Abstract

COMMONLY USED FORMULATIONS OF LEPA KALPANA –A CRITICAL REVIEW

Remya Kuttan*, Anup Thakar and Rahul S. Gandhi

ABSTRACT

Background: Ayurveda, the most ancient science has a vast description of external medications like pradeha, abyanga, sweda etc. One among them is lepa kalpana, in which the topical applications of medicaments are applied through the medium of skin. Medicated drugs are made in to paste by simply grinding or crushing them. If it is in the form of powder, it can be mixed with proper bases as per the condition of the disease. In certain yogas acharya itself mentioned the suitable base in which the maximum efficacy of the drug can be obtained. Materials and Methods: This study meant to have a review on the lepa kalpana and the various lepa yogas mainly used as dosaghna form clinically. There are many yogas being described in the classical texts, but many of them are not used today, may be due to the scarcity of the drugs or probably stick on to the same yogas which are already proven to be effective. Along with this, certain anubhuta yogas are also used in various doshik conditions. Total 10 lepa yogas commonly used in opds on the basis of doshasghna karma were reviewed here. Discussion and Conclusion: By assessing the individual properties of the drugs in the lepa yogas, majority of the yogas were kaphavata samana, in turn breaks the samprathi of Sopha. Addition of proper bases increases the absorption of the lepa yogas deep in to the skin. This topical formulations should be gently rubbed in the upward or reverse direction of the hairs over the skin to make the application more quick and effective. It is not necessary to stick on to the classical yogas, By assessing individual properties of the drug like sothahara, vedhanasamana, vatanulomana, various combinations of medicines can be made depends on the availability of the drug, as itself Charaka Acharya give that permission to the vaidyas.

Keywords: Lepa kalpana, topical formulations, anubhuta yogas.