Changes

This chapter includes thirty-two types of formulations in the form of powder or paste (''churna/pradeha''). The paste is prepared by mixing the powder with oil, ''ghrita'' (ghee, or clarified butter), milk, butter milk or cow urine etc. Occasionally, oil smearing in the affected part is a pre-requisite for such application of powder (''avachurnana'' and ''udvartana''), so that the drug used gets in contact with the oily surface and enhances the rate of penetration. Different kinds of skin diseases and conditions like ''shopha'' (swelling), pain in the abdomen, head and flanks, ''vatarakta'' (painful inflammation of joints), etc. are discussed here for external cleansing treatments.  

This chapter includes thirty-two types of formulations in the form of powder or paste (''churna/pradeha''). The paste is prepared by mixing the powder with oil, ''ghrita'' (ghee, or clarified butter), milk, butter milk or cow urine etc. Occasionally, oil smearing in the affected part is a pre-requisite for such application of powder (''avachurnana'' and ''udvartana''), so that the drug used gets in contact with the oily surface and enhances the rate of penetration. Different kinds of skin diseases and conditions like ''shopha'' (swelling), pain in the abdomen, head and flanks, ''vatarakta'' (painful inflammation of joints), etc. are discussed here for external cleansing treatments.  

The three types of external applications viz. ''pralepa, pradeha'' and ''alepa'' are mentioned in this chapter. ''Pralepa'' is a form which is applied cold, in a thin layer irrespective of its absorbability. It is indicated in vitiation of ''pitta'' and ''rakta dosha''.''Pradeha'' is thick and it is generally applied in the form of bolus. It is applied in cold in case of ''pitta-rakta'' vitiation and hot in cases of ''vata-kapha'' vitiation. ''Alepa'' is the medium form which is neither too thin nor too thick<ref>Agnivesha, Charaka Samhitā with Ayurveda-Dipika commentary by Chakrapanidatta, edited by Acharya J T, Reprint edition, Chaukhamba Surbharati Prakashan, Varanasi, 2000; Sutra Sthana (Su).30/36</ref>. Thus the thickness or thinness of paste application determines its specific effect. Temperature of paste also plays role in determining effect of application. The underlying mechanism may be due to absorption through sweat pores.

The three types of external applications viz. ''pralepa, pradeha'' and ''alepa'' are mentioned in this chapter. ''Pralepa'' is a form which is applied cold, in a thin layer irrespective of its absorbability. It is indicated in vitiation of ''pitta'' and ''rakta dosha''.''Pradeha'' is thick and it is generally applied in the form of bolus. It is applied in cold in case of ''pitta-rakta'' vitiation and hot in cases of ''vata-kapha'' vitiation. ''Alepa'' is the medium form which is neither too thin nor too thick<ref>Agnivesha, Charak Samhita with Ayurveda-Dipika commentary by Chakrapanidatta, edited by Acharya J T, Reprint edition, Chaukhamba Surbharati Prakashan, Varanasi, 2000; Sutra Sthana (Su).30/36</ref>. Thus the thickness or thinness of paste application determines its specific effect. Temperature of paste also plays role in determining effect of application. The underlying mechanism may be due to absorption through sweat pores.

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ityagnivēśakr̥tē tantrē carakapratisaṁskr̥tē ślōkasthānē āragvadhīyō nāma tr̥tīyō'dhyāyaḥ||3||

ityagnivēśakr̥tē tantrē carakapratisaṁskr̥tē ślōkasthānē āragvadhīyō nāma tr̥tīyō'dhyāyaḥ||3||

Thus ends the third chapter titled Aragvadhiya in [[Sutra Sthana]] in the treaties composed by Agnivesha and redacted by Charaka. [3]

Thus ends the third chapter titled Aragvadhiya in [[Sutra Sthana]] in the treaties composed by Agnivesha and redacted by Charak. [3]

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

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

==== Measurement ====  

==== Measurement ====  

The quantity, or dosage, of medication in the case of topical medicines is measured by the thickness of the layer of paste. Typically, it should be equivalent to the thickness of fresh skin of a buffalo <ref>Ibidem Sushruta Samhitā (9), Su.18/10.</ref>. Thickness of a layer of ''pralepa'' should be equivalent to the thickness of a typical ''chandana'' (sandal paste) application. ''Pradeha'' is typically applied as a thick paste or bolus (''pinda'')<ref>Ibidem Dalhana, commentator (18), Su 18/6. </ref>. Thus, it is thin and thick pastes for application of ''pralepa/anulepana'' and ''pradeha'' respectively <ref>Ibidem Sushruta Samhitā (9), Su.18/6.</ref>

The quantity, or dosage, of medication in the case of topical medicines is measured by the thickness of the layer of paste. Typically, it should be equivalent to the thickness of fresh skin of a buffalo <ref>Ibidem Sushruta Samhitā (9), Su.18/10.</ref>. Thickness of a layer of ''pralepa'' should be equivalent to the thickness of a typical ''chandana'' (sandal paste) application. ''Pradeha'' is typically applied as a thick paste or bolus (''pinda'')<ref>Ibidem Dalhana, commentator (18), Su 18/6. </ref>. Thus, it is thin and thick pastes for application of ''pralepa/anulepana'' and ''pradeha'' respectively <ref>Ibidem Sushruta Samhitā (9), Su.18/6.</ref>

<ref>YogindraNathSen, commentator, Charaka Samhitā,Ni.1/36.</ref>

<ref>YogindraNathSen, commentator, Charak Samhita,Ni.1/36.</ref>

==== Indication and contraindications ====

==== Indication and contraindications ====

Hot ''pradeha'' is indicated in ''vāta'' and ''kapha'' ailments while cold ''pradeha'' in conditions due to ''pittaja'' and ''raktaja'' disorders <ref>Ibidem Dalhana, commentator (18), Su 18/6. </ref> It is also stated that ''alepa'' is indicated in non-suppurative, inflammatory swellings (''avidagdha sopha'') whereas ''pradeha/upnah'' (poultice) is used for suppurative swellings<ref>Ibidem Dalhana, commentator (18), Su.18/6-9.</ref> ''Pradeha'' could also be applied at night in case of swellings caused by ''vata'' and ''kapha''<ref>Ibidem Dalhana, commentator (18), Su.18/12-14. </ref>

Hot ''pradeha'' is indicated in ''vata'' and ''kapha'' ailments while cold ''pradeha'' in conditions due to ''pittaja'' and ''raktaja'' disorders <ref>Ibidem Dalhana, commentator (18), Su 18/6. </ref> It is also stated that ''alepa'' is indicated in non-suppurative, inflammatory swellings (''avidagdha sopha'') whereas ''pradeha/upnah'' (poultice) is used for suppurative swellings<ref>Ibidem Dalhana, commentator (18), Su.18/6-9.</ref> ''Pradeha'' could also be applied at night in case of swellings caused by ''vata'' and ''kapha''<ref>Ibidem Dalhana, commentator (18), Su.18/12-14. </ref>

Pastes should not be used at night. Stale paste, pastes applied on top of an existing layer, or repeating of used pastes are prohibited<ref>Ibidem Sushruta Samhitā (9), Su.18/12-14. </ref>  

Pastes should not be used at night. Stale paste, pastes applied on top of an existing layer, or repeating of used pastes are prohibited<ref>Ibidem Sushruta Samhitā (9), Su.18/12-14. </ref>  

===== Some references related to external medications in [[Kushtha Chikitsa]] <ref>Ibidem Charaka Sammhitā (1), CikitsaSthāna.7. </ref> =====

===== Some references related to external medications in [[Kushtha Chikitsa]] <ref>Ibidem Charak Samhita (1), Chikitsa Sthana.7. </ref> =====

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