Exploring the Agada perspective of Vatsanabha

Abstract

Ayurved is a comprehensive system of natural health care that originated in the ancient Vedic times of India. Its primary emphasis is on prevention of disease and maintenance of health. Ayurved is the science of life that is widely practiced in India. It used medicine prepared from plants, animals and mineral origin. All the three sources of drugs can be divided under poisonous and nonpoisonous category. Vatsnabha (Aconitum ferox) is categorized under the Sthavara Visha. Even a strong poison can become an excellent medicine if administered properly; on the other hand even the most useful medicine act as a poison if not handled correctly. Vatsnabha is highly toxic in nature even then it is used as a medicine after purification and in therapeutic dose. Shodhana or purification is the process which involves the purification as well as reduction in the levels of toxic principles thus removing the untoward effects the drug produce. In therapeutic doses it has capacity to treat many diseases therefore; it is used as an ingredient of various Ayurvedic formulations. Ayurved proposes a traditional technique of Shodhana to reduce the harmful effects associated with Vatsnabha. The present review article gives us opportunity to understand the therapeutic uses, toxic effects, methods of purification, antidotes and medicolegal aspect of Vatsnabha.