PHARMACEUTICAL STUDY OF TIKTA GHRITA CONSTITUTING VATA SHODHANA GANA OF VAGBHATA

Abstract

Ayurveda explains health as equilibrium of the Dhatus "Dhatu Samyam Arogata". Among the Dhatus, Asthi (bones and its appendages) performs the function of Shareera Dharana (holding the body). Any derangement in Asthi results in disease. Asthi Kshaya (loss of bony tissues) is a condition in which there is Kshaya of the Asthi Dhatu. Number of diseases pertains to asthi dhatu kshaya like frangibility of joints and articulations, katighraha (lumbar spondylosis), osteroporosis etc. According to the principle of Ashrayaashrayee Bhava (theory of correlation between dosha and its seat), when Vata increases Asthi decreases because, both are inversely proportional to each other. According to Acharya Charaka and Vagbhata, Asthi Dhatu Dushti should be corrected by using Tikta Dravya Ghrita and Ksheera (ghrita and milk prepared of Bitter taste drugs). Acharya Vagbhata has mentioned Vata Shodhana dravyas (drugs pacifying vata) in sutra sthana. Here an attempt is made to prepare Tikta ghrita by selecting tikta rasa drugs from the Vatashodhana ganas of Acharya Vagbhata- Bhadradarvadi, Virataradi, Vidaryadi.