Mahakashayas= Maha+kashayas
The word meaning is maha-great and kashayas meaning is decoctions
The mahakashayas are one of the fantastic concept explained by AACHARYA CHARAK in sutra sthana chapter 4,named as SHAD VIRECHANA SHATASHRITIYA ADHYAYA. This chapter explains 500 herbs by using which the decoctions can be prepared and grouped into 50 groups of 10 herbs each. These groups called maha kashayas.
50 mahakashaya are 50 great decoctions. Each mahakashaya comprise 10 herbs used to induce that action mentioned in the name of that decoction.
• Any mahakashaya is thus made up of 10 individual. The totel number of decoctions is 500.ex.-50 mahakashaya × individual Kashaya.
• The physician can also prepare Kashaya using 2/3 or all ingredients metioned in mahakashaya.
• Generally the term Kashaya is used for shruta type of pharmaceutical preparation mentioned above. But the ingredient of the mahakashaya shall also be used in other forms ex.-swarasa(juice),kalka(paste),heam(cold infusion), phant(hot infusion) etc.this is all types of pharmaceutical preparations are called as kashayas.
CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF MAHAKASHAYA-
The explanation of 50 mhakashaya given by aacharya charak are used as guidelines for practicing. Many of 500 herbs mentioned by aacharya charak in this context are either not available or not have maximum potency as probably they used to have in olden days.
50 MAHAKASHAYA- the mahakashaya elaborated in charak Samhita-
Name of mahakashaya -Intended action of mahakashaya
Jivaniya -Providing nutrition
Brimhaniya -Weight promoting
Lekaniya -Weight reducing herbs
Bhedaniya -Purgatives
Sandhaniya -Unions promoters
Deepaniya -Digestives
Balya -Strength promoters
Varnya -Complexion promoters
Kanthya -Voice promoters
Hridhya -Cardiac tonics
Truptighna -Appetizers
Arshoghna -Anti-hemorrhoidals
Kusthaghan -Skin disese remedies
Kandughana -Antipruritics
Krimighana -Vermicides
Vishaghana -Anti-toxic herbs
Stanyajanana -Galactogogues
Stanyashodhana -Galacto purifiers
Shukrajanana -Spermopoietic
Sukrashodhana -Sperm purifiers
Snehopaga -Adjuvents in Oleation therapy
Swedopaga -Adjuvents in Sudation therapy
Vamanopaga -Adjuvents in Emetic therapy
Virechanopaga -Adjuvents in Purgative therapy
Asthapanopaga -Adjuvents in non-oily enemas
Anuvasnopaga -Adjuvents in oily enemas
Shirovirechanopaga -Adjuvants in errhine therapies
Chardi nigrahana -Anti-emetic
Trishna nigrahna -Anti-thrist herbs
hikkanigrahna -Anti hiccough herbs
Purisha sangrahaniya -Constipatory
Purishvirjniya -Correctives of fecal pigments
Mutrasangrahaniya -Urinary astringents
Mutravirjaniya -Correctives of urine pigments
Mutravirechanaiya -Diuretics
Kashahara -Brochial sedatives
Swasahara -Bronchial antispasmodics
Shothahara -Antiswelling herbs
Jwarhara -Antipyretics
Shramhara -Anti fatigue herbs
Dahaprashmana -Burning sensation controlling herbs
Shitaprsamna -Anticold herbs
Udardprashmna -Antiurticaria herbs
Angamardaprashmana -Restoratives
Sulaprashmna -Analgesis
Shonitasthapana- Haemostatics
Vedanasthapna -Anodynes
Samjnasthapan -Resuscitatives
Prajasthapana -Procreants
vayasthapna -Rejuvenators
for more information about health and ayurveda,stay connected with us.
