Saptalashankhini Kalpa Adhyaya
| Section/Chapter | Kalpa Sthana Chapter 11 |
|---|---|
| Preceding Chapter | Sudha Kalpa Adhyaya |
| Succeeding Chapter | Dantidravanti Kalpa Adhyaya |
| Other Sections | Sutra Sthana, Nidana Sthana, Vimana Sthana, Sharira Sthana, Indriya Sthana, Chikitsa Sthana, Siddhi Sthana |
Kalpa Sthana Chapter 11, Chapter on pharmaceutical preparations of Saptala and Shankhini
Abstract
In this chapter several formulations of saptala (Euphorbia pilosa) and shankhini (Euphorbia dracanculoides) for shodhana (purification) are described. Sixteen formulations with different drugs are indicated for use in combination with saptala and shankhini.
Keywords: Saptala (Euphorbia pilosa), Shankhini (Euphorbia dracanculoides), Virechana (therapeutic purgation).
Introduction
Two drugs named saptala (Euphorbia pilosa) and shankhini (Euphorbia dracanculoides) are mainly effective to eliminate the dosha through virechana (therapeutic purgation). Virechana dravya are predominant in prithvi and jala mahabhuta having sthira(steady) and guru(heavy) properties respectively and propel contents down while being digested.3 (Su.Ci 33/34).
Out of 600 formulations, 39 formulations are for virechana and rest are for vamana. Saptala and shankhini have purgative effect, and are included in shodhana kashaya (group of purification medicines)4.
Saptala and shankhini are described together, because of their botanical similarity. Saptala or charmasahva has leathery and frothy appearance due to the presence of latex. Shankhini is called tiktala also, because of its bitter property (tikta rasa dravya) is good to pacify pitta by virechana karma.
For the assessment of their useful part, saptala is mulini6 whose useful part is root. Shankhini is phalini 7 whose useful part is fruit. Shankhini also has bhedana property for use in virechana. Several other drugs mentioned are used in different formulations with saptala and shankhini to provide synergistic effect and to overcome adverse effects which may occur by these two drugs because of its vikasi, tikshna and ruksha guna.
Botanical description-
Shankhini is described in Wealth of India 11 as Euphorbia dracunculoides Lam. It has many branches annual, 12-18 in. High, with sessile, linear lanceolate leaves; capsules 3-4mm. in diameter containing ellipsoid seeds, 3mm. long. It is found practically throughout India in the plains and on low hills.
Sanskrit Text, Transliteration with English Translation
अथातः सप्तलाशङ्खिनीकल्पं व्याख्यास्यामः||१||
इति ह स्माह भगवानात्रेयः||२||
athātaḥ saptalāśaṅkhinīkalpaṁ vyākhyāsyāmaḥ||1||
iti ha smāha bhagavānātrēyaḥ||2||
athAtaH saptalAsha~gkhinIkalpaM vyAkhyAsyAmaH||1||
iti ha smAha bhagavAnAtreyaH||2||
Now we shall expound the different kalpa (Therapeutic formulations) of Saptala and Shankhini. Thus said Lord Atreya. [1-2]
Synonyms
सप्तला चर्मसाह्वा च बहुफेनरसा च सा|
शङ्खिनी तिक्तला चैव यवतिक्ताऽक्षि(क्ष)पीडकः||३||
-saptalā carmasāhvā ca bahuphēnarasā ca sā|
śaṅkhinī tiktalā caiva yavatiktā'kṣi(kṣa)pīḍakaḥ||3||
saptalA carmasAhvA ca bahuphenarasA ca sA|
sha~gkhinI tiktalA caiva yavatiktA~akShi(kSha)pIDakaH||3||
Saptala is described along with two other names like charmasahva and bahuphenarasa. Shankhini is described with other synonyms like tiktala, yavatikta, and akshipidaka. [3]
Therapeutic indications
ते गुल्मगरहृद्रोगकुष्ठशोफोदरादिषु|
विकासितीक्ष्णरूक्षत्वाद्योज्ये श्लेष्माधिकेषु तु||४||
tē gulmagarahr̥drōgakuṣṭhaśōphōdarādiṣu|
vikāsitīkṣṇarūkṣatvādyōjyē ślēṣmādhikēṣu tu||4||
te gulmagarahRudrogakuShThashophodarAdiShu|
vikAsitIkShNarUkShatvAdyojye shleShmAdhikeShu tu||4||
These two are indicated in management of gulma (abdominal lump), gara (slow poisoning), hridroga (any cardiac related problem), kushtha (skin diseases), shopha ( inflammatory condition), udara (abdominal diseases including ascitis) and excess aggravation of kapha dosha due to the presence of property like vikasi (by spreading in the body, tissues produces lassitude including joints), tikshna ( a property which exerts immediate, strong and sharp effect), ruksha (which produces dryness, roughness and hardness). [4]
Method of collection
नातिशुष्कं फलं ग्राह्यं शङ्खिन्या निस्तुषीकृतम्|
सप्तलायाश्च मूलानि गृहीत्वा भाजने क्षिपेत्||५||
nātiśuṣkaṁ phalaṁ grāhyaṁ śaṅkhinyā nistuṣīkr̥tam|
saptalāyāśca mūlāni gr̥hītvā bhājanē kṣipēt||5||
nAtishuShkaM phalaM grAhyaM sha~gkhinyA nistuShIkRutam|
saptalAyAshca mUlAni gRuhItvA bhAjane kShipet||5||
Shankhini fruits that are not too dry should be taken after removing husk. Root of saptala should be taken and preserved in a vessel. [5]
Preparation in kapha-vata dominant cardiac disorder and gulma
अक्षमात्रं तयोः पिण्डं प्रसन्नालवणायुतम्|
हृद्रोगे कफवातोत्थे गुल्मे चैव प्रयोजयेत्||६||
-akṣamātraṁ tayōḥ piṇḍaṁ prasannālavaṇāyutam|
hr̥drōgē kaphavātōtthē gulmē caiva prayōjayēt||6||
akShamAtraM tayoH piNDaM prasannAlavaNAyutam|
hRudroge kaphavAtotthe gulme caiva prayojayet||6||
Paste of saptala and shankhini is indicated in amount of akshaamatra (measuring unit which is approximately 12 gm) with prasanna (clear wine) and saindhava lavana (rock salt) in hridroga and gulma caused due to kapha and vata dosha. [6]
Purgative formulations
प्रियालपीलुकर्कन्धुकोलाम्रातकदाडिमैः|
द्राक्षापनसखर्जूरबदराम्लपरूषकैः||७||
मैरेये दधिमण्डेऽम्ले सौवीरकतुषोदके|
सीधौ चाप्येष कल्पः स्यात् सुखं शीघ्रविरेचनः||