Bhaishajya kalpana is a method of treatment used in Ayurveda. The meaning of Bhaishyajya is medicine and forms are known as kalpana. They are mainly used for the purification of the sick body to enable it to respond to treatment for any specific ailment. The purification process is known as ‘virachan’ in Ayurveda. Ayurveda follows a series of treatments known as Panchakarma for purifying the body. The Virechan drugs are available in the form of tablets, juice, syrup, powder, etc.
Related: Treatment For Angina In Ayurveda
Importance of Bhaishajya Kalpana
- The Bhaishajya kalpana medicines
- Make the medicine given for the ailment palatable.
- Prolong the effect of the medicine
- Remove any toxic effect of medicine through shodhana karm
- Helps in adjustment and restoring the balance of doshas
- Increase the potency of the medicine by increasing or even generating special quality of the drug.
- Modifies the medicine to suit the patient’s condition and requirements.
Related: Medicinal Oils In Ayurveda
Related: Ayurvedic Cure For Sciatica Pain
Virechan
The purgation therapy used in Ayurveda is known as Virechan. In the Ayurvedic treatment of Panchakarma, the process called Virechan comes as the second. Virechan is used in the case of ailments caused by pitta aggravation. The excessive secretion of bile (pitta) gets accumulated in the liver and small intestine causing nausea, fever, vomiting, jaundice and skin problems and more. Virechan helps in expelling the accumulation of elements causing pitta dosha in the form of gastrointestinal waste. The body then returns to normal after the process of Virechan.
The patient is made to drink plenty of natural fluids and water to avoid dehydration after the process of Virechan which is nothing but purgation. For dinner, the patient is given bland and light food to prevent fatigue. The patient will feel light and fresh making the person more relaxed and confident as it induces positive thoughts in the patient’s mind.
Related: Ayurvedic Cure For Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Virechan Drugs used in Ayurveda
The Virechan drugs are used for the laxative purpose and are known as Adhakaya Sanshodhanam meaning leaning of the lower part of the body. They have properties such as hot (Ushna), acute or fast-acting (teekshna), micro (sukshma), Airy (Vavyavi), and Acting without digesting (Vikashi). These drugs are made as herbal as well as organic and metallic formulations. The Ayurvedic scriptures namely Susruta Samhita, Charka Samhita, and Ashtaang Samhita have an extensive description of the classification of the Virechan drugs and their properties and use.
The Virechan drugs are divided into three main types namely Mridu meaning mild, Madhya meaning normal and Teekshna meaning acute and fast. There are also season-based medicines in Ayurveda such as Gresham kalam Virechan, done during summer, and Varsha Virechan (done in the rainy season).
Related: Ayurveda And Antacids
Related: Shalya Chikitsa In Ayurveda
Some Virechan Drugs
Oil-based Virechan drugs are known as Thailas. They are Arka, Arand, Chitrak, Chhoti, Babibadar, Bhibhatiki, Amalki, Patriki, Draksha, Karanj, Gambhari, Pilar Bhedniya, Nishotha, Shankhini Karkadhu and Mithibadar are examples of thaila, the oil-based preparations. Castor oil is widely used in these medicines and certain other oils like Dantibeej oil, Jaitun oil, and Jatphala oil. According to Ashtaang Sangraha, milk and urine are also mentioned as the ingredients of these drugs. The laxative drugs are also made with milk, apple, tamarind, peach, guava, banana, husk, roses, and patol patra. Some are madhur rasa and amla rasa based. Decoction-based Virechan drugs include Trivritavaleha, Amaltas avaleha, and Quath. Guldkanda is a jam-like preparation using rose petals.