AYURVEDIC PREPARATIONS:
Ayurveda is the science of health and healing practiced by ancient Aryans which is based on Atharva-veda
The Ayurvedic drugs are obtained from natural source only i.e. from plants, animals or from minerals.
Ayurvedic dosage forms can also be grouped into four types depending upon their physical forms.
(a) Solid dosage forms : Pills, Gutika, Vatika.
(b) Semi-solid dosage forms : Avleha, Paka, Lepa, Ghrta
(c) Liquid dosage forms : Arista, Asava, Taila, Dravaka, Arka.
(d) Powder dosage forms : Bhasma, Satva, Pisti, Parpati, Lavana, Curna.
1. ASAVA and ARISTA:
these are fermented preparations of medicinal plants. The fermentation procedure adopted to prepare these preparations is termed as ‘Sandhaana kalpanaa’ and the ferment used to stimulate fermentation is termed as ‘Sandhaana dravya’. Aasavas are usually prepared by fermenting expressed juice (‘swarasa’), whereas ‘Aasavas’ are prepared from fermentation of decoction (Kwaatha). Sugar or jaggery and powders (choorna) of other medicinal plants as required along with a natural ferment are added to these two liquids and they are left in a closed container till the fermentation is completed. Aasava and Aristaas can be prepared from ‘swarasa’ or ‘kwaatha’ (as the case may be) of single plant or from a mixture of ‘swarasa’ or ‘kwaatha’ from multiple plants. This facilitates the extraction of the active principles contained in the drugs. The alcohol generated in this process serves as a self preservative. Both function as weak wines but rich and fortified with active principles
Asavas and Aristas are the medicinal preparations prepared by soaking the drugs in the powdered form, in the solution of the sugar jaggery as may have indicated for a specified period of time.
Example : Kumariasav, Madhukasv, Punernavasav, Lohasav, Ashokarista.
2. ARKA
It is the liquid preparation obtained by distillation of certain liquids or crude drugs soaked in water using distillation unit.
Example : Ajmodarka, Karpurady arka, Jatamamsyarka.
3. AVALEHA OR LEHA AND PAKA
Avaleha or leha is a semisolid preparation of drugs prepared by addition of sugar, jaggery or sugar candy and boiled with prescribed drug-juice or decoction.
Example : Draksavaleha, Vasavaleha.
4. CHURNA
Fine powder of drug is known curns. Drugs mentioned in yoga are cleaned properly, dried thoroughly, pulverised and then sieved.
Example : Triphala churna, Trikatu churna.
5. LEPA
The preparationed in the forms of paste meant for external application on the body are known as lepa.
Example : Sinduradi lepa, Pathyadi lepa.
6. DRAVAKA
The liquid preparations obtained from lavanas or ksharas are known as Dravakas.
Example : Sankha-dravaka.
7. TAIL
Tail are preparations in which oil or ghee is boiled with prescribed kasaayas (decoction) and kalkas (fine paste) of drugs according to the formula. This process ensures absorption of the active therapeutic properties of the ingredients used, into the oil base. In these preparations three ingredients are essential- sneha ( ghee or oil), drava (liquid)- which may be decoctions, expressed juice etc., and kalka-the fine paste of the ingredients. The ratio of the ingredients, unless specified otherwise, is oil four part, kalka- one part and liquid sixteen parts ( however, there are several exceptions). During preparation the fine paste and liquids are mixed together and then oil or ghee is added and boiled on mild fire and continuously stirred to ensure that the fine paste does not stick to the vessel. The boiling is continued till the liquid portion gets evaporated, at this stage the moisture of the fine paste starts evaporating. This is tested with the help of a ladle to determine the paaka (cooking stage). The paaka is categorized in to mridu (soft)- if the paste is waxy when rolled between fingers, madhyama (moderate) if the paste is hard and fires without cracking noise when put in to fire and khara (hard) if it burns with cracking sound when placed in fire. The ideal condition of the medicated oil is attained when uniform froth comes out and subsides in case of medicated ghee. This is the general procedure- depending upon the ingredients used, different modifications have been mentioned.
Oil prepared with mridu paaka (mild cooked) is used for nasal insufflations (Nasya) ‘madhyama paaka’. Medium cooking stage oil is used for enema and oral administration. Khara paaka (rough consistency) oil is used for bathing. The medicated oil generally will have the colour, odor and taste of the ingredients used. They are preserved in glass, polythene or aluminum containers. Preparations for internal use keep their potency for about sixteen months. Medicated oils when used for internal purpose are administered along with adjuvants known as anupana. When no Anupana is specified such oil should be taken with warm water or warm milk.
8. Vati and Gutikas- drug forms prepared in the form of tablet or pills. They are made of one or more drugs of plant, animal or mineral origin. The plant ingredients are dried and made into fine powders, separately and ground to soft pastes before they are rolled in to pills with the help of fingers. Sometimes minerals are also used as ingredients in such cases the mineral is converted to Bhasmas (calcined metallic compounds) and used as ingredients. When more than one liquid is mentioned for grinding, they are used in succession. When the mass is properly ground and is in a condition to be made into pills- flavoring agents are added and ground again. The criterion to determine the final stage of the formulation before making pills is that it should not stick to the fingers when rolled. Pills may be dried in shade or under direct sunlight as specified in the texts. In cases where sugar or jaggery is mentioned, paaka (consistency) should be made on mild fire and removed from the oven. The powders of the ingredients are added to the Paaka and briskly mixed. When still warm, vatis should be rolled and dried in shade. Pills made of plant drugs when kept in air tight containers can be used for two years. Pills containing minerals can be used for an indefinite period.
In addition to the above discussed formulation types there are other purely mineral based formulations like kupipakwa rasaayana, parpati, pisti, bhasma etc., these are also used in therapeutics. Information related to these preparations would be discussed in another review which is under preparation. Apart from oral dosage forms, drugs administered through other routes of administration such as per-rectal, per urethral, per vaginal, nasal etc., are also described by classics.. Creams, ointments, lotions, dusting powders etc., are also described for external application. Thus ‘Ayurvedic Bhaisajya Kalpanaa’ encompasses a wide range of drug dosage forms which can be used by the health care provider in accordance with the patient requirements.
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