Vamanopaga Gana: Emesis Aiding Herbs: Review, Benefits, Formulations

By Dr MS Krishnamurthy MD(Ayu), PhD.
In Ayurveda, Vamana  means treatment procedure of Emesis which is the foremost kind of purificatory method referred for Kapha predominant cases.

It helps to expel out the highly provoked Kapha dosha from its site especially from above chest level. Vamanopaga is the term used to denote the process which enhances the process of emesis and hence eases the procedure of vomiting and hence to expel out the highly troublesome doshic entity.Here the drugs mentioned under this group facilitate the process along with the Vamaka drugs (emetic drugs) like Madanaphala, Jeemutaka, Kritavedhana etc.

Vamanopaga Gana

Let us review the quality and action of these drugs one by one in brief-

Madhu (honey)
Hot in potency, sweet mixed astringent in taste, dry-hot-penetrative-stable qualities and pungent kind of metabolic change (Katu vipaka). Rejuvinative, diaphoretic, tonic, anti oxidant, natural detox , scraping, pro emetic etc.

Madhuka– Licorice – Glycyrrhiza glabra-Root
Expectorant, rejuvinative, cholegogue, complexion enhancer ,anti tussive etc.

Kovidara (red variety of Bauhinia variegata Linn.)-Stem bark
Pro emetic, diaphoretic, mild irritant, scraping, lipolytic etc.

Karbudara (white variety of Bauhinia variegata Linn.)-Stem bark
Mild irritant, scraping, lipolytic, anti hyperglycemic, mild pro emetic, mild diaphoretic  etc.

Neepa (Anthocephalus indicus A. Rich.)-Stem bark or leaves
Scraping, lipolytic, anti hyperglycemic, astringent tonic, anti pyretic etc.

Vidula (Barringtonia acutangula Gaertn.)-Fruits
Emetic, decoloring, anti hyperglycemic, diaphoretic, scraping etc.

Bimbi (Coccinia indica W. &  A.)- Ivy Gourd Fruits and leaves
Anti hypertgluycemic, antacid, anxyolytic, sedative, demulcent etc.

Shanapushpi (Crotalaria verrucosa Linn.)-Roots or whole plant
Abortificient, scrapimng, anti diabetic, diaphoretic etc.

Sadapushpa/Arka (Calotropis gigantea R. Br. Ait.) –Whole plant or leaves
Scraping, carminative, digestive, irritant, anti inflammatory etc.

Pratyakpushpa (Archyranthes aspera Linn.) –Whole plant
Anti microbial, scraping, alkaline, digestive, carminative, lilopytic etc.

Qualities, Actions

Qualities in general and actions of Vamanopaga gana drugs:

Vamanopaga gana drugs are hot in potency (Ushna veerya) and are undergoing pungent kind of metabolic change. They are dry-rough-warm-minute and light in nature and astringent or pungent in taste.

Most of these drugs are scraping and irritant in action. They take out the phlegm from their site due to their instant penetrative and scraping out properties.

They act as anti hyperglycemic, expectorant and detoxifying agents.

Therapeutic uses

Therapeutic uses of Vamanopag gana drugs:
They are highly effective in blood borne disorders, diseases where phlegm is accumulated like cough-cold- asthma etc, congestions of the chest due to allergic manifestations, heftiness, Cellulites, cystic growths, thyroid function disturbances etc.

Ayurvedic medicines

Formulations containing Vamanopaga drugs:
Kanchanara guggulu, Medohara kashaya, Apamarga kashaya, Yashtimadhukadi kashaya etc are the few formulations sited in the ayurvedic classical literatures.

Disadvantages

Disadvantages of Vamanopaga gana drugs:
As these drugs are penetrative,dry and irritant in nature they are to be avoided in pregnancy, puerperal period in old aged people, young children etc. Also in purpurea, bleeding disorders like hemeturia, menorrhagia, debility etc it should be avoided.

Simple formulations

Simple formulations that can be made from the above drugs and their application in routine practice:
Yashtimadhu phanta(hot infusion of Yashtimadhu) is already in practice to induce the vomiting. Similarly Kanchanara or Vidula kashaya can also be used to induce vomiting safely and instantly. Fine paste of Vidula is also equally beneficial in such cases especially in food poisoning cases.

Formulation development opportunities:
Strong emetics can be designed out of these drugs to induce vomiting instantly by chewing the tablets or by taking the medicated pastes prepared out of them. Such medicaments may be need of the time in future days where with definite dose determination the emesis can be planned.
Click to consult Dr MS Krishnamurthy MD(Ayu), PhD