REVIEW OF PRATIVISHA WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO ANTIDOTE IN CONTEMPORARY VIEW

Abstract

Poisoning is a worldwide problem which results in significant morbidity and mortality. For this every science of medicine has its role of treatment modalities for removing poison caused by harmful/poisonous substances. Antidotes are therapeutic agents intended to modify or counteract with the clinical effects of particular toxic substances in the human body. They are used to prevent the absorption of poisons, to enhance their elimination and neutralize their effect. The foundation of Ayurveda is based on eight branches (Astanga Ayurveda) and in those one of the divisions is Agada Tantra (Toxicology). This deals with treatment of dis-ease caused by plant and animal poisonous substance taken in or formed in the body that de-stroys life or impairs health. In Ayurveda we will get in detail explanation of poisoning and its management including Prativisha (Antidotes). Prativisha is indicated in patient who is bitten by snake and so on (Jangama visha) should be administered poisonous roots (vegeta-ble poison) in the form of internal and external application. The person who had consumed Stavara visha (Vegetable poison) should be bitten by snake under supervision of clever phy-sician. Thus poison is best antidote to nullify the effect of poison. In Ayurveda our acharyas clearly mentioned about the different types of poisonous substances and its antidote in visha chikitsa. This paper highlights regarding different types of poisons and its antidotes men-tioned in Samhitas.