Abstract

CRITICAL REVIEW OF VATSANABHA AND ITS TOXICITY

Dr. Sachin S. Rere*, Dr. N. S. Gangasagre, Dr. Shital Mirajkar Koparde and Dr. Digambar Sahu

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Abstract

Ayurvada is the science of life that is widely practiced in India. It used medicine prepared from plants, animals and mineral origin. All the three sources of drugs can be divided under poisonous and nonpoisonous category. Vatsnabha (Aconitum ferox) is categorized under the sthavara visha (plant Origin). It is the only Mahavisha which still identified and available. Even a strong poison can become an excellent medicine if administered properly; on the other hand even the most useful medicine act as a poison if not handled correctly. According to Toxicological text, some plants possess cardio toxic effects. Vatsanabha is a Sthavara visha which possesses anti-inflammatory & analgesic activities, and is capable of inducing severe arrhythmia and neurotoxicity. Cardio toxic effects of Vatsanabha are cause due to overdose of formulation or without purification of Vatsanabha. Fatality of Vatsanabha dose can happen on account of accidental ingestion or consumption of herbal decoction made from the aconite roots. Roots are used as diuretic, anti-periodic, anodyne, antidiabetic and antipyretic in very small doses. The present review gives us opportunity to understand the toxic effects, medicinal importance, methods of purification, therapeutic dose antidotes medicoliegal aspect of vatsnabha.

Keywords: Ayurvada, Mahavisha, Toxic Vatsnabha.