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=== Introduction ===

== Introduction ==

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This chapter is the last one among ''Bheshaja Chatushka'' (group of chapters on therapeutics). Previous second and third chapters dealt with the internal and external cleansing procedures respectively. Present chapter is in continuation of those topics and describes ''vamana'' (therapeutic emesis) and ''virechana'' (therapeutic purgation) based treatment procedures. These preparations - six hundred of them - are also described in the section of [[Kalpa Sthana]] that deals with specific preparations for body cleansing procedures. However, considering the importance of cleansing procedures, they are referred briefly in the present chapter. The main content of this chapter includes fifty classes of five hundred herbs, based upon their selective action on various diseases and biological systems. These classes are called ''mahakashaya'' (classes of drugs with similar activity profile) comprising ten herbs each. These fifty classes are again sub-divided into ten sub-classes starting with ''jeevaniya'' (vitalizers) and ending with ''vayasthapana'' (anti-aging herbs). These fifty ''mahakashaya'' refer to fifty therapeutic indications, for example, ''chhardi nigrahana'' (anti-emetic), ''mutra virechaniya'' (diuretic), ''kasahara'' (antitussive and expectorant), ''shoola prashamana'' (analgesic), etc. The potency of a single drug may vary per the preparation and the indication of preparation depends on the patient’s strength.

This chapter is the last one among ''Bheshaja Chatushka'' (group of chapters on therapeutics). Previous second and third chapters dealt with the internal and external cleansing procedures respectively. Present chapter is in continuation of those topics and describes ''vamana'' (therapeutic emesis) and ''virechana'' (therapeutic purgation) based treatment procedures. These preparations - six hundred of them - are also described in the section of [[Kalpa Sthana]] that deals with specific preparations for body cleansing procedures. However, considering the importance of cleansing procedures, they are referred briefly in the present chapter. The main content of this chapter includes fifty classes of five hundred herbs, based upon their selective action on various diseases and biological systems. These classes are called ''mahakashaya'' (classes of drugs with similar activity profile) comprising ten herbs each. These fifty classes are again sub-divided into ten sub-classes starting with ''jeevaniya'' (vitalizers) and ending with ''vayasthapana'' (anti-aging herbs). These fifty ''mahakashaya'' refer to fifty therapeutic indications, for example, ''chhardi nigrahana'' (anti-emetic), ''mutra virechaniya'' (diuretic), ''kasahara'' (antitussive and expectorant), ''shoola prashamana'' (analgesic), etc. The potency of a single drug may vary per the preparation and the indication of preparation depends on the patient’s strength.

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=== Sanskrit text, transliteration, and English translation ===

== Sanskrit text, transliteration, and English translation ==

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Thus, said Lord Atreya. [1-2]

Thus, said Lord Atreya. [1-2]

==== Brief numerical categories of medicine====

=== Brief numerical categories of medicine===

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Here are six hundred evacuatives, six classes of plant origin, five sources of medicines, five forms of medicine preparation, fifty classes of medicines and list of five hundred medicinal herbs, in brief. [3]

Here are six hundred evacuatives, six classes of plant origin, five sources of medicines, five forms of medicine preparation, fifty classes of medicines and list of five hundred medicinal herbs, in brief. [3]

==== Six hundred formulations of medicinal plants ====

=== Six hundred formulations of medicinal plants ===

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==== Six parts of plants used in formulation ====

=== Six parts of plants used in formulation ===

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The six parts of plants that serve as sources of evacuatives are: latex, root, bark, leaf, flower and fruit. [5]

The six parts of plants that serve as sources of evacuatives are: latex, root, bark, leaf, flower and fruit. [5]

==== Basic tastes for medicinal preparations ====

=== Basic tastes for medicinal preparations ===

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The five basic tastes associated with medicinal preparations mentioned in this compendium are:  sweet, sour, pungent, bitter and astringent. [6]

The five basic tastes associated with medicinal preparations mentioned in this compendium are:  sweet, sour, pungent, bitter and astringent. [6]

==== Five types of medicinal forms ====

=== Five types of medicinal forms ===

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==== Fifty classes of medicines per their activity profile ====

=== Fifty classes of medicines per their activity profile ===

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Thus, fifty classes of medicines have been mentioned for definition and example. Among them, in every class, the ten constituent medicinal herbs will be described further, which will complete the list of five hundred medicinal herbs. [8]

Thus, fifty classes of medicines have been mentioned for definition and example. Among them, in every class, the ten constituent medicinal herbs will be described further, which will complete the list of five hundred medicinal herbs. [8]

====== Group I: Six subgroups of medicines ======

===== Group I: Six subgroups of medicines =====

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====== Group II: Four subgroups of medicines ======

===== Group II: Four subgroups of medicines =====

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====== Group III: Six subgroups of medicines ======

===== Group III: Six subgroups of medicines =====

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====== Group IV: Four subgroups of medicines ======

===== Group IV: Four subgroups of medicines =====

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====== Group V: Seven subgroups of medicines ======

===== Group V: Seven subgroups of medicines =====

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====== Group VI: Three subgroups of medicines ======

===== Group VI: Three subgroups of medicines =====

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====== Group VII: Five subgroups ======

===== Group VII: Five subgroups =====

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====== Group VIII:  Five subgroups of medicines ======

===== Group VIII:  Five subgroups of medicines =====

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====== Group IX: Five subgroups of medicines ======

===== Group IX: Five subgroups of medicines =====

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====== Group X: Five subgroups of medicines ======

===== Group X: Five subgroups of medicines =====

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Thus five hundred medicines grouped in fifty classes have been mentioned alongwith definition and examples. [19]

Thus five hundred medicines grouped in fifty classes have been mentioned alongwith definition and examples. [19]

==== Limitations and guidelines for description in ''Samhita'' ====

=== Limitations and guidelines for description in ''Samhita'' ===

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While Lord Atreya was saying thus, Agnivesha, inquired, “Sir, the number five hundred does not match with regards to medicines (or medicinal herbs) because the same constituents are repeated in these classes of medicines.” [21]

While Lord Atreya was saying thus, Agnivesha, inquired, “Sir, the number five hundred does not match with regards to medicines (or medicinal herbs) because the same constituents are repeated in these classes of medicines.” [21]

==== Importance of knowing synonyms ====

=== Importance of knowing synonyms ===

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==== Summary ====

=== Summary ===

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=== ''Tattva vimarsha'' / Fundamental Principles ===

== Tattva vimarsha (Fundamental Principles) ==

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*Six sources of evacuatives (sourced from plant parts) are latex, root, bark, leaf, flower and fruit. Classification of medicinal herbs has been done on the basis of their specific action. [verse 5]  

*Six sources of evacuatives (sourced from plant parts) are latex, root, bark, leaf, flower and fruit. Classification of medicinal herbs has been done on the basis of their specific action. [verse 5]  

*Five origins of medicines in this compendium are based on their tastes: sweet, sour, pungent, bitter and astringent. These basic tastes can produce various medicine forms. However, the salty taste cannot produce any other medicinal form as it is soluble in water. [verse 6]   

*Five origins of medicines in this compendium are based on their tastes: sweet, sour, pungent, bitter and astringent. These basic tastes can produce various medicine forms. However, the salty taste cannot produce any other medicinal form as it is soluble in water. [verse 6]   

*A drug can be prepared in five forms viz. juices, pastes, decoctions, cold infusions and hot infusions. Fresh juice is more potent/effective than paste; the paste is more potent than decoction; the decoction is more potent than cold infusion; and, cold infusion is more potent than hot infusion. Here, potency refers to active potential of the drug as well as expected bio-availability of the drug inside the body. The dosage of medication is decided depending upon the strength of the patient and the severity of disease. The digestive power of the patient is also an important consideration when deciding the form or mode of administration. If the digestive power of patient is weak, then ''swarasa'' (juice) should be avoided because it is strong and heavy to digest. In that case, one should recommend ''phanta'' (hot infusion). There are many new forms of medicine available these days. However, the basic forms will remain five as described above.  [verse 7]

*A drug can be prepared in five forms viz. juices, pastes, decoctions, cold infusions and hot infusions. Fresh juice is more potent/effective than paste; the paste is more potent than decoction; the decoction is more potent than cold infusion; and, cold infusion is more potent than hot infusion. Here, potency refers to active potential of the drug as well as expected bio-availability of the drug inside the body. The dosage of medication is decided depending upon the strength of the patient and the severity of disease. The digestive power of the patient is also an important consideration when deciding the form or mode of administration. If the digestive power of patient is weak, then ''swarasa'' (juice) should be avoided because it is strong and heavy to digest. In that case, one should recommend ''phanta'' (hot infusion). There are many new forms of medicine available these days. However, the basic forms will remain five as described above.  [verse 7]

*A single medicine can work in different ways and depending upon the properties and modes of interaction with biological systems, may lead to different pharmacological effects. Similarly, different drugs could result in similar patterns to produce a common cumulative pharmacological effect. Therefore, these drugs have been grouped into specific ''mahakashaya'' [verse 22].

*A single medicine can work in different ways and depending upon the properties and modes of interaction with biological systems, may lead to different pharmacological effects. Similarly, different drugs could result in similar patterns to produce a common cumulative pharmacological effect. Therefore, these drugs have been grouped into specific ''mahakashaya''. [verse 22]

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=== ''Vidhi vimarsha'' / Applied Inferences ===

== Vidhi vimarsha (Applied Inferences) ==

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The chapter describes fifty classes of medicines per their selective action on biological systems and their expected pharmacological effects. These medicines are clinically used in various disease conditions and for indicated benefit:

The chapter describes fifty classes of medicines per their selective action on biological systems and their expected pharmacological effects. These medicines are clinically used in various disease conditions and for indicated benefit: