Abstract

LITERATURE REVIEW ON SUPERIORITY OF KHADIR DRAVYA IN KUSHTHA (SKIN DISORDER) VYADHI DESCRIBED IN AYURVEDA

*Dr. Roopesh Shridhar Jadhav

ABSTRACT

According to Ayurveda three entities called tri-doshas are causation of vyadhi (disease). Doshas being only three in number, give rise to infinite number of vyadhis. The charaka Acharya has described mutual combination of hetu (causes), three doshas and Sthana (site of vyadhi) develop into infinite number of vyadhis. Now-a-days lifestyles, urbanisation and many other factors work as hetus for doshas resulting into disease. Kushtha is one of these diseases mentioned in Ayurveda. Kushtha, along with impairment of normal functioning of body, becomes a matter of concern, as it hampers one’s appearance. Ayurvedic texts have described Kushtha vyadhi in detail, starting from its causes, types, symptoms and treatments. In Ayurveda diseases treatment is mentioned of three types- Doshapratyanika (treatment of root cause), Vyadhipratyanika (treatment of disease itself), and Ubhayapratyanika (treatment of both cause and disease). Treatment of Kushtha in Bruhatrayi is given in detail, comprising of excellent dravyas (herbal drugs) and Kalpas (medicine combinations). Some of them work as doshapratyanika, some work as Vyadhipratyanika while some as Ubhayapratyanika chikitsa against vyadhis. Among these dravyas, Ayurvedic texts have mentioned ‘Khadira’ as the best drug for treatment of all types of Kushtha. Khadira has been mentioned in ‘Agrya’ (First to be used) dravyas by Charaka and Vaagbhatta Samhita. Many references from ayurvedic texts prove that Khadira is Ubhayapratyanika dravya i.e. it pacifies both dosha and vyadhi at same time due to its properties (rasapanchaka). Khadir pacifies all seven elements of kushtha vyadhi mentioned by Charaka Samhita. Khadira can also be used in different forms (kalpanas), through different routes (oral, rectal as basti).

Keywords: Kushtha, Khadira, Agrya.