Panduhara drugs of Bhavaprakasha Nighantu and Samhita - A Review

Abstract

Pandu Roga is one of the diseases mentioned in Ayurveda characterised by pallor which is associated with different colours according to Doshas (Body humours) involved. This can be clinically corelated to Anaemia in modern science due to resemblance of signs and symptoms. Bhavaprakasha Nighantu is one of the oldest Lexicon that provides information about the Ayurvedic drugs and their properties in details. This is a literary survey based on Bhavaprakasha Nighantu and Bhavaprakasha Samhitha was aimed to find out single drugs and their properties which are used in the treatment of the disease Pandu. In Bhavaprakasha Nighantu Pandu Hara drugs are six in Haritaki Varga, nine in Guducyadi Varga, five in Vatadi Varga, eight in Dhatu Varga, three in Sakha Varga were found. The author also mentioned Dugda (milk) in Dugda Varga, Takra (buttermilk) in Takra Varga, Naveena Ghrita (freshly made ghee) in Ghrita Varga, Tushodaka (sour barley gruel) and Sukta (fermented gruel) in Sandhaniya Varga, Go-mutra (cow’s urine) in Mutra Varga as Pandu Hara. Total 38 single drugs have mentioned in Bhavaprakasha Nighantu. In Bhavaprakasha Samhita there are two main classical formulations which are useful in Pandu Roga and most of the ingredients of these formulations are similar with single drugs mentioned in Bhavapraksha Nighantu and 19 drugs are additionally found in Bhavaprakasha Samhitha.