Changes

In summary, different views of the sages regarding ''rasa'', drugs according to properties and actions, number of drugs according to ''rasa'', argument in the number (six) of in six ''rasa'', definition of ''rasa'' and ''anurasa'', and definitions of ''paradi gunas'' separately, division of five ''bhutas'' in six ''rasas'', preponderance of properties in up-moving and down-moving drugs, variations in combination of ''rasas'', characters and exceptions in properties and actions of drugs (''rasas''), three degrees of ''rasa'' according to ''guna'' etc. definition of ''vipaka'' and ''prabhava'', decision about the number of ''veerya'', characters of six ''rasas'', the concept of antagonism (''viruddha'') as applicable to food and drugs, along with their effects and their treatment – all this has been described by the sage in the chapter of Atreya, Bhadrakapya etc. [107-113]

In summary, different views of the sages regarding ''rasa'', drugs according to properties and actions, number of drugs according to ''rasa'', argument in the number (six) of in six ''rasa'', definition of ''rasa'' and ''anurasa'', and definitions of ''paradi gunas'' separately, division of five ''bhutas'' in six ''rasas'', preponderance of properties in up-moving and down-moving drugs, variations in combination of ''rasas'', characters and exceptions in properties and actions of drugs (''rasas''), three degrees of ''rasa'' according to ''guna'' etc. definition of ''vipaka'' and ''prabhava'', decision about the number of ''veerya'', characters of six ''rasas'', the concept of antagonism (''viruddha'') as applicable to food and drugs, along with their effects and their treatment – all this has been described by the sage in the chapter of Atreya, Bhadrakapya etc. [107-113]

Thus, ends the twenty sixth chapter on Atreya Bhadrakapya etc. in [[Sutra Sthana]] in the treatise composed by Agnivesha and redacted by Charaka. (26)   

Thus, ends the twenty sixth chapter on Atreya Bhadrakapya etc. in [[Sutra Sthana]] in the treatise composed by Agnivesha and redacted by Charak. (26)   

                                        

                                        

=== ''Tattva Vimarsha'' ===

=== ''Tattva Vimarsha'' ===

*Drugs and diets having particular taste cause disease and if administered with due care, they can also cure disease.  

*Drugs and diets having particular taste cause disease and if administered with due care, they can also cure disease.  

*General principles of drug action are described with the help of the attributes namely ''rasa'' (taste), ''guna''(quality),''veerya'' (potency/energy of molecules to produce action), ''vipaka'' (factor of metabolism) and ''prabhava'' (specific principle).

*General principles of drug action are described with the help of the attributes namely ''rasa'' (taste), ''guna''(quality),''veerya'' (potency/energy of molecules to produce action), ''vipaka'' (factor of metabolism) and ''prabhava'' (specific principle).

*The accomplishment of treatment is totally dependent on ''paradi gunas'' which are general attributes dealing with processing and prescribing of drugs Charaka emphatically stated that without understanding the concept of ''paradi guna'', a physician cannot be successful in curing the disease.  

*The accomplishment of treatment is totally dependent on ''paradi gunas'' which are general attributes dealing with processing and prescribing of drugs Charak emphatically stated that without understanding the concept of ''paradi guna'', a physician cannot be successful in curing the disease.  

*Rasa helps not only in understanding the ''panchbhautic'' composition of drug/diet but also serves as a tool for identification of the rest of the principles of drug action like ''veerya'' and ''vipaka''.

*Rasa helps not only in understanding the ''panchbhautic'' composition of drug/diet but also serves as a tool for identification of the rest of the principles of drug action like ''veerya'' and ''vipaka''.

*Certain drugs may have the attributes (''veerya, vipaka,'' etc.)  and activities which are not in conformity with rasa. The substances having similar tastes may not produce similar activities.

*Certain drugs may have the attributes (''veerya, vipaka,'' etc.)  and activities which are not in conformity with rasa. The substances having similar tastes may not produce similar activities.

#Assessment of ''panchamahabhuta'' in a substance can be carried out by taking into consideration, the most conspicuous characteristic of each ''mahabhuta''. For example, ''gandha guna, rasa guna, rupaguna, sparsh guna'' and ''shabd guna'' are chief characteristics of ''prithvi, jala, agni, vayu'' and ''akasha mahabhutas'' respectively. By these organ-specific methods, it becomes easy to assess the ''panchbhutika'' constitution of the substance. Rest of the ''gunas'' given for each ''mahabhuta'' should be clinically evaluated.

#Assessment of ''panchamahabhuta'' in a substance can be carried out by taking into consideration, the most conspicuous characteristic of each ''mahabhuta''. For example, ''gandha guna, rasa guna, rupaguna, sparsh guna'' and ''shabd guna'' are chief characteristics of ''prithvi, jala, agni, vayu'' and ''akasha mahabhutas'' respectively. By these organ-specific methods, it becomes easy to assess the ''panchbhutika'' constitution of the substance. Rest of the ''gunas'' given for each ''mahabhuta'' should be clinically evaluated.

#The gustatory effect of the initial, as well as final contact of the drug either in the dry or wet state with the tongue, is known as ''rasa'' or taste. ''Rasa'' is the only principle of drug action which can be directly perceived (''pratyaksha gamya''). This is to be assessed in human volunteers by a single blind method with a performa consisting of chief characteristics of each ''rasa''. As mentioned in [[Charaka Samhita]] (su. 26/73-79) sugarcane, milk, and sugar candy are all said to be sweet, but there is an obvious difference in the taste of these substances. So, the intensity of each ''rasa'' can be assessed by taste threshold method. Electronic tongue if developed may help to validate the information about the intensity of ''rasa''.   

#The gustatory effect of the initial, as well as final contact of the drug either in the dry or wet state with the tongue, is known as ''rasa'' or taste. ''Rasa'' is the only principle of drug action which can be directly perceived (''pratyaksha gamya''). This is to be assessed in human volunteers by a single blind method with a performa consisting of chief characteristics of each ''rasa''. As mentioned in [[Charak Samhita]] (su. 26/73-79) sugarcane, milk, and sugar candy are all said to be sweet, but there is an obvious difference in the taste of these substances. So, the intensity of each ''rasa'' can be assessed by taste threshold method. Electronic tongue if developed may help to validate the information about the intensity of ''rasa''.   

#''Veerya'' and ''vipaka'' are inferred through the activities or final effects (''karma'') produced by intake of drug/diet.

#''Veerya'' and ''vipaka'' are inferred through the activities or final effects (''karma'') produced by intake of drug/diet.

#''Vipaka'' is a pharmacokinetic principle, and its activities are referred at the level of ''koshtha'' (''mutra'' and ''purisha''), ''dhatu'' (''shukra'') and ''doshas''. ''Rasa'' and ''veerya'' are pharmacodynamic principles. Assessment of ''veerya'' and ''vipaka'' are to be evaluated clinically.

#''Vipaka'' is a pharmacokinetic principle, and its activities are referred at the level of ''koshtha'' (''mutra'' and ''purisha''), ''dhatu'' (''shukra'') and ''doshas''. ''Rasa'' and ''veerya'' are pharmacodynamic principles. Assessment of ''veerya'' and ''vipaka'' are to be evaluated clinically.