Abstract

SUBSTITUTION: A CONCERN AS WELL AS A SOLUTION

Bharti Kiran*, Mishra H. S., Agarwal A. K. and Gupta A. K.

Abstract

History of Indian civilization is very vast according to which it is a country of different cultures, religions, civilizations and languages. Due to varying geography, there are climatic variations and different parts of country have a different environment at the same time. Therefore, the flora found in one part of country is different from other parts. Botanically different plant drugs are being used in different parts of country in the name of a particular classical drug. The issue of substitution of genuine drugs with a similar drug having comparable therapeutic potential is as old as history of use of plant drugs. In the absence of a genuine drug, a substitute drug which is similar in Rasa, Guna, Virya, Vipaka with genuine drug is said to be considered for use. This concept was first found in Vedic text. For example, Soma, a very popular drug in Rigveda was scarce even in Vedic period. There is mention of substitution of Soma by some other drugs having properties similar to Soma. The genuine drug, which is not available, is known as Abhava dravya (Scarce drug) or mula dravya and the substitute drug which is used in place of scarce drug, is known as Pratinidhi drvya (Substitute). It has been directed in classical texts of Ayurveda that in preparation of a formulation, substitution of subsidiary drugs may be considered but the main drug should never be substituted. In a multiple drug formulation, if any drug is contraindicated in a disease for which the formulation is intended, that drug can be discarded and a suitable drug can be used even it is not described in Classics. Present paper is an attempt to have an in depth analysis of the issue of substitution in present scenario.

Keywords: Aabhav Dravya, Pratinidhi Dravya, Substitute, Adultration.