Abstract

"MAHA AGAD"- A PANACEA TO FOOD POISONING: A REVIEW

Dr. Swati Kothiyal*, Dr. R. C. Tiwari and Dr. Bhawana Mittal

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Abstract

Food borne illness, also known as food poisoning, in its wider sense includes all illnesses which result from ingestion of food containing bacterial or non-bacterial products. The vast majority of food-borne illnesses are attributable to microbiologic contamination of food. Most of the vomiting and diarrhea is caused by a digestive tract infection from a virus or bacteria, therefore, gastroenteritis caused by a toxin that was eaten is food poisoning in true sense. In Ayurveda Maha Agad is one of the polyherbal formulation which is a drug of choice in acute toxico-pathological conditions mentioned by Acharya Vagbhatta in Ashtang Sangrah UttarSthan. It has 14 ingredients, namely Trivrit, Vishalya, Haridra, Daruharidra, Yashtimadhu, Manjishtha, Pippali, Maricha, Shunthi, Panch lavana and bhavana dravya of Basta mutra/ Goat urine, indicated in Sarpa damsha, Loota visha, Unduru visha, Vrischika visha, Visuchika, Ajeerna, Jwara, Gara visha, Bhoota bhada. The symptoms of food borne illness of microbiological infestations resembles with that of the indications mentioned in Maha Agad. So Maha Agad could be an effective ayurvedic treatment in Food poisoning. Therefore, to understand the mode of action of this formulation, to justify the efficacy of it, and to compare the indications of Maha Agad with food poisoning a comprehensive scientific review work is a prerequisite. Thus an effort has been made to review the said formulation to encourage its use in food poisoning.

Keywords: Food poisoning, Gastroenteritis, Microbiological, Maha Agad, Visuchika, Ayurveda.