Table of Contents
Introduction
Introduction to
Bhaishajya Kalpana
Definition of
Bheshaja
Synonyms of
Bheshaja
Definition of Kalpana
Definition of
Bhaishajya Kalpana
Importance of
Bhaishajya Kalpana
Summary
Introduction:
The compound formulations of Ayurveda can be
categorised into Kashtaushadhi and Rasaushadhi. Kashtaushadhi are the
formulations prepared by using plant drugs predominantly and it is dealt in a
branch named as Bhaishajya Kalpana. Similarly, Rasaushadhi are the formulations
prepared by metals and minerals predominantly and it is dealt in a branch named
as Rasa shastra. To mention a few, pancha vidha kashaya Kalpana, avalehya, vati,
taila, ghrita, asava arishta are the categories which can be considered under
kashtaushadhi and bhasma, mandura, loha, parpati, kupipakwa rasayana, pottali
kalpas under Rasaushadhi. This write up introduces you precisely about the
section, Bhaishajya Kalpana.
Introduction toBhaishajya Kalpana:
Bhaishajya kalpana is a unique branch of Ayurveda
which encompasses the entire technique of manufacturing the medicines. The
identification of the source material, timely procurement, its processing,
method of preparation, its properties and therapeutic utility of any
formulation which is described in various treatises of Ayurveda has been dealt
in a separate branch called as Bhaishajya Kalpana. The term Bhaishajya Kalpana
comprises of two words, Bheshaja and Kalpana.
Definition of Bheshaja:
Ayurveda has given utmost importance to bheshaja/
aushadha and considered it as one of the trisutras and placed next to bhishak
in chikitsa chatushpada. Along with the knowledge of causes and symptoms of the
diseases, the physician should be well versed in pharmaceutical and
pharmacological potentials of medicines for the purpose of treatment. Only then
he can be considered as an ideal physician.
v रोगभयं जयतीति भेषजम्।।
v भेषं रोगं जयतीति औषधं इत्यमरः।। (श क दृ)
v तदेव युक्तं भैषज्यं यदारोग्याय कल्पते।। (च सू 1/134)
v ओसो नाम रसः, स अस्यां धीयते यद् तद् औषधिः |
ओसाद् आरोग्यमाधत्ते तस्मात् ओषधिर् औषधः | (का सं खि ३/२७)
Any substance through which we overcome the fear of
disease is called as bheshaja/ aushadha. Acharya charaka says, bheshaja is a
substance which brings back the vitiated doshas to their normal level and
provides a healthy state.
v
तध्यथा- पुरुषो बहूनां कर्मणां करणे समर्थो भवति........तद्वत् औषधद्रव्यमपि द्रष्टव्यम् |
(च सु ४/२२)
v
बहुकल्पं बहुगुण सम्पन्नं योग्यं औषधम् | (अ हृ सु १/२७-२९)
Bheshaja/Aushadha is capable of performing diverse
functions similar to that of a human. Hence it can be considered as multidimensional
therapeutic aid employed for the treatment of diseases.
In a broad sense, any substance or a combination of
substances intended to be used internally or externally for the purpose of
prevention and treatment of diseases either in man or animal is called as
Bheshaja/ Aushadha.
Synonyms of Bheshaja:
v चिकित्सितं व्याधिहरं पथ्यं साधनमौषधम्।
प्रायश्चित्तं प्रशमनं प्रकृतिस्थापनं हितम्।। (च चि 1/3)
चिकित्सम् – from which treatment is achieved
व्याधिहरम्- which destroys the disease
पथ्यम्- which does not cause any
obstruction in the channels and pleasing to mind
साधनम्- instrumental aid to physician
औषधम्- which gives health
प्रायश्चित्तम्- any
adravyabhuta chikitsa rendered to treat a disease
प्रकृतिस्थापनम्- which
brings the equilibrium among doshas
हितम्-
which is conducive to body and mind
Definition of Kalpana:
v कलप्यते विधीयते असौ विधिः।। (श क दृ)
v प्रकल्पनं संस्करणम् इति।। (चक्रपाणि)
v कल्पनं योजनमित्यर्थः।। (अरूणदत्त)
v शरीरे प्रयोगार्थं पेषण तोयाग्न्यादि योगेन संस्करण मानेन इति कल्पना || (चक्रपाणि)
Kalpana means vidhi, vidhana, samskara or proyoga
vidhi. Kalpana is a process through which a substance is modified or
transformed or planned and prepared into a medicine form by using single or
several raw materials as per the physician’s requirement.
Various techniques like grinding, heating, washing
etc are adopted and the drug is made fit for internal administration. This
transformation is called as kalpana.
Definition of Bhaishajya Kalpana:
v भैषज्यानां कल्पन इति भैषज्य कल्पन |
The branch of science which mainly deals with the
identification, procurement, purification, processing, preparation,
preservation of drugs and also mode of administration and dosage is known as
Bhaishajya Kalpana.
Importance of Bhaishajya Kalpana:
v सर्वैषधि विशारदःभिषक्सर्वामयान्हन्ति।
सर्वभेषज तत्वज्ञो राज्ञाःप्राणर्पतिःभवेत्।। (च
वि ६)
A physician who has the complete knowledge of all the
drugs (aushadha) along with their basic principles can treat the disease
successfully and he is considered as an ideal physician who can save the life
of suffering people.
v अल्पस्यापि महार्थत्वं प्रभूतस्याल्प कर्मतां।
कुर्यात्सम्योग विश्लेष काल संस्कार युक्तिभिः।। (च
क १२/४८)
The knowledge of Bhaishajya Kalpana helps to
transform a simple drug into most potent one by few techniques like samyoga
(addition), vishlesha (deletion), kala (keeping the drug for specific period of
time), samskara (drug is made to contact with toya, agni etc), yukti (through
intelligence).
v योगादपि विषं तीक्ष्णं उत्तमं भेषजं भवेत्।
भेषजं
चापि दुर्युक्तं तीक्ष्णं सम्पद्यते विषम्।। (च
सू १/२६)
By adopting appropriate processing techniques, even a
poisonous drug can be converted into an excellent medicine. Similarly, if a
medicine is used inappropriately it can act as a poison.
v यथा विषं यथा शस्त्रं यथा अग्निरशनिर्यथा |
तथौषधमविज्ञातं विज्ञानं अमृतं तथा ||
(च सु १/१२४)
When the complete knowledge of the drug is not
gained, it can act as a poison, weapon, fire or a thunder bolt. On contrary,
when the complete knowledge of the drug is gained, it acts as ambrosia.
Summary:
Thus from the above given verses we can understand
the importance of Bhaishajya Kalpana and the knowledge of this subject enables
us to,
ü Enhance the potency of the drug
ü Make the drug palatable
ü Remove the toxic effect of the drug by purification techniques
ü Enhance the shelf life of the drug
ü Prescribe different dosage forms based on dosha
involvement and severity of the disease
ü Combining the drugs when single drug fails to meet
the therapeutic need
ü Formulate the medicines for dwandwaja and tridoshaja
vyadhies