Udarda Prashamana Gana – Anti Allergic Herb Group Of Charaka

By Dr MS Krishnamurthy MD(Ayu), PhD.
Sheetapitta and Udarda are the two disease entities caused due to the Vata and Kapha dosha predominance respectively.But together they are understood as allergic rashes. The characteristic feature of Sheetapitta is the skin rashes are usually localized and they are in fine blister form. 

Udarda is manifested due to kapha doshas and hence there will be dense thickening or sensation of thick boils or eruptions.

The drugs recommended for the cure of Udarda are potent blood purifiers and immune modulators. They are bitter or astringent in taste and good scraping agents too.

Udarda Prashamana Gana

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

1. Tinduka (Diospyos peregrine Gurke.)-Roots
 Anti histaminic, anti uinflammatory, lithotripsic, scraping etc.

2. Priyala (Buchanania lanzan)-Seeds
Anti tussive, digestive, anti inflammatory, blood purifier, anti histaminic etc.

3. Badara – Zizyphus jujube – Seeds
Stabilizer, digestive, scraping, cardiac tonic, diaphoretic etc.

4. Khadira (Acacia catechu) – Heart wood
Blood purifier, anti hyperglycemic, scraping, expectorant etc.

5. Kadara (a variety of Acacia catechu Willd.)-Heart wood
Anti inflammatory, anti histaminic, expectorant, blood purifier etc.

6. Saptaparna (Alstonia scholaris R. Br.) – Stem bark
Scraping, blood purifier, anti pyretic, anti in flammatory, liver stimulant etc.

7. Ashvakarna (Dipterocarpus alatus Roxb.)-Stem bark
Anti arthritic, rejuvinative, stabilizer, anti histaminic etc.

8. Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna) – Stem bark
Cardiac tonic, blood circulator provider, tissue replenisher, stabilizer etc.

9. Asana (Pterocarpus marsupium) –Stem bark
Anti hyperglycemic, scraping, anti diabetic, blood purifier etc.

10. Arimeda (Acacia farnesiana) – Stem bark
Teeth protective, scraping, stabilizer, restorative, blood purifier etc.

Qualities, Therapeutic uses

Qualities in general and actions of Udardaprashamanagana drugs:
Maximum drugs referred here bitter or astringent in taste and they are hot in potency and hence pacifiers of Kapha dosha. Almost all drugs are pungent in metabolic change(Katu vipaka) and they are blood purifiers. In addition they are predominant with restorative, anti hyperglycemic, rejuvinative and immune modulator actions.

As the Rasa nd Rakta doshas are involved with maximum vitiation the above drugs are capable of strengthening the Rasa and Rakta dhatus. 

Therapeutic uses of Udardaprashamana gana drugs:
The ingredients of this group are individually or in combination found tom be effective in the conditions like urticarial rashes, herpes, eczema, dermatosis, dhobi itch, dandruff, pemphigus etc. 

Ayurvedic medicines

Formulations containing Udardaprashamana drugs :
Kolakulatthadi kashaya, Khadirashthaka kashaya, Khadirarishtha, Arjunarishtha, Parthadya kashaya, Asanadi gana kashaya, Arimedadi taila, Asanadi kashaya, Asanabilvadi taila etc.

Disadvantages

Disadvantages of Udardaprashamana gana drugs:
As the drugs like Tinduka-Priyala-Saptaparna are hot in potency they should not be prescribed in the individuals who are suffering from gastric ulcer, bleeding disorders, severe debility, during pregnancy in puerperal period etc.

Simple formulations

Simple formulations that can be made from the above drugs and their application in routine practice:
Decoction of Saptaparna can be used in the dose of 10-15 ml to pacify the complaints like intermittent fever, fever with chills etc. If chills are associated with urinary calculi or UTI Tinduka kashaya is very effective.

Formulation development opportunities

Pyrexia of unknown origin has remained as a mystery for the modern world. The decoction or hot infusion prepared out of the above drugs has significant benefit in this regard. Hence the concentrated decoctions are made or aqueous extracts are obtained from the above drugs potent drugs can be formulated. As per the need, capsules or Ghanavatis can also be made and used in therapeutics.
Click to consult Dr MS Krishnamurthy MD(Ayu), PhD