Role of Rasayana dravyas from Madanpal Nighantu in enhancing the overall human immunity – A critical review

Abstract

We are continuously fighting with the pandemic of COVID-19 from last 3 years. Also other infections like Common cold, Severely Acute Viral Infections (SARS), Influenza (the flu), Herpes, Tuberculosis, Whooping cough, Pneumonia, Typhoid are some of the very common and recurring infections in human beings. Having strong immunity and destroying the main causes of various infections is the only option to survive in such conditions. It is a need to get familiar with natural herbs or dravyas from Ayurveda. Dravyas suggested in Ayurveda, which can boost immunity and thus, can protect us from various infections. In Ashtang Ayurveda, Rasayana is a special branch of Ayurveda. It promotes the inner healing power of an individual and thus can become helpful in overtaking the symptoms and diseases while promoting the immunity. Madanpal Nighantu is one of our ancient literature textbook of Ayurveda which provides information about multiple important herbal and ayurvedic drugs. In Madanpal Nighantu, 35 dravyas are explained as Rasayana dravyas in sutras. So, screening of Rasayana dravyas from Madanpal Nighantu can provide useful information to medical practitioners. These Rasayana dravyas can ultimately become useful in healthy individuals and in patients suffering from various infections or diseases in maintaining and enhancing their natural immunity. By considering all these facts, we made an effort to find out and study all these Rasayana dravyas from Madanpal Nighantu having Rasayana properties. Also this paper makes an attempt to study Rasapanchkas of these Rasayana dravyas to assess their probable mode of action as Rasayana.