Abstract

REVIEW OF UPVISHA VARGA AND ITS SIGNIFICANCE IN RASASHASTRA

Dr. Nandini A. More*, Dr. Atul D. Gaikwad and Dr. Anand B. More

Abstract

Rasashastra is a science which uses heavy Metals, Minerals, Gems, Poisonous herbs as medicines in day to day practice. It is evident from the treatises of Rasa-shastra that many poisonous herbs are used along with metals and minerals to form compounds which are therapeutically beneficial, quickly absorbable, which can yield maximum efficacy in minimum dose. Upavisha varga (poisonous herbs) are used in various Ayurvedic formulations. Even an acute strong poison can act as an excellent medicine if it is properly prepared and administered. Many questions have been raised on use of these materials in medicine like toxicity, Standard manufacturing processes, Standardization of finished product and Therapeutic dose of these drugs.In this study an review has been done on the mentioned questions with the help of systematic study of classical texts, research papers and related articles. From the study it is evident that upavisha varga is elixir of Ayurveda if converted into standardized dosage form and used in therapeutic dose.

Keywords: Upavisha varga, Poisonous herbs, Toxicity.