There
are some herbal combinations that are found to act as antibiotic.
Here we will discuss type of medicines and herbs
that act in the same way as antibiotic works. At the time of
Susruta surgical aspect of Ayurveda was at its peak.
Susruta applied many techniques and combinations to make surgery a success. He used decoctions of herbs, dhoom (fumigation), honey, ghee and different type of embrocating powders for healing the surgical wounds and prevents them from infections. Before
Susruta; Charka also described about agantuka roga (acquired diseases) as well as different types of intestinal parasites. The use of different combinations of drugs and medicines to remove these parasites as well as for preventive treatment is supposed to be the same as antibiotics are used now days.
As we study Vedas, various disease are described
that are caused by microorganisms. Some of these organisms are Arti, Alinsh,
Arjuna and more. From Ayurvedic text, it becomes very clear that the immunity of human body must be maintained. The use of Rasayana and the life style adaptation are the basic to maintain immunity. There are various types of drugs that are used to kill the pathogens causing these agantuka roga. Of all Ayurveda related text the surgery part that needed an extra attention towards the infection is described in
Susruta Samhita.
All the surgical procedures are based upon the theory of destroying the pathogens by use of various embrocating medicines as well as parental drugs that were suppose to disinfect the wounds caused by surgery. In short the postoperative treatment is very much useful for the antibiotic type of medication. For this there are a number of drugs that are used like as vacha, Kushtha, Neem, Palash as well as honey, ghee, and oil based paste.
There are various category of drugs that act as antibiotic on various systemic aliments. They can be categorized as follows -
The Kotha prashamana category of drugs acts as anti putrefying agents. There pharmacological action is preventing the putrification. The mercuric preparations, clove oil, peppermint are a few example of this.
In Ayurveda there is a term called agad it’s English equivalent means poison. Though the poison category is not very much clarified in Ayurveda but it is divided into animal and vegetable poisons. There are several antidotes for poisons. It is very interesting fact that for animal category poison the vegetable antidote are used. These are termed as agad. As we know that the microorganisms cause various toxins as well as disease in body.
That is the basic principle behind the vegetable antidotes to be used as complementary to the basic line of treatment for agantuka roga. There are following agadkar drugs used in Ayurveda.
- Nakuli,
- Prishnaparni,
- Shrish,
- Priyangu,
- Hreeber,
- Kustha and more.
In the same way there are certain category of drugs that are used as systemic aliment based antibiotic like a term Ekshanapaak ghatai (anti septic for eyes) is used in Ayurveda. It means that which act as antiseptic for eyes. For this purpose a confectionary based medicine- palash Raskriya is used.
Further adding to it there are drugs that are used to destroy worms they are called Krimighna. In Ayurveda there are descriptions related with the worms and medicines to remove them. For the purpose following drugs are used as per the requirement and conditions of the patient.
- Apamarga,
- Gandir,
- Gokshur,
- Maricha,
- Mushaparni,
- Nirgundi,
- Palash,
- Parseeka yavani,
- Shobhanjana,
- Vidanga,
- Vrishparni.
As we have discussed above there are certain drugs that act as antitoxic they are termed as vishaghana. These medicines are having antibiotic properties. They are
- Chandan,
- Haridra,
- Katak,
- Manjishta,
- Palindi,
- Shleshmatka.
- Sindhuvaar
- Sukshmala,
- Suvaha,
Ayurveda also describes antidotes for toxins
that are produced by nails and teeth. So it is very clear that they knew
some ways to tackle infection is generated and spread.
Lack of knowledge of the microorganisms in their actual form
was there but they were aware about the conditions of infections that develop because of these microorganisms. As those people knew about the
various routes by which infection may be
caused.
Below are some of the herbs that has
anti-microbial activities
- Ashvakarna,
- Garika lepa.
- Gijhiva,
- Haridra,
- Sampadika,
- Sombalka,
Like wise there are Naari vrinahara drugs (drugs that act as antiseptic to chronic wounds) Devdaru, Maricha, Haridra, are naari vrinhara drugs.
As post-operative measure; medicated decoctions are used to wash the wounds to prevent them from infections. This process is called as Prakshaalanama
as per Ayurveda. For this purpose the wounds are washed
with decoctions of nimbadi, triphala and odumbar Swarasa.
A term roga jantughana is used in Ayurveda that means destroyers of pathogens. Gugglu is described as roga jantughana.
In common the various multiple combination medicines that are having antibiotic /antiseptic properties are herbal and mineral combinations
sulphur is also used for this purpose.
Some medicines are-
- Gandhak Rasayana.
- Haridra,
- Jatyadi Tail,
- Jaya Vati
- Nimbadi Tel
- Nimbadi Vati
- Rasanjana Vati,
- Shigru Guggal,
- Shudh Gandhak
- Swarnvang,
Apart form these, the Rasayana procedures and medicines used
as Rasayana are also helpfu in building up the immunity of body so as to prevent it from various infections.
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