Abstract

KUPILU SHODHANA BY DIFFERENT MEDIAS - A REVIEW

Vanitha V.*, B. Saravanan and K. L. Virupaksha Gupta

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Abstract

Kupilu (Strychnous Nux-vomica) is one among Upavisha varga, well known poisonous plant used in Indian system of medicine. Kupilu seeds contain highly poisonous alkaloids like strychnine and brucine. Kupilu when used in Ashodhita (unprocessed/without purification) form is a spinal poison. After Shodhana (purification) it is used to prepare various formulations that helps to cure many disorders. Hence an attempt to compile and analyse all Shodhana methods used in purification of Kupilu are done in this article. According to various classical texts of Ayurveda, purification/detoxification of Kupilu can be done with various methods which are swedhana, bharjana, Nimajjana and Nikshiptha. Shodhana is done with different medias like Goksheera (cow milk), Gogritha (cow ghee), Kanji (fermented rice water), Gomaya (cow dung) etc.

Keywords: Kupilu, shodhana, Strychnos nux-vomica, upavisha.