IMPORTANCE OF RASOUSHADHIS IN AYURVEDA: A REVIEW

Abstract

If used wisely, science is a boon to humanity and, if misused, can be hazardous. Ayurveda is one of the primordial systems of medical science that has elaborated the causes and methods of drug-induced consequences and preventive measures. Every system has some flaws, which need to be noted and rectified no matter how excellent the system is. In rasoushadhis (herbomineral formulations) preparation, specific techniques like shodhana, jarana and marana etc., have been developed to prepare more bio-assimilable forms of rasaushadha dravya. The indications, dose, vehicle, period of drug administration, interval or duration of treatment, diagnosis of the disease, nature or prakriti of the patient, pathya-apathya (favourable-unfavourable regimen) etc., are significant factors that the physician should always consider before they recommend these rasoushadhis to the patients. This review compiles the standard procedures which are adopted during the preparation of rasoushadhis like Shodhana, and Marana, the utility of rasoushadhis in Ashtanga Ayurveda, skin diseases, lifestyle disorders etc. and the rational use of rasoushadhis to understand and highlight the importance and uniqueness of rasoushadhis.