ROLE OF RASA DRAVYAS IN AGADA YOGAS: A REVIEW

Abstract

Agada Tantra is one of the eight facets of Ayurveda that deal with the management of sthavara visha (plant and mineral poisons) and jangama visha (venomous bites, stings, etc.). For the management of poisons many formulations have been explained in the samhitas (treatise of Ayurveda). A literary review through Bruhatrayee (treatises of Ayurveda) revealed the use of rasa dravyas (mineral & metallic drugs) in the formulations mentioned for the management of sthavara and jangama visha. The common rasa dravyas used are orpiment, realgar, red ochre, etc. These formulations are used for external and internal use as pana (oral intake), nasya (nasal therapy), anjana (collyrium), etc. As most of the rasa dravyas used in the formulations are vishahara (anti-toxic), hrudya (cardioprotective), vranahara (wound healing), shulahara (analgesic) and kandughna (anti- pruritic) properties they are useful in the management of the toxic signs and symptoms manifested by various poisons.