Indian Journal of Ancient Medicine and Yoga

Shilajatu (Black bitumen or mineral pitch), also called mineral pitch, is the result of a long process of breaking down plant matter and minerals. It is a sticky, black, tar-like substance that comes from rocks in high mountain ranges. Shilajatu is categorized as one among eight Maharasa (group of minerals) of Ayurvedic pharmacopoeia. But its source of origin is still under controversy, many researchers claim that Shilajatu exuding from the rocks of mountains is basically derived from vegetative source. As per the classical texts like Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita, Ashtanga Hrudaya and other texts like Rasaratna Samuchaya, etc. Shilajatu is balya, vrushya (powerful aphrodiasiac), rasayana (rejuvenator), medhya, vajikara (aphrodiasiac), dehadadyakrut and indicated in many diseases like prameha (diabetes mellitus), pandu (anemia), shotha (edema), yakshma (tuberculosis), jwara (fever), agnimandya (loss of appetite), skin disorders. Although Shilajatu is mentioned under the heading of treatment of many diseases, but detailed description of Shilajatu is found in rasayana prakarana. In this heading its origin, variety, method of use, dose and duration are mentioned. Pathya- apathya during administration of Shilajatu along with its utility and therapeutic uses has been described. This review recollects the information related to Shilajatu from samhitas, samgraha granthas, nighantus and other texts.

Keywords: Shilajatu; Mineral pitch; Rasayana; Prameha.

Kākolī is one of the most extravagant plants of the nature. It is grouped among Aṣṭavarga plants, Jīvanīya, Śukrajanana and Bṛmhaṇīya gaṇa in different ayurvedic scriptures. It is also one of the important constituent of preparations like Cyavanaprāśa-rasāyana, Aṣṭavarga-cūrṇa, Bṛṁhaṇī-guṭikā and Vājīkara-ghṛta, etc. It grows primarily at a height of more than 1500 m in India and different parts of the world. It has been used in many parts of the world in traditional healing system as well as in the treatment of a number of diseases since the ancient times. The rhizomes are used for medicinal purpose. The therapeutic utility of kākolī is wide ranging and is mainly based on its action. It is very important medicinal herb in India since ancient times.

Keywords: Kākolī; Nighaṇṭu; Āyurveda; Kośa; Aṣṭavarga.

Ancient seers of Ayurveda have classified the elements of the body under three fundamental components: Dosha, Dhatu and Mala. Among these basic elements Dhatus are especially meant for Dharana & Poshana of Sharira. When all the above factors act in harmony, it is defined as Swastha (health). Peshi is the important part of body which covers the framework of body, which supports and helps the body for any type of movements. Knowledge of Peshi can be traced back from Vedas passing chronologically down to Samhitas. But the scholars preoccupied themselves with only supporting parts of human skeleton. There is enough evidence of knowledge of Peshi Sharir (Myology) in the ancient India but in Sutra Rupa or in dispersed form. Starting from Pre-Vedic period, Vedic period and Samhita-kala period all have some what description of Peshi Sharir but not in mannered way. Due to different principles, faiths and way of learning, there may be some differences or lacunas from present-day knowledge. Collection and critical analysis of various concepts related to Peshi Sharir as per modern headings like definitions, constituents, embryology, types, uses and clinical aspects. Thus an effort is undertaken to understand Peshi Sharir and its concepts in scientific way. Though there may be some differences or lacuna’s from nowadays knowledge but, we can have proud on our glorified past of knowledge in every medicinal field especially regarding knowledge of Peshi Sharir. The ayurvedic literature regarding Peshi Sharir and modern anatomical literature were studied to find out correlating structures. Comparative study between facts of Ayurveda and modern anatomy were done by visualization with the help of dissection study. For anatomical study of Peshi this dissection based study is most important because main references of Peshi is from SuÅ›ruta samhita which is an surgically oriented literature and facts said in it are supposed to be confirmed by or even discovered by the process of dissection. In the same chapter where Peshi is described, Acharya Sushruta also stated importance of dissection based study and visualization by following verse

Keywords: Peshi; Muscles; Mycology; Mamsa; Mamsadhatu; Mamsadhara kala.

Panchavalkala is one of the combination of barks of five medicinal plants, namely Vata (Ficus bengalensis), Udumbara (ficus racemosa Linn.), Ashwatha (Ficus relegosa Linn.), Parish (Thespia populnea) and Plaksha (Ficus lacor) is one of the important Poly herbal drug formulation used by Ayurvedic Vaidyas since ancient days. Panchavalkala has astringent in taste and shows antiinflammatory, immunomodulatory, antioxidant, antibacterial property which are useful for Vrana-Shodhana (cleaning), Vrana-ropan (wound healing), non-healing ulcer and gynecological disorders too. Some research study published with encouraging result in the management of various disorders as clinical evidences. So the present article includes review of different studies carried out on Panchavalkala starting from in-vitro to clinical.

Keywords: Panchavalkala; Shodhana; Ropan; Wounds.

This paper presents the findings of a clinical trial conducted in the suburbs of Jammu (Jammu & Kashmir State) to assess the efficacy of Kulattha— a herbal drug, on a random sample of ten mutrashmari patients. In all there were 12 calculi stones, of which 9 were in Kidney and 3 were in Ureter. There were in all 12 Ashmari stones, out of which 8 (67%) were unilateral and single, 1 site (16%) was multiple (double) but unilateral while the remaining 2 (17%) were bilateral and single in each kidney. Calculi were classified into two size ranges namely <4 mm & 4–8 mm. Ninety percent calculi were in the size range of 4–8 mm and the remaining 10% cases were in the range of <4 mm. The Kulattha therapy completely cured 4 (33.3%) of the Mutrashmari cases. It markedly improved 4 (33.4%) cases and improved 3 (25.0%) of the cases. Only 1 (8.4%) cases did not show significant response to therapy. The overall rating of the therapy was 1.9. In all there were 9 Kidney stones. Three stones (33.4%) were completely cured, 3 (33.3%) were improved. Two (22.2%) were improved towards curing but 1 (11.1%) did not respond to the therapy. Overall rating of the therapy was 1.9. There were 3 Ureter stones. One (33.3%) each, was cured, markedly improved and improved respectively. Overall rating of the therapy towards Ureter stones was 2.0. Kaphaja Ashmari was represented in 6 (53%) of the patients, followed by 3 (27%) in Vataja and 1 (20%) in Pittaja Ashmari. This shows the dominance of Kaphaja type of Ashmari in the study area. There were 8 stones with Kaphaja Ashmari, out of which 3 (37.5%) were completely cured, 4 (50%) stones were markedly improved and 1 (12.5%) showed improvement in symptoms. The therapy depicted good overall rating of 2.3. There was only one stone of Pittaja Ashmari type and no significant improvement was noticed in this case. There were 3 stones with Kaphaja Ashmari, out of which 1 (33.3%) case was completely cured, while improvement in the remaining 2 (66.7%) stones was recorded. The therapy depicted an overall rating of 1.7. The effect of Kulattha was highly significant on Mutradhara Sanga (58.3%), Basti Vedana (47.1%), Atiavila Mutrata (41.2%) and Nabhi Vedana (39.1%). The effect was significant on Gomeda Prakasam (57.1%) while non-significant effect was observed on Sarudhiramutrata (57.1%), Sevani Vedana (36.4%) and Mehan Vedana (20.0%). The effect was highly significant on Dysuria (61.5%) followed by Pain (58.1%) and Hematuria (44.4%). Significant effect was found on Tenderness at Renal Angle (62.5%) and Burning Micturition (35.3%). Nausea and vomiting and fever parameters did not affect the sample cases. The Post-therapy results in comparison to pre-therapy results showed a decreasing trend in certain parameters while an increasing trend in others. All the parameters, however, remained within their normal limits both in the pre and post-therapy observations. Overall Success Rate of Kulattha therapy in mitigating the problems of Mutrashmari and removal/disintegration of the calculi was 63.3 percent.

Keywords : Calculi; Mootrashmari; Ashmari; Kidney stone; Ureteric stone; Kulattha; Dolichos biflorus.