Changes

=== Introduction ===

=== Introduction ===

The first six chapters of this section dealt with preparations used for ''Vamana Karma'' (therapeutic emesis). The preparations aimed at ''Virechana Karma'' (therapeutic purgation) begin with this chapter and are extended in five more chapters. ''Trivrita'' is considered the best as it causes very little side effects and less spasmodic pain during the process of purgation,, that is the reason many recipes of this drug are being described.

The first six chapters of this section dealt with preparations used for ''Vamana Karma'' (therapeutic emesis). The preparations aimed at ''Virechana Karma'' (therapeutic purgation) begin with this chapter and are extended in five more chapters. ''Trivrita'' is considered the best as it causes very little side effects and less spasmodic pain during the process of purgation, that is the reason many recipes of this drug are being described.

The action of ''Virechana'' drugs known as laxatives or purgatives or cathartics varies depending upon the drug used.  The different varieties of drugs used in modern medicine act according to their structure and chemical composition.  The latency and effect of all laxatives vary with dosage.  In sufficiently high dosage, many laxatives promote catharsis, which implies purgation with more fluid evacuation. Generally many of the drugs used in [[Ayurveda]] for catharsis or laxative action are stimulant laxatives. These drugs stimulate accumulation of water and electrolytes in the colonic lumen and they also enhance intestinal motility.  Anthraquinones that are present in many of the Ayurvedic drugs like ''Haritaki, Aragvadha'' or ''Trivrita'' exert their action similarly. They reduce net absorption of electrolytes and water and also increase the permeability of the mucosa, possibly by making tight junctions leaky. This persistent action allows fats to secrete through the intestinal mucosa there by reducing the overall levels of triglycerides in the body. Many of the laxatives of this type increase the synthesis of prostaglandins and this action may contribute to increased secretion of water and electrolytes and is a factor for the spasmodic pain during the process of catharsis. In the present chapter, purgative preparations of ''Trivrita'' are described.

The action of ''Virechana'' drugs known as laxatives or purgatives or cathartics varies depending upon the drug used.  The different varieties of drugs used in modern medicine act according to their structure and chemical composition.  The latency and effect of all laxatives vary with dosage.  In sufficiently high dosage, many laxatives promote catharsis, which implies purgation with more fluid evacuation. Generally many of the drugs used in [[Ayurveda]] for catharsis or laxative action are stimulant laxatives. These drugs stimulate accumulation of water and electrolytes in the colonic lumen and they also enhance intestinal motility.  Anthraquinones that are present in many of the Ayurvedic drugs like ''Haritaki, Aragvadha'' or ''Trivrita'' exert their action similarly. They reduce net absorption of electrolytes and water and also increase the permeability of the mucosa, possibly by making tight junctions leaky. This persistent action allows fats to secrete through the intestinal mucosa there by reducing the overall levels of triglycerides in the body. Many of the laxatives of this type increase the synthesis of prostaglandins and this action may contribute to increased secretion of water and electrolytes and is a factor for the spasmodic pain during the process of catharsis. In the present chapter, purgative preparations of ''Trivrita'' are described.