Experimental evaluation of Deepana and Pachana Activity of Chitraka Kwatha w.s.r. to different Reduction Criteria

Abstract

Kashaya Kalpana, also called as Kwatha Kalpana is the third one among the Kashaya Kalpana. It is prepared by boiling the drug in water and reducing it to specific quantity. Different authors have explained different ratio for drug and water and the quantity of reduction also differs according to the purpose used. Acharya Harita and Bhoja have explained Kwatha according to the ratio of reduction and attributed different therapeutic properties according to the ratio of reduction. As per Harita, although the drug and quantity of water used are same for the preparation of Kwatha, if the reduction is different, each reduction will have different therapeutic actions and can be used for different disease conditions. Among the seven types of Kwatha 1/10th reduction and ½ reduction are said to be having Deepana and Pachana action respectively. The Deepana and Pachana action was assesed experimentally in albino rats by adopting some modern parameters. These parameters were logically selected by keeping the modern explaination of digestion and metabolism in mind. When the data obtained by above study is analysed, suggestive of moderate to good effect of Pachana and mild to moderate Deepana action is noted.