SCRUTINY OF SUBSTITUENTS OF ASHTAVARGA DRAVYAS: RELEVANCE, OBTAINABILITY, AND EFFICACY

Dr. Sreenath R.* and Dr. Satej Banne

ABSTRACT

Groping drugs are common in Ayurveda. Throughout Ayurveda classics, we find many references for the grouping of drugs. This is done based on their utility. Aacharya Sushruta used ganas based on the name of the first drug, Charaka used desaimani based on their karma. We could find various other common examples in mishragana like trikatu, trigata, chaturgata, panchakola, shadushana. Ashtavarga is one among them. It was in practice since the origin of Ayurved. Nowadays the identity and availability of these drugs are questionable. Since some of these drugs are not available, in Nighantu Kala our Aacharya has given suitable substitutes for them. This is an attempt to evaluate the substitutes told by Bhavamishra and those used in recent practice.

Keywords: Ashtavarga, Bhavaprakasha Nighantu.