DIFFERENT DOSAGE FORMS OF AYURVEDA

Ayurveda has a strong root in its own basic principles has enabled this science to survive so long and be valid and popular in this day and age.

Today man has achieved high peaks in the field of medicine with the development of various technology and research. However, Ayurveda still holds a high profile in serving man-kind to mitigate the sufferings - be it physical, mental or spiritual.

The pondering mind of our Acharyas, considering the multitude nature of the herbal resources and multifactorial nature of the disease – envisaged multiple Kalpanas – i.e. to suit the person, disease, Kala or the Satmya in overall. Ayurveda can be concise and understood in “Trisutra” i.e. Hetu, Linga and Aushadha from which Aushadha means Bhaishaja -

The importance of Bhaishaja is mentioned under the heading of“ChikitsaChatuspada”

Among, “AnekavidhaKalpana” of Bhaishaja the five basic Kalpanas (swarasa, Kalka, Kwath, Hima & Phanta) have their own importance. Since these basic Kalpanas have short shelf life several Upakalpanas came into existence for e.g. AvalehaKalpana, SandhanaKalpana, Sneha Kalpanas etc.

In Ayurveda, there is a description of different dosage forms which have been explained nearly 5000 years ago. These are explained in classics for the purpose of making it compatible without losing the potency or efficiency of the drugs. It has been explained in a systematic manner considering all the aspects like Desa, Kala, Bala etc. In classics, it is mentioned that different dosage forms can be made by the Yukti of the physician involving the principle of Samyoga or Vibhaga to convert into another dosage form...

The importance of various dosage forms in Ayurveda is to make it compatible and palatable to the patient. It is also used to increase the shelf life of the particular preparation. In accordance with the roga, bala, prakruti and satmya of the patient dosage can be fixed.

DOSAGE FORMS:

In Ayurveda, different kalpanas have been explained which stands well even for present era

We could see the different dosage forms based on its physical property it can be grouped into 3 main groups: liquid, semi-solid and solid dosage forms.

There are certain pharmaceutically modified dosage forms in Ayurveda like syrups, capsules, pain balms, tablet, soft gelatin capsules etc. for making the dosage forms more palatable and acceptable.

Still many types of research are going on.

About Author 

Dr.Bibin.K.B

Assistant professor, Department of RS&BK

Muniyal Institute of Ayurveda Medical Sciences

Having 10 years of experience as Ayurveda Physician in handling various ailments.