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| EDITORIAL |
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| Year : 2022 | Volume
: 6
| Issue : 4 | Page : 149-151 |
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"Chikitsa Sutra": A ready reckoner of treatment guidelines catering to rationalization of Ayurvedic ideology
Rabinarayan Acharya
Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Research in Ayurvedic Sciences, Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS), Ministry of Ayush, Government of India, New Delhi, India
| Date of Submission | 31-Oct-2022 |
| Date of Acceptance | 11-Nov-2022 |
| Date of Web Publication | 05-Dec-2022 |
Correspondence Address:
Prof. Rabinarayan Acharya
Director General, Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS), Ministry of Ayush, Government of India, Janakpuri, New Delhi
India
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None
DOI: 10.4103/jras.jras_167_22
How to cite this article:
Acharya R. "Chikitsa Sutra": A ready reckoner of treatment guidelines catering to rationalization of Ayurvedic ideology. J Res Ayurvedic Sci 2022;6:149-51 |
How to cite this URL:
Acharya R. "Chikitsa Sutra": A ready reckoner of treatment guidelines catering to rationalization of Ayurvedic ideology. J Res Ayurvedic Sci [serial online] 2022 [cited 2023 Mar 25];6:149-51. Available from: http://www.jrasccras.com/text.asp?2022/6/4/149/362653 |
A disease’s therapy can be described with sufficient and pertinent details and briefly, like broadly applicable guidelines. The concise guidelines are significant in offering a crucial treatment plan that may be a necessary step in managing the disease condition. In Ayurveda, the guidelines narrated under the heading Chikitsa Sutra (CS) clearly indicate a measure or combination of measures that should be adopted while planning the treatment of a disease. The individual-based treatment approach of Ayurveda, the availability of several intervention modalities, and a large number of formulations can result in difficulty in providing effective treatment. The knowledge and practical understanding of CS help in overcoming such challenges. For example, in the context of skin diseases, the main line of therapy indicated as per CS for Vataja Kushtha (~skin disease with dry and rough skin manifestations) is with medicated ghee, Kaphaja Kushtha (~skin disease with discharge and itching) with therapeutic emesis; and Pittaja Kushtha (~skin disease with redness and burning sensation) with therapeutic purgation followed by bloodletting. The internal and external medication may vary based on the patient’s characteristics, disease symptoms, and physician’s view. In other words, CS is a guideline that focuses on the root cause of the disease and the path through which the most promising results can be achieved.
Currently, evidence of the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics concerning CS is yet to be established. Although several studies are available which can help in understanding the basis of procedures narrated in CS, such as the pharmacodynamics of Nasya Karma,[1]Virechana karma (therapeutic purgation) in the restoration of gut microbiota concerning Amavata,[2] effect of Vasantic Vaman,[3] and Matra Basti in the management of Amavata,[4] etc. A systematic review of the role of procedures involved under various CS and the relevant interpretations in various clinical studies can bring forth the physiopathological basis of CS. A modified integrative treatment plan can be created based on the pharmacological basis or the drug-induced expected physiological mechanism. For example, the inclusion of therapeutic purgation along with anti-fungal internal and external medications while treating generalized psoriasis. Similarly, the indication of the administration of Navaka Nasya (administration of decoction and medicated oils through nostrils), Murdhnitaila (application of different oil treatments on the head), Tarpana (retention of oil in the eye), Karnapurana (retention of oil in the ear), and Upanaha (herbal poultice) to treat Ardita (bell’s palsy);[5],[6] can be explored by using either Ayurveda medicines or modern intranasal drug delivery system through compressed air nebulizers, squeezed nasal bottles, metered-dose pump sprays, nasal gels, etc. The non-availability of such CS-related treatment lines in contemporary medical science indicates revolutionary scope to explore new treatment modalities through an integrative approach.
As mentioned before, the CS is a guideline without the narration of therapeutic formulations; therefore, formulations from modern pharmaceutics that have similar action can be utilized to treat ailments such as bronchial asthma, hemiplegia, skin diseases, cardiovascular diseases, musculoskeletal disorders, infertility, etc. Incorporating CS based treatment strategy can help resolve the lacunas of the symptomatic treatment-based approach of modern medicine, especially in treating chronic diseases. A revolutionary change can affect some fundamental beliefs; otherwise, it can’t be a revolutionary change. To some extent, the concept of CS can affect the fundamental physiopathology of modern science. Pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, experimental, and clinical research can help answer CS’s relevance in contemporary physiopathology. Formulations of the modified dosage forms of Ayurveda medicines are used in modern medicines. Extract of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Nirgundi (Vitex Negundo), Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia), Neem (Azadirachta indica), Shunthi (Zingiber officinale), Turmeric (Curcuma longa), etc. are the well know herbs that can be seen as ingredients in several modern medicines. For the community’s health, it is time to utilize Ayurveda concepts such as CS to relieve the national disease burden.
Financial support and sponsorship
Not applicable.
Conflicts of interest
There are no conflicts of interest.
| References | |  |
| 1. | Kotwal S, Gupta A A critical review on the pharmacodynamics of Nasya Karma. Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences 2020;5:237-43.  |
| 2. | Godbole A, Sweta S, Abhinav A, Singh OP Virechana karma (therapeutic purgation) in the restoration of gut microbiota concerning Amavata (RA): A scientific exposition. Cellmed 2021;11:1-4. |
| 3. | Rawal M, Chudasma KM, Vyas RV, Parmar BP Effect of vasantic vaman and other panchakarma procedures on disorders of various systems. AYU 2010;31:319-24. |
| 4. | Khagram R, Mehta CS, Shukla VD, Dave AR Clinical effect of matra basti and vatari guggulu in the management of amavata (rheumatoid arthritis). AYU 2010;31:343-50. |
| 5. | Kashinath SP, Chaturvedi Gorakhnath C, editors. ChikitsaSthana; Chapter 28, verse no. 99. In: CharakSamhita of Agnivesha with Vidyotini Hindi Commentry. Varanasi, India: Chaukhamba Surabharati Prakashana; 2008. p. 795. |
| 6. | Bramhananda T, editor. Sutra Sthana; Chapter 20, verse no. 17. In: AstangaHridaya of Vagbhatta with Nirmala Hindi Commentary. Varanasi, India: Chaukhamba Sanskrit Pratisthana; 2013. p. 247. |
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