SELECTION OF APPROPRIATE DRUGS IN DIFFERENT VYADHIS AS PER BHESHAJAVACHARANIYA

SELECTION OF APPROPRIATE DRUGS IN DIFFERENT VYADHIS AS PER BHESHAJAVACHARANIYA (ASH. SANG. SU. 23)

• The selection of suitable drugs for the treatment of various diseases is a critical principle in Dravyaguna Vijnana.

• This selection is governed by the Bheshajavacharaniya Adhyaya mentioned in Ashtanga Sangraha Sutrasthana Adhyaya 23.

• The correct drug must be chosen after a thorough analysis of the Vyadhi (disease), Rogi (patient), Desha (location), Kala (season and stage of disease) and Dravya Guna (properties of drugs).

• This selection follows Ayurvedic principles, supported by modern pharmacological concepts in contemporary herbology and therapeutics.

SANSKRIT REFERENCE
अशुद्धिर्भेषजस्योक्ता न केवलमनौषधम्।
अविचारात्तदाभ्यासो हन्ति भूयो न पालयेत्॥
(Ashta. Sang. Su. 23/1)

MEANING
Improper drug usage due to lack of proper judgment is harmful and must be avoided. Hence, selection of drug requires careful consideration.

FACTORS TO BE CONSIDERED IN DRUG SELECTION

• ROGI (PATIENT)

  • Prakriti (constitution): Choose Sheeta virya drugs in Pitta prakriti and Ushna virya in Kapha prakriti.

  • Vyadhi bala and Rogi bala: In weak patients, mild drugs should be selected.

  • Satva and Satmya: Consider psychological tolerance and habitual foods.

• ROGA (DISEASE)

  • Dosha involvement:

    • Vata: Choose drugs with Snigdha, Ushna, Madhura properties like Ashwagandha, Eranda.

    • Pitta: Select Sheetala, Tikta, Madhura drugs like Guduchi, Chandana.

    • Kapha: Use Ushna, Tikshna, Katu drugs like Pippali, Shunthi.

  • Srotas involvement: Use drugs that target specific systems e.g., Vasa for respiratory, Punarnava for renal.

SANSKRIT SHLOKA
रोगिणः प्रकृतिं दृष्ट्वा दोषं दोषबलं तथा।
औषधं योग्यं प्रयोग्यं सविस्तरविनिश्चितम्॥
(Ashta. Hr. Su. 1/12)

DESHA (REGION OF THE PATIENT)

• Jangala Desha (dry regions): Use Snigdha and Madhura drugs like Yashtimadhu.

• Anupa Desha (marshy regions): Use Tikta, Katu and Laghu drugs like Triphala.

KALA (TIME & SEASON)

• Ritukala:

  • In Grishma (summer): Use Sheetala and Madhura drugs.

  • In Shishira (winter): Use Ushna and Snigdha drugs.

• Avastha (stage of disease):

  • In acute stage: Use Tikta, Katu and Laghu drugs.

  • In chronic stage: Use Brimhana and Rasayana drugs.

SANSKRIT REFERENCE
देशं कालं बलं शीलं आयुः सत्त्वं प्रकृतिं।
सात्म्यं दोषं च विकारं च लक्षणं च परीक्ष्य वै॥
भिषक् सम्यक् भिषक् श्रेष्ठो भिषक्तम इति स्मृतः॥
(Cha. Su. 9/24)

VYADHI AVASTHA (STAGE OF DISEASE)

• Samprapti (pathogenesis): Identify the stage of dosha involvement.

• In Ama stage: Avoid heavy drugs; prefer Deepana and Pachana like Chitraka, Musta.

• In Nirama stage: Use Shodhana or Rasayana based on the condition.

DRAVYA GUNA VIJNANA (PROPERTIES OF DRUG)

• Rasa (taste):

  • Tikta – Anti-inflammatory, antipyretic

  • Katu – Digestive, fat-burning

  • Madhura – Nutritive, soothing

• Virya (potency):

  • Ushna virya drugs are good for Kapha and Vata disorders.

  • Sheeta virya drugs are good for Pitta disorders.

• Vipaka (post-digestive effect):

  • Madhura Vipaka – Rasayana, anabolic

  • Katu Vipaka – Detoxifying, catabolic

MODERN CORRELATION

• Herbal pharmacology uses drug selection based on active constituents, therapeutic action, bioavailability and disease specificity.

• Example:

  • Curcuma longa (Haridra): Anti-inflammatory in skin and joint disorders.

  • Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha): Adaptogen in stress, rejuvenation.

  • Tinospora cordifolia (Guduchi): Immunomodulator in fevers and auto-immune diseases.

• Clinical pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics help in understanding drug action and appropriate usage in modern medicine.

IMPORTANT EXAMPLES OF DRUG SELECTION BASED ON BHESHAJA VICHARA

• Jwara (fever): Use Guduchi, Musta, Kiratatikta – Tikta rasa, Ushna virya.

• Shvasa (asthma): Use Vasa, Kantakari, Pippali – Katu rasa, Kapha-Vata hara.

• Amlapitta (acid dyspepsia): Use Yashtimadhu, Chandana, Amalaki – Sheeta virya, Pitta hara.

• Kustha (skin diseases): Use Haridra, Manjistha, Khadira – Raktashodhaka, Tikta-Kashaya rasa.

• Mutrakrichra (UTI): Use Punarnava, Gokshura, Varuna – Mutrala, anti-inflammatory.

INTEGRATIVE APPROACH FOR MODERN MEDICAL STUDENTS

• Understanding drug formulations, pharmacognosy, phytochemistry and clinical application in line with Ayurvedic principles.

• Standardization and evidence-based usage of herbal drugs enhances therapeutic outcomes.

• Application of modern diagnostic tools and Ayurvedic assessment aids in rational drug selection.