E-ISSN:2456-3110

Review Article

Vatsanabh

Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences

2022 Volume 7 Number 4 May
Publisherwww.maharshicharaka.in

A review of Vatsanabh (Aconitum ferox) in Ayurveda

Chandewar R.1*, Harode R.2
DOI:

1* Rupali Narendra Chandewar, Associate Professor, Bhausaheb Mulak Ayurved College, Nandanvan, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India.

2 Rajesh Subhash Harode, Professor, Department of Agadtantra, Om Ayurveda College and Hospital, Betul, Madhya Pradesh, India.

Vatsanabh (Aconitum ferox) from the family Rananculaceae is a species of monk’s hood. Vatsanabh is also named as Ksweda, Amrita, Visha and Vatsanaga. It rises in eastern temperate and sub-alpine areas of Himalayas, Nepal, Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Sikkim. All the parts of this plants are poisonous, the root part is more potent than other parts. Root part is mostly used for medicinal use. As the root part is poisonous but useful in the treatment of various diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, fever, hypertension and also act as Rasayana. Vatsanabh or its preparation in therapeutic dose, acts as medicine. Formulations having aconitum roots as ingredients are effective in various diseases.

Keywords: Aconitum ferox, Vatsanabh, Ayurveda

Corresponding Author How to Cite this Article To Browse
Rupali Narendra Chandewar, Associate Professor, , Bhausaheb Mulak Ayurved College, Nandanvan, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India.
Email: 		Rupali Narendra Chandewar, Rajesh Subhash Harode, A review of Vatsanabh (Aconitum ferox) in Ayurveda. J Ayu Int Med Sci. 2022;7(4):45-48.
Available From
https://jaims.in/jaims/article/view/1837

Manuscript Received Review Round 1 Review Round 2 Review Round 3 Accepted
2022-03-22 2022-03-24 2022-03-31 2022-04-07 2022-04-14
Conflict of Interest Funding Ethical Approval Plagiarism X-checker Note
Nil Nil Yes 18%

© 2022by Rupali Narendra Chandewar, Rajesh Subhash Harodeand 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].

Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences 2022;7(4)45
Chandewar R et al: A review of Vatsanabh (Aconitum ferox) in Ayurveda

Introduction

Vatsanabh is included in Mahavisha having Latin name Aconitum ferox and family Rananculaceae with tall and erect stem with blue, purple, white zygomorphic flowers with numerous stamens.[1] It’s synonyms are Ksweda, Vatsanga, Visha, Amrita.[2] Its root are poisonous but useful in the treatment of various diseases such as sciatica, fever, hypertension, rheumatoid arthritis and after Shodhana it also act as a Rasayana.[3-5] Acharya Charaka has categorized Vatsanabh under Sthavara Visha, Acharya Sushruta under Kanda Visha and Acharya Kaideva Nighantu under Visha Varga.[6]

Materials and Methods

Pharmacology

Rasa Madhur
Virya Ushna
Vipaka Madhur
Prabhava Diaphoretic
Guna Ruksha
Dhatu effect Rasa, Rakta, Mamsa, Meda
Organ effect Liver, skin, stomach
Excretion Saliva, sweat

Toxic Parts: Root, Seeds

Toxic principles - Aconitine, Pseudoaconitine, Aconine

Fatal Dose

  • Vatsanabh root - 1gm
  • Extract of vatsanabh - 250 mg
  • Alkaloid - 4mg[7]

Fatal Period[8] - Usually 1-5 hrs

Vatsanabh Shodhan

Immersion in cow’s urine: Vatsanabh being cut into pieces by instrument having sharp edge. Urine is changed everyday on two consecutive days. After 3 days the Vatsanabh dried in sun.

Boiling in cow’s urine: Vatsanabh taken in quantity of 10 Tola (115gm), then it is tied in cloth bundle is then suspended in Dolayantra full of cows urine & boiled. Vatsanabh is purified by boiling in cows’ urine for a Prahar (3 hour).

Cause of Death: Death may occur due to respiratory failure or ventricular fibrillation.[9]

Symptoms of Vatsanabh poisoning

1. Salivation

2. Nausea and vomiting

3. Weakness

4. Diarrhea

5. Vertigo

6. Tingling and numbness in mouth and lips

7. Hypotension

8. Tingling and numbness in mouth and lips

9. Blurring of vision

10. Convulsions

Toxic symptoms according to Acharya Sushruta[10]

  • Greeva Stambha (neck stiffness)
  • Peeta Vinmootra Netrata (yellowish discoloration of feces, eyes & urine.)

Toxic symptoms according to Acharya Vagbhat

Stage Symptoms
1 Twak Vikara (skin changes)
2 Vepathu (tremors)
3 Daaha (burning all over the body)
4 Vikrtavastha (deformities)
5 Phenodgama (froth from mouth)
6 Skandabhanga (drooping of shoulder)
7 Jadata (comatose)
8 Marana (death)

Management

  • Tankan used as an antidote of aconite due to its Hrudya[11]
  • Tankan laahi along with Goghrta should be given.[12]
  • Use of Arjun Twak, Churna along with Honey & cow’s clarified butter.
  • Use of Ajaadugdh (Goat milk) - According to Ayurved Prakash, emetics should be used in the beginning then goat milk should be used until the vomiting stops. The goat milk is retained in the stomach it indicates that the toxic effect of aconite is abolished.
  • Use of juice of Tanduleeyak.

Treatment according to modern

  • Gastric lavage

Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences 2022;7(4)46
Chandewar R et al: A review of Vatsanabh (Aconitum ferox) in Ayurveda
  • Strong tea
  • KMNO4
  • Tannic acid
  • Symptomatic treatment
  • Cardiac monitoring
  • For collapse give IV fluids[13]
  • For syncope give injection Digitalin in 0.25mg doses
  • For cardiac arrhythmia give 50 ml of 0.1% Novacaine slow IV
  • Due to vagal inhibition, can cause heart failure, in that situation give injection Atropine 1mg.

Therapeutic Indications

Vatsanabh should be used for therapeutic purpose after Shodhana.

It is indicated in following health conditions:

  • Indigestion
  • Fever
  • Respiratory infections
  • Asthama
  • Common cold
  • Cough
  • Diabetes
  • Loss of Appetite

Contraindications

  • Contraindicated in pregnancy, lactation
  • Food substances which aggravate Pitta like Usna, pungent, salty and sour eatables should be avoided.
  • In the patient of cardiac, liver, kidney and brain disease.
  • It should be avoided in hunger, thirst, anger, sun exposure.

Autopsy finding

  • Organs are congested
  • Fragments of root may be found in stomach contents.
  • Bronchial tree shows frothy mucus
  • Mucus membrane of stomach and small intestines may be congested and inflamed.[14] 

Medicolegal importance

  • It is ideal homicidal poison can be easily given with foodstuff
  • Accidental poisoning may occur
  • Suicidal
  • Cattle poison
  • Arrow poison

Root can cause abortion[15]

Conclusion

Vatsanabh (Aconitum ferox) is a Sthavara Visha. Vatsanabh is highly toxic in nature. It can be used as medicine after purification process. Pharmacologically it relives coldness, improves digestion.

Useful in treatment of sciatica, backache, night blindness, inflammation, headache, vision problem, inflammation, eyes related problems. Due to some properties like Teekshna, Ushna Vish Dravya get spread rapidly in body. By utilizing these properties of Visha Dravyas medicines can be made more effective. Acharya Charaka told that if Visha Dravyas is taken in proper dose it acts as a medicine but if these drugs taken in more dose, it acts as poison. Some of the formulations having aconitum as an ingredient are effective in many diseases.

Reference

1. Dr. Shastry J.L.N., Dravyaguna vijnana, vol 2, chaukhamba orientalia, Varanasi, ed. 1st, 2004; 9

2. Pandit Kashinath Shastry, Rastarangini, Motilala Banarasidas, Delhi, ed. 1979; 11: 651

3. Ffrench G. Aconitine – induced cardiac arrhythmia. Br. Heart J, 1958; 20:140-2

4. Makino T, Kato K, Mizukami H. processed aconite root prevents cold- stress- induced hypothermia and immune-suppression in mice. Biol pharm Bull, 2009; 32: 1741-8

5. Rastogi S. A review of aconite (Vatsanabh) usage in Ayurvedic formulations: Traditional views and their references. Spatula DD, 2011; 1: 233-44

6. Dr. Shastry J.L.N., Dravyaguna vijnana, vol 2, chaukhamba orientalia, Varanasi, ed. 1st, 2004; 2


Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences 2022;7(4)47
Chandewar R et al: A review of Vatsanabh (Aconitum ferox) in Ayurveda

7. Dr. C.K.Pareek, Textbook of medical jurisprudence forensic medicine, forensic medicine & Toxicology, CBS Publisher Delhi, Sixth edition reprint, section 10, pg. no. 2005; 10: 65

8. Modi’s Medical jurisprudence and Toxicology, 23rd edition, Lexis Nexis Butterworths; 2005 pg no. 469

9. Modi’s Medical jurisprudence and Toxicology, 23rd edition, Lexis Nexis Butterworths; 2005 pg no. 469

10. Shastri Ambikadatta, editors, sushrut samhita-klp, chaukhamba Sanskrit sansthan , Varanasi, Reprint 2000, pg no. 565

11. Dr. Shastry J.L.N., Dravyaguna vijnana, vol 2, chaukhamba orientalia, Varanasi, ed. 1st, 2004; 15

12. Modi’s Medical jurisprudence and Toxicology, 23rd edition, Lexis Nexis Butterworths; 2005 pg no. 469

13. Dr. Shastry J.L.N., Dravyaguna vijnana, vol 2, chaukhamba orientalia, Varanasi, ed. 1st, 2004; pg 16

14. Sastri, Sri Vagbhattachary’s Rasaratna Samuchyaya, 6th ed. Varanasi chaukhamba Sanskrit series office; 1978

15. Modi’s Medical jurisprudence and Toxicology, 23rd edition, Lexis Nexis Butterworths; 2005 pg no. 470


Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences 2022;7(4)48