AN APPROACH TO NARCOTIC DRUGS WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO RASASHASTRA

Abstract

Rasashastra is the branch of Indian alchemy which deals with the pharmaceutical and therapeutic scope of the medicinal products of mercury, other metals, minerals, precious stones, bovine, marine, narcotic, poisonous and various herbs for curing ailments and rejuvination. In the field of Rasashastra, many poisonous drugs have been dealt with. These are classified as Visha and Upavisha. As these drugs produce the action of Mada (intoxication) and possess the guna of Madaka dravya like agneya, vyavayi, vikasi, sukshma, these can also be considered as Madakari. This paper attempts to understand the Karmukata of Narcotic Drugs along with Rasa Dravyas, and how these formulations act on Target organs with minimal dose.