Hikka Nigrahana Gana – Anti Hiccup Herb Group Of Charaka – Review

By Dr MS Krishnamurthy MD(Ayu), PhD.
Hikka mean hiccups. The drugs which are having the property of relieving this particular complaint are called Hikkanigrahana drugs.Such drugs are having their direct action over Udana vaata followed by Pranavata. Some extent they regulate Vyanavata also. 

Even though diaphragmatic irritation is the main cause for hiccups psychological factors are also involved like stress, irritation, depression .So the drugs have both systemic effect as well as soothing effect over diaphragm mainly. Some extent they regulate the psychological disturbances too. However much works are not carried in this direction and surely this topic has enough inputs to carry out the research in this regards.

Hikka Nigrahana Gana

Let us review the quality and action of these drugs one by one in brief-
Shati (Hedychium spicatum Ham. ex Smith.)-Rhizome
Soothing, carminative, digestive, anxiolytic etc.

Pushkaramula (Inula racemosa Hook. f.)-Roots
Expectorant, anti tussive, analgesic, broncho dilator, anti spasmodic etc.

Badara – Zizyphus jujube-Fruits/Seeds
Digestive, cardiac tonics, stabilizers, absorbants etc.

Kantakarika – Solanum xanthocarpum–Fruits or Roots
Expectorant, anti tussive, analgesic, anti inflammatory etc.

Brihati – Solanum indicum-Fruits or Roots
Analgesic, anti inflammatory, digestive, expectorant etc.

Vruksharuha (Dendrophthoe falcata Linn. f.)-Whole plant or Roots
Anti inflammatory, analgesic, anti spasmodic, antipyretic etc.

Abhaya – Terminalia chebula–Fruit rind
Laxative, rejuvinative, anti oxidant, appetizer etc.

Pippali – Long pepper – Piper longum–Fruit
Liver stimulant, expectorant, anti tussive, broncho dilator, digestive, carminative etc.

Duralabha (Fagonia cretica Linn.)– Roots
Anti tussive, anti inflammatory, anxiolytic, vaso dilator, blood purifier etc.

Kulira shrungi (Rhus succedenea Linn.)- Gall
Expectorant, immune modulator, broncho- dilator, digestive etc. 

Qualities, Actions

Qualities in general and actions of Hikka Nigrahana Gana drugs:
These drugs are soothing in properties and have immune modulator effect.As they are expectorants-broncho dilators-anti tussives, it gives us inference that they have direct action over Prana-Udana and Vyanavata which are the key factor in the causation of hiccup as per Ayurveda.

Therapeutic uses

Therapeutic uses of Hikka Nigrahana Gana drugs:
The drugs referred here are effective in cold, asthma, hiccup, chest congestion, mild heart diseases, diseases of the chest and lungs etc. They can be used effectively in the management of  some of the psychological disorders too where mental irritation and dissatisfaction is found.

Ayurvedic medicines

Formulations containing Hikka Nigrahana drugs :
Kacchoorado choorna, Pushkaramoolasava, Dashamoolarishtha, Vyaghree hareetaki, Hareetakyadi rasayana, Abhayadi modaka, Shringyadi choorna, Duralabhasava are the important formulations of the drugs of this group.

Disadvantages

Disadvantages of Hikka Nigrahana Gana drugs:
The drugs are having the indirect effect over some of the sympathetic and parasympethitic nerves. Hence the drugs should be administered with caution in neurological disorders.

Simple formulations

Simple formulations that can be made from the above drugs and their application in routine practice:
The drugs like Hareetaki-Kachoora/Shathi,Pippali,Pushkaramoola etc can be made into fine powder and administered along with ghee or honey, based upon the doshic dominance. They have good benefits over hiccup and associated complaints like head ache-cold-cough-hoarseness of the voice etc.

Formulation development opportunities:
As hiccup is a most irritating kind of health issue, patients like to have instant effect. Also few of the medicaments themselves may provoke the condition and hence the drugs can be modified into lozenges or chewable tablets. Syrups as well as the lehyas can also be prepared out of these drugs or in addition of few of the other necessary ingredients.
Click to consult Dr MS Krishnamurthy MD(Ayu), PhD