Did you ever gave a thought to it that why doctors advice you to take certain medicines with milk, juice or simply with water. You might have considered it a medium to swallow the medicine. But it is a wrong notion. These recommendations of taking medicine with specific vehicle or medium is purely scientific and has lots to do with incensing the efficacy of the medicine. Even ayurveda has mentioned these mediums or vehicles. These are known as Anupaan in Ayurvedic terminology.

This concept of vehicle for medicine is quite significant in ayurvedic treatment. Ashtaang samgraha, Ashtaang Hridyam states that Anupaan is the liquid or food with which the medicine is mixed or taken is called Anupaan (vehicle) for the medicine.

The vehicle concept in ayurveda is described as to accelerate the circulation, absorption and assimilation of the medicine into the body. Those drugs which have the tendency to increase the absorption and assimilation of drugs is called yogavahi. This term is equivalent to be accelerative or those that accelerates on addition.

Charka also describes the some as “anupaan” (vehicle) if selected suitably satisfies the human being and the digestion of medicine and food is easy which increase vigor and health.

The concept of Anupaan was perhaps developed because a major variety of medicaments from Brithatta-tryee (greater triad) of ayurveda fall under the category of Ahara (food). Ashtaang Hridya selects the vehicle of medicine to be the best if that is containing the opposite properties as that of the medicine but must not be incompatible.

Nowadays a major variety of food available is made in such a manner that finds to be contradicting as per the theory of ayurvedic (See incompatibilities details). As we know ayurveda is herbal therapy. The medicaments either they are from mineral group or are processed and based upon herbal ingredients. This is the reason this concept of medicament vehicle is useful.

Also Vata, pitta, & kapha theory or in very simple words the theory of circulatory systems, metabolic system, and depository regimes. The diseases based vehicle as per the classification of disease by ayurveda is to be concentrated upon and explored for greater efficacy.

As in the vata vikaar (diseases), the disease of circulatory system, muscular system, nervous system the snigdha (moist) and ushna-virya (hot), Anupaan (vehicle) must be used. That’s why hot milk after a few drops of ghee added to it are taken as vehicle for the vata diseases.

Same way in paittik (disorders of metabolic system/process/digestive system) sheet (cold) & madhur (sweet) based drugs are used as vehicles. For example the

In kaphaja Vikaar (depository or nutritional dysfunction), suksha (coarse & rough) Anupaan must be used. Like wise for a person with tubercular condition (Kshya Roga), maans rasa (non vegetarian soup) is considered to be the best vehicle.

For an overstressed person, milk is the best vehicle. As for debility condition ayurveda uses Madhya (alcoholic /liquor) for the tonic purpose as vehicle. For fatty people the use of honey-based drink is best Anupaan (vehicle).

References -

• Ashtaang Hridya, Classical text book by Chaukhambha Surbharti Publication Vranasi India
• Ashtaang Samgrha Classical textbook by Chaukhambha Surbharti Publication Vranasi India
• Bhaishajya Ratnavali Classical textbook by Chaukhambha Surbharti Publication Vranasi India
• Charka samhita classical textbook vol-1-2 by Chaukhambha Surbharti Publication Vranasi India
• Chukra dutta text tika by Chaukhambha Surbharti Publication Vranasi India
• Sharangdhar Samhita Classical textbook by Chaukhambha Surbharti Publication Vranasi India
• Sushrut Samhita Classical textbook vol 1,2, & 3 by Chaukhambha Surbharti Publication Vranasi India

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