After studying the commonly used in Bhaishajiya Kalpana and other related text, we now will learn about the most interesting part of Bhaishajiya Kalpana (medicaments) that is medicine matrix.

These medicine matrixes are specific drug groups present in triad, guardant, pentads and more forms. While studying the basic pharmaceutical text related with Ayurveda one mainly come across these term usage. The complete knowledge of these medicine categories make it very easy to study and under the basic principle and usage of pharmaceutical process for Ayurveda.

Triads (combination of three herbs/drugs used by specific name in ayurveda)

• Triphala: - Haritaki, Amalaki and Bhibitaki (taken in same proportion)
• Trikatu: - pippali (1 part), Marcia (1 part) and Sunthi (1 part)
• Trimada: - Nagarmotha, Chitrakmula and Vidanga
• Madhur Traya: - Ghrita, Gud and madhu.
• Trijataka -Dalchini, Illayachi and Tejapatra equal parts.

Quadrants (combination of four herbs/drugs used by specific name in ayurveda) -

• Chaturjataka: - Dalchini, Illayachi, Tejapatra and Negakesara in equal proportion are called Chaturjatak.

• Chaturushna: - Sunthi, pippali, Marcia, and pipplimula all taken in equal proportion are called Chaturushna.

• Chaturbeeja: - The four seeds of methika, chandrashura, mangrela and ajyawan all taken in equal quantity forms Chaturbeeja.

Pentads (Combinations for different drugs)

• Brihatapanchmula: - Belmultwaka (roof part’s bark) Gambhari multwaka (bark of root) patalamula (roof) Arnimula (roof) and sonapatha mula twaka, all taken in equal part are called Brihatapanchmula.

• Laghupanchmula: - Shalparni, prishnaparni, Bari Kateri, Choti Kateri and Gokshur the roots of all these shrubs taken in equal proportion are called Laghupanchmula. All the 5 panchamula both laghu and Brihta panchamula taken together forms the Dashamula.

• Kantak panchamula: - The five drugs karonda, Gokshur, Katsariya, Shatavari, and Gridhanakhi in equal proportion are known as the kantak panchmula.

• Vallipanchamula: - Vidarikanda, Anantamula, Haridra, Gaduchi and Ajashringi when taken in equal parts are termed as Vallipanchamula.

• Trinapanchmula: - The roofs of these five kusha, kash, sarpat, Draksha and Ikshu are known as Trinapanchmula.

• Panchavalkal: - The bark of Vata, Gular, papal, paras papal and pankad taken in equal proportion are called Panchavalkal.

• Panchkshiri Vriksha: - The above five trees of vata, Gular, papal, paras papal and pankad are called Panchkshiri Vriksha.

• Panchtikta: - Gaduchi, Nimba mula twaka, Vasa mula, Kantkari, and patol patra, when taken in equal proportion are called Panchatikta. These all drugs are containing tikta Rasa and antipyretic nature.

• Panchapallava: - The leaves of Aamra, Janun, kapith (kenth) Bijaura nimbu, and Belpatra are called pancha pallava. These are used mainly  for producing essence or fragrance in liquids or to destroy the odor of any type. This is because of ethers present in them.

• Pancha mrittika: - In the (Brick powder) choorna, gairik mitti (pyrites of iron in crude form) saindhava salt (Rock salt), Lonbhasma (Ash of cows drug cakes) and Bambi mitti (soil of the termites) are called pancha mrittika. This is used in Rasa Shastra mainly and for the spiritual rituals.

• Panchamrita: - The cows milk product, milk, curd, ghee, honey and gud (jaaggery) or sugar taken in equal amount is called panchamrita.

• Panchagavya: - Cows milk, curd, ghee, cow’s urine and cow dunk extract in equal part are known as Panchagavya. These are used for the religious activities.

• Mitrapanchak: - Ghee, Gunja, Suhaga or tankana (Borax), madhu (honey) and Guggul (commiphera mukal extract) when taken in equal proportion are called mitra panchak.

• Panchkola: - Pippali, pipplimula, chavya, chitraka and Sunthi all five taken in 1 Kola (6 grams) measure are termed as Panchkola.

• Kshaar Panchak: - The palash Kshaar, Musk kshaar, Yavakshaar survi kshaar and tila Kshaar taken in same quantity are known as Kshaar panchak.

Sextants: -(Combinations for six drugs)

• Shadaushna: - The six drugs chavya, chitraka, pippali, pipplimula, Sunthi and Marcia when taken in equal proportion are termed as Shadaushna. These all six drugs are ushna (hot temperament) virya this why are called Shadaushna.

• Shadangpaaniya: - Nagarmotha, pittapapra, khas-khas, Rakta chandana, sunthi and sugandhbala all taken in ¼  tola or 3 grams quantity crushed and boiled into 12 tola (144 grams) water till the water is evaporated up to 38 grams i.e. 1/4th that of actual measure. Then after filtering it and allow it to cool. This is used as medicine for thirst and burning sensation due to any type of fever.

Apart from these there are certain categories that are used for different pharmacy related purposes.

• Ashtavarga: - These are eight medicines used in chavyanprasha and other medicines Jeevak, Rishabak, Meda, Mahameda, Kakoli, Ksheerkakoli, Riddhi and Vridhhi, all taken in equal proportion are called Ashtavarga. These all medicines are extinct and don’t exist in today’s flora.

• Kakarashtaka: - Tarbuja, karela, Kela, kakamachi, Kusumbh, karkoti, kushmanda, and karkti, all these are known as Kakarashtaka. Any person taking medicines made up of paraad (Mercuric preparation) must avoid these eight drugs.

• Ksheerashtaka: - The milk, sheep, goat, crow, buffalo, female camel, female elephant mare and human female are collectively known as Ksheerashtaka.

• Mutrasthaka: - urine of these 8 sheep, cow, buffalo, goat, horse, elephant, camel, donkey, and animals is called mutrasthaka.

• Ksharashtaka: - The natural alkaline preparations of palaash, snuhi, Apamarga, Imli, arka, til, yava, and sarji taken in equal proportion are called Ksharashtaka.

• Sarva Gandha: - Dalchini, Choti Illayachi, Negakesara, Karpoor, Kankol, Agru, Shilaras and Lavang all these 9 drugs are called sarvagandha and used for fragrance purpose.

References -

Ashtaang Hridyam, Classical text book by Chaukhambha Surbahrti Publication Varanasi India

Ashtaang Samgraha Classical textbook by Chaukhambha Surbahrti Publication Varanasi India

Bhaishajya Ratnavali Classical textbook by Chaukhambha Surbahrti Publication Varanasi India

Charka samhita classical textbook vol-1-2 by Chaukhambha Surbahrti Publication Varanasi India

Chukra dutta tika by Chaukhambha Surbahrti Publication Varanasi India

Sharangdhar Samhita Classical textbook by Chaukhambha Surbahrti Publication Varanasi India

Susruta Samhita Classical textbook vol 1,2, & 3 by Chaukhambha Surbahrti Publication Varanasi India

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