā, S.V.

Ayurvedic College, Tirupati, A.P. (India). 3 PhD Scholar, Department of Botany, Government Model Science College, Jabalpur, M.P.

CORRESPONDING AUTHOR

Dr. SOMIL DUBEY

PG Scholar, Department of Rasa Śastra and Bhaiśajya Kalpanā,

S.V. Ayurvedic College, Tirupati,

Andhra Pradesh. (India).

Email: [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

Somil et.al,.: Critical study on Kuṣṭaghna Mahākaṣāya of Charaka Samhita

AAMJ / Vol. 2 / Issue 4 / July – August 2016 825

INTRODUCTION

he word Kuṣṭa is derived from the root ‘Kuṣ’ which

means that the one which comes out from the inner

part to the outer part. When the vitiated three

doṣas disturb the four body elements i.e. tvak (skin),

rakta (blood), māmsa (muscle tissue) and ambu (lym-

phatic fluid) together they manifest themselves on the

skin and makes it ‘Kutsit’ (contemptible i.e. disgraceful).

The whole body becomes despised therefore it is called

as ‘Kuṣtha’.

Kuṣṭa is noted as one of the eight ‘Aṣtau Mahāgada’

(Cha.In.9/8). Sushrutacharya said that, Kuṣṭa does not

leave one’s body even if that person leaves this world[i].

It is important to study in detail about such mahāgada

i.e. kuṣṭa and its types in detail.

In ayurveda all the skin diseases are described under

one term ‘twagāmaya’. These are produced invariably

by the vitiation of seven factors i.e. three doṣas and

four dūṣyas. But depending upon the ‘Doṣa-amśamś-

kalpanā’ (predominance of one or other fraction of

three doṣas in manifestation of disease) difference is

found in Vedana (discomfort), Varna (discolouration),

Samsthāna (shape), Prabhāva (specific manifestation),

nāma (name), chikitsa (treatment). Hence Kuṣṭa is clas-

sified into 7, 18 or uncountable types[ii]. All most all

Acharyas described 7 Mahākuṣṭas (major types) and

11 Kṣudrakuṣṭas (minor types) which differ in nomencla-

ture and description. The two main types are:

Mahākuṣṭa

Kṣudrakuṣṭa

Acharya Charaka has mentioned fifty mahākaṣāyas

(decoctions) in Sūtra Sthāna 4th chapter Śadvirechana-

śatāśritīya adhyāya[iii]. While concluding these he men-

tioned that these fifty important groups of decoction are

further divided into ten each thereby constituting five

hundred decoctions- such grouping is for the conven-

ience of description; there is no limit to the detailed de-

scription of these decoctions. Again, too much of con-

ciseness will not be conducive to the understanding of

disciples of lower intelligence, so the description pro-

vided in this chapter is neither too brief nor too elabo-

rate. With a view to guide the disciples of lower intelli-

gence and also to stimulate the imaginative power of

the wise, these fifty groups of decoctions have been

explained. The one who is acquainted with the internal

use as well as external application and prescription by

combination of ail these drugs, alone is the real physi-

cian [iv]. Acharya has mentioned Kuṣṭghna Mahāka-

śāya, although he has not mentioned its use according

the predominance of doṣas involved in kuṣṭa, here indi-

vidual properties of each drug is studied from nighantus

to know their doṣa hara effect on various kuṣṭas and

also to know their other gunas relevant to their

kuṣṭahara effect.

Review of literature:

Khadira (Acacia catechu), Abhaya (Terminali chebula),

Āmalakī (Emblica officinalis), Haridra (Curcuma longa),

Aruśkara (Semecarpus anacardium), Saptaparnah

(Alstonia scholaris), Ārgavadha (Casia fistula), Karvīra

(Nerium odorum), Vidanga (Embelia ribes), Jātipravala

(Jasminum grandiflorum) are grouped as Kuṣṭghna

Mahākaṣāya[v] by Acharya Charaka. Individual proper-

ties of each drug are as follows-

1. Khadira (Latin name- Acacia catechu, family- Mi-

mosaceae) - It is Tikta (bitter), Kaṣāya (astringent) in

rasa (taste), laghu (easily digestible), rūkṣa (dry) in

guna (properties), shīta (cold) in vīrya (potency),

pacifies Kapha-pitta. It has kuṣṭaghna (anti-leprotic),

krimighna (anti-helmintic), świtraghna (cures vitil-

ligo), śothaghna (reduces odema), and, raktavi-

kārahara (purifies blood) actions[vi]. Dhanvantari

Nighantu mentioned it be kandughna (anti-

pruritic).[vii]

2. Abhaya (Latin name-Terminalia chebula, family-

Combretaceae) - It has all five rasas except lavana

rasa (salt). It is laghu (easily digestible), rūkṣa (dry)

in guna, Uṣna (hot) in vīrya, It has Kuṣṭaghna,

Śothaghna, krimighna and, kandughna proper-

ties[viii]. Tridoṣahara (pacifies all three humors).[ix]

3. Āmalakī (Latin name-Emblica officinalis, family- Eu-

phorbiaceae)-It has all the properties like Haritaki

except that it is Śīta in vīrya. It is Rasāyana (rejuve-

nating), vriśya (aphrodiasiac), kuṣṭahara.[x]

4. Haridra (Latin name- Curcuma longa, family-

Zingiberaceae) - It posses Katu (pungent), tikta (bit-

ter) rasa. Rūkṣa (dry) in guna, uṣna (hot) in vīrya,

pacifies Kapha-pitta, It is varnya (improves com-

plexion of body), twakdoṣahara (alleviates skin

problems), vranaropana (heals wounds).[xi] Dhan-

vantari Nighantu has mentioned it to be Kan-

dughna, kuṣṭaghna, krimihara, viśahara (anti-

poisonous), viśodhini (purifies body).[xii] 5. Aruśkara (Bhilawa) (Latin name-Semecarpus ana-

cardium, family- Anacardiaceae) - Kaṣāya (astrin-

gent), madhura (sweet) in rasa, laghu in guna, uṣna

in vīrya, pacifies Vāta- kapha, kuṣṭghna,

świtraghna, krimighna, vrana ropana (wound heal-

ing) in action[xiii]. Dhanwantari nighantu has men-

tioned its rasa as katu, tikta, madhura.[xiv]

6. Saptaparnah (Latin name- Alstonia scholaris, family-

Apocynaceae) - It posses tikta, kaṣāya rasa, laghu,

snighda (unctuous) and sara (mobility) guna, uṣna

T



vīrya[xv] (JLN page no. 326), vāta- kaphahara,

Kuṣṭaghna, raktavikāra hara in action.[xvi]

7. Ārgavadha (Latin name- Casia fistula, family- Fa-

baceae)- It has Madhura rasa, guru and sransrana

(mild laxative) guna, śīta in vīrya, pacifies Kapha-

pitta, Kuṣṭghna and also said to be ‘Koṣṭa shudha

karmam param’. (Best among all laxatives)[xvii],

Tridoṣahara.[xviii]

8. Karvīra (rakta karvīra) (Latin name-Nerium odourm,

family-Apocynaceae)- It is tikta, kaṣāya, katu in

rasa, laghu, rūkṣa in guna, uṣna in vīrya, pacifies

kapha-vāta. It is vranaropana, kuṣṭghna,

krimighna, kandughna.[xix]

9. Vidanga- (Latin name- Embelia ribes, family-

Myrsinaceae) - It is Katu in rasa, tikshna, rūkṣa,

laghu in guna, uṣna in vīrya, pacifies Vāta-kapha,

krimighna, kuṣṭghna in action.[xx]

10. Jātipravala- (Latin name-Jasminum grandifolium,

family- Oleaceae) – It is tikta, kaṣāya in rasa, laghu

in guna, uṣna in vīrya, vātahara (pacifies Vāta),

viśaghna, kuṣṭaghna, rakta vikāra hara[xxi], Dhan-

wantari nighantu has mentioned it as Kapha-

pittahara and kuṣṭaghna.[xxii]

OBSERVATIONS AND RESULTS:

Although Kuṣṭas are caused due to vitiation of all three

doṣas but based on dominance of doṣas involved they

are classified as follows:

Table No 1: Showing relation between doṣas and

Kuṣṭas[xxiii]:

Sr.No. Doshic pre-

dominance Name of Kuṣṭa

1. Vāta Kapāla

2. Pitta Audambara

3. Kapha Mandala, Vicharchika

4. Vāta-kapha

Sidhma, Ekakuṣṭa, Ala-

saka, Charmākhya,

Kitibha, Vipādika

5. Vāta-pitta Rishyajihva

6. Kapha-pitta

Pundarīka, Dadru, Char-

madala, Pāma, Vispotaka,

Satāru

7. Sannipātika Kākanaka

Table No 2: Showing effect of each drug of Kuṣṭaghna mahākaṣāya on various types of kuṣṭa:

Based on the rasapanchaka of drugs involved in Kuṣṭaghna mahākaṣāyas their probable action on particular kuṣṭa can

be tabulated as follows:

Sr.No. Name of the

drug

Dosha hara

property Karma Action on type of Kuṣṭa

1. Khadira Kapha-

pittahara

Kuṣṭaghna, krimighna Świtraghna,

Śothaghna, raktavikārahara

Pundarīka, Dadru, Charmadala,

Pāma, Vispotaka, Satāru

2. Abhaya Tridoṣahara Kuṣṭaghna, Śothaghna, krimighna,

kandughna On major types of Kuṣṭa

3. Āmalakī Tridoṣahara Rasāyana, vriśya On major types of Kuṣṭa

4. Haridra Kapha-

pittahara

Kandughna, kuṣṭaghna, krimihara,

viśahara, viśodhini, vranaropana



5. Aruśkara Vāta- kapha-

hara

Kuṣṭaghna, świtraghna, krimighna,

vrana ropana

Sidhma, Ekakuṣṭa, Alasaka, Char-

mākhya, Kitibha, Vipādika, Vichar-

chika

6. Saptaparnah Vāta- kapha-

hara Kuṣṭaghna, raktavikāra hara


mākhya, Kitibha, Vipādika

7. Ārgavadha

Kapha-

pittahara

Tridoṣahara

Kuṣṭaghna Pundarīka, Dadru, Charmadala,


8. Karvīra Vāta- kapha-

hara

Vranaropana, kuṣṭaghna,

krimighna, kandughna



9. Vidanga Vāta-

kaphahara Krimighna, kuṣṭaghna



10. Jātipravala Kapha-

pittahara

Viśaghna, kuṣṭaghna, rakta vikāra

hara





DISCUSSION

All the skin inflictions in ayurveda are described under

one heading called twagāmaya. Acharya Charaka in

nidana sthāna mentioned that depending upon the

permutation and combination of the various fractions of

doṣas and their location in the body, there is variation

in the pain, colour, shape, specific manifestations,

name, and treatment of the various types of Kuṣṭa even

they are produced by the same types of causative fac-

tors. They can be of seven types, eighteen types or in-

numerable types. Although Acharya charaka while

mentioning Kuṣṭghna mahākaṣāyas hasn’t described

use of particular drug in specific types of kuṣṭa. Still by

knowing rasapanchaka and other properties of drugs

they can be used in better and efficient way in various

types of kuṣṭa. Drugs involved in this mahākaṣāya are

having Kuṣṭaghna (anti-dermatosis, anti-leprotic),

krimighna (anti-helmintic), Świtraghna (cures vitilligo),

Śothaghna (relives odema), raktavikārahara (purifies

blood), vranaropana (wound healing), viśaghna (anti-

poisnous) properties. By knowing the predominace of

doṣas and other associated symptoms in kuṣṭa various

other combinations within the mahākaṣāya can be

made.

Kuṣṭas caused by predominance of Vāta-kapha viz Sid-

hma, Ekakuṣṭa, Alasaka, Charmākhya, Kitibha, and

Vipādika can be treated by choosing drugs pacifying

Vāta-kapha from the above mahākaṣāya can be

choosen (Aruśkara, Saptaparnah, Karavīra, Vidanga).

Similarly for Pitta-kapha types of kuṣṭa viz Pundarīka,

Dadru, Charmadala, Pāma, Vispotaka, Satāru, drugs

having Pitta-kahpahara properties can be chosen

(Khadira, Haridra, Ārgavadha, Jātipravala). Acharya

Charaka has mentioned that there is no Kapha disorder

that cannot be treated by Aruśkara, so particularly talk-

ing about Vicharchika it can be efficiently managed by

using Aruśkara.

Abhaya and Āmalakī are Tridoṣahara so they can be

used in all types of kuṣṭa vikāras. Although Kākanaka

variety of kuṣṭa is mentioned to be asadhya but still by

their tridoṣahara action, rasāyana properties better

management to poor prognostic cases can be provided.

While describing Pachavidha kaṣāya kalpanās

Acharya Charaka has mentioned that all the prepara-

tions are not useful in all cases as these preparation

should be prescribed with due regard to the strength of

the patient and seriousness of the disease. So, in order

to get optimum results from above drugs they can be

prescribed by knowing the bala of patient by assisting

the prakruti and also by better implementation of

nidana panchaka.

CONCLUSION

Kuṣṭa occurs due to vitiation of three doṣas and four

dhātus. Depending upon the permutation and combina-

tion of the various fractions of doṣas kuṣṭas are classi-

fied seven types, eighteen types or innumerable types.

Kuṣṭaghna mahākaṣāya mentioned by acharya

charaka comprises of ten drugs all having Kuṣṭaghna,

krimighna properties. After studying their individual

properties from nighantus their rasapanchaka and other

pharmacological properties were assessed basing on

this their action on various types of kuṣṭa was studied to

understand better implementation of mahākaṣāya.

ΛΛΛΛ



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Source of Support: Nil.

Conflict of Interest: None declared

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How to cite this article: Somil et.al,.: Critical study on

Kuṣṭaghna Mahākaṣāya of Charaka Samhita. AAMJ

2016; 4:824 – 828

critical study on ku aghna mah ka ya of charaka...

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