Shodhanam (cleansing agents)- This terms also used as visodhan / Sanshodhanam by different writers. This is a generalized term used for Vaman, Virechan, Basti, and many more, about Shodhanam we get descriptions from Samhita. As we know that the basic principle of ayurvedic physiology is Dosha based. The word Shodhanam (purification) stands for removing out the doshas from body by upper part i.e. mouth by vomiting and by and through stools or stomach wash.

The Shodhanam drugs are that kind of medicine which eliminate the doshas from the body. In the Susruta Samhita Acharya Dalhan mentioned about cleaning the wound or access by using 8 types of preparations. Kashaya, Varti, Kalka, Ghrita, Tail, Raskriya choorna, dhoopan and Kledanam of all these Kalpana the kshedan is surgical intervention to clean up the abscess by expiration if by the means of instrument (Shasta).

Like wise charka mentioned in kalpa-I is the same description made by sharangdhar. Devali, Madanphal, Jeemutak, Ikshuwak and Kutaj are said to be being Shodhanam dravya (vamak). In Ayurveda the shodhan drugs are said to be containing macro aspect of fire and air in their paanch bhautik vinyas (five elemental constituency) thus they are effective on eliminating the doshas from the body by vomiting and stools. This description is found in Susruta -(Devali) Madanphal, Jeemutak, Ikshuwak and Kutaj are said to be being Shodhanam dravya (vamak).

Shanshamana (stoppers/ blockers/sedatives) -Some drugs are know to be acting only on the elevated doshas with disturbing the other doshas and reduce the complications asked due to the elevated doshas. This is the conclusion from the texts references from Ashtaang Hridyam Samhita and Sharangdhar Samhita. These drugs that have the macro part of akash (space entity) in them are shamak (producing shanshamana effect) in nature and action. This is generalized term having more than hundreds of specific prefixes as per the doshas dhatu, guna, kaal, dravya and more. For example - Vaatshamak, Sheet shaman, Dhaashamak, Sharkarashamk

Syandanam (secretion stimulants) -These drugs that have tendency to induce any type of secretions from glands or skin are Syandanam drugs (Lavan rasa is Syandanam drug).

Soshanam (absorbents) -One of the most commonly used words in Ayurveda is Soshanam. Literary meaning of the word is to absorb from Ayurveda texts. All those medicines / drugs that are tend to absorb the doshas and mala from the body are Soshanam. Shoshan, puyasoshan, Medsoshan and sukhrashoshan are some specific types of Soshanam drugs.

Sthapanam (reestablishing agents)-Sthapanam action in general can be understood by the action of drugs that re-establishes the dosha, dhatu, in their natural state and improvises health. By sthapan category all the vednasthapak (painkillers), shonit sthapak (blood purifying agents) and prajasthapan (establishers reproduction organ systems) are described. The sangya Sthapanam (bringing back to senses) can be taken as non-anesthetic drugs.

Tarpanam (satisfier-Satisfying agents). -All body developing drugs that help in nutrition and satisfy the body and dosha dhatu, mala in accordance with Ayurveda are taken in Tarpanam category. All Tarpanam drugs are known to be rich in protein carbohydrate fats so as to satisfy the bodily nutrition requirements. Milk, sugar, maans rasa and ghrita, sound steep, mental peace are all counting to Tarpanam drugs and procedure category.

Upchayakrita (metabolites)- these are various end products of physiological process of digestion. They can be considered as the end product of rasa dhatu after pachaan (digestion).

Viranjaniya (coloration/pigmenting agents or coloration drugs). All the drugs falling in this category have qualitative tendency of coloration or pigmenting any of human body part or substances. As in charka Samhita the description of viranjaniya drugs is found in sutra sthana. According to this the drugs that pigmetizes the stool is called purish viranjanya.

Vardhanam (generative/producers): - (Aggravators). This term can be best used in additive sense or increment. All the drugs which are Vardhanam have got specific properties to aggravate the dosha, dhatu, mala, updhatu or vyadhi (diseases) which they are associated. For example the lactation stimulant are termed as stanyavardhan (increasing lactation). Jeeraka (cumin), guda (jaggery preparation) and kakoliyadi gana from Charka Samhita are stanyavardhan. From modern science. All those drugs which are respectively saptadhatu (seven constituent Rasa) and Vardhakam (Increasing) can be best nutrition supplement in the diseases related with all the sapta dhatu i.e. Rasa (Gastro-Intestinal disorders), Rakta (Blood and circulatory system disorders), Mansa (Myopathic and muscular deficiency conditions), majja bone marrow related problems, asthi (bones) and traumatic destruction of bones), vasa (adipose and vascular tissue system disorder) and Shukra (semen and reproductive system disorders).

Vichhedanam- (dissecting or disintegrating)

Vidahi (burning sensation producer /Acidic): - Those drugs that are producing burning sensation when locally applied or taken parentally are vidahi in nature. All the amla rasa (sour taste) drugs are vidahi in nature and property.

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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