Charaka Samhita Sutrasthana Chapter 2: Apamarga Tanduliya Adhyaya

The second chapter of Charak Samhita Sutrasthana is called Apamarga Tanduliya Adhyaya. Apamarga is an herb called  Prickly Chaff Flower (Achyranthes Aspera Linn.). Tandula means its de-husked seeds. This chapter is named so, because it starts with the explanation of dehusked seeds of Apamarga.

We shall now expound the chapter on the dehusked seeds of Apamarga
Thus said Lord Atreya. [ 1-2 ]

Herbs used For Nasya treatment

To treat diseases pertaining to head, ear, nose and throat – 
In order to eliminate Doshas from the head in the event of heaviness of head, headache, rhinitis, hemicrania (single sided headache), infectious diseases of the head, epilepsy, insomnia and fainting, one should prescribe –
Seeds of Apamarga (Achyranthes Aspera Linn.),
Pippali (Piper longum Linn.),
Maricha  – Long pepper (Piper nigrum Linn.),
Vidanga  – False Black Pepper (Embelia ribes Burm. F. ),
Shigru – Moringa  (Moringa oleifera Lam.),
Sarshapa (Brassica nigra Kotch) – Mustard,
Tumburu (Zanthoxylum alatum. Roxb.),
Ajaji (Cuminum cyminum Linn.)
Ajagandha (Gynandropsis gynandra Briquet),
Pilu (Salvadora persica Linn.),
Ela – cardamom (Elettaria Cardamomum Maton),
Harenuka (Pisum sativum Linn.),
Prithvika (Nigella Sativa Linn.),
Surasa – Holy Basil (Ocimum Sanctum Linn.),
Shveta Aparajita (Clitoria ternatea Linn. White variety),
Kutheraka (Ocimum basilibum Linn.),
Phanijjaka (?),
Seed of Sirisa (Albizia lebbeck Benth),
Lashuna – Garlic (Allium sativum Linn.),
Haridra – Turmeric (Curcuma longa Linn.),
Daruharidra (Berberis aristata Dc.),
Saindhava (Rock salt),
Sauvarcala (Sonchal salt),
Jyotishmati (Celastrus paniculatus Willd.) and
Nagara – ginger – (Zingiber officinale Rose.) [ 3-6 ]

Herbs used for Vamana (emesis) treatment

In the event of gastro-intestinal diseases caused by vitiated Kapha and Pitta, Vamana (emesis) therapy is advised. For this purpose, the physician should prescribe the below herbs to avoid injury to the body and to do emesis therapy safely.
Madana (Randia dumetorum Lam.),
Madhuka (Glycyrrhiza glabra Linn.),
Nimba (Azadirachta indica A. Juss.),
Jimuta (Luffa echinata Roxb.),
Kirtavedhana (Luffa acutangula Roxb.),
Pippali. (Piper longum Linn.),
Kutaja (Holarrhena antidysenterica Wall.)
Ikshvaku (Lagenaria siceraria Standl.),
Ela – cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum Maton.),
Dhamargava (Luffa cylindrica M. Roem.)  [ 7-8 ]

Herbs for Virechana (purgation) Treatment

For purgation in the event of vitiated Doshas of the intestines, the physician should prescribe
Trivrit (Operculina turpethum R.B),
Haritaki (Terminalia chebula Linn.), Amalaki (Emblica officinalis Gaertn.), Bibhitaka (Terminalia bellerica Roxb.),
Danti (Baliospermum montanum Muell – Arg),
Neelini (Indigofera tinctoria Linn.),
Saptala (Acacia concinna Dc.),
Vacha (Acorus calamus Linn.),
Kampillaka (Mallotus philippinensis muell – Arg.),
Gavakshi (Citrullus colocynthis Schrad.),
Ksheerini (Mimusops hexandra Roxb.),
Udakeeryaka (Pongamia pinnata Merr.),
Peelu (Salvadora persica Linn.)
Aragvadha (Cassia fistula Linn.),
Draksha – raisins (Vitis vinifera Linn.)
Dravanti (Jatropha glandulifera Roxb.),
Nichula (Barringtonia acutangula Gaertn.). [9-10]

Herbs used for Asthapana, Anuvasana type of Basti

For Asthapana (a variety of enema with kashayam) in the event of Udavarta (bloating), Vibandha (constipation), one should prescribe
Patala (Stereospermum suaveolens DC.),
Agnimantha (Clerodendrum phlomidis Linn. F.),
Bilva (Aegle marmelos Ccrr.),
Shyonaka (Oroxylum indicum Vent.),
Kashmarya (Gmelina arborea Linn.),
Shalaparni (Desmodium gangeticum DC.),
Prishniparni (Uraria picta Desv.),
Nidigdhika (Solanum xanthocarpum Schrad.),
Bala (Sida cordifolia Linn.),
Svadamstra (Tribulus terrestris Linn.),
Brihati (Solanum indicum Linn.),
Eranda (Ricinus communis Linn.).
Punarnava (Boerhavia diffusa Linn.),
Yava – Barley (Hordeum vulgare Linn.),
Kulattha – Horse gram (Dolichos biflorus Linn.),
Kola (Zizyphus jujuba Lam.),
Guduchi (Tinspora cordifolia Miers.),
Madana – emetic nut (Randia dumetorum Lam.),
Palasha (Butea monosperma Kuntze),
Kattruna (Cymbopogon schoenanthus Spreng.),
fats and salts.

These drugs are also to be prescribed for Anuvasana (fat enema) for the cure of imbalanced Vata. Thus, the five elimination therapies (Panchakarma) are mentioned here in brief. [11-14]

Importance of Snehana, Swedana

In Panchakarma, first, Snehana (oleation treatment) and Swedana (sudation treatment) are done. Due to this, Doshas are brought out, which are eliminated by Panchakarma treatment. While performing Panchakarma treatment, due regard should be given to the dose and time. [15]

Efficacy of treatment depends upon dose of medicine and duration and time of administration.  Success of treatment depends upon efficient handling of dose and time of medicine. A physician, proficient in these two principles is always superior to those who are acquainted with only the medicine knowledge (ingredients and indication) [16]

Types of gruels, indications

Hereafter, I will explain different varieties of gruel prepared with different medicines to eradicate various diseases. [17]

Panchakola Yavagu

The gruel prepared with Panchkola – Pippali fruit (Piper longum Linn.), Pippali moola – root of Pippali, Chavya (Piper chaba Hunter), Chitraka (Plumbago zeylanica Linn.) and Nagara – ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) stimulates digestion, and cures abdominal colic. (1)

Yavagu to improve digestion

Gruel prepared with Dadhittha (Feronia limonia Swingle), Bilva (Aegle marmelos Corr.), Changeri (Oxalis corniculata Linn.), Butter-milk and Dadima – Pomegranate (Punica granatum Linn.) is carminative (improves digestion) and absorbs moisture (grahini) (2)

Vatahara – Laghu Panchamoola Yavagu

Gruel of Shalaparni (Desmodium gangeticum DC.), Prishniparni (Uraria picta Desv.), Brihati (Solanum indicum Linn.), Kantakari (Solanum xanthocarpum Schrad and Wendle) and Gokshura – Tribulus (Tribulus terrestris Linn.) is useful for Vata type of diarrhoea. (3)

Yavagu for Atisara

Gruel prepared with Shalaparni (Desmodium gangeticum DC.), Bala (Sida cordifolia Linn.), Bilva (Bael – Aegle marmelos Corr.), Prishniparni (Uraria picta Desv.) and soured with Dadima – Pomegranate (Punica granatum Linn.) is useful in Atisara (dysentery) of Pitta and Kapha origin. (4)

Yavagu for Ratka Atisara

Gruel of Hribera (Pavonia odorata Willd.), Utpala (Nymphaea alba Linn.), Nagara – Ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) Prishniparni (Uraria picta Desv.) prepared using semi-diluted goat’s milk cures dysentery with bleeding. (5)

Yavagu for Ama Atisara

One should prescribe the gruel prepared with Ativisha (Aconitum heterophyllum Wall.), and Nagara – Ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.), and soured with pomegranate for diarrhoea in its Ama stage. – Early stage of diarrhoea, with indigestion. (6)

Yavagu for Dysuria

Gruel of Shvadamstra (Tribulus terrestris Linn.) Kantakari (Solanum xanthocarpum Schrad and Wendl) along with Phanita ( a preparation of sugarcane ) should be prescribed in difficulty in urination – Dysuria. (7)

Yavagu for intestinal worms

Gruel of Vidanga (Embelia ribes Burm.), root of Pippali (Piper longum Linn.), Shigru (Moringa oleifera Lam.), Maricha (Piper nigrum Linn.) prepared with buttermilk and salted with Sonchal salt cures infections (8).

Yavagu for excessive thirst

Gruel prepared with Mrduveeka (Raisins – Vitis vinifera Linn.), Sariva (Hemidesmus indicus R. B.), fried paddy, Pippali (Piper longum Linn.), honey and Nagara (Zingiber officinale Rosc.), cures excessive thirst. (9)

Anti-poisonous Yavagu

Gruel of Somaraji (Psoralea corylifolia Linn.) is anti-poisonous. (10)

Nourishing Yavagu

Gruel prepared with pork extract is nourishing. (11)

Yavagu to lose weight

Gruel prepared with fried Gavedhuka (Triticum aestivum Linn.) along with honey is emaciating. (12)

Yavagu for oleation

Gruel prepared with Tila (Sesame seeds – Sesamum indicum Linn.), and added with ghee and salt causes unctuousness, and is oleating. (13)

Yavagu which causes roughness

Gruel of Shyamaka (Punicum italicum Linn.) prepared with the extract of Kusha (Desmostachya bipinnata Staff.) and Amalaki causes roughness. (14)

Dashamoola Yavagu

Gruel prepared with Bilva (Aegle marmelos Corr.), Shyonaka (Oroxylum indicum Vent.) Gambhari (Gmelina arborea Linn.) Patala (Stereospermum suaveolens DC.), Ganikarika (Clerodendrum phlomidis Linn. f.), Shalaparni (Desmodium gangeticum DC.), Prishniparni (Uraria picta Desv.), Brihati (Solanum indicum Linn.), Kantakari (Solanum xanthocarpum Schrad and Wendle), Gokshura (Tribulus terrestris Linn.), cures cough, hiccough, dyspnoea and diseases due to Kapha. (15)

Yavagu for intestinal pain

The one prepared using ghee and oil with Madira wine alleviates pain in intestines (16)

Yavagu for bowel evacuation

Gruel of vegetables, meat, Tila (Sesame) and Masha (Black gram – Phaseolus mungo Linn.) evacuates the bowel. (17)

Astringent yavagu

Gruel of Jambu (Syzygium cumini Skeels), seeds of Amra ( Mango – Mangifera indica Linn.), sour Dadhittha (Feronia limonia Swingle), Bilva (Aegle marmelos Corr.), is astringent. (18)

Bhedani Yavagu

That of Yavakshara (alkali preparation from Hordeum vulgare Linn.), Chitraka (Plumbago zeylanica Linn.), Hingu (Asafoetida – Ferula narthex Boiss.) and Amlavetasa (Rheum emodi Wall.) causes purgation. (19)

Vata Anulomana Yavagu

The one with Abhaya (Terminalia chebula Linn.) root of Pippali (Piper longum Linn.) and Vishva (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) helps elimination of flatus. (20)

Yavagu for incorrect intake of ghee, oil

The gruel prepared with buttermilk eradicates untoward effects caused by incorrect intake of ghee. (21) The one prepared with buttermilk and oil cake would alleviate such defects as caused by the incorrect intake of oil. (22)

Yavagu for irregular fever

The gruel prepared with beef extract and soured with Dadima (Punica granatum Linn.) cures irregular fever. (23)

Yavagu for throat

The one prepared using Yava (Hordeum vulgare Linn.) with ghee and oil, and boiled with Pippali (Piper longum Linn.) and Amalaka (Emblica officinalis Gaertn.) is useful for the throat. (24)

Yavagu for seminal passage diseases

That of chicken extract alleviates diseases pertaining to the seminal passage. (25)

Aphrodisiac Yavagu

That of split Masha (Black gram – Phaseolus radiatus Linn.) prepared with ghee and milk is aphrodisiac. (26)

Yavagu for narcosis

The one prepared with Upodika (Basella Rubra Linn.) and curd cures narcosis. (27)

Yavagu to suppress hunger

That of Apamarga (Achyranthes Aspera Linn.) boiled with milk and extract of Iguana flesh kills hunger. (28) [18-33]

Summary

Thus, all the twenty eight varieties of gruel have been described and the drugs in connection with the five elimination therapies have been enumerated in brief. [34]

The drugs, which were described in the previous chapter just for the sake of knowledge as to their most useful roots and fruits, the same have again been described here to indicate their usefulness in the five elimination therapies. [35]

Characteristics of a good physician

Only the physician who is
Smrutiman – has a good memory
Hetu yuktijna – knows appropriate cause behind the disease
Jitatma – who has mastered excellent control over his sense organs and mind
Pratipattiman – who has good presence of mind,
is entitled to practice medicine through the combination of various herbs. [36]

Thus ends the second chapter.