A CRITICAL REVIEW OF SANDHANA KARMA

Abstract

The word Sandhana refers to join, union, combination, restoration, and repair. Sandhana karma cannot be limited only to Bhagna sandhana. It needs to be understood at the level of dhathus. Sandhana karma also refers to repairing, restoring, and maintaining connective tissue. Thus, it needs to be reviewed under different conditions. This study aims to carry out a critical understanding of Sandhana karma at the level of saptha dhathu. Data was collected from Ayurveda classical texts and journal and research articles. Finally, gathered data were critically analysed. Sandhana karma at the level of Rasa dhathu can be understood as ‘twachya karma’, which may be correlated to maintaining normal skin tone and elasticity. Raktha dhathu acts through stambhana/skandhana, i.e, haemostatic /coagulant activity. Mamsa dhathu refers to Vrana oshtaadi seevana, i.e, suturing of injured muscle tissue. In Medo dhathu, Sandhana karma can be considered the restoration of an articular joint as sandhi is one of its upadhathu. In Asti dhatu, it is Bhagna sandhana, i.e, healing and union of fractured bones. Majja dhathu refers to restoring bone marrow fluid possessing osteogenic and osteoinductive properties, promoting bone union. In Shukra dhatu, Sandhana refers to maintaining sperm plasma membrane and acrosomal integrity, which is necessary for motility and fertilisation. The literature revealed that dravyas possessing Sandhana karma with a varied combination of Rasapanchaka gives scope for the utility of sandhaneeya dravya in specific conditions at the level of saptha dhathu.