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837-Article Text-1701-1-10-20210426
837-Article Text-1701-1-10-20210426
ABSTRACT
‘Visha’ (poisonous substance) is that which causes ‘Visannatva’ (distress) and/ or visada (sadness)
in the body. The classification of Visha is based on certain basic criteria like origin, base,
properties, potency etc. Some of the Ayurvedic classics and texts in medieval period have
classified all the poisons into two categories as Mahavisha and Upavisha based on their toxicity and
potency. Upavisha (semi-poisonous drugs) are the group of drugs which were less toxic in nature
but produce certain toxic symptoms on consumption or administration. The symptoms produced in
the body by Upavishas are less toxic, less severe, usually not life threatening and their
toxicity can be controlled by therapeutic measures. The paper deals with different types of
upavisha mentioned by different acharyas with special emphasis to Rasa Tarangini. Snuhi
Ksheeram (Euphorbia nerifolia), Arkaksheeram (Calotropis procera), Dattura beeja (Datura
metel), Karaveera (Nerium indicum), Langali (Gloriosa superba), Vijaya (Cannabis sativum),
Vishatintuka beeja (Strychnos nuxvomica), Rechakam (Croton tigilium), Bhallatakam
(Semicarpus anacardium), Ahiphenam (Papaver somniferum), Gunja (Abrus precatorius) are
the upavishas mentioned in Rasa Tarangini. The therapeutic importance of these drugs
along with sodhana (purification), dosage, important formulations etc. are dealt in detail.
INTRODUCTION
which possess these properties are called Visas
‘Visha’ (poisonous substance) is that which and those which are considered less toxic in
causes ‘Visannatva’[1] (distress) and/or visada comparison with the Mahavishas[2] are called
(sadness) in the body. Thus Visha has been Upavishas.
defined as substance which prove destructive to According to mythology Visha (poisonous
life and which possess Vyavayi (absorbed substances) and Amrutha (ambrosia) arose during
quickly), Vikasi, Ushna (hot potency), Tikshna the Ksheera Sagara Madhana (churning of milky
(penetrating), Ruksha (dryness), Sukshma (can pass ocean) suggesting the paradoxical nature of Visha
through sukshma srotas), Asukari (acts quickly),
and Amrutha. The concept of poison is broad and
Anirdesya rasa (indistinct taste) and Apaki (not
etiologically varied. Charaka identified the
properly digested) properties. The drugs
necessity of complete knowledge of herbs and
Address for correspondence: their utility in therapeutics. Charaka opined that
Dr. Varsha Sumedhan “Even an acute poison can become an
Research Officer (Ayu), RARILSD, Poojappura,
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, INDIA. excellent drugif it is properly administered”.
E-mail: varshasumedhan@gmail.com [3]
On the other hand, even a drug if not properly
Submission Date: 08/01/2020 Accepted Date: 13/02/2020 administered become an acute poison. A few factors
Access this article online
which decided Visha as medicine
Quick Response Code
. Time of administration
Published by Maharshi Charaka
Ayurveda Organization, Vijayapur, . Duration of treatment
Karnataka (Regd) under the license
CC- by-NC-SA . Type of formulation
. Skill of individual physician
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Dr. VarshaSumedhan et al. Review on Upavishas of clinical significance
There are 10 Sthavara Visha Adishtana namely Kanda Unmath Dattura Kanaka Dattura Langali
(tubers), Sara (heart wood), Niryasa (exudate/resin), a (Datura (Datura beeja (Gloriosa
metel) metel) (Datura superba)
Pushpa (flower), Moola(root), Dala (leaf), Twak (bark), (Datura
metel)
Ksheera (milky exudate). metel)
Table 1: Showing Upavishas as per different Karaveer Karaveera Karaveera Karaveera Karaveerak
Acharyas. a (Nerium (Nerium (Nerium am
(Nerium indicum) indicum) indicum) (Nerium
Rasarna Rasendra Rasatharan Yoga indicum)
Rasa indicum)
va - 5 sara ratna gini - 11 ratnakara
samgraha samuchay m-7 Langali Langali Langali Langali Gunja
-7 am - 7 (Glorios (Gloriosa (Gloriosa (Gloriosa (Abrus
a superba) superba) superba) precatorius
Snuhi Snuhi Neelaka Snuhiksheer Arkaksheer superba) )
(Euphor (Euphorbi am am
bia a (Euphorbia Gunja Jaya Vijaya Ahiphenam
(Calotropi
nerifolia nerifolia) nerifolia) (Abrus (Cannabis (Papaver
s procera) (Cannabis
) sativum) sativum) somniferu
precatoriu
s) m)
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Dr. VarshaSumedhan et al. Review on Upavishas of clinical significance
purified) are minimised when these are used taken out, washed with warm water and dried in
after being subjected to Sodhana process. Hence sun. It is then stored in airtight containers.[10]
Visha should be subjected for Sodhana before being
Samskarana of Visha Dravya
used in therapeutics. Various Sodhana are
mentioned for Upavishas. The Visa Dravya should be carefully covered with
a cloth soaked in Rakta Sarshapa Thailam.
1. Gomutra Nimajjana (soaking in cow’s urine) for
This procedure will enable the drug to retain
a prescribed period
its potency.[11]
2. Swedana (boiling) in various medium such
as cow’s milk, goat’s milk, cow’s urine, Eradication of Visatwam
vegetable extractives, kanjika etc. To the purified Visha Dravya, equal quantity
3. Bharjana (frying) with ghee or without ghee. of purified Tankan (Borax) is added and
triturated thoroughly in a Khalwa Yantra. This
4. Nisheshana (reducing the oily content) procedure eradicates Visatwa of Vishadravya.[12]
5. Kshalana (washing ) with hot water. Visha Dravya - contraindicated
Among the above procedures the treatment The persons who are short tempered (of
with cow’s urine and boiling in cow’s milk are the Pitta prakriti), who are suffering from Pithaja
most common procedures applied for almost Rogas, who are impotent, suffering from
all the ‘ Visopavisha’ drugs. Rajayakshma, hungry, thirsty, tried after prolonged
Ayurveda Prakasha - a classical Ayurvedic text work, pregnant women, children, old age people,
book mentions Samanya Sodhana of Visha Dravyas Sukumaras are considered unfit for administration
of Visha Dravya as per Ayurveda Prakasha.[13]
Method 1
Visha Dravya Sevana Pathyas
The small pieces of drug is tied in a clean cloth
and made in to a pottali. Dola yantra swedana is Aharaja Pathyas - The Visha Dravyas should be
done with cow’s milk as the medium for 5 ghatika taken along with Ghee, milk or other Hitaharas
(15 hrs). After Swedana for the prescribed time (compatible food). Viharaja Pathyas - Brahmacharya
period, drug is should be followed while administering
Vishadravyas.[14]
Kuchala, Strychnosnux Poison Thorny tree native to Seed Srychnine, Loganine, Brucin.
Vishatintukam, vomica nut, Indian sub-continent.
Kuchelakam, Quaker
Family
Kuchliam, buttons.
Logananiaceae
Tindukam,
Karaskaram,
Remyaphala,
Kupaaka,
Vishamushti,
Kalakuta
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Dr. VarshaSumedhan et al. Review on Upavishas of clinical significance
Ahiphena , Aphena, Papaver Opium- It is the species of Seed Naturally occurring alkaloids
Nishphena, somniferum. poppy, plant from which known as opiates- morphine,
Ahiphenaka, Bread opium and poppy codeine, thebine, papaverine ,
Family -
Aphookam, seed seeds are derived. noscapine and oripavine.
Papaveraceae
Phaniphenam, poppy. Valuable ornamental
Nagaphenam. plant grown in
gardens.
Jayapala, Rechaka, Croton tigilum. Purging An erect evergreen Seed 30 - 45% of afixed oil named
Saraka, Vibhedana, croton shrub or small tree, 5- croton oil and about 20%
Family-
Maladravi. 7 m height , found protein. The oil comprises the
Euphorbiaceae.
through out tropical fatty acids oleic acid 37%,
India. linoleic acid 19%, myristic acid
7.5%, arachidic acid 1.5%,
palmitic acid 1%, formic acid
1%, acetic acid 0.5%, stearic
acid 0.5% and smaller
amounts of butyric acid, lauric
acid, tiglic acid and valeric
acid. The oil also contains a
group of proteins called
‘crotin’, about 3.5% croton
resin (‘crotonol’), a glucoside
called crotonoside
(isoguanosine), and a non-
volatile unsaturated fatty acid
responsible for the purgative
properties. [21]
Dathura, Kithava, Datura metel Thorn It is a shrub-like annual Seeds Contains higher levels of
Unmatha, Dhurtha, apple, or perennial tropane alkaloids which are
Family -
Kanaka, Sata, Devil’s herb. It grows in the highly poisonous and may be
Solanaceae.
Kantakaphala, trumpet. wild in all the warmer fatal if ingested.
Shivasekhara. parts of the world,
such as India and is
cultivated worldwide
for its chemical and
ornamental properties
Bhanga, Bhangi, Cannabis sativa Indian Is an annual Inflorescence The flowers and fruits (and to
Matulani, Madini, hemp. herbaceous plant. as ganja & a lesser extent the leaves,
Family-
Mathika, Mathuli, stems, and seeds)
Cannabacea. Tender leaves
Vijaya, contain psychoactive chemical
and fruits as
Tantrakarini, compounds known
bhanga.
Bahuvadini. as cannabinoids that are
consumed for recreational,
medicinal, and spiritual
purposes. When so used,
preparations of flowers and
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Dr. VarshaSumedhan et al. Review on Upavishas of clinical significance
Bhallataka, Semicarpus Marking It is a deciduous tree. Seeds Black fruit is toxic and
Bhallata, Tapana, anacardium nut The nut is about2 5 mm produces a severe allergic
Arushkara, Agnika, long, ovoid and reaction if it is consumed or
Family-
Krimigna, Vatari smooth lustrous black. its resin comes in contact with
Anacardiaceae
the skin.
Karaveera,Hayari, Nerium indicum Oleander, Evergreen shrub or Roots, bark, A water extraction of crushed
Hayamara, rose small tree which is seeds and leaves of Nerium
Family -
Aswamaraka, berry. toxic in its all parts. leaves oleander yielded 2.3% of a
Apocyanaceae.
Aswantaka, crude polysaccharide. The
Aswaghna, seed oil in Nerium
Chandataka. oleander contains about 1 2 %
isoricinoleic acid.33
Langali, Halini, Gloriosa superba Glory lilly, It is a climber with leaf Dried Every part of the plant is
Seeri, Visalya, wolf’s tendril and large , tuberous root poisonous, especially the
Family- Liliaceae.
Kaliharika, bane. solitary and rhizomes. The plant contains
Agnijihwa, corymbose, showy high levels of colchicine, a
Swarnapushpa, flowers. toxic alkaloid. It also contains
Dipta, the alkaloid gloriocine.
Naktendupushpika,
Vidhyudjwala,
Vahnisikha,
Langali,
Garbhapatini,Hali,
Langalini.
Arka kshira, Calotropis Sodom It is a species of Root bark, Calotropis procera contained
Raviksheera,Soorya procera apple, flowering plants in the milky many biological
ksheera, Mudar dogbane family. exudate, active chemical groups
Family-
Arkadugda, flowers and including, cardenolides,
Apocyanacea
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Dr. VarshaSumedhan et al. Review on Upavishas of clinical significance
Kuchlala 1. Seeds are soaked in ¼ gunja to 1 Rasa - Katu (Pungent ) Agnitundi Rasa,
Kanji for 3 days. On the gunja [17] Lakshmivilasa Rasa,
Guna - Agni deepana, tikshna,
4th day , the external Soollanirmoola Rasa,
(31mgs– aphrodisiac, pachana,
cover is removed and Suptivatari Rasa etc
125mg) kaphahara, mutrala,
dried under sun [15]
medohara etc.
Anupana- milk,
2. Dolayantra swedana ghee or butter. Veerya - Ushna (Hot potency)
with godugdha as
medium [16] Vipaka-
Jayapala The seeds of well grown 1/8 – ¼ ratti Rasa- Tiktha Ichabhedi rasa, Jalodarari
fruits are selected and the Guna-Virechanakara, rasa, Jwarari rasa, Anjana
( 15.65 to 31mg)
external covering of the [23] bhairava rasa, Vrishchika
vanthikrit, Vata-kapha
seeds are removed . The vishahara pralepa.
samana.
testa (greenish structure Anupana- Cold
inside the seed) is water Useful in Jalodara, Navajwara,
removed and cotyledons krimi, kushta [24]
are tied in a pottali .
Dolayantra swedana is
done for 3 hours with
cow’s milk as the
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Dr. VarshaSumedhan et al. Review on Upavishas of clinical significance
medium[22]
Vijaya The dry leaves of bhanga 2-4 gunja ( 250- It increases digestion, induces Madanodaya modhaka,
is taken along with 500mg) [28] sleep, aphrodisiac, reduced Trailokya vijaya vati,
enough quanity of abdominal pain etc Trailkya sammohana rasa.
‘Babbula kwatha’ and it is
subjected to swedana for
half ghati (24minutes) [27]
Bhallataka The seeds along with 1- 3 gunja (125- Rasa – Katu, tikta Bhallataka rasayanam.
brick powder are tied in a 375)[32]
Veerya- ushna
pottali and rubbed
thoroughly from outside It israsayana, krimihara,
until the brick powder is ballakara, subsides gulma,
soaked with oil from arshas, grahani, kushta etc.
bhallataka seeds. [ 3 1 ]
Veerya- ushna
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Dr. VarshaSumedhan et al. Review on Upavishas of clinical significance
Properties- Snigdham
Snuhiksheeram 9 6 ml of Snuhiksheera is
taken 24ml of filtered
‘Chinchapatra
swarasa’(Tamarind juice)
in a wide mouthed
container and placed in
sun and dried.
Table 5: Important formulations in which Visha and Upavisha as one of the ingredient which are used
extensively in Ayurvedic practise.
Sanjeevani Vati Agni Tundi Vati Arshakutara Piyusha Valli Rasa Pravala Asvakanchuki Rasa
Rasa Panchamruta Rasa
Kanakasava
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Dr. VarshaSumedhan et al. Review on Upavishas of clinical significance
.
Meghanadarasa
. Sarpakshi
. Arjuna twak
. Putranjivaka
.
Vandhyakarkoti
. Gojihwa
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Dr. VarshaSumedhan et al. Review on Upavishas of clinical significance
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Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences | Jan - Feb 2020 | Vol. 5 | Issue 1 204
Dr. VarshaSumedhan et al. Review on Upavishas of clinical significance
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