Chardi Nigrahana Gana – Antiemetic Group Of Herbs Of Charaka: Review

By Dr MS Krishnamurthy MD(Ayu), PhD.
Chardi means vomiting which is a pathological condition. It is different from the therapeutic procedure of vomiting which is called Vamana karma in Ayurveda. The drugs which have the ability to control the vomiting are called Chardi nigrahana drugs. They usually cause this kind of action due to the local as well as systemic effect. 

However the among the drugs explained under this group mud is also include as it is believed to be a good source to control the same and is in practice since several centuries.

Chardi nigrahana Gana

The drugs mentioned under this group are cooling, soothing, bitter tonics and are having the ability to pacify Pitta and Kapha dosha. They are cardiac tonics (Hridya) as well as appetizers.

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

Jambu – Jamun (Syzygium cumini Skeels.) – Tender leaves
Controller of the uro genital system, anti diabetic, appetizers, anti hyperglycemic etc.

Amra – mango – Mangifera indica – Tender leaves
Appetizer, anti emetic, stimulant, blood purifier, lipolytic, wound healing etc.

Matulunga – Lemon variety – Citrus decumana / Citrus limon – Tender leaves or fruit
Cardiac tonic, appetizer, carminative, digestive, soothing, antacid etc.

Badara – Zizyphus jujuba of sour variety – Fruit or Tender leaves
Anti inflammatory, lipolytic, cardiac tonic, appetizer, anti spasmodic etc.

Dadima – Pomegranate – Punica granatum – Fruit or tender leaves
Cardiac tonic, anti diarrhoeal, appetizer, hemetinic, carminative, antacid, digestive etc.

Yava – Barley (Hordeum vulgare) – Seeds
Bowel bulk enhancer, soothing, energizer, antacid, anti flatulent etc.

Yashtika (Glycyrrhiza glabra Linn.) – Roots
Expectorant, rejuvinative, cholegogue, complexion enhancer, anti emetic etc.

Ushira – Vetiver – Vetiveria zizanioides – Roots
Diuretic, soothener, antacid, anti emetic, coolant etc.

Mrit (earth) – Soil rich with calcium and Iron content
Nourishing, antacid, soothing, hemetenic etc.

Laja (fried paddy) – Parched rice
Nutritive, antacid, anti flatulent, soothing, anti emetic etc.

Qualities, Actions

Qualities in general and actions of Cchardinigrahana gana drugs:
The drugs explained under the above heading are sweet or siour in taste and are cold in potency. They are light, slow and stable in quality and undergo sweet kind of metabolic change (Madhura vipaka).

These drugs are Pittavatahara in nature and have potent antcaid – soothing – nourishing and anti flatulent effect.

Therapeutic uses

Therapeutic uses of Chardinigrahana gana drugs:
These drugs alone or in combination useful in vomiting, nausea, head ache, motion sickness, morning sickness etc. In addition, these are effective in stomatitis, gastric ulcers, heart diseases, gingivitis etc also.

Ayurvedic medicines

Formulations containing Chardi nigrahana drugs :
Panchapallava yoga, Matala rasayana, Madiphala lehya, Matulungavaleha, Usheerasava, Chandanasava etc are the few important formulations containing the above drugs.

Disadvantages

Disadvantages of Cchardinigrahana gana drugs:
It is not wise to administer this kind of medicaments immediately after the Shodhana (Purificatory) therapies as they may hinder the drug action. As these drugs are having the idirect role over Vyana vata and Apana vata the drugs should be administered with caution in diarrhea, IBS etc conditions.

Simple formulations

Simple formulations that can be made from the above drugs and their application in routine practice:
Tender leaves of Jambu – Amra – Dadima etc can be taken by chewing so as to control the vomiting sensation including the nausea. In mouth ulcers also it is found to be useful.

Madiphala or Matulunga swarasa (fresh juice ) is mixed with honey or sugar candy and administered and it is very effective in nausea as well as morning sickness.

Formulation development opportunities:
The chewable tablets as well as syrups can be developed out of these drugs. Also as per the need they can be brought into practice with various flavors and color and consistency too. Similarly the jams or squashes can also be prepared to gain the similar benefits out of the fruits referred over here.
Click to consult Dr MS Krishnamurthy MD(Ayu), PhD