E-ISSN:2456-3110

Review Article

Pushyanug Churna

Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences

2024 Volume 9 Number 6 JUNE
Publisherwww.maharshicharaka.in

Critical review of efficacy of Pushyanug Churna in Raktapradara

Pratima Shikerkar1*, Gandhali Upadhye2
DOI:10.21760/jaims.9.6.18

1* Pratima Shikerkar, Associate Professor Md Dravyaguna, Department of Dravyaguna Vijnana, Bharteeya Sanskrit Prabodhini Gomantak Ayurveda Mahavidyalaya Research Centre, North Goa, Goa, India.

2 Gandhali Upadhye, Assistant Professor, Department of Swasthavrutta Yoga, BSP’s Gomantak Ayurveda Mahavidyalaya Research Centre, Vaje Shiroda, Goa, India.

Aptopadesha is one of the Pramana accepted in Ayurveda. Many of the times physician may not be knowing the mode of action of certain Dravyas in clinical practice but they are used frequently in treating the patients and they also give very good results. Here the attempt is made to study the efficacy of Pushyanug Churna in Raktapradara (Abnormal menstrual bleeding), a common and serious etiological condition in females.

Keywords: Abnormal menstrual bleeding, Pushyanug Churna, Raktapradara, Ayurveda

Corresponding Author How to Cite this Article To Browse
Pratima Shikerkar, Associate Professor Md Dravyaguna, Department of Dravyaguna Vijnana, Bharteeya Sanskrit Prabodhini Gomantak Ayurveda Mahavidyalaya Research Centre, North Goa, Goa, India.
Email: 		Pratima Shikerkar, Gandhali Upadhye, Critical review of efficacy of Pushyanug Churna in Raktapradara. J Ayu Int Med Sci. 2024;9(6):127-130.
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https://jaims.in/jaims/article/view/3254

Manuscript Received Review Round 1 Review Round 2 Review Round 3 Accepted
2024-04-09 2024-04-18 2024-04-26 2024-05-07 2024-05-17
Conflict of Interest Funding Ethical Approval Plagiarism X-checker Note
Authors state no conflict of interest. Non Funded. The conducted research is not related to either human or animals use. 14.13 All authors have accepted responsibility for the entire content of this manuscript and approved its submission.

© 2024by Pratima Shikerkar, Gandhali Upadhyeand 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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Pratima Shikerkar et al. Critical review of efficacy of Pushyanug Churna in Raktapradara

Introduction

Pushyanug Churna is well known medicine used in management of gynaecological diseases. As per Charaka Samhita, Yonivyapat Chikitsa this formulation is widely used for treatment of various conditions like Yonidosha, Rajodosha, Arsha, Atisara etc. and mainly bleeding gynaecological disorders like Raktapradara.[1]

God has blessed women with the power to give birth and for that purpose she has the specific physiological function of menstruation. When this function is disturbed, it leads to tremendous health effects and even psychological disturbances in the female. Raktapradara (Abnormal menstrual bleeding) is commonest problem encountered by gynaecologist in today’s practice and incidence becomes higher with degree of civilization.

Considering the seriousness of the most common presenting condition in female an easily available simple herbal formulation, Pushyanug Churna is chosen to study the efficacy of the ingredients and the mode of action of Dravya in various disorders especially Raktapradara.

Disease review

Raktapradara / Asrgdara (excessive menstrual bleeding) Due to Pradirana (excessive excretion) of Raja (menstrual blood) it is named as Pradara and since, there is Dirana (excessive excretion) of Asrk (menstrual blood) hence, it is known as Asrgdara. According to the classical text of Ayurveda increased Rakta (blood) gets mixed with Raja (menstrual blood) thus the quantity of Raja increases.[2] Excessive and / or prolonged blood loss during menstruation or even scanty blood loss during intermenstrual period is also known as Asrgdara.

Main symptom of this disease is excessive bleeding during menstrual or intermenstrual period. While explaining Vataja etc. Yoniroga it is said that these simulate Vataja, etc. specific type of Asrgdara and manifest intermenstrual bleeding also as symptom. So Asrgdara appears to be description of menorrhagia i.e., excessive and / or prolonged bleeding during menstrual cycle.[2] Asrgdara refers to all types of irregular and abnormal uterine bleedings, however, on the basis of pathogenesis it is nearer to menorrhagia or polymenorrhagia.[2]

Samanya Hetu (General etiology) and Samprapti (pathogenesis)[2]

Woman who consumes excessive Lavana (salty), Amla (sour), Guru (heavy), Katu (hot), Vidahi (producing burning sensation) and Snigdha (unctuous) substances, meat of domestic, aquatic and fatty animals, Krsara (olio made with rice and pulses), Payasa (rice cooked with milk and sweetened), curd, Sukta (vinegar), Mastu (curd water) and wine.

Aggravated Vata withholding the Rakta (blood) vitiated due to above causes increases its amount and then reaching Rajavaha Sira (branches of ovarian and uterine arteries) of the uterus, increases immediately the amount of Raja (Artava or menstrual blood) in other words the increase in amount of Raja is due to its mixture with increased blood. This increase in menstrual blood is due to relative more increase of Rasa (plasma).

Because of increase in the amount of blood it is named as Asrgdara. Since in this condition excessive blood is discharged hence it is also known as Pradara. This is also said to be one of the disorders of blood, symptom of Pittavruta Apana Vayu (Apana Vayu covered with Pitta), increase in amount of blood (Ativruddhi of Rakta) and complication of Yoniroga. Due to use of Lavana(salty) and Amla(sour), etc articles Pitta also gets vitiated along with Rakta. This aggravated Pitta covers the Apana Vayu, thus Vayu gets vitiated, in other words Vayu gets aggravated because it is covered by Pitta not due to use of specific diet, etc.

Samanya Lakshana (general clinical features)[2]

Presence of excessive bleeding during menstrual or intermenstrual period, body ache, Shula (pain), Daha (burning sensation). In practice, it is bit difficult to differentiate Raktayoni, Artavativruddhi and Asrgdara but even today the treatment of all these is identical.

Upadrava (immediate complications)

Due to excessive haemorrhage Doubalya (weakness), Bhrama, Murcha (giddiness), Tama, Trusha (feeling thirsty), Daha (burning sensation), Pralapa (excessive talking), Pandutva (anaemic), Tandra (drowsiness), and Vataja Roga like Akshepaka are seen.


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Pratima Shikerkar et al. Critical review of efficacy of Pushyanug Churna in Raktapradara

Delayed complications like Shotha (inflammation) can also develop.[2]

As per manuscripts of Ayurveda it shows close resemblance with abnormal uterine bleeding where following pattern of abnormal and excessive menstrual bleeding is found in following conditions.

  • Menorrhagia - prolonged or excessive bleeding occurs at regular intervals
  • Polymenorrhea - Frequent menstruation or frequent menstrual bleeding.
  • Metrorrhagia - irregular, frequent uterine bleeding of varying amounts but not excessive
  • Meno-metrorrhagia - prolonged or excessive bleeding at irregular intervals
  • Dysfunctional uterine bleeding (DUB) - abnormal uterine bleeding not caused by pelvic pathology, medications, systemic disease or pregnancy, is the most common cause of abnormal uterine bleeding but remains a diagnosis of exclusion.

All the above pathologies can be correlated with Raktapradara.[2]

Drug review

Pushyanug Churna is herbal formulation which is mainly indicated in Pradararoga Chikitsa. This combination contains Patha, Jambu, Amra Madhya, Shilodbheda (Pashanabheda), Rasanjana, Ambashtha (Patha), Shalmali Shlesham (Shalmali Veshtakam), Samanga (Lajjalu), Vatsaka Twacha (Kutaj Bark), Balhika (Kumkuma), Ativisha, Bilva, Mushta, Lodhra, Gairika, Katvanga, Maricha, Shunthi, Mrudvika (Draksha), Raktachandana, Katphala, Vatsaka, Ananta (Anantamula), Dhataki, Madhuka (Yashtimadhu) and Arjuna in equal proportions. This Churna (powder) is administered in dose of 4 Masha with Kshoudra (honey) and 4 Tola Tandulodaka as Anupana.[3]

Mainly all these ingredients have predominance of Kashaya, Tikta, Madhura, Katu Rasa, Sheeta Virya, Katu Vipaka, Laghu and Ruksha Guna. Some Dravyas also have Amla Rasa, Ushna Virya, Madhura Vipaka, Snigdha, Tikshna, Guru, Picchila and Mrudu Guna (as mentioned in charts 1 to 4) 4 Ingredients in this combination are mainly Kaphapitta Shamak. Some are Tridosha Shamak, very few are Kaphavatashamak or Vatapittashamak.

Overall action of Pushyanug Churna can be considered as Tridosha shamak mainly Kapha Pitta Shamak. (Chart no. 5)[4]

Chart No. 1
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Chart No. 2
jaims_3254_05

Chart No. 3
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Chart No. 4
jaims_3254_02


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Pratima Shikerkar et al. Critical review of efficacy of Pushyanug Churna in Raktapradara

Chart No. 5
jaims_3254_04

Anupana

Tandulodaka is Sheeta and useful in Mutrakruchra (difficulty in micturation), Daha (burning sensation), Atisara (diarrhoea), bleeding disorders, Atiraktasrava (heavy menstrual flow). It is rich in starch and contains various important antioxidants. Consumption of rice water helps energize body. Rice water contains very high levels of carbohydrates that will help in fulfilling your energy requirements. Honey contains easily digestible fructose. It aids easy absorption by active transport. It augments action of medicine by Yogavahitva.

Mode of action

Most of ingredients in Pushyanug Churna are Kashaya Rasa predominant. Kashaya Rasa is Pittakapha Shamak and Stambhana - Rakta Stambhaka (checks haemorrhage) or Srava Stambhak (checks secretions). It also helps in Sandhana Karma, Pidana, Ropana, Savarnikarana which is very useful in case of Vrana as good antiseptic and joining tissues. Other actions of Dravya having Kashaya Rasa are Mutrasangrahana and Lekhana which is beneficial in urine infection and scraping of dead tissues in case of Vrana respectively. Pushyanug Churna also contains Tikta Dravyas which helps in Rakta Prasadana. There will be Rakta Dhatu Kshyaya due to Raktasrava. Tikta Rasa Dravyas like Patha, Mushta Sariva, Kutaj, Raktachandana, Lajjalu, Ativisha, etc will help in formation of good quality Rakta Dhatu by Rakta Shodhan and Rakta Prasadana Karma. Maximum ingredients in Pushyanug Churna have Sheeta Virya which is responsible for Pittashamana and Stambhanakarma. It also does Rakta Prasadana, Pralhadana, Sthirikarana, Jeevaniya and Balya Karma which will help in formation of Rakta Dhatu and gives strength to emaciated patients due to excessive loss of blood.

Srava is presenting symptom of vitiated Kapha Dosha which is seen in Yonivyapat. Dravyas like Shilodbheda, Rasanjana, Samanga, Kutajtwak, Mushta, Bilva, Katvanga, Katphala, etc. have Kashaya and Tikta Rasa and Sarva Dhatu Shoshan and Lasika Shoshan Karma helps in absorption of excessive fluids from Rakta Dhatu.

Discussion

Ingredients present in Pushyanug Churna have certain important Karma (pharmacological actions). These are Raktashodhaka (Blood purifier), Raktasthambhaka (Haemostatic), Balya (reduces weakness), etc. In pathogenesis of Raktapradara Rasa Dhatu, Rakta Dhatu, and Vata Dosha are main responsible factors. Drugs present in Pushyanug Churna plays important role to alleviate this pathology and effectively controls Raktasrava (bleeding). They also help to cure complications which occur due to Atiraktasrava (heavy uterine bleeding) like pallor, Daha (burning sensation), Dourbalya (weakness)

Conclusion

Pushyanug Churna is found effective in Raktapradara by reducing symptoms like Atiraktasrava and Dourbalya (weakness).

References

1. Agnivesha, Charaksamhita, part II, 19th edition, Varanasi, Chaukhambha Bharati Academy, 1993, page no. 853- 854. nd

2. prof(Km.) Premvati Tewari, Ayurvediya Prasutitantra evam Striroga part II, 2 edition, Varanasi, Chaukhambha orientalia, 2000, page no. 172-177, 181, 185,195.

3. Sri Govinda Dasa Sena Bhaishajyaratnavali edited and enlarged by Bhisagratna Sri Brahmasankara Misra Vidyotini hindi commentary, Analysis and Appendices by Kaviraja Sri Ambikadatta Sastri Editor Sri Rajesvaradattasastri, 2nd edition, Varanasi, Chaukhambha Prakashan, 2021, page no. 1032.

4. Prof. P. V. Sharma, Dravyaguna vijnana, Vol II (vegetable drugs), Varanasi, Chaukhambha Bharati Academy, page no. 627, 660, 651, 537, 627, 492, 749, 465, 139, 356, 456, 371, 616, 470, 363, 333, 134, 718, 516, 799, 472, 254, 196, 784, 352, 814, 44.


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