VIKASHI KARMA

VIKĀŚĪ KARMA

• Vikāśī is a specific karma (action) attributed to certain dravya (substances) in Ayurveda.

• It is a viśeṣa karma (special action) that induces expansion, loosening, and dispersion in the body.

• This action plays a vital role in understanding drug effects, especially in samprāpti (pathogenesis) and cikitsā (treatment).

MEANING OF VIKĀŚĪ

• The term Vikāśī is derived from the root "vi + kāś", which means to expand or spread out.

• It refers to a substance that causes spreading or loosening of body tissues or channels (srotas).

CHARACTERISTICS OF VIKĀŚĪ DRAVYAS

• Cause śithilīkaraṇa (loosening) of dhātus (tissues) and srotas (channels).

• Promote movement or dispersion of accumulated substances.

• Induce vyāvāyi (spreading action throughout the body before digestion).

• May cause gurutva hāni (lightness) and decrease in compactness of body structures.

GUṆAS (QUALITIES) OF VIKĀŚĪ DRAVYAS

• Usually possess the following guṇas:

  • Sūkṣma (subtle) – Can penetrate deep into srotas.

  • Vyāvāyī (spreading) – Circulates quickly throughout the body.

  • Rūkṣa (dry) and Laghu (light) – Reduce kapha and meda.

  • Tikṣṇa (sharp) – Helps in breaking obstructions.

  • Viśada (non-slimy) – Helps in removing stickiness and clearing channels.

SANSKRIT ŚLOKA (FROM CARAKA SAṂHITĀ, SŪTRASTHĀNA 26/43):

• Meaning:

  • Vikāśī dravyas loosen the compactness of all dhātus, especially aggravate vāta due to their light and subtle nature.

EFFECT OF VIKĀŚĪ KARMA ON DOṢAS

• Primarily increases vāta doṣa.

• Can also reduce kapha due to its rūkṣa and viśada properties.

• Pitta is generally not directly aggravated, but may get disturbed secondarily due to vāta provocation.

EFFECT OF VIKĀŚĪ KARMA ON DHĀTUS AND SROTAS

• Causes loosening or disintegration of māṃsa, meda, and other dhātus.

• Leads to śithilatā (flaccidity) of tissues.

• Opens up srotas, facilitating movement of vitiated doṣas and āma.

• Used in preparatory procedures like snehapāna and pācana to clear channels.

CLINICAL USES OF VIKĀŚĪ DRAVYAS

• Helpful in:

  • Srotoshodhana (channel cleansing).

  • Āma viṣleṣaṇa – Separation and movement of toxins.

  • Ārambha of śodhana therapy – Prepares the body for vamana/virecana.

  • Sthoulya (obesity) – Reduces compactness and loosen accumulated fat.

  • Ādhmāna (abdominal distension) – Removes gas and obstructions.

EXAMPLES OF VIKĀŚĪ DRAVYAS

• Lakṣa (Laccifer lacca)

  • Rasa: Kaṣāya, Madhura

  • Karma: Vikāśī, Rūkṣa

  • Used in wound healing, but causes dhātu śithilatā if overused.

• Guggulu (Commiphora mukul)

  • Rasa: Kaṭu, Tikta

  • Karma: Vikāśī, Lekhana, Srotoshodhaka

  • Commonly used in arthritis, medoroga, and āma vāt.

• Harītakī (Terminalia chebula)

  • Rasa: All except lavaṇa

  • Karma: Vikāśī, Rechana, Deepana

  • Helps in constipation, āma viyoga, and vāta anulomana.

• Śilājatu (Asphaltum)

  • Karma: Yogavāhī, Vikāśī, Rasa dhātu vardhaka

  • Acts deeply on srotas, improves tissue metabolism.

UNFAVORABLE EFFECTS OF VIKĀŚĪ KARMA (IF USED INEXCESSIVELY)

• Dhātu kṣaya (depletion of tissues) due to excessive loosening.

• Bala hāni (loss of strength) and śarīra śithilatā (body flaccidity).

• Can lead to vāta prakopa and neuromuscular weakness.

• Not suitable for weak, emaciated, or vāta-prakṛti individuals.

SPECIAL NOTES FOR BAMS STUDENTS

• Always correlate Vikāśī karma with guṇas like vyāvāyī, sūkṣma, tikṣṇa, rūkṣa, and viśada.

• Understand the role of Vikāśī karma in panchakarma preparations and in treating conditions like āma, sthoulya, medoroga.

• Be cautious while prescribing Vikāśī dravyas in patients with vāta predominance or dhātukṣaya.