Abstract

VISHGHNA PROPERTY OF GOGHRITA AS VISHGHNA DRAVYA IN AYURVED AND FOLK MEDICINES

*Dr. Abhishek Arun Shrirao, Dr. Jayant J. Phadke

Abstract

Goghrita (Cow’s Ghee) holds a highly revered position among the Chaturvidha Sneha (four types of dietary fats) in Ayurvedic classical literature. Renowned for its unique properties like Samskarasya Anuvartana (the ability to assimilate and amplify the therapeutic attributes of processing herbs without losing its own baseline qualities) and Yogavahi (bio-enhancer), it serves as a critical lipophilic vehicle (Anupana or Medium) in both preventive and curative therapeutics. In the realm of Agad Tantra (Ayurvedic Toxicology), Goghrita is not merely a dietary ingredient but a potent counter-toxic agent (Vishaghna). It acts as an internal demulcent to minimize the absorption of xenobiotics, serves as a primary frying and purification media during Shodhana (detoxification) of highly toxic poisonous drugs (like Kuchala / Strychnos nux-vomica), and forms the base of numerous classical antitoxic formulations (Agad Yogas). This review article attempts to comprehensively compile, analyse, and present the multifaceted clinical and toxicological dimensions of Goghrita according to classical Brihatrayee texts and contemporary biomedical paradigms, providing a structured reference for researchers and clinicians alike.

Keywords: Visha, Vishghna, Agadtantra, Ghrita Kalpna, Ghrita, Goghrita, Rasayan, Agnivardhaka, Balya, Buddhivardhaka, Vayahasthapana. Ayurveda, clarified butter Goghrita, Agad Tantra, Samskarasya Anuvartana, Vishaghna, Toxicological Management, Shodhana.