Abstract

ROLE OF AGNIKARMA IN AYURVEDA: A REVIEW

Ajit Kumar*, Vishal Tiwari and Shailendra

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Abstract

The word Agnikarma is made up of Agni and karma, which means application of heat, which involve procedure using a metal rod i.e. shalaka in aseptic manner. Agni Karma is one of the important parasurgical procedures described in Ayurvedic Samhita. Sushruta, Charaka and Vagbhata describe the role of Agni karma in debilitating disorders. Vagbhata even termed it as the best amongst all kind of therapeutic procedures in Ayurvedic armory because of nonrecurrence. AgniKarma is one of the important procedure described in Ayurveda Acharya Dalhana have given explanation regarding the shapes of AgniKarma in his commentry. This AgniKarma is original idea of modern cauterization procedure. Agnikarma or thermal cauterization is one among the anushastras (Substitute of surgical instrument) or parasurgical technique mentioned in Ayurveda. It is explained to provide complete relief in certain chronic diseases which are not cured by herbal medicine, surgical interventions and alkaline cauterization. This Agnikarma is utilized as preventive measure, as post operative procedure and haemostatic manner.

Keywords: Agnikarma, Cauterization, Anushastra, Parasurgical procedure.