Abstract

A COMPARATIVE CRITICAL REVIEW ON ASTAVARGA OF BHAVAPRAKASH NIGHANTU WITH KAKOLYADI GANA OF SUSRUTA SAMHITA: A REVIEW ARTICLE

Dr. Trisha Mukhopadhyay*, Dr. Tannawee Singh, Dr. Suresh Kumar Jaiswara and Dr. Amit Kumar Taraphdar

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Abstract

‘Astavarga’ word first of all was used in an ancient text book named as ‘Paryayaratnamala’. This book provides knowledgeable information about herbal description of Astavarga plants. ‘Ashta’ means eight and ‘varga’ means group, Astavarga literally meaning a group of eight medicinal plants in Ayurveda medicine, Different formulations of Astavarga plant members are used to cure various diseases such as seminal weakness, fever, abnormal thirst, diabetic conditions as well as a cure for vata, pitta, rakta doshas.[1] Kakolyadi gana is one of the first gana which is first described in Sushruta Samhita. Charaka had already described those dravyas in Jivaniya Mahakasaya with some changes. Vagbhatta mentioned these drugs (except draksha) in a gana with another name called Padmakadi gana. Astavarga means group of eight species of medicinal plants which includes Kakoli, Kshirkakoli, Jeevak, Meda, Mahameda, Rishbhak, Ridhhi and Vridhii. Astavarga is a formulation developed from eight different plants by Ashwani Kumars to treat the frail and emaciated body of Rishi Chyavan. This formulation created the magic of rejuvenating Chyavan and since then is referr ed to as still famous Chyavanprash. Both Kakolyadi gana of Susruta and Astavarga of Bhava Prakash have properties like Jeevaniya (drugs strengthening vitality, immunity system etc.), Brhimhaniya (increase flesh in the body by activating cell regeneration even in old age) and Vayasthapan (metabolic processes especially anabolism become active and leads to youthful body complexion).

Keywords: Astavarga, Ayurveda, Kakolyadi gana, Chyavanaprash.