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Ayurveda is an Ancient Science of Life that has a strong philosophical basis. 'Ayu'
means life and 'Veda' means science. Ayurveda is a dynamic phenomenon that
offers multifaceted approaches to healing. It comprises of knowledge about the
botanical sources that are primarily based on past experiences and present uses
in India, more
as a living tradition.
Andrographis paniculata (Kalmegh) is one of the important ingredients in
the various Ayurvedic preparations for fever and liver diseases, which are
commonly used by Ayurvedic physicians. A. paniculata was recommended in Charaka Samhita dating to 175 BC
for treatment of Jaundice along with other plants in multi-plant preparations.
In Ayurvedic texts, no drug has been described by the name of Kalmegh. It may be
described by any other vernacular name: Bhavprakash,
Madanpal and Rajnighantu
have described A. paniculata plant by the name
Kiratatikta
and Bhunimb as its synonyms. Some of the authors have
quoted A. paniculata as Yavatikta.
There is lot of controversy for this drug because there is no other drug which
has been described by the name of Kalmegh in Vrihatrayi
(Charak, Shushrut and Baghbhatta). Many
Sanskrit treatises mention two kinds of Kiratatikta
viz. Bhunimba and Nepalanimba
and these have been translated into Malayalam as Nilaveppu
and Kirayatta, respectively. All the commentaries on Bhavaprakasam, Kaiyadevanighantu,
etc, have identified Kiratatikta as Swertia chirayata.
None of these commentators have made any mention about A. paniculata. But
Acharya PV Sharma in his Dravyagunavijnan
identifies Bhunimba as A. paniculata and
assigns a Sanskrit name Kalmegha to it. Bhunimba, as we know it is one of the synonyms of Kiratatikta. However, it is to be noted that the same author
has given the Latin name S. chirayata to Kiratatikta.
In Ayurveda there are various statements about
pharmacodynamic properties of A. paniculata, however, it is
essentially Tikta in Rasa, (it is so called, the King
of Bitters), Katu in Vipaka, Ushna in Virya and Laghu, Ruksa and Tikshna in Guna. Regarding the Karmas (pharmacological actions), it has
been Deepan (stomachic),
Yakriduttajak
(liver stimulant), Pittasrak and
Pittarechak
(choleretic and cholagogues),
Krimighna (wormicidal), Swedajanam (diphoretic), Jwaraghna (antipyretic) like actions and is also used as a Katu Paustik (bitter tonic). Bhavprakaash described its properties as a laxative and
bitter; it overcomes the Sanmpat type of fever,
difficulty in breathing Kapha-Pitta variation of
blood, cough, oedema and worms. According to Rajnighantu it is Vatala, Kapha-pittajwar and healing promoter; it overcomes leprosy,
itching and oedema. This plant is commonly used in Vishamjwar, intermittent type of fevers, Amlapitta (Hyperacidity) and in
Yakritrogam
(liver disease).
The herb is the well-known drug
Kalmegh 'green chiretta', and forms the principal
ingredient of a reputed household medicine ('alui'), used as a bitter tonic and febrifuge. It is official
in I.P., and also employed in Ayurveda and Homeopathy.
The herb is reported to possess astringent, anodyne, tonic and alexipharmic
properties, and is helped in dysentery, cholera, diabetes, consumption,
influenza, bronchitis, swellings and itches, piles and gonorrhea. A decoction of
the plant is a blood-purifier. It is used as a cure for torpid liver, and
jaundice. It forms, the major constituents of the Ayurvedic drug SG-I Switradilepa which is
effective in treating vitiligo- a dermatological
diseases. The macerated leaves and juice together with certain spices, such as
cardamom, clove and cinnamon, are made into pills and prescribed for relief from
gripe and other stomach ailments in infants. A decoction or infusion of the
leaves is useful in general debility and dyspepsia. The leaves and roots are
also used as febrifuge, tonic, stomachic, cholagogue
and anthelmintic. A tincture of the root is tonic,
stimulant and aperient.
Kalmegh (AA. paniculata) is used in many forms by various physicians as
dried leaves (10 grains); succus or cone expressed juice of fresh leaves and
stalks (20-60 mm); compound infusion (1-2 oz); compound tincture
(1-6 drachms); compound pills (2-5 grains); Inf. Andrographis (1/2-1
fl. oz); Tinct. Andrographis (1/2-1
fl. drachms); Kalmegh resin (1/2-2 grains) - Bose &
Nadkarni.
References:-
Tomar GS, Tiwari SK and Chaturvedi GN.
Kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata
Nees) and its medicinal status.
Nagarjun December 1982. p. 76-78.
Warrier PK,
Nambiar
VPK and Ramankutty C (eds.)
Indian Medicinal Plants Vol I p. 135-138. Arya Vaidya
Sala,
Kottakkal. Orient Longman.
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