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== More information ==
The word ‘pachana’ literally means digestion, cooking, boiling, baking, softening.<ref>Monier-Williams, Monier-Williams Sanskrit- English Dictionary, 1st edition; Oxford University Press, pacana, Page 614.</ref> In medical treatments, it denotes digestion or promoting digestion. It is an important treatment for indigestion. It is intended to remove undigested food/toxins ([[ama]]) from the body and is a prerequisite before purificatory therapies. It is prescribed for the pacification of [[dosha]] in the treatment of mild diseases. [A.Hr. Sutra Sthana 14/06]<ref name= Hridaya > Vagbhata. Ashtanga Hridayam. Edited by Harishastri Paradkar Vaidya. 1st ed. Varanasi: Krishnadas Academy;2000.</ref>
{{Infobox
|title = Contributors
|label1 = Section/Chapter/topic
|data1 = [[Chikitsa]] / [[Pachana]]
|label2 = Authors
|data2 =Aneesh E.G., Deole Yogesh S.
|label3 = Reviewed and Edited by
|data3 = Basisht G.
|label4 = Affiliations
|data4 = [[Charak Samhita Research, Training and Development Centre]], I.T.R.A., Jamnagar, India,
|label5 = Correspondence email:
|data5 = carakasamhita@gmail.com
|label6 = Date of first publication:
|data6 = April 28, 2021
|label7 = DOI
|data7 = Awaited
}}
<div style='text-align:justify;'>
==Etymology and derivation==
The word pachana is derived from the root ‘pach’ with ‘nich’ and ‘lyut’ suffix. [Shabdakalpadruma]
==Definition==
The diet or medicine or process which leads to digestion of undigested food/toxic metabolic products ([[ama]]) is known as ‘pachana’. This process does not increase or stimulate digestive capacity ([[agni]]) at the primary level. [Sha.Purvakhanda 04/01]<ref name= Shargadara> Sharangadhara. Sharangadhara Samhita. Translated from Sanskrit by K.R. Srikantha Murthy. Reprint ed. Varanasi: Chaukhambha orientalia;2016.</ref> Thus, pachana occurs at the sites of accumulation of metabolic toxin or undigested food products.
==Synonyms==
Pachana, paka, vipachana
==Contextual meanings==
Additionally, the word ‘pachana’ denotes suppuration. It is a treatment of inflammatory swellings (shopha) and wounds (vrana). Local applications and internal medicines are given to expedite suppuration.
==Methods==
Pachana treatment is administered in two methods:
#Internal administration
#External application
===Internal administration===
The food items or medicines are given internally.
===External application===
The pachana medicine is applied externally in the form of poultice [Su.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 20/52]<ref name= Susruta> Sushruta. Sushruta Samhita. Edited by Jadavaji Trikamji Aacharya. 8th ed. Varanasi: Chaukhambha Orientalia;2005.</ref>, topical applications etc. E.g.application of alkali (kshara) over inflammatory swelling (vranashopha) for suppuration. [Su.Sa.SutraSthana 11/05]<ref name=Susruta/>
==Properties==
The food or medicine or therapy having pachana effect possess hot potency [Su.Sa.SutraSthana 46/515]<ref name=Susruta/> and dryness property (ruksha guna). [Adhamalla on Sha.Purvakhanda 04/01]<ref name=Shargadara/>
The following table lists some examples for pachana food and medicines.
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Table 1: Food and medicines for pachana
|-
! Medicines !! Food items
|-
| | Nagakeshara (Mesua ferrea) [Sha.Pu.04/01] || Curd, buttermilk, vinegar [Su.Sa. ChikitsaSthana 1/25]
|-
| | Haritaki (Terminalia chebula) [A.H Sutra Sthana 6/153] || Citrus fruit (jambeera) [Cha.Sa.[[Sutra Sthana]] 27/167],
|-
| | Musta (Cyperus rotundus) [A.S.Sutrasthana 12/38] || Jagala (a variety of wine) [Cha.Sa.[[Sutra Sthana]] 27/181],
|-
| | Pippalyadigana [Su.Sa.SutraSthana 38/23] || Asafoetida (hingu) [Cha.Sa.[[Sutra Sthana]] 27/299],
|-
| | Vachadigana[Su.Sa.SutraSthana 38/26] || Oil [Su.Sa.SutraSthana 45/112],
|-
| | Haridradigana[Su.Sa.SutraSthana 38/27] || Scum of gruel prepared with fried paddy (lajamanda)[Su.Sa.SutraSthana 46/340]
|-
| | Mustadigana [Su.Sa.SutraSthana 38/54-55] ||
|-
|}
'''Time of administration:'''The medicines for pachana effect shall be administered before and after food (samudgam). [A.S Sutra Sthana 23/20]<ref name= Sangraha> Vridha Vagbhata, Ashtanga Sangraha. Edited by Shivaprasad Sharma. 3rd ed. Varanasi: Chaukhamba sanskrit series office;2012.</ref>
'''Taste (rasa) with pachana property:''' Salt (lavana), bitter (tikta) [Cha.Sa.[[Sutra Sthana]] 26/43], sour (amla) [A.Hr. Sutra Sthana 10/10]<ref name=Hridaya/>, spicy (katu). [A.Hr.Sutra Sthana 10/17]<ref name=Hridaya/>
==General indications for pachana==
*Aggravation of [[kapha]] and [[pitta]][[dosha]]
*Moderate severity of diseases and aggravation of [[dosha]] [Cha.Sa.[[Sutra Sthana]] 22/20]
*In case of spread of [[ama]] all over the body [Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 15/75]
*In persons with moderate strength
*If [[ama]] state prevails during the administration of therapeutic enema ([[basti]])[Cha.Sa.[[Siddhi Sthana]] 8/44]
==Importance of pachana==
The undigested food or metabolic waste products ([[ama]]) produce toxic effects on the body. [A.Hr. Sutra Sthana 8/14]<ref name=Hridaya/> It is essential to remove these products and clear body channels for their smooth functioning. However, the purification treatments cannot be performed in the state when the toxins are stuck to the body tissues. . They can lead to untoward effects on body tissues in this stage. It is similar to extracting juice from a raw fruit that destroys the fruit without producing any outcome. The raw state shall be transformed to ripened state to produce juice. Pachana therapy expedites metabolism and transformation of raw state (undigested food or toxic metabolite). The toxins can be either detoxified or freely expelled out from the body after pachana treatment.
===Importance of pachana as treatment modality===
*Pachana is one of the four techniques to stop bleeding.[Su.Sa.Sutra Sthana 14/39]<ref name=Susruta/> The powders are applied at the bleeding site to stop it.Example. Nagakeshara (Mesua ferrea), turmeric powders are applied to stop bleeding hemorrhoids.
*It is one of the methods to remove the moving foreign body or undigested toxic product. [Su.Sa.Sutra Sthana 27/04]<ref name=Susruta/>. The pachana treatment is done to detach it from body tissues and remove it.
*It is one of the eight kinds of treatments advocated for inflammatory swelling (vranasopha).[Su.Sa.Sutra Sthana 37/9]<ref name=Susruta/>
*It is one among the 60 methods of treatment of wounds. [Su.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 1/8]<ref name=Susruta/>
*It is one among ten types of topical applications (alepa). [A.S. Uttara Sthana 30/08]<ref name=Sangraha/>
===Importance in management of disease===
*Pachana is prescribed as the first line of treatment in moderate conditions of diseases like vomiting, diarrhea, heart disease, acute intestinal irritation, intestinal sluggishness, fever, constipation, heaviness of body, eructation, nausea, anorexia.[Cha.Sa.[[Sutra Sthana]] 22/21]
*Hot water is given for pachana purpose in [[jwara]] (fever) due to indigestion. [Cha.Sa.[[Vimana Sthana]] 3/40]
*The medicated water with pachana properties is prescribed to pacify morbid thirst in [[jwara]]. [Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 3/144]
*The decoctions with pachana property are prescribed after initial phase of [[jwara]]. [Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 3/160]
*Pachana is first line of treatment in [[kapha]] dominant intermittent fever(vishamajwara).[Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 3/295]
*Pachana medicines are used to treat distaste in the mouth and improve appetite [Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 8/36].
*In the treatment of wasting diseases (rajayakshama), pachana medicines are given to improve digestion in persons with weak digestive capacity. [Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 11/84]
*For the treatment of swelling associated with toxic waste products ([[ama]]), pachana medicines should be administered followed by purification treatment. [Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 12/17]
*If the glandular erysipelas is not responding to any other treatment, then suppuration of the lump is attained by external applications of pachana medciines . After attaining suppuration, both internal and external purification should be done. [Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 21/135]
*In diarrhea with predominance of [[kapha]][[dosha]],pachana should be administered in the initial stage. [Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 19/102]
*In the treatment of hemorrhoids, the recipes for pachana are given. [Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 14/65]
*In the treatment of [[kapha]] dominant alcoholism, pachana is advocated. [Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 24/167]
*In ulcers with [[kapha]] dominance, external and internal administration of pachana medicines is prescribed. [Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 25/16]
*Pachana is an essential treatment in the initial stage of diseases due to vitiation of [[vata]] (vatavyadhi) associated with undigested food or metabolic waste ([[ama]]). [A.Hr Chikitsa Sthana 22/50]<ref name=Hridaya/>
*Debilitated patients of [[vata]] disorders should be given evacuative enema followed by food mixed with pachana medicines. Therapeutic purgation is contraindicated in these patients. [Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 28/87]
*If vitiated [[vata]][[dosha]] is accumulated in the alimentary tract (kostha) or if it is occluded by excess food, pachan is given first. [Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 28/90] [Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 28/196]
*Pachana is treatment for bloating of upper abdomen (anaha) due to undigested food ([[ama]]). [Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 26/26]
===Prerequisite before purification treatments===
Pachana therapy detaches the undigested [[dosha]] from its site. It allows free movement towards the alimentary tract (koshta).[A.Hr. Sutra Sthana 13/18]<ref name=Hridaya/> Thus, it ensures completed purification of vitiated [[dosha]] and lessens chances of recurrence of the disease. Therefore, pachana is a prerequisite before purification treatments. [A.Hr Sutra Sthana 13/29]<ref name=Hridaya/>
===Management of complications of therapy===
*In therapeutic enema, if the enema medicine is obstructed due to presence of food in gut, then pachana should be prescribed. [Cha.Sa.[[Sddhi Sthana]] 4/35]
*The complications like a fissure in ano (parikartika), fatigue due to improper purification therapies are treated by pachana medicines. [Cha.Sa.[[Siddhia Sthana]] 6/63][Cha.Sa.[[Siddhi Sthana]] 6/93]
==Precautions==
There are higher chances of recurrence of disease after pachana treatment as compared to purification treatment.[Cha.Sa.[[Sutra Sthana]] 16/20]
==Current researches and contemporary views==
Food and medicines with pachana effect may work on primary and secondary metabolism at organic and cellular levels. The primary metabolic and biochemical process might be expedited due to pachana.
In experimental studies, the food conversion ratio is used to assess the pachana activity of medicines objectively. It is calculated as the food consumed in gram percentage (gm%) by dividing fecal matter in gm% passed on the same day. Improved metabolism leads to an increase in the nutritional part (sarabhaga) and a subsequent decrease in waste products (kittabhaga). So, pachana can result in higher food conversion ratio. In a study to compare the pachana activity of shyonaka (Oroxylum indicum) and its substituent aralu (Ailanthus excelsa), shyonaka showed more pachana activity.<ref>Makwana AJ, Patel BR et al. Comparative pharmacological evaluation of shyonaka (Oroxylum indicum Vent.) and Aralu (Ailanthus excels Roxb.) W.S.R to its deepana pachana activity. International Ayurvedic Medical journal (2015) Voulme 3, issue 4 Available from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/282847910_Comparative_pharmacological_evaluation_of_Shyonaka_Oroxylum_indicum_vent_And_Aralu_Ailanthus_excels_roxb_Wsrto_its_Deepana_pachana_activity</ref>
In another study to compare the efficacy of fasting (upavasa) and fasting with pachana in patients with low digestion capacity, the fasting with pachana group showed better results.<ref>Ami Rajani, Mahesh K Vyas, Hitesh A Vyas. Comparative study of Upavasa and Upavasa with Pachana in
the management of Agnisada. AYU. 2010 DOI: 10.4103/0974-8520.77166</ref>
Some researchers used the word digestants to denote medicines with pachana effect. Papain is a proteolytic enzyme obtained from raw papaya is used as digestants. Pachana drugs are chiefly used to manage indigestion. Bitter (tikta) taste is mainly found with the drugs having pachana effect.<ref>Hemang.N. Joshi, K. Nishteswar, P.P.Sharma et al. Ayurvedic Pharmacological Principles of Deepana (Stomachic) and Pachana (Digestant) Drugs.The global journal of pharmaceutical research. 2012 Sep; Vol 1 (4) Available from https://scholar.google.co.in/scholar?hl=en&as_sdt=0%2C5&q=Ayurvedic+Pharmacological+Principles+of+Deepana+%28Stomachic%29+and+Pachana+%28Digestant%29+Drugs&btnG=</ref> More research is needed to study the exact mechanism of action of pachana.
==List of thesis done==
#Jaidev Gehija (2018): Efficacy of Paushtika biscuit with and without deepana pacahana in the management of karshya (Malnutrition) – An open labeled, randomized, comparative clinical trial. Department of KaumaraBhritya, IPGT&RA, Jamnagar
==More information==
[[Langhanabrimhaniya Adhyaya]]
== Abbreviations ==
Cha. = Charak, Su. = Sushruta, A. = Ashtanga, S. = Sangraha, Hr. = Hridayam, Sha = Sharangadara, Sa. = Samhita.
== List of references ==
The list of references for pachana in Charak Samhita can be seen [[Media:List_of_references_for_word_pachana_in_charaka-converted.pdf|here]]
==References==
</div>
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