Anulomana- (agents removing dosha from anus)-one of the most popular drugs from Ayurveda is Haritaki. It is very commonly used as laxative. It has got the tendency to remove all the indigested remains after digesting them. In sharangdhar Samhita it is described about Anulomana dravya that they have the specific property to digest the all undigested mala (removable body waste of gastric system) combined with the doshas (vata mainly) by disintegrating it and throws them out of the body by anus. So Haritaki is said to be Anulomana. Amalaki, and mulethi are some example of this category.

Apadan (agents) -This category in parallel to that of induces but generally this term is associated with disease conditions and various terms like mukhapaakamapadam (that which causes boils in mouth), meaning drugs which have tendency to produce abscess/inflammation in oral cavity, like wise different pathogenic definitions are made by obtaining Apadan term. Apadan means reason or cause.

Avasadan (Depressants) – the descriptions from Susruta Samhita contained in the terms pittavasadan, maansavsaadan and agniavsaadan. All these terms lead us to the meaning of avsadan as to decrease the action of the particular dosha, dhatu or Agni. For examples the Agvisaadan (dravya) drugs are deem to reduce the agni (digestive process) these drugs are found to be decreasing the intensity actions performed by agni, pitta, and other dosha, dhatu or mala (basic entities ,metabolites, and wastes.

Balaprada (strengthening agents/tonics)-Balaprada is that category of drugs that are supposed to increase the bala (stamina) of the body. Ayurveda says that veshwaar (soup of different non-vegetarian) madhur Rasa (sweet taste and drugs having the effect that of sweet taste after digestion) are balaprada.

Bhedanam (piercing or dismantling agents)- According to sharangdhar those drug that disintegrates doshas and mala and remove them out of the body are called bhedan dravya. The major categories of bhedan dravyas are sharkara (sugar), ashmari bhedhan (calculi destroyers), sandhibhedan (joint dislocator) and more. Susruta specifically defines shyamaladigana as bhedan drugs. All fast acting purgatives fall under the bhedan (stools) drugs like castor oil, Haritaki and more. Especially on the basis of calculi formed in kidney mainly of oxalate types are disintegrated by several ashmari – bhedan drugs (stones removing drugs). Gokshur and pashanbheda are ashmari bhedan drugs.

Bodhanam (provoking or senses stimulators). Those drugs / medicines which keep the body in psychosomatic balance are bodhan. They have tendency to be reestablish the imbalance or bring back to senses at their normal physiological function. This category of drugs has the tendency to act just opposite to the anesthetic and hypnotic drugs.

Dushan (contaminators the pollutants / contaminators) -This term is mainly used for the pollutants acting on the pitta dosha mainly. Pitta dushan, Raktadushan and drishti dushan are commonly found terms related with generalized term dushan. All these dushan drugs mainly have their pharmacological action upon the pitta i.e. biallary secretions and the blood. The drugs falling under this category are known to be acidic in nature or Amla rasa pradhan. Alcoholics fermented preparation and excessive use of Kshaar and salt.

Grahi (astringents) -Shunthi, jeerak and gaja pippali are said to be grahi. The term grahi in Ayurveda is used for suffixing the dosha dhatu mala etc. It is used for defining pharmacological specification of certain medicines and drugs. For example: - Raktasangrahika: - Those drugs that have tendency to absorb the liquid content of blood and make it viscous are said to be Raktasangrahik, priyangu, rasanjan, and gairik are some examples of this type of drugs. Many times from modern point of view those drugs having potassium and vitamin K have specific property for blood clotting but here the term can not be used for blood clotting process because it is ionization dependent and Grahi drugs have property to absorb the liquid content or reduces the jala-tatva (water part) from the doshas. Hence they must have specific property of containing the prithvi (earth) and Agni as macro part of their panch bhautik constituency. Sushrut describes it in sutra stham. From Ayurveda, grahi have both the deepan and paachan properties.

Ghati (septic) – All those drugs, which have tendency to develop septic conditions, are called septic. Generally they have tendency to putrefy or decay the bodily constituencies. All pathogenic microbes can be covered in this category. The vidahi (citric) and amla (acidic) drugs are generally septic in nature.

Janan (germinating agents) Janan (germinating): - All those drugs which are producing bodily substances or increasing are said to be janan literary meaning of janan is germination. This is category containing more than 30 specific terms. All there terms will be discussed separately in (Dravya Guna Vigyanam) segment.

Kirshanam- (scrapping or rubbing agents)- these drugs are used for scrapping the wounds and other parts. They are ruksha (dry) in nature. The drugs in this category are semal, arka, and neem paste.

Kopan (pollutant/provoking agents) -Ayurveda works on the dosha theory. The elevation or imbalance of the consistency of the tri-doshas of the body is known to be the condition of disease, termed as vikara in Ayurveda. The homeostasis or the samyavastha of doshas are disturbed by the incorrect diet as well as irregular life style. Now, this incorrect diet is due to the intake of same drugs. All those drugs foods and routines that imbalance the homeostasis are known to be kopan dravya. The drugs are substances that provoke the doshas disturbing them by either increasing or decreasing so as to harm the healthy condition are said to be kopan (Vata kopan),

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 text tika by Chaukhambha Surbahrti Publication Varanasi India
• Sharangdhar Samhita Classical textbook by Chaukhambha Surbahrti Publication Varanasi India
• Sushrut Samhita Classical textbook vol 1,2, & 3 by Chaukhambha Surbahrti Publication Varanasi India

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