Charaka Kalpa Sthana 4th Chapter Dhamargava kalpa

4th chapter of Charaka kalpa sthana deals with Pharmaceutics of Dhamargava. The chapter name is Dhaamaargavakalpam.

Now we shall explore the chapter dealing with the “Pharmaceutics of Dhamargava”, thus said Lord Atreya. [1-2]
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Synonyms of Dhamargava

The synonyms of dhamargava (pita-Ghosaka) are Karkotaki, Kothaphala,Maha-Jalini and raja-Kostaki.

Therapeutic Effects

Dhamargava is useful in the treatment of stable and obstinate diseases including toxicities, phantom tumour, and obstinate abdominal diseases including ascites, cough, aliments caused by the localization of aggravated Vayu in the seat of kapha, diseases of throat and mouth and other diseases caused by the accumulation of kapha. [4- ½ 5]
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Dhamargava Recipes with Decoctions

The fruits, flowers and tender leaves of Dhamargava are collected according to procedure. The juice of the tender leaves of Dhamargava is dried and made into pills. These pills are to be taken as a potion mixed with the decoction of one of the drugs, viz, Kovidara, (Karbudara, Nipa, Vidula, Bimbi, Sanapuspi, Sadapuspi, Pratyakpuspi) or Yastimadhu. [6]

Dhamargava recipes with milk, Alcohol

Four milk preparations and one alcoholic preparations of Dhamargava is made according to the procedure described before (vide Kalpa 2: 5-6) [3/4 7]

Dhamargava recipes with decoction

Now the recipes prepared of matured and fruits of Dhamargava will be described.
The seeds of Dhamargava are removed from the fruit. The fruit should then be filled up with decoctions of Yastimadhu mixed with jaggery and kept overnight. Similarly, the fruit can be filled up with jaggery mixed with the decoctions of one Kovidara, (Karbudara, Nipa, Vidula, Bimbi, Sanapuspi, Sadapuspi or Pratyakpuspi) and kept overnight. These (nine) decoctions are to be used [for emesis] to patients suffering from phantom tumour, obstinate abdominal diseases and other diseases caused by Kapha. [7 ½ – ½ 9]

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Dhamargava recipe with food

The powder of Dhamargava is added to food and given for the alleviation of vomiting and cardiac ailments. [9 ½]

Dhamargava recipe for Inhalation

Flowers of Utpala etc., is impregnated with the powder of Dhamargava for several times. The patient having taken the meat-soup), milk, gruel etc., sumptuously should inhale the smell of this impregnated flower which causes emesis with ease. [10]
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Dhamargava Recipes in Pills

Alternatively, with the powder of Dhamargava, the pill of the size of Kola (jujube – fruit) is prepared. This pill is mixed with one Anjali (192 ml) of the juice of cowdung or horse-dung and taken for emesis. This pill may also be used after mixing with the juice of the dung of Prasta (Bindu- Citra- Harina), Rsya (nilanda), Kuranga (Cancala Gati), Gaja (elephant), Ustra (camel), Advatara (vegasara), Avika (sheep), Svadamstra (Mouse- deer), Khara (ass) and Khadga (rhinoceros) for emesis[11-12]

Dhamargava recipes with linctus

Powders of Jivaka, Rsabhaka, Vira, Atmagupta, Shatavari, Kakoli, Sravani, Meda, Mahameda, Madhulika are prepared separately. Each one of these powders is added with equal quantity of the powder of Dhamargava, and by adding honey as well as sugar, a linctus is prepared. These (ten emetic recipes) are useful in hrd-daha (burning sensation in the cardiac region) and cough. Tepid water is given as post-prandial drink if aggravated kapha is associated with Pitta which is hot in nature.  [13-1/2 15]

Dhamargava recipes with Kalpa

Administration of the paste of Dhamargava along with the decoction of Dhanya and Tumburu as emetic cures all forms of toxicities. [15 ½]

Dhamargava Recipes with Decoction

Decoction is prepared out of each of Jati, Saumanasyayini (Yuthika), Rajani (Haridra), coraka, Vrscira (white variety of Punarnava), Maha-Saha (haimavati (Vaca), Bimbi, Punarnava (red variety) and Kasamarda separately. Each of these [eleven] decoctions is added with [the powder of] one or two fruits of Dhamargava, squeezed, and filtered. These are excellent recipes for emesis in physic disorders (Mano Vikara). [16- ½ 18)

Dhamargava recipes with ghee

Dhamargava is boiled with milk and from this milk ghee is prepared. This ghee is cooked by adding the decoctions of madanaphala etc., [this is useful as emetic]. [18 ½]

Contents of Chapter

To sum up: –
The great sage has described sixty recipes of Dhamargava as follows:
Nine recipes of tender leaf (vide verse no. 6)
Four recipes prepared by boiling with milk (vide verse no. 7)
One recipe prepared with alcohol (vide verse no. 7)
Twenty recipes prepared with decoctions nine in verse nos 7-9, and eleven in verse nos. 16-8)
One recipe in the form of paste (vide verse no. 15)
Twelve recipes to be used along with the juice of dung’s of various animals: (vide verse nos. 11-12)
One recipe to be taken along with food; (vide verse no. 9)
One recipe for inhalation (vide verse no. 10)
Ten recipes in the form of linctus; and (vide verse nos. 13-15)
One recipe of medicated ghee (vide verse no. 18) [19-20]

Colophon

Thus, ends the fourth chapter of Kalpa- Sthana dealing with the “Pharmaceutics of Dhamargava” in Agnivesha’s work asa redacted by Charaka., and because of its non- availability supplemented by Drdhabala.