E-ISSN:2456-3110

Review Article

Amrutham Ghrita

Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences

2022 Volume 7 Number 2 March
Publisherwww.maharshicharaka.in

Amrutham Ghrita: A Literary review

Revathy V.1*, Ravikrishna S.2, Sreejith K.3, Hebbar C.4
DOI:

1* V Revathy, Post Graduate Scholar, Department of PG studies in Agadatantra, Sri Dharmasthala Manjunatheswara College of Ayurveda, Udupi, Karnataka, India.

2 S Ravikrishna, Associate Professor, Department of PG studies in Agadatantra, Sri Dharmasthala Manjunatheswara College of Ayurveda, Udupi, Karnataka, India.

3 K Sreejith, Assistant Professor, Department of PG studies in Agadatantra, Sri Dharmasthala Manjunatheswara College of Ayurveda, Udupi, Karnataka, India.

4 Chaithra Hebbar, Professor, Head of the Department, Department of PG studies in Agadatantra, Sri Dharmasthala Manjunatheswara College of Ayurveda, Udupi, Karnataka, India.

Background: Amrutham Ghrita is a formulation explained in Samhitas in the context of Visha Chikitsa. It is a potent formulation which acts as Sarvavishaharam. Acharyas says that this Yoga can retain the life of a dead person. Objective: The objective of the present work is to do a critical review on Amrutham Ghrita. Method: The Reference of Amrutham Ghrita is taken from Susruta Samhita Kalpa Sthana - Dundubhisvaneeyam Adhyaya and Ashtangasangraha Uttaratantra - Vishaprathishedha Adhyaya. Conclusion: The action of Amrutham Ghrita is Samshamana of Visha. Majority of the drugs are Katu, Tikta Rasa Pradhana and having Ushna Veerya which acts as Kaphavatahara, hence this Ghrita may act on Visha.

Keywords: Vishachikitsa, Amrutham Ghrita, Sarvavishahara, Ayurveda

Corresponding Author How to Cite this Article To Browse
V Revathy, Post Graduate Scholar, Department of PG studies in Agadatantra, Sri Dharmasthala Manjunatheswara College of Ayurveda, Udupi, Karnataka, India.
Email: 		V Revathy, S Ravikrishna, K Sreejith, Chaithra Hebbar, Amrutham Ghrita: A Literary review. J Ayu Int Med Sci. 2022;7(2):77-82.
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https://jaims.in/jaims/article/view/1664

Manuscript Received Review Round 1 Review Round 2 Review Round 3 Accepted
2022-01-27 2022-02-03 2022-02-10 2022-02-17 2022-02-24
Conflict of Interest Funding Ethical Approval Plagiarism X-checker Note
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© 2022by V Revathy, S Ravikrishna, K Sreejith, Chaithra Hebbarand Published by Maharshi Charaka Ayurveda Organization. This is an Open Access article licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ unported [CC BY 4.0].

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Introduction

Agada Tantra is one among the Ashtangas of Ayurveda,[1] which deals with the signs & symptoms and management of Poisons and poisonous bites. Brhatrayees as well as Laghutrayees are well explained the signs and symptoms and management of Visha along with formulations which are useful in Visha Chikitsa. Many formulations which are not in use or not available in market due to the lack of clarity in the identification of drugs mentioned in classics. Amrutham Ghrita or Amritham Sarpi is one of the formulations, which is not in practice but explained by Acharya Susruta and Acharya Vaghbhata. Here is an attempt to review Amrutham Ghrita. Ghrita is one among the Chathursneha.[2] It is considered as best among the Sneha Dravyas.[3] It assimilates the properties of other Dravyas without giving up its original properties.[4]In the aspect of Visha Chikitsa, Acharya Charaka mentioned Chaturvimshati Upakrama as a treatment protocol for poisoning, which consist of 24 Upakramas.[5]  Hrudayavarana is one among the 24 Upakramas which aims to protect the Hrudaya of the poisoned person. Ghrita is used as Hrudayavarana Dravya along with Madhu and Agada[6]. Administration of Ghrita immediately after poisoning or envenomation slows down the action of Visha in the body, so that more time will be available to save the life of person. Medicated Ghrita, which is made according to yoga, where Ghrita is medicated with appropriate Dravya in liquid medium along with the Kalka of Dravyas.[7]

Aims and Objectives

To do critical review of Amrutham Ghrita from Ayurveda classics.

Materials and Methods

The Reference of Amrutham Ghrita is taken from Susruta Samhita Kalpa Sthana[8] and Ashtanga Sangraha Uttara Tantra[9], in the context of Visha Chikitsa. The three essential components required for the preparation of Ghrita are Drava Dravya, Kalka and Sneha. Since the quantity or ratio is not mentioned specifically by Acharyas, general ratio must be considered.

Kalka:  Kalka made of the drugs (Drugs 1-6 in table no. 1& 2)   is prepared by doing Bhavana with Gomutra[10]

Ghrita: Goghrita has been considered since it is not specified.[11]

Drava: As per Dalhana commentary Gomutra must be taken as Drava Dravya[12]

Yoga: Classical reference to this formulation is mentioned as ‘Amrutham Ghrita’. Acharya Vaghbhata and Acharya Susruta enumerated 6 drugs along with Gomutra and Goghrita.

Method of preparation[13]

The drugs mentioned in table no. 1 (No.1-6) are taken in equal quantity and Bhavana with Gomutra is given. This must be taken as Kalka and Gomutra is added as Dravadravya to the Ghrita for preparation.

Ghrita Kalpana: Ghrita is boiled with Drava Dravya and Kalka according to the formulation. Generally, the ratio of components is 1:4:16; Kalka:Ghrita:Drava Dravya.[14] Since the Drava Dravya is Gomutra, Ghrita must be cooked for 5 days.[15] The ingredients must be added in this manner.

1 part: Kalka: Gomutra Bhavitha Kalka

4 parts: Ghrita

16 Parts: Gomutra

Snehapaka: Madhyama Paka[16]

Dose: There is no classical references for the dosage of this formulation, so general dose can be taken. i.e., Uttama Matra: 1 Pala (~48ml) [17]

Application: Mode of administration is not specified; hence it can be used for Sarvakarma (Panadi).[18] Since it is Vishaharam and Sanjeevayetmrutham i.e., it diminishes the action of Visha and as per Acharyas it retains the life of a person, it can be applied in all aspects like Pana, Abhyanga, Lepa etc. in the case of Visha.

Discussion

There are two references in the name of Amrutham Ghrita are found in Samhitas. One is from Susruta Samhita Kalpa Sthana Dundubhisvaneeyam Adhyaya and the other one is from Ashtangasangraha Uttaratantra Vishaprathishedha Adhyaya. The ingredients of Amrutham Ghrita as per both Acharyas have 8 in number including Dravadravya and Sneha.


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Among that Acharya Vagbhata replaced Jatamamsi instead of Mashaka by Acharya Susruta. Both the drugs are Balya, and Jatamamsi is Tridoshahara whereas Mashaka is Vatashamaka. Moola is used in case of Jatamamsi and Beeja is used in Mashaka.

Majority of the ingredients having Katu Tikta Rasa, Ushna Veerya, Katu Vipaka, Kaphavatahara quality (Table no. 3). Sneha Dravya which is mentioned as Ghrita, since it is not specified, Goghrita is considered as ultimate. Ghrita is having qualities such as Vishahara, Alakshmi Paapanashana, Samskaragunavath.[19] No other medicine is equal to Ghrita in Visha Chikitsa.[20] The management of Visha Chikitsa should not be done without Ghrita.[21] Ghrita is one of the Hrudayavarana Dravya which protects the Hrudaya and prolongs the lifesaving period for the poisoned person.

Amrutham Ghrita is the one which is ultimate for Vishasamshamana, as per the Phalasruthi it is said that it restores the life of individual.

Conclusion

 

The action of Amrutham Ghrita is Samshamana of Visha. Majority of the drugs are Katu, Tikta Rasa Pradhana and having Ushna Veerya which acts as Kaphavatahara, hence, these drugs may acts as an antidote against Visha. Ghrita which is the base of this formulation acts as Vishahara as Ghrita is mentioned under Hrudayavarana. It attains the qualities of the drugs while processing together without hampering its own qualities. By adding these drugs, it enhances the Vishahara action of Ghrita. Further detailed preclinical & clinical research may reveal the selection of the ingredients of Amrutham Ghrita and it will be helpful for practical utility.

Table 1: List of ingredients of Amrutham ghrita as per Ashtanga Sangraha

SN Drug Botanical name Part used Quantity
1. Vacha Acorus calamus. Linn Moola 1 part
2. Kakamachi Solanum Americanum.Mill Whole plant 1 part
3. Jatamamsi Nardostachys jatamansi Moola 1 part
4. Kadabhi Celastrus paniculatus. Willd Beeja 1 part
5. Prathyakpushpi Achyranthus aspera. Linn Beeja 1 part
6. Shirisha Albizia lebek (L.) Benth Beeja 1 part
7. Ghrita - - 4 parts
8. Gomutra - - 16 parts

Table 2: List of ingredients of Amrutham Ghrita as per Susruta Samhita

SN Drug Botanical name Part used Quantity
1. Apamarga Achyranthes aspera.Linn Beeja 1 part
2. Shirisha Albizia lebek (L.) Benth. Beeja 1 part
3. Mashaka Vigna mungo L.Heppar Beeja 1 part
4. Vacha Acorus calamus. Linn Moola 1 part
5. Kadabhi Celastrus paniculatus Willd Beeja 1part
6. Kakamachi Solanum americanum.Mill Whole plant 1part
7. Ghrita - - 4 parts
8. Gomutra - - 16 parts

Table 3: Rasapanchaka of ingredients of Amrutham Ghrita

SN Drug Rasa Guna Veerya Vipaka Karma
1. Vacha[22] Tikta, Katu Laghu, Tikshna Ushna Katu Kaphavatakshamaka
2. Kadabhi[23] Tikta, Katu Tikshna, Sara Ushna Katu Kaphavatakshamaka
3. Apamarga[24] Tikta, Katu Laghu, Ruksha, Tikshna Ushna Katu Kaphavatahara
4. Kakamachi[25] Katu, Tikta Snigdha, Laghu Ushna Katu Tridoshahara
5. Jatamamsi[26] Tikta, Kashaya, madhura Laghu, Snigdha Sheeta Katu Tridoshahara
6. Shirisha[27]   Madhura Tikta, Kashaya Laghu, Ruksha, Tikshna Anushna Katu Tridoshahara
7. Mashaka[28] Madhura Snigdha, Guru Ushna Madhura Vatakshamaka
8. Gomutra[29] Katu Tikshna, laghu Ushna Katu Kaphavatahara
9. Ghrita[30] Madhura Soumya, Guru Sheeta Madhura Vatapittahara

Table 4: Rogaghnata of ingredients of Amrutham Ghrita

Drug Rogagnata
Vacha Vibandha, Admana, Shoola, Shakrutmutra Vishodhini
Kadabhi Prameha, Arsha, Nadivrana, Visha, Krimi, Kushta
Kakamachi Rasayana, Shodha, Kushta, Arsha, Jvara, Prameha, Hikka, Chardi, Hrudroga
Jatamamsi Medhya, Balya, Daha, Kushta, Visarpa
Apamarga Chardi, Arsha, Kandu, Shoola, Udara
Shirisha Shodha, Visarpa, Kasa, Vrana, Visha
Mashaka Balya, Gudakeela, Svasa, Paktishoola
Gomutra Shoola, Gulma, Udara, Anaaha, Kushta, Kasa, Svasa, Shodha, Kamala, Pandu Roga
Ghrita Udavarta, Unmada, Apasmara, Shoola, Jvara


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Mode of Action

jaims_1664_01.JPG

Figure 1: Analysis of Rasa


jaims_1664_02.JPG

Figure 2: Analysis of Guna


jaims_1664_03.JPG

Figure 3: Analysis of Veerya

jaims_1664_04.JPGFigure 4: Analysis of Vipaka

jaims_1664_05.JPGFigure 5: Analysis of Doshakarma

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