A Review on Toxic Drug – Gunja

Dr. Brijesh K.; Kamath M.

doi:10.21760/jaims.v2i03.207

Dr. Brijesh K. Reader, Dept of Agada Tantra, Govt. Akhandanand Ayurved College, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India.
Kamath M. Associate Professor, Division of Ayurveda, Center for Integrative Medicine and Research [CIMR], Manipal University, Manipal, Karnataka, India.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.21760/jaims.v2i03.207

Keywords: Gunja, Abrus, Plant toxin, Shodhana

Abstract

The Visha Dravya Gunja is mentioned in Samhita and other Ayurvedic texts. In Samhita it is mentioned under Sthavara Visha and in the texts of Rasashastra it classified is under Upavishas. The history of poisons and poisoning dates back several thousand years. Abrus precatorius is a severely invasive plant in warm temperate to tropical regions, so much so that it has become effectively pantropical in distribution. It has been estimated that some form of poison directly or indirectly is responsible for more than 1 million illnesses worldwide annually. Most cases of poisoning actually go unreported, especially in Third world countries. The incidence of poisoning in India is highest in the world. The causes of poisoning in India are highest in the world. The commonest agents in India appear to be plant toxins, pesticides, chemical and household poisons. The Shodhana of Gunja is also mentioned in Ayurvedic texts. In this manuscript the detail explanation regarding Gunja in Ayurvedic and contemporary texts has been compiled and critically analyzed.

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