CONCEPTUAL ANALYSIS OF RAJA AS UPADHATU W.S.R. TO ARTAVA-KSHAYA AND APPLICATION OF SATAPUSPA AND SATAVARI

Abstract

Artava which in real sense gives special identity to females as a creator in nature. The word Artava has got two meanings; one of them is Antah Pushpa and another one is Bahir Pushpa. Both Antah and Bahir Pushpa are interrelated. Bahir Pushpa is resultant manifestation of appropriate work of Antah Pushpa which is required for conception.  Artavakshaya is not separately described as disease anywhere in Ayurvedic classics but this symptom is taken here as a disease entity because Acharya Charaka has quoted in Nidana Sthana that - ‘one symptom of a disease itself can also be considered as a separate disease entity. The symptoms of Artavakshaya are Yathochit kala adarshan,Alpata,Yonivedana. Normal Artava-darshan happens with normalcy of Agni & Vayu. Artava is Agneya Guna Yukta so according to Sushrut same ‘Guna Yukta Aushadhi’ is very helpful for treatment purpose. Shatapushpa is Ushna veerya, Vata- Kapha shamak, Anulomak, Deepan pachan; and Shatavari is ‘Sheet veerya, Madhura- Tikta in Rasa. It is also ‘Garbhashaya Balyakar and acts as ‘Dhatu Prasadan. ‘Tikta rasa’, helps in alleviating ‘Sukshma srotorodha’ (Obstruction in micro channels) condition as well. Kashyapa has mentioned a chapter on these two drugs named as ‘Satapuspa-Satavari kalpa’ and emphasized on effective use of single drug therapy in complicated cases of menstrual irregularities in different forms of preparations with different Anupana also. Highly effective therapy with a very low cost and absolutly free of unwanted side effects makes such concepts stand tall even today providing the best solution for women in ‘Artavkshyaya’