AMAYIKAPRAYOGA IN DISEASES ACCORDING TO SROTAS AND VYADHI AVASTHA

AMAYIKAPRAYOGA IN DISEASES ACCORDING TO SROTAS AND VYADHI AVASTHA

• Amayikaprayoga refers to disease-specific or condition-specific medicinal application of a drug depending upon the Srotas (body systems) involved and the stage of disease (Vyadhiavastha).

• It is a clinical application strategy to tailor drug usage considering dosha, dushya, kala, bala, prakriti, and srotasa.

• The term is derived from “Amaya” (disease) + “Prayoga” (application/use).

• This approach highlights the pragmatic and rational use of drugs in different stages and forms of a disease for maximum efficacy and minimum adverse effects.

CLASSICAL BASIS OF AMAYIKAPRAYOGA

• Referenced in Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita, and Ashtanga Hridaya as Vyadhipratyanika Chikitsa.

• The principle aligns with the dictum:
  "सर्वं द्रव्यं प्रयोज्यं यथास्वं युक्तितः शुभम्।
  न तु सर्वत्र सर्वं स्यात् सदा सर्वेण वा पुनः॥"
  (Cha. Su. 1/121)
  Translation: Every drug should be used judiciously depending on the condition; not every drug is suitable in every context.

IMPORTANCE OF SROTAS-WISE APPLICATION

• Each srotas system corresponds to a specific group of disorders, and the drug choice depends on:

  • Dominant dosha

  • Srotodusti (pathological changes in channels)

  • Srotogata vyadhi (diseases of that srotas)

  • Disease stage (Ama, Pachyamana, Nirama, Saama-Nirama)

  • Bala of patient and disease

ANNAVAHASROTAS (GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT)

• In Agnimandya, Ajirna, Amlapitta, drugs with Deepana, Pachana, Vatanulomana properties are used.

• Example Drugs: Shunthi, Pippali, Chitraka, Musta

• Sanskrit Reference:
  "अम्लपित्ते तु दीप्यन्ते लघ्वण्यानि कषायिणः।
  शुण्ठीचित्रकमुष्टाद्याः सन्त्यग्न्युत्तेजकाः शुभाः॥"
  (As. Hr. Chi. 8/24)

• Modern Correlation: Use of Zingiber officinale (Ginger) and Piper longum (Long pepper) in dyspepsia, acid reflux, IBS.

RASAVAHASROTAS (PLASMA CIRCULATION AND IMMUNOLOGICAL SYSTEM)

• In Jwara, Sannipata, Vishama Jwara – use of Laghu, Sheetala, Tikta drugs

• Example Drugs: Kiratatikta, Guduchi, Musta

• Sanskrit Reference:
  "ज्वरे तिक्तं कषायं च कडु वातहरं लघु।
  हित्वा तैलं गुरु स्निग्धं सान्द्रं चाम्लं च सेवितम्॥"
  (Cha. Chi. 3/196)

• Modern Use: Tinospora cordifolia (Guduchi) – antipyretic, immunomodulatory in fever and infection.

RAKTAVAHASROTAS (CIRCULATORY SYSTEM)

• In Raktapitta, Twakvikara, Vatarakta, cooling and blood-purifying herbs are used.

• Example Drugs: Manjistha, Sariva, Usheera

• Sanskrit Reference:
  "रक्तपित्ते तु तिक्तानि शीतलानि कषायिणः।
  रक्तशोधनद्रव्याणि प्रशस्तानि विशेषतः॥"
  (Su. Chi. 11/18)

• Modern Insight: Rubia cordifolia (Manjistha) has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties; Hemidesmus indicus used in eczema and gout.

MAJJAVAHASROTAS (NERVOUS SYSTEM)

• In Pakshaghaata, Apasmara, Unmada, drugs with Medhya, Balya, Vatahara action are used.

• Example Drugs: Ashwagandha, Brahmi, Shankhapushpi

• Sanskrit Reference:
  "मद्याश्वगन्धाबलया चूर्णानि स्मृतिवर्धनम्।
  वाते चोरस्यशूले च शुभानि स्मृतिभेषजम्॥"
  (Cha. Chi. 10/19)

• Modern Correlation: Withania somnifera improves neuroplasticity; Bacopa monnieri proven to enhance memory and cognitive performance.

SHUKRAVAHASROTAS (REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM)

• In Shukrakshaya, Vandhyatva, Premature ejaculation, aphrodisiacs and rasayana drugs used

• Example Drugs: Gokshura, Kapikacchu, Shatavari

• Sanskrit Reference:
  "वीर्ये बल्यं रसायनं शुक्रदोषहरं परम्।
  कपिकच्छु शतावारी गोक्षुरश्च विशेषतः॥"
  (As. Hr. Utt. 40/52)

• Modern Insight: Mucuna pruriens supports spermatogenesis; Tribulus terrestris improves androgen levels and sperm count.

MUTRAVAHASROTAS (URINARY SYSTEM)

• In Mutrakrichra, Ashmari, Prameha, diuretic, anti-inflammatory herbs are used

• Example Drugs: Gokshura, Punarnava, Varuna

• Sanskrit Reference:
  "गोक्षुरः पुनर्नवायास्तु प्रशस्ता मूत्रकृच्छ्रिणाम्।
  अश्मरीनाशनं श्रेष्ठं वरुणं च निगद्यते॥"
  (Su. Chi. 7/15)

• Modern Correlation: Boerhavia diffusa has shown efficacy in nephrotic syndrome; Crataeva nurvala effective in kidney stones.

STAGES OF VYADHI (VYADHI AVASTHA) AND DRUG USE

• AMA AVASTHA: Avoid Snigdha, heavy drugs. Use Pachana, Deepana herbs

  • Example: Shunthi, Pippali, Trikatu

  • Indicated in: Jwara, Ajeerna, Ama Vata

• PACHYAMANA AVASTHA: Supportive herbs that help Agni and detoxification

  • Example: Guduchi, Musta, Chitraka

  • Indicated in: Madhumeha, Visarpa

• NIRAMA AVASTHA: Use nourishing and rasayana herbs

  • Example: Ashwagandha, Shatavari, Bala

  • Indicated in: Chronic Vata vyadhi, Cachexia, Post-jwara

• SAAMA-NIRAAMA SANDHI: Use combined action herbs like Musta, Haritaki

  • Balanced use of Deepana and Rasayana

  • Indicated in intermittent fevers, autoimmune conditions

MODERN HERBOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE

• Standardization and Bioavailability: Herbs used for Amayikaprayoga today are often standardized to active components

  • Curcumin in Haridra

  • Withanolides in Ashwagandha

  • Bacosides in Brahmi

• Clinical Evidence and Trials:

  • Guduchi in fevers: found effective in dengue and viral fevers

  • Punarnava in edema and nephrotic syndrome

  • Shatavari in hormonal imbalance and PCOS

• Formulation Adaptation: Single drug use or Yogas like:

  • Triphala churna in Rasavaha Srotodushti

  • Dashamoola kwatha in Vata-vyadhi

  • Chandraprabha vati in Prameha and Mutraghata