Abstract

AYURVEDIC ASPECTS OF GUNJA (ABRUS PRECATORIUS) W.S.R. AGADATANTRA

Parvesh Kumar* and Naresh Kumar

Abstract

Use of poisonous plants for treating an illness is an age-old tradition in India. Agada Tantra (~Toxicology) is a branch of Astanga Ayurveda since its inception. This branch was clinically practiced during early age that’s why it was given place among the eight branches. Many poisonous substances of plant, animal and mineral origin are described with their symptoms, diagnosis and treatment. Ayurveda emphasize on the use of many such poisonous plants to treat many diseases, after properly purifying them. Classical texts give reference of plenty of activity such as Kusthaghna, Vishaghna etc. possessed by various herbal drugs. Gunja which is a very common drug used in many in Ayurvedic formulations. In Ayurveda Gunja is described as Sthavara Visha as in modern science, it is irritant organic vegetable poison. Seed is the most poisonous part, are ovoid, scarlet, and red with a black notch at the hilum. As per Drugs and Cosmetics ACT, Gunja is a Schedule E1 classified herb. This means, the oral Ayurvedic medicines containing Gunja can only be taken under strict medical supervision. This article suggests the Ayurvedic review of Gunja w.s.r. to Agadtantra.

Keywords: Gunja, Ayurveda, Sthavara Visha, Agadtantra.