Significance of Tikta Skanda dravyas of Charaka Samhita in Asthivaha Sroto vikaras – A review

Abstract

Ayurveda, which literally means the science of life, is the natural healing system of India. Its originality and holistic approach whose principles of therapeutics are applicable universally remain time tested even to this day. In the course of life span, plants make an immense impact as either food or medicine. Charaka Samhita, one among the Bruhatrayi, contains information about evidence as well as experienced based medicine with many single drug or poly-herbal formulations along with mineral and animal origin. While explaining Chikitsasutra for Asthivaha sroto vikaras, Charaka says that Tikta dravyas should be used for Basti along with ksheera and ghrita. So Tikta dravyas play an important role in the treatment of Asthivaha Srotovikaras. An attempt is made in this study to identify the dravyas of tikta skanda of Charaka Samhita and its significance in the treatment of Asthivaha sroto vikaras, for further herbal research on single or multiple drugs with different mode of administration to be carried out globally with a greater enthusiasm for finding out active natural drug molecules acting on Asthivaha srotas.