Article: FORMULATIONS OF GHRITA IN CHARAKA SAMHITA: A SYNOPTIC VIEW

Article Category: Review articles

DOI: 10.7897/2277-4343.110244

Pages: 123-128

Author: Anubha Yadav *

Abstract: Ayurveda can be defined as a system, which uses principles of nature to promote, preserve health and eradicate diseases. This system focuses on keeping body, mind and spirit of an individual in equilibrium with nature. The Materia Medica of Ayurveda comprises of resources of plant, animal, metal and mineral origin, which have been advocated for use in different pathologies. In Ayurveda, drug therapy has great importance. Besides the five basic formulations viz. ‘Swarasa’, ‘Kalka’, ‘Kwatha’, ‘Hima’ and ‘Phanta’, there are many secondary preparations, descriptions of which is comprehensively explained in the classics. Medicated oils and Ghee are one such important category; where ghee is boiled with prescribed decoctions and paste of drugs. This process possibly ensures absorption of the active therapeutic properties of the ingredients into the oleaginous base. In such oleaginous preparations, three ingredients are essential - (1) ghee, (2) liquid, (3) fine paste of the ingredients. Description of standard methods of preparation, different stages of cooking, ideal characters of good preparations, utilization, limitations, dose, mode of utilization etc. have been explained systematically in the literature. Considering the importance of Ghrita Kalpana; a large number of formulations have been mentioned in Charaka Samhita. As no information is available on the numbers of Ghrita formulations in the classical literature; an attempt has been made to review Charaka Samhita and place information at one place.

Keyword: Ayurveda, Charaka Samhita, Ghrita