Abstract

A REVIEW ON ANTIDOTES W. S. R. TO CONCEPT OF PRATIVISHA IN AYURVEDA

Noori Aara*, Parmanand Upadhyay, Sunita Godara, Mohammed Adil Ansari, Amit Kumar

Abstract

Antidotes are the substances used to counteract or neutralize the effects of poison. Poisoning may be caused by plant, animal substances, agricultural poisons, poisonous metals and minerals etc. Mainly two types of poison mentioned in Ayurveda, Sthavar visha and Jangham visha. Both poison possessing opposite qualities, when put together they destroy each other, hence patients bitten by Jangama Visha should administered, Sthavara visha used in the form of internal and external application. Acharya Vagbhata explained in detail about the use of Prativisha in almost all types of Visha and indicated if the vishavega is in between 5th and 7th vega. Prativisha possess Vyavayi Guna, so that acts vigorously on patient and have affinity for same system on which visha has affected. Prativisha have action opposite to that poison. Common antidote in Ayurveda are Swarna, Ghrita, Godudha and Madhu. So Prativisha or antidote play an important role in the management of poisoning, it helps to save the patient’s life. In Ayurveda our Acharyas clearly mentioned about the different type of poisonous substances and its antidote under Visha Chikitsa references. The concept of Prativisha which is existed since ancient time needs to be supplemented, explained, refurbished and narrated for proper understanding. So, this article aims to collect the references of Prativisha. It would be useful for emergency situations or day-to-day clinical practice.

Keywords: Antidote, Prativisha, Visha, Sthavara visha, Jangama visha, Vishavega