The 19th chapter of Chikitsasthanam of Ashtanga Hridayam is named as Kustha Chikitsitam Adhyayah. This chapter deals with the explanation of ‘treatment of skin diseases’.
The topics covered in this chapter include –
- Snehapana – oleation
- Treatment principles in herpes
- Mahatiktaka Ghrta
- Nimbadi Ghrta for Kaphottara Kushta
- Taila and Ghrta for all types of Kustha
- Aragwadha Ghrtam
- Treatment of Visarpa in Kustha
- Mention of bloodletting in Kustha
- Importance of snehana
- Vajrakadi Ghrta
- Mahavajraka Ghrta
- Danti Ghrta
- Avartaki Ghrta
- Lelitakadi Yoga
- Diet in Kustha
- Purification of doshas in Kustha
- Manibhadra Guda
- Bhunimbadi Curna
- Vidangadi Curna
- Vrikshakadi Kvatha
- Kutajadi Kvatha
- Darvyadi Kvatha
- Nishottamadi Kvatha
- Pathadi Curna
- Lakshadi Curna
- Nishadi Vati
- Saptasama Gutika
- Chandrasakaladi Gutika
- Vidangadi Pindi
- Shashankalekhadi Curna
- Pathyadi Pindi
- Vidangadi Curna
- Sitadi leha
- Mustadi Curna
- Medicines to be used as Rasayana
- Bahya Cikitsa – external treatment
- Vajraka Taila
- MahaVajraka Taila
- Need of comprehensive and timely treatments
- Need for repeated cleansing
Pledge by the author (s)
अथातो कुष्ठचिकित्सितं व्याख्यास्याम: ।
इति ह स्माहुरात्रेयादयो महर्षय: ।
After having offered prayers to the God, henceforth we are going to explain the chapter pertaining to the explanation of ‘treatment of skin disease’. Thus say (pledge) Atreya and other sages.
Snehapana: Oleation: Dashamooladi Sneha
कुष्ठिनं स्नेहपानेन पूर्वं सर्वमुपाचरेत् ।
तत्र वातोत्तरे तैलं घृतं वा साधितं हितम् ॥ १ ॥
दशमूलामृतैरण्डशार्ङ्गष्टामेषशृङ्गिभिः ।
The patient of skin disease should be treated first with drinking of fat (as part of oleation therapy), when Vata is the predominant Dosha such oil or ghee should be medicated with (the decoction of daśamūla – Dasamula –
Bilva – Aegle marmelos
Agnimantha – Premna mucronata
Shyonaka – Oroxylum indicum
Patala – Stereospermum suaveolens
Gambhari – Gmelina arborea
Shalaparni – Desomodium gangeticum
Prishniparni – Uraria picta
Brihati – Solanum indicum
Kantakari – Solanum xanthocarpum
Gokshura – Tribulus terrestris
amṛta – Tinospora cordifolia, eraṇḍa – Ricinus communi, śārṅgaṣṭā – Abrus precatorius, meṣaśṛṅgibhiḥ – Gymnema sylvestre
Tiktaka ghrita
पटोलनिम्बकटुकादार्वीपाठादुरालभाः ॥ २ ॥
पर्पटं त्रायमाणां च पलांशं पाचयेदपाम् ।
द्व्याढकेऽष्टांशशेषेण तेन कर्षोन्मितैस्तथा ॥ ३ ॥
त्रायन्तीमुस्तभूनिम्बकलिङ्गकणचन्दनैः ।
सर्पिषो द्वादशपलं पचेत्तत्तिक्तकं जयेत् ॥ ४ ॥ पित्तकुष्ठपरीसर्पपिटिकादाहतृड्भ्रमान् ।
कण्डूपाण्ड्वामयान् गण्डान् दुष्टनाडीव्रणापचीः ॥ ५ ॥
विस्फोटविद्रधीगुल्मशोफोन्मादमदानपि ।
हृद्रोगतिमिरव्यङ्गग्रहणीश्वित्रकामलाः ॥ ६ ॥ भगन्दरमपस्मारमुदरं प्रदरं गरम् ।
अर्शोऽस्रपित्तमन्यांश्च सुकृच्छ्रान् पित्तजान् गदान् ॥ ७
palāṃśaṃ – One Pala (48 grams) each of, paṭola – Trichosanthes dioica, nimba – Azadirachta indica, kaṭukā – Picrorhiza kurroa, dārvī – Berberis aristata, pāṭhā – Cissampelos pareira, durālabhāḥ – Fagonia cretica, parpaṭaṃ – Fumaria parviflora, trāyamāṇāṃ ca – Gentiana kurroo – these are boiled in two Adhaka (6 Kg 146 grams) of water and decoction reduced to one-eight quantity; To this are added the powder of one Karsa (12 grams) each of: trāyantī – Gentiana kurro, musta – Cyperus rotundus, bhūnimba – Andrographis paniculata, kaliṅga – Holarrhena antidysenterica, kaṇa – Piper longum, candanaiḥ – and Santalum album twelve Pala (576 grams) of ghee and medicated ghee is prepared. This Tiktaka Ghrta cures skin disease arising from Pitta, herpes, pustules, burning sensation, thirst, dizziness, itching, anemia, glandular enlargement, infested sinus ulcer, goitre, blisters, abscess, abdominal tumour, edema, insanity, intoxication, heart disease, blindness, discoloured patches on the face, disease of the duodenum, leucoderma, jaundice, rectal fistula, epilepsy, enlargement of the abdomen, menorrhagia, homicidal poisoning, haemorrhoids, bleeding disease and other difficult diseases of Pitta origin.
Mahatiktaka Ghrita
सप्तच्छदः पर्पटकः शम्याकः कटुका वचा ।
त्रिफला पद्मकं पाठा रजन्यौ शारिवे कणे ॥ ८ ॥
निम्बचन्दनयष्ट्याह्वविशालेन्द्रयवामृताः ।
किराततिक्तकं सेव्यं वृषो मूर्वा शतावरी ॥ ९ ॥
पटोलातिविषामुस्तात्रायन्तीधन्वयासकम् ।
तैर्जलेऽष्टगुणे सर्पिर्द्विगुणामलकीरसे ॥ १० ॥
सिद्धं तिक्तान् महातिक्तं गुणैरभ्यधिकं मतम् ।
saptacchadaḥ – Alstonia scholaris,
parpaṭakaḥ – Fumaria parviflora,
śamyākaḥ – Cassia fistula,
kaṭukā – Picrorhiza kurroa,
vacā – Acorus calamus,
triphalā –
Haritaki – Terminalia chebula,
Vibhitaki – Terminalia bellerica,
Amalaki – Emblica officinalis,
padmakaṃ – Prunus puddum,
pāṭhā – Cissampelos pareira,
the two Rajani (Haridra – turmeric – Curcuma longa, daruharidra – Berberis aristata), the two Sariva (Shveta Sariva – white variety – Hemidesmus indicus and Krishna Sariva – Cryptolepis buchanani / Ichnocarpus frutescens), The two Kana (Pippali – long pepper and Gajapippali -Scindapsus officinalis)
nimba – Azadirachta indica,
candana – Santalum album,
yaṣṭyāhva – Glycyrrhiza glabra,
viśāla – Alstonia scholaris,
indrayava – Holarrhena antidysenterica,
amṛtāḥ – Tinospora cordifolia,
kirātatiktakaṃ – Swertia chirata,
sevyaṃ – Vetiveria zizanioides,
vṛṣo – Adhatoda vasica,
mūrvā – Marsdenia tenacissima,
śatāvarī – Asparagus racemosus,
paṭola – Trichosanthes dioica,
ativiṣā – Aconitum heterophyllum,
mustā – Cyperus rotundus,
trāyantī – Gentiana kurroo,
dhanvayāsakam – Fagonia cretica,
one part of ghee, two parts of juice of Emblica officinalis are added and medicated ghee cooked in eight times water. This Mahatiktaka Ghrta is greater in properties than the previous one.
Nimbadi Ghrita for Kaphottara Kushta
कफोत्तरे घृतं सिद्धं निम्बसप्ताह्वचित्रकैः ॥ ११ ॥
कुष्ठोषणवचाशालप्रियालचतुरङ्गुलैः
When Kapha is predominant, medicated ghee prepared with (decoction of):
nimba – Azadirachta indica,
saptāhva – Alstonia scholaris,
citrakaiḥ – Plumbago zeylanica,
kuṣṭha – Saussurea lappa,
ūṣaṇa – Piper nigrum,
vacā – Acorus calamus,
śāla – Shorea robusta,
priyāla – Buchanania lanzan
caturaṅgulaiḥ – Cassia fistula
Taila and Ghrita for all types of Kustha:
सर्वेषु चारुष्करजं तौवरं सार्षपं पिबेत् ॥ १२ ॥
स्नेहं घृतं वा कृमिजित्पथ्याभल्लातकैः शृतम् ।
In all varieties of skin diseases oil of:
aruṣkarajaṃ – Semecarpus anacardium,
taubaraṃ – Hydnocarpus laurifolia,
sārṣapaṃ – Brassica nigra;
or ghee boiled with:
kṛmijit – Embelia ribes,
pathyā – Terminalia chebula
bhallātakaiḥ – Semecarpus anacardium
should be consumed.
Aragwadha Ghrtam
आरग्वधस्य मूलेन शतकृत्वः शृतं घृतम् ॥ १३ ॥
पिबन् कुष्ठं जयत्याशु भजन् सखदिरं जलम् ।
एभिरेव यथास्वं च स्नेहैरभ्यञ्जनं हितम् ॥ १४ ॥
Ghee boiled for hundred times with the root of āragvadhasya – Cassia fistula, consumed daily, followed by drinking of decoction of Acacia catechu, cures skin diseases quickly. It is beneficial to anoint the body with oil or ghee processed by these herbs itself.
Treatment of Visarpa in Kustha
स्निग्धस्य शोधनं योज्यं विसर्पे यदुदाहृतम् ।
After administering oleation therapy, he should be given purificatory therapies as described for Visarpa.
Mention of bloodletting in Kustha
ललाटहस्तपादेषु सिराश्चास्य विमोक्षयेत् ॥ १५ ॥
प्रच्छानमल्पके कुष्ठे शृङ्गाद्याश्च यथायथम् ।
The veins on the forehead, arms and legs should be cut to let out blood. If skin disease is of minor variety pracchana (scrapping with Lancet) and in others, with the use of Srnga (sucking horn) etc, as is suitable.
Importance of snehana
स्नेहैराप्याययेच्चैनं कुष्ठघ्नैरन्तरान्तरा ॥ १६ ॥
मुक्तरक्तविरिक्तस्य रिक्तकोष्ठस्य कुष्ठिनः ।
प्रभञ्जनस्तथा ह्यस्य न स्याद्देहप्रभञ्जनः ॥ १७ ॥
Patients of skin disease should be nourished with fats (medicated ghee or oil) designed to cure skin disease during intervals. Otherwise, the alimentary tract of patients of kustha becomes empty in those who had bloodletting and purgation, leads to aggravation of Prabhanjana (vata), which might even destroy the body.
Vajrakadi Ghrita
वासामृतानिम्बवरापटोलव्याघ्रीकरञ्जोदककल्कपक्वम् ।
सर्पिर्विसर्पज्वरकामलास्रकुष्ठापहं वज्रकमामनन्ति ॥ १८
Medicated ghee prepared with the decoction and paste of
vāsā – Adhatoda vasica,
amṛtā – Tinospora cordifolia,
nimba – Azadirachta indica,
varā – (Haritaki – Terminalia chebula, Vibhitaki – Terminalia bellerica & Amalaki – Emblica officinalis),
paṭola – Trichosanthes dioica,
vyāghrī – Solanum surattense,
karañja – and Pongamia pinnata
visarpa – cures herpes,
jvara – fevers,
kāmalā – jaundice,
asra – bleeding disease
and kuṣṭhāpahaṃ – skin disease.
This is known as Varjraka Ghrita.
Mahavajraka Ghrita
त्रिफलात्रिकटुद्विकण्टकारीकटुकाकुम्भनिकुम्भराजवृक्षैः ।
सवचातिविषाग्निकैः सपाठैः पिचुभागैर्नववज्रदुग्धमुष्ट्या ॥ १९ ॥
पिष्टैः सिद्धं सर्पिषः प्रस्थमेभिः क्रूरे कोष्ठे स्नेहनं रेचनं च ।
कुष्ठश्वित्रप्लीहवर्ध्माश्मगुल्मान् हन्यात् कृच्छ्रांस्तन्महावज्रकाख्यम् ॥ २० ॥
Medicated ghee prepared with decoction and paste of
12 grams each of:
triphalā – Terminalia chebula, Terminalia bellirica, Emblica officinalis,
trikaṭu – Piper longum, Piper nigrum and Emblica officinalis,
dvikaṇṭakārī – the two Kantakari (Solanum indicum and Solanum xanthocarpum),
kaṭukā – Picrorhiza kurroa,
kumbha – Careya arborea,
nikumbha – Baliospermum montanum,
rājavṛkṣaiḥ – Cassia fistula,
sa vacā – Acorus calamus,
ativiṣā – Aconitum heterophyllum,
agnikaiḥ – Plumbago zeylanica,
sapāṭhaiḥ – Cissampelos pareira,
one Musti (one Pala – 48 grams) of fresh milky sap of snuhi – Euphorbia neriifolia and one Prastha (768 grams) of ghee. It acts as lubricant purgative to persons of hard bowel movements and cures: skin disease, leucoderma, splenic disease, scrotal enlargement, urinary stone and abdominal tumour which are difficult to cure. This is known as Mahavajraka Ghrita.
Danti Ghrita
दन्त्याढकमपां द्रोणे पक्त्वा तेन घृतं पचेत् ।
धामार्गवपले पीतं तदूर्ध्वाधो विशुद्धिकृत् ॥ २१ ॥
One Adhaka (3 Kg 72 grams) of danti – Baliospermum montanum is boiled in one Drona (12 litres 228 ml) of water, and decoction obtained. To this, is added one pala (48 gram) of paste of Luffa aegyptiaca and medicated ghee prepared. This ghee consumed, purifies the body both the upper and lower parts (by causing vomiting and purgation).
Avartaki Ghrita
आवर्तकीतुलां द्रोणे पचेदष्टांशशेषितम् ।
तन्मूलैस्तत्र निर्यूहे घृतप्रस्थं विपाचयेत् ॥ २२ ॥
पीत्वा तदेकदिवसान्तरितं सुजीर्णे भुञ्जीत कोद्रवमसंस्कृतकाञ्जिकेन ।
कुष्ठं किलासमपचीं च विजेतुमिच्छन् इच्छन् प्रजां च विपुलां ग्रहणं स्मृतिं च ॥ २३ ॥
One Tula (4.8 kg) of Avartaki – Cassia auriculata / Helicteres isora is boiled in one drona (12 litres 228 ml) of water and decoction reduced to one-eigh quantity.
To this are added the paste of its own root and to this decoction is added one Prastha (768 grams) of Ghrita and medicated ghee cooked. This should be consumed with interval of one day and when it gets digested properly,
should be followed by eating kodravaṃ – mess of Kodrava – Kodo millet – Paspalum scrobiculatum, asaṃskṛta kāñjikena and sour gruel which is not topped up with spices and fat by the person who wishes to be cured of
skin disease, leucoderma, glandular swelling in the neck, (It is useful for people) desirous of having children, and immense intelligence and memory.
Lelitakadi Yoga
यतेर्लेलीतकवसा क्षौद्रजातीरसान्विता ।
कुष्ठघ्नी समसर्पिर्वा सगायत्र्यसनोदका ॥ २४ ॥
Sulphur, Adhatoda vasica mixed with honey and juice of Jasminum grandiflorum or decoction of Acacia catechu and Pterocarpus marsupium mixed equal quantity of ghee destroys skin disease, of the person who leads the life of a yati (saint).
Diet in Kustha
शालयो यवगोधूमाः कोरदूषाः प्रियङ्गवः ।
मुद्गा मसूरास्तुवरी तिक्तशाकानि जाङ्गलम् ॥ २५ ॥ वरापटोलखदिरनिम्बारुष्करयोजितम् ।
मद्यान्यौषधगर्भाणि मथितं चेन्दुराजिमत् ॥ २६ ॥
अन्नपानं हितं कुष्ठे न त्वम्ललवणोषणम् ।
दधिदुग्धगुडानूपतिलमाषांस्त्यजेत्तराम् ॥ २७ ॥
Diet prepared from rice (Oryza sativa), Hordeum vulgare, Triticum aestivum, Paspalum Scrobiculatum, Callicarpa macrophylla, Vigna radiata, Lens culinaris, Eruca sativa,
bitter Vegetables, meat of animals of desert like lands, processed with Vara (Haritaki – Terminalia chebula, Vibhitaki – Terminalia bellerica & Amalaki – Emblica officinalis), Trichosanthes dioica, Acacia catechu, Azadirachta indica, Semecarpus anacardium; should be added with wine of (bakuci) – Psoralia corylifolia, the pulp of the medicines being grounded (churned). These foods and drinks are ideal for (patients of) skin disease; but not foods which are sour, salty and pungent curds, milk, jaggery, meat of animals of marshy lands, Sesamum indicum and Vigna mungo these should be avoided especially.
Purification of Doshas in Kustha
पटोलमूलत्रिफलाविशालाः पृथक्त्रिभागापचितत्रिशाणाः ।
स्युस्त्रायमाणा कटुरोहिणी च भागार्धिके नागरपादयुक्ते ॥ २८ ॥
एतत्पलं जर्जरितं विपक्वं जले पिबेद्दोषविशोधनाय ।
जीर्णे रसैर्धन्वमृगद्विजानां पुराणशाल्योदनमाददीत ॥ २९ ॥
कुष्ठं किलासं ग्रहणीप्रदोषमर्शांसि कृच्छ्राणि हलीमकं च ।
षड्रात्रयोगेन निहन्ति चैतद्हृद्वस्तिशूलं विषमज्वरं च ॥ ३० ॥
Roots of Trichosanthes dioica, Triphala (Haritaki – Terminalia chebula, Vibhitaki – Terminalia bellerica, & Amalaki – Emblica officinalis) and Visala – Alstonia scholaris, less by one third (in other words two and two- thirds Sana – 6 garms each) separately, Gentiana kurroo and Picrorhiza Kurroa together half part, Zingiber officinale one fourth part separately, all these together making one Pala (48 grams) are crushed and boiled in water (and decoction obtained), It should be consumed to purify (eliminate) the Doshas. After its digestion, the patient should partake mess prepared from old rice along with soup of meat of animals and birds of desert like lands. This recipe cures skin disease, leucoderma, duodenal disorder, haemorrhoids which is difficult to cure, halimaka, (advanced stage of Jaundice) pain of the heart and urinary bladder and remittent fevers within six days.
Manibhadra Guda
विडङ्गसारामलकाभयानां पलत्रयं त्रीणि पलानि कुम्भात् ।
गुडस्य च द्वादश मासमेष जितात्मनां हन्त्युपयुज्यमानः ॥ ३१ ॥
कुष्ठश्वित्रश्वासकासोदरार्शोमेहप्लीहग्रन्थिरुग्जन्तुगुल्मान् ।
सिद्धं योगं प्राह यक्षो मुमुक्षोर्भिक्षोः प्राणान् माणिभद्रः किलेमम् ॥ ३२ ॥
viḍaṅgasāra – Embelia ribes,
āmalaka – Emblica officinalis,
abhayānāṃ – and Terminalia chebula
palatrayaṃ – together three Pala (144 grams),
kumbha – Baliospermum montanum three Pala (144 grams), jaggery twelve pala (1728 grams), mixed together and avaleha (confection) prepared. Consumed (in suitable dose) daily for a month by the person who is self-controlled (in respect of food drinks etc.). It cures skin diseases, leucoderma, dyspnoea, cough, enlargement of the abdomen, hemorrhoids, diabetes, disease of the spleen, pain of tumours, intestinal worms and abdominal tumours. This efficious and restorative formula was revealed by Yaksa Manibhadra for the benefit of bhiksus (mendicants) who desire salvation, freedom from cycle of births and deaths.
Bhunimbadi Churna
भूनिम्बनिम्बत्रिफलापद्मकातिविषाकणाः ।
मूर्वापटोलीद्विनिशापाठातिक्तेन्द्रवारुणीः ॥ ३३ ॥
सकलिङ्गवचास्तुल्या द्विगुणाश्च यथोत्तरम् ।
लिह्याद्दन्तीत्रिवृद्ब्राह्मीश्चूर्णिता मधुसर्पिषा ॥ ३४ ॥
कुष्ठमेहप्रसुप्तीनां परमं स्यात् तदौषधम् ।
Equal quantites of –
bhūnimba – Andrographis paniculata,
nimba – Azadirachta indica,
triphalā – (Haritaki – Terminalia chebula, Vibhitaki – Terminalia bellerica & Amalaki – Emblica officinalis),
padmaka – Prunus puddum,
ativiṣā – Aconitum heterophyllum,
kaṇāḥ – Piper longum,
mūrvā – Marsdenia tenacissima,
paṭolī – Trichosanthes dioica,
dviniśā – the two Nisa (Haridra – turmeric – Curcuma longa & Daruharidra – Berberis aristata),
pāṭhā – Cissampelos pareira,
tikta – Swertia chirata,
indravāruṇīḥ – Citrullus colocynthis,
sa kaliṅga – Holarrhena antidysenterica,
vacā: – Acorus calamus,
dantī – powder of danti – Baliospermum montanum,
trivṛt – Operculina turpethum,
brāhmī: – and Bacopa monnieri;
each succeeding one or double in quantity to its preceeding ingredient, are together converted into fine powder, consumed daily with honey and ghee.
This acts as the best medicine for skin disease, diabetes and loss of tactile sensation.
Vidangadi Churna
वराविडङ्गकृष्णा वा लिह्यात्तैलाज्यमाक्षिकैः ॥ ३५ ॥
varā – Powder of Vara (Haritaki – Terminalia chebula, Vibhitaki – Terminalia bellerica & Amalaki – Emblica officinalis),
viḍaṅga – Embelia ribes
kṛṣṇā vā – and Piper nigrum
may be licked with oil, ghee, Vidanga and honey.
Vrikshakadi Kvatha
काकोदुम्बरिकावेल्लनिम्बाब्दव्योषकल्कवान् ।
हन्ति वृक्षकनिर्यूहः पानात् सर्वांस्त्वगामयान् ॥ ३६ ॥
Decoction of Holarrhena antidysenterica added with paste of:
kākodumbarikā – Ficus hispida
vella – Embelia ribes,
nimba – Azadirachta indica,
abda – Cyperus rotundus
vyoṣa – Vyosa (Black pepper Piper nigrum, Long pepper fruit – Piper longum and Ginger – Zingiber officinale) and consumed cures all the diseases of the skin.
Kutajadi Kvatha
कुटज अग्नि निम्ब नृपतरु खदिर असन सप्तपर्ण निर्यूहे ।
सिद्धा मधु घृत युक्ताः कुष्ठघ्नी: भक्षयेत् अभयाः ॥ ३७ ॥
abhayāḥ – Terminalia chebula boiled in the decoction of:
kuṭaja – Holarrhena antidysenterica,
agni – Plumbago zeylanica,
nimba – Azadirachta indica,
nṛpataru – and Cassia fistula,
khadira – Acacia catechu,
asana – Pterocarpus marsupeum
saptaparṇa – Alstonia scholaris
and consumed mixed with honey and ghee cures skin disease.
Darvyadi Kvatha
दार्वीखदिरनिम्बानां त्वक्क्वाथः कुष्ठसूदनः ॥ ३७अब् ॥
Decoction of –
dārvī – Berberis aristata,
khadira – Acacia catechu
nimbānāṃ – and Azadirachta indica;
tvak – barks of above three plants
kuṣṭha sūdanaḥ – cure skin disease.
Nishottamadi Kvatha
निशोत्तमानिम्बपटोलमूलतिक्तावचालोहितयष्टिकाभिः ।
कृतः कषायः कफपित्तकुष्ठं सुसेवितो धर्म इवोच्छिनत्ति ॥ ३८ ॥
एभिरेव च शृतं घृतमुख्यं भेषजैर्जयति मारुतकुष्ठम् ।
कल्पयेत् खदिरनिम्बगुडूचीदेवदारुरजनीः पृथगेवम् ॥ ३९ ॥
Decoction prepared from:
niśa – Curcuma longa,
uttamā – Uttama (Triphala – Haritaki – Terminalia chebula, Vibhitaki – Terminalia bellerica & Amalaki – Emblica officinalis),
nimba – Azadirachta indica,
paṭolamūla – Trichosanthes dioica,
tiktā – Swertia chirata,
vacā – Acorus calamus,
lohita yaṣṭikābhiḥ – Rubia cordifolia
when consumed, cures skin disease arising from Kapha and pitta, just as righteousness rigidly followed (saves the person).
Medicated ghee prepared from these important herbs itself cures skin disease arising drom Vata. In the same way decoction and medicated ghee may be prepared separately from
khadira – Acacia catechu,
nimba – Azadirachta indica,
guḍūcī – Tinospora cordifolia,
devadāru – Cedrus deodara,
rajanīḥ – Curcuma longa.
Pathadi Churna
पाठादार्वीवह्निघुणेष्टाकटुकाभिर्मूत्रं युक्तं शक्रयवैश्चोष्णजलं वा |
कुष्ठी पीत्वा मासमरुक् स्याद्गुदकीली मेही शोफी पाण्डुरजीर्णी कृमिमांश्च ॥ ४०द् ॥
pāṭhā – Powder of Cissampelos pareira,
dārvī – Berberis aristata,
vahni – Plumbago zeylanica,
ghuṇeṣṭā – Aconitum heterophyllum,
kaṭukābhi: – Picrorhiza Kurroa
Seeds of Holarrhena antidysenterica mixed with either cow urine or warm water, consumed for a period of one month, makes the patients of skin disease become free of their diseases, those including haemorrhoids, diabetes, edema, anemia, indigestion and intestinal worms.
Lakshadi Churna
लाक्षादन्तीमधुरसवराद्वीपिपाठाविडङ्ग
प्रत्यक्पुष्पीत्रिकटुरजनीसप्तपर्णाटरूषम् |
रक्ता निम्बं सुरतरु कृतं पञ्चमूल्यौ च चूर्णं
पीत्वा मासं जयति हितभुग्गव्यमूत्रेण कुष्ठम् ॥ ४१द् ॥
lākṣā – Laccifer lacca,
dantī – Baliospermum montanum,
madhurasa – Marsdenia tenacissima,
varā – Vara (Haritaki – Terminalia chebula, Vibhitaki – Terminalia bellerica & Amalaki – Emblica officinalis),
dvīpi – Schrebera swietenioides,
pāṭhā – Cissampelos pareira,
viḍaṅga – Embelia ribes,
pratyakpuṣpī – Achyranthes aspera,
trikaṭu – Trikatu (Black pepper – Piper nigrum, Long pepper fruit – Piper longum and Ginger – Zingiber officinale),
rajanī – Curcuma longa,
saptaparṇa – Alstonia scholaris,
āṭarūṣam – Adhatoda vasica,
raktā – Rubia cordifolia,
nimbaṃ – Azadirachta indica,
suratarukṛtaṃ – Cedrus deodara and
pañcamūlyau ca – the two Pancamula –
Brihati – Solanum indicum
Kantakari – Solanum xanthocarpum
Gokshura – Tribulus terrestris
Shalaparni – Desmodium gangeticum
Prishniparni – Uraria picta
Bilva – Bael tree – Aegle marmelos
Agnimantha – Premna mucronata
Shyonaka – Oroxylum indicum
Patala – Stereospermum suaveolens
Gambhari – Gmelina arborea,
made into powder and consumed with cow urine for one month adhereing to suitable foods, cures skin disease.
Nishadi Vati
निशाकणानागरवेल्लतौबरं सवह्निताप्यं क्रमशो विवर्धितम् ।
गवाम्बुपीतं वटकीकृतं तथा निहन्ति कुष्ठानि सदारुणान्यपि ॥ ४२ ॥
niśā – Curcuma longa,
kaṇā – Piper longum,
nāgara – Zingiber officinale,
vella – Embelia ribes,
taubaraṃ – seeds of Hydnocarpus laurifolia,
sa vahni – Plumbago zeylanica
tāpyaṃ – and Chalco pyrite,
kramaśo – each succeeding one
vivardhitam – increased by one part than its preceeding,
made into pills and consumed along with cow urine cures skin diseases even if the disease is severe.
Saptasama Gutika
त्रिकटूत्तमातिलारुष्कराज्यमाक्षिकसितोपलाविहिता ।
गुटिका रसायनं कुष्ठजिच्च वृष्या च सप्तसमा ॥ ४३ ॥
trikaṭu – Trikatu (Piper longum, Piper nigrum and Zingiber officinale),
uttamā – Uttama (Tripala – Terminalia chebula, Terminalia bellirica and Emblica officinalis),
tila – Sesamum indicum,
aruṣkara – Semecarpus anacardium,
ghee, honey and sugar candy together are made into pills, this known as Saptasama Gutika is a rejuvenator, cures skin disease and acts as an aphrodisiac.
Chandrasakaladi Gutika
चन्द्रशकलाग्निरजनीविडङ्गतुवरास्थ्यरुष्करत्रिफलाभिः ।
वटका गुडांशक्लृप्ताः समस्तकुष्ठानि नाशयन्त्यभ्यस्ताः ॥ ४४ ॥
candraśakala – (Bakuci) Psoralia corylifolia,
agni – Plumbago zeylanica,
rajanī – Curcuma longa,
viḍaṅga – Embelis ribes,
tuvara asthi – Seed of Hydnocarpus laurifolia
aruṣkara – Semecarpus anacardium
triphalābhiḥ – and Triphala (Terminalia chebula, Terminalia bellirica and Emblica officinalis)
made into pills and consumed along with jaggery, if consumed abitually cures all varieties of skin disease.
Vidangadi Pindi
विडङ्गभल्लातकबाकुचीनां सद्वीपिवाराहिहरीतकीनाम् ।
सलाङ्गलीकृष्णतिलोपकुल्या गुडेन पिण्डी विनिहन्ति कुष्ठम् ॥ ४५ ॥
viḍaṅga – Embelia ribes,
bhallātaka – Semecarpus anacardium,
bākucīnāṃ – Psoralia corylifolia,
sa dvīpi – Plumbago zeylanica
vārāhi – Dioscorea bulbifera
harītakīnām – Terminalia chebula,
sa lāṅgalī – Gloriosa superb,
kṛṣṇatila – black Sesamum indicum
upakulyā – Piper longum
made into pills adding jaggery and consumed cures skin disease.
Shashankalekhadi Churna
शशाङ्कलेखा सविडङ्गसारा सपिप्पलीका सहुताशमूला ।
सायोमला सामलका सतैला कुष्ठानि कृच्छ्राणि निहन्ति लीढा ॥ ४६ ॥
śaśāṅka lekhā – (Bakuci) Psoralea corylifolia
extract of Embelia ribes, Piper longum, Plumbago zeylanica, Iron calx, āmalakā – Emblica officinalis
all powdered and licked mixed with oil cures skin disease even that which is difficult to cure.
Pathyadi Pindi
पथ्यातिलगुडैः पिण्डी कुष्ठं सारुष्करैर्जयेत् ।
गुडारुष्करजन्तुघ्नसोमराजीकृताऽथवा ॥ ४७ ॥
Pills made from pathyā – Terminalia chebula, tila – Sesamum indicum, guḍaiḥ – jaggery, āruṣkarai – Semecarpus anacardium; or prepared from jaggery, āruṣkara – Semecarpus anacardium, jantughna – Embelia ribes, somarājī – Psoralea corylifolia cures skin disease.
Vidangadi Churna
विडङ्गाद्रिजतुक्षौद्रसर्पिष्मत्खादिरं रजः ।
किटिभश्वित्रदद्रूघ्नं खादेन्मितहिताशनः ॥ ४८ ॥
Powder of: viḍaṅga – Embelia ribes, adrijatu – Asphaltum, khādiraṃ – Acacia catechu is mixed with Honey and ghee; consumed by the person who partakes little quantities of healthy food only, gets cured of Kitibha, Svitra (leucoderma) and Dadru (eczema).
Sitadi leha
सितातैलकृमिघ्नानि धात्र्ययोमलपिप्पलीः ।
लिहानः सर्वकुष्ठानि जयत्यतिगुरूण्यपि ॥ ४९ ॥
Sugar, oil, kṛmighnāni – Embelia ribes, dhātrī – Emblica officinalis, calx of iron, pippalīḥ – Piper longum all together made into paste, when licked cures all types of skin disease though severe.
Mustadi Churna
मुस्तं व्योषं त्रिफला मञ्जिष्ठा दारु पञ्चमूले द्वे ।
सप्तच्छदनिम्बत्वक् सविशाला चित्रको मूर्वा ॥ ५० ॥
चूर्णं तर्पणभागैर्नवभिः संयोजितं समध्वंशम् ।
नित्यं कुष्ठनिबर्हणमेतत् प्रायोगिकं खादन् ॥ ५१ ॥
श्वयथुं सपाण्डुरोगं श्वित्रं ग्रहणीप्रदोषमर्शांसि ।
वर्ध्मभगन्दरपिटिकाकण्डूकोठापचीर्हन्ति ॥ ५२ ॥
Equal quantities of Cyperus rotundus, Vyosa (Piper longum, Piper nigrum and Zingiber officinale), Triphala (Terminalia chebula, Terminalia bellirica and Emblica officinalis), mañjiṣṭhā – Rubia cordifolia, dāru – Cedrus deodara, the two Pancamula (ten roots),
Brihati – Solanum indicum
Kantakari – Solanum xanthocarpum
Gokshura – Tribulus terrestris
Shalaparni – Desmodium gangeticum
Prishniparni – Uraria picta
Bilva – Bael tree – Aegle marmelos
Agnimantha – Premna mucronata
Shyonaka – Oroxylum indicum
Patala – Stereospermum suaveolens
Gambhari – Gmelina arborea,
saptacchada – Alstonia scholaris, bark of Azadirachta indica, Alstonia scholaris / Citrullus colocynthis,
citrako – Plumbago zeylanica
mūrvā – Marsdenia tenacissima
fine-powdered, mixed with nine parts of corn flour added with honey and consumed daily / habitually cures skin disease cures edema, anemia, leucoderma, duodenal disease, hemorrhoids, scrotal enlargement, rectal fistula, eruptions, itching, rashes and goitre.
Medicines to be used as Rasayana
रसायनप्रयोगेण तुवरास्थीनि शीलयेत् ।
भल्लातकं बाकुचिकां वह्निमूलं शिलाह्वयम् ॥ ५३ ॥
One should take continuously, seeds of Hydnocarpus laurifolia
bhallātakaṃ – Semecarpus anacardium,
bākucikāṃ – Psoralea corylifolia
roots of Plumbago zeylanica or Asphaltum consumed in the manner prescribed for Rasayana (rejuvenation therapy) (chapter 39 of Uttarasthana).
Bahya Cikitsa: External treatment
इति दोषे विजितेऽन्तस्त्वक्स्थे शमनं बहिः प्रलेपादि हितम् ।
तीक्ष्णालेपोत्क्लिष्टं कुष्ठं हि विवृद्धिमेति मलिने देहे ॥ ५४ ॥
After the doshas inside the body are won over (mitigated) by these (medicines), it is beneficial to mitigate the doshas present in the skin by external application of pastes of herbs etc., for skin disease exacerbated by strong external applications gets greatly increased in the body which is impure (by accumulation of Doshas)
स्थिरकठिनमण्डलानां कुष्ठानां पोटलैर्हितः स्वेदः ।
स्विन्नोत्सन्नं कुष्ठं शस्त्रैर्लिखितं प्रलेपनैर्लिम्पेत् ॥ ५५ ॥
It is beneficial to give fomentation with Pottali (bolus of herbs) to patches of skin disease which are static and hard, the patches getting elevated by fomentation should be scraped limpet – with sharp instruments and covered with paste of herbs.
येषु न शस्त्रं क्रमते स्पर्शेन्द्रियनाशनेषु कुष्ठेषु ।
तेषु निपात्यः क्षारो रक्तं दोषं च विस्राव्य ॥ ५६ ॥
In skin disease which destroy the organ of tactile sensation and in those which are not suitable for surgical intervention, application of ksara (caustic alkalies) should be resorted to, after the elimination of blood (blood-letting) and doshas.
लेपोऽतिकठिनपरुषे सुप्ते कुष्ठे स्थिरे पुराणे च ।
पीतागदस्य कार्यो विषैः समन्त्रोऽगदैश्चानु ॥ ५७ ॥
In skin disease which are very hard, rough, patches insensitive, static and longstanding, to the patient who has consumed antipoison, paste application of herbs destroying poisons should be done, after chanting hymns. Later anti-poisonous herbs should be applied.
स्तब्धानि सुप्तसुप्तान्यस्वेदनकण्डुलानि कुष्ठानि ।
घृष्टानि शुष्कगोमयफेनकशस्त्रैः प्रदेह्यानि ॥ ५८ ॥
Leprotic patches which are static, greatly insensitive, non-perspiring and itching should be rubbed first either with powder of dry cow dung, cutlet fish / sea foam or with sharp instruments and then warm paste applied over.
मुस्ता त्रिफला मदनं करञ्ज आरग्वधः कलिङ्गयवाः ।
सप्ताह्वकुष्ठफलिनीदार्व्यः सिद्धार्थकं स्नानम् ॥ ५९ ॥
एष कषायो वमनं विरेचनं वर्णकस्तथोद्घर्षः ।
त्वग्दोषकुष्ठशोफप्रबाधनः पाण्डुरोगघ्नः ॥ ६० ॥
Bathing in the water boiled with mustā – Cyperus rotundus, triphalā – Triphala (Terminalia chebula, Terminalia bellirica & Emblica officinalis), madanaṃ – Randia dumetorum, karañja – Pongamia pinnata, āragvadhaḥ – Cassia fistula, kaliṅga – Holarrhena antidysenterica yavāḥ – Hordeum vulgare, saptāhva – Alstonia scholaris, kuṣṭha – Saussurea lappa, phalinī – Callicarpa macrophylla, dārvyaḥ – Berberis aristate & siddhārthakaṃ – Brassica nigra is best suited;
decoction of these acts as an emetic, purgative; bestows colour. When rubbed (on the skin), it cures diseases of the skin, skin disease, edema and anemia.
Karaviradi lepa
करवीरनिम्बकुटजाच्छम्याकाच्चित्रकाच्च मूलानाम् ।
मूत्रे दर्वीलेपी क्वाथो लेपेन कुष्ठघ्नः ॥ ६१ ॥
Roots of karavīra – Nerium indicum, nimba – Azadirachta indica, kuṭajāt – Holarrhena antidysenterica, śamyākāt – Cassia fistula, citrakāt – Plumbago zeylanica, are boiled in cow urine to the constistency of adhering to the ladle. This thick decoction applied on the skin cures skin disease.
Bahya Cikitsa: Eternal treatment
श्वेतकरवीरमूलं कुटजकरञ्जात् फलं त्वचो दार्व्याः ।
सुमनःप्रवालयुक्तो लेपः कुष्ठापहः सिद्धः ॥ ६२ ॥
Roots of white variety of Nerium indicum, fruits (seeds) of kuṭaja – Holarrhena antidysenterica, karañjāt – and Pongamia pinnata, tvaco dārvyāḥ – bark of Berberis aristata, pravāla – tender leaves of sumanaḥ – Mesua ferrea, yukto lepaḥ – made into a paste and applied, kuṣṭhāpahaḥ – cures skin disease, surely.
शैरीषी त्वक् पुष्पं कार्पास्या राजवृक्षपत्राणि ।
पिष्टा च काकमाची चतुर्विधः कुष्ठहा लेपः ॥ ६३ ॥
Paste of śairīṣī tvak – bark of Albizia lebbeck, puṣpaṃ kārpāsyā – flowers of Gossypium berbaceum, rājavṛkṣa patrāṇi – leaves of Cassia fistula, kākamācī – and of Solanum nigrum; caturvidhaḥ lepaḥ – these four kinds of pastes cure skin disease.
Bahya Cikitsa: External treatment: Vyoshadi Gutika lepa
व्योषसर्षपनिशागृहधूमैर्यावशूकपटुचित्रककुष्ठैः ।
कोलमात्रगुटिकार्धविषांशा श्वित्रकुष्ठहरणो वरलेपः ॥ ६४ ॥
Equal quantities of each of Vyosa (Piper longum, Piper nigrum, Zingiber officinale), sarṣapa – Brassica alba, niśā – Curcuma longa, gṛhadhūmai: – soot of chimney of kitchen, yāvaśūka – Hordeum vulgare, salt, citraka – Plumbago zeylanica, kuṣṭhaiḥ – Saussurea lappa, together making one part mixed with half part of Aconitum ferox and rolled into pills of the size of Kola (jujube fruit); paste of this pill applied on the skin is best for the cure of leucoderma and skin disease.
Bahya Cikitsa: External treatment: Nimba Haridradi Churna lepa, Mustadi Churna Avachurnana
निम्बं हरिद्रे सुरसं पटोलं कुष्ठाश्वगन्धे सुरदारु शिग्रुः ।
ससर्षपं तुम्बुरुधान्यवन्यं चण्डा च चूर्णानि समानि कुर्यात् ॥ ६५ ॥
तैस्तक्रपिष्टैः प्रथमं शरीरं तैलाक्तमुद्वर्तयितुं यतेत ।
तथास्य कण्डूः पिटिकाः सकोठाः कुष्ठानि शोफाश्च
शमं व्रजन्ति ॥ ६६ ॥
मुस्तामृतासङ्गकटङ्कटेरीकासीसकम्पिल्लककुष्ठलोध्राः ।
गन्धोपलः सर्जरसो विडङ्गं मनःशिलाले करवीरकत्वक् ॥ ६७ ॥
तैलाक्तगात्रस्य कृतानि चूर्णान्येतानि दद्यादवचूर्णनार्थम् ।
दद्रूः सकण्डूः किटिभानि पामा विचर्चिका चेति तथा न सन्ति ॥ ६८ ॥
Equal quantities of each of nimbaṃ – Azadirachta indica, haridre – the two haridra (Curcuma longa & Berberis aristata), surasaṃ – Ocimum sanctum, paṭolaṃ – Trichosanthes dioica, kuṣṭha – Saussurea lappa, aśvagandhe – Withania somnifera, suradāru – Cedrus deodara, śigruḥ – Moringa oleifera, sa sarṣapaṃ – Brassica nigra, tumburu – Zanthoxylum alatum, dhānya – Coriandrum sativum, vanyaṃ – Vigna radiata, caṇḍā ca – and Macaranga peltate, are converted into powder, macerated in buttermilk and kept ready, the body of the patient is first anointed with (medicated) oil and then massaged with this paste. With this, his itching, purulent eruptions, skin disorders and edema get cured.
mustā – Cyperus rotundus,
amṛtā – Tinospora cordifolia,
saṅga kaṭaṅkaṭerī – along with Berberis aristata,
kāsīsa – green vitriol,
kampillaka – Mallotus philippensis,
kuṣṭha – Saussurea lappa,
lodhrāḥ – Symplocos racemosus
gandhopalaḥ – gandhopala,
sarjaraso – resin of Vateria indica,
viḍaṅgaṃ – Embelia ribes,
manaḥśila – Realgar,
āle – Arsenic trisulphide,
karavīraka tvak – bark of Nerium indicum
to the person whose body has been anointed with oil, the powder prepared from these herbs should be used for dusting, (By the use of this medicine), there will not exist eczema with itching, psoriasis eczema, scabies and eczema/psoriasis.
Snuk Sarshapa Lepa for Vicarcika
स्नुग्गण्डे सर्षपात् कल्कः कुकूलानलपाचितः ।
लेपाद्विचर्चिकां हन्ति रागवेग इव त्रपाम् ॥ ६९ ॥
Paste of Brassica nigra concealed inside a piece of Stem of Euphorbia nerifolia and cooked in the fire of a small bundle of hay, applied over the skin cures psoriasis/eczema just like emotions of attraction dispels shyness.
Manashiladi Pradeha, Karanjadi Yoga
मनःशिलाले मरिचानि तैलमार्कं पयः कुष्ठहरः प्रदेहः ।
तथा करञ्जप्रपुनाटबीजं कुष्ठान्वितं गोसलिलेन पिष्टम् ॥ ७० ॥
manaḥśila – Realgar, āle – Arsenii trisulphidum, maricāni – Piper nigrum, tailaṃ – oil and milky sap of Calotropis gigantea made into a paste and applied warm, cures skin disease; so also, that prepared from seeds of: tathā karañja – Pongamia pinnata, prapunāṭa – Cassia tora, kuṣṭhānvitaṃ – Saussurea lappa, macerated with cow urine.
Guggulvadi taila (Suryatapi)
गुग्गुलुमरिचविडङ्गैः सर्षपकासीससर्जरसमुस्तैः ।
श्रीवेष्टकालगन्धैर्मनःशिलाकुष्ठकम्पिल्लैः ॥ ७१ ॥
उभयहरिद्रासहितैश्चाक्रिकतैलेन मिश्रितैरेभिः ।
करकराभितप्तैः कुष्ठं घृष्टं च नष्टं च ॥ ७२ ॥
guggulu – Commiphora mukul,
marica – Piper nigrum,
viḍaṅgaiḥ – Embelia ribes,
sarṣapa – Brassica nigra,
kāsīsa – Green Vitriol,
sarjarasa – resin of Vateria indica,
mustaiḥ – Cyperus rotundus,
śrīveṣṭaka – Pinus roxburghii,
āla – Arsenii trisulphidum,
gandhai: – sulphur,
manaḥśilā – Realgar,
kuṣṭha – Saussurea lappa,
kampillaiḥ – Mallotus philippensis,
and the Haridra dvaya (Curcuma longa & Berberis aristata) (powdered) and mixed Cakrika Taila (warm oil of Sesamum indicum, fresh from the oil mill) and heated by the rays of the sun, applied on the skin (in case of), wards off skin disease.
Marichadi taila (Niragni vidhi)
मरिचं तमालपत्रं कुष्ठं समनःशिलं सकासीसम् ।
तैलेन युक्तमुषितं सप्ताहं भाजने ताम्रे ॥ ७३ ॥
तेनालिप्तं सिध्मं सप्ताहाद्घर्मसेविनोऽपैति ।
मासान्नवं किलासं स्नानेन विना विशुद्धस्य ॥ ७४ ॥
maricaṃ – Piper nigrum,
tamālapatraṃ – Cinnamomum tamala,
kuṣṭhaṃ – Saussurea lappa,
manaḥśilaṃ – realgar,
kāsīsam – green vitriol (are powdered)
mixed with oil and kept in a copper vessel for seven days. It is then applied to the skin and the patient is asked to bask in the sun. By seven days pityriasis gets cured, leucoderma of recent onset gets cured by one month in the person who cleanses himself without taking bath.
Jyotishmati taila
मयूरकक्षारजले सप्तकृत्वः परिस्रुते ।
सिद्धं ज्योतिष्मतीतैलमभ्यङ्गात् सिध्मनाशनम् ॥ ७५ ॥
jyotiṣmatī tailaṃ – Oil of Jyothismati – Celastrus paniculatus, boiled for seven times in the alkali solution of mayuraka Kshara (alkali/ ash of Appamarga – Acyranthes aspera) anointed and massaged, cures pityriasis.
वायसजङ्घामूलं वमनीपत्राणि मूलकाद्बीजम् ।
तक्रेण भौमवारे लेपः सिध्मापहः सिद्धः ॥ ७६ ॥
Root of Peristrophe bicalyculata, leaves of Crotalaria verrucosa), seeds of Raphanus sativus macerated with buttermilk applied on the skin on Tuesday is a proven remedy for the cure of sidhma.
Jivantyadi yoga for lepa
जीवन्ती मञ्जिष्ठा दार्वी कम्पिल्लकं पयस्तुत्थम्
एष घृततैलपाकः सिद्धः सिद्धे च सर्जरसः ॥ ७७ ॥
देयः समधूच्छिष्टो विपादिका तेन नश्यति ह्यक्ता ।
चर्मैककुष्ठकिटिभं कुष्ठं शाम्यत्यलसकं च ॥ ७८ ॥
jīvantī – Leptadenia reticulata,
mañjiṣṭhā – Rubia cordifolia,
dārvī – Berberis aristata,
kampillakaṃ – Mallotus philippensis,
paya: – milk,
tuttham – copper sulphate
are added to ghee and oil and cooked. Afterwards resin of Vateria indica and bee wax are added. Applied over the skin, it cures Vipadika, Carmakhya Kustha, Eka Kustha, Kitibha Kustha, and it also cures Alasaka Kustha.
Vajraka Taila
मूलं सप्ताह्वात् त्वक् शिरीषाश्वमारादर्कान् मालत्याश्चित्रकास्फोतनिम्बात् ।
बीजं कारञ्जं सार्षपं प्रापुनाटम् श्रेष्ठा जन्तुघ्नं त्र्यूषणं द्वे हरिद्रे ॥ ७९ ॥
तैलं तैलं साधितं तैः समूत्रैस्त्वग्दोषाणां दुष्टनाडीव्रणानाम् ।
अभ्यङ्गेन श्लेष्मवातोद्भवानां नाशायालं वज्रकं वज्रतुल्यम् ॥ ८० ॥
Roots of Anethum sowa, barks of Albezia lebbeck,
aśvamāra – Nerium indicum,
adarkān – Calotropis gigantea,
mālatyā: – Jasminum grandiflorum,
citraka – Plumbago zeylanica,
āsphota – Clitoria ternatea
nimbāt – and Azadirachta indica,
bījaṃ kārañjaṃ – Seeds of Pongamia pinnata,
sārṣapaṃ – Brassica nigra,
prāpunāṭaṃ – Cassia tora,
śreṣṭhā – Triphala (Terminalia chebula, Terminalia bellirica and Emblica officinalis
jantughnaṃ – Embelia ribes,
tryūṣaṇaṃ – Tryusana (Piper longum, Piper nigrum and Zingiber officinale),
dveharidre – The two Haridra (Curcuma longa & Berberis aristata)
tailaṃ – Oil Sesamum indicum, mixed with cow urine are cooked to form a medicated oil. This known as Vajraka Taila. Anointed on the body, acts as a Vajra (powderful weapon) for curing the diseases of the skin, bad sinus ulcers arising from Kapha and Vata.
Maha Vajraka Taila
एरण्डतार्क्ष्यघननीपकदम्बभार्गी कम्पिल्लवेल्लफलिनीसुरवारुणीभिः |
निर्गुण्ड्यरुष्करसुराह्वसुवर्णदुग्धा श्रीवेष्टगुग्गुलुशिलापटुतालविश्वैः ॥ ८१द् ॥
तुल्यस्नुगर्कदुग्धं सिद्धं तैलं स्मृतं महावज्रम् ।
अतिशयितवज्रकगुणं श्वित्रार्शोग्रन्थिमालाघ्नम् ॥ ८२ ॥
Medicated oil prepared with (decoction of)
eraṇḍa – Ricinus communis,
tārkṣya – Dipterocarpus turbinatus,
ghana – Cyperus rotundus,
nīpa – Nypa fruticans / Nauclea cadamba,
kadamba – Neolomarckia cadamba,
bhārgī – Clerodendrum serratum,
kampilla – Mallotus philippensis,
vella – Embelia ribes,
phalinī – Callicarpa macrophylla,
suravāruṇībhiḥ – Citrullus colocynthis,
nirguṇḍi – Vitex negundo,
aruṣkara – Semecarpus anacardium,
surāhva – Cedrus deodara,
suvarṇadugdhā – Argemone mexicana,
śrīveṣṭa – Pinus longifolia,
guggulu – Commiphora mukul,
śilā – asphaltum,
paṭu – salt,
tāla – haritala – purified Arsenic trisulfide
viśvaiḥ – Zingiber officinale,
added with equal quantity of milky sap of snuk – Euphorbia nerifolia arka – and Calotropis gigantea. This preparation is called MahaVajraka Taila it has enriched qualities as compared to Vajraka Taila, śvitra arśo granthimālāghnam – and cures leucoderma, hemorrhoids, tumours and Garland of Tumours (scrofula).
Kushtadi taila
कुष्ठाश्वमारभृङ्गार्कमूत्रस्नुक्क्षीरसैन्धवैः ।
तैलं सिद्धं विषापहमभ्यङ्गात् कुष्ठजित् परम् ॥ ८३ ॥
Medicated oil prepared with
kuṣṭha – Saussurea lappa,
aśvamāra – Nerium indicum,
bhṛṅga – Eclipta alba,
arka – Calotropis gigantea,
mūtra – Cow urine,
snukkṣīra – sap of Euphorbia nerifolia
saindhavaiḥ – and rock salt, as Paste;
viṣāpahaṃ – alleviates (effects of) visa (poisons),
abhyaṅgāt – this by anointing on the skin,
kuṣṭhajit param – is best for the cure of skin disease.
Siktakadi taila
सिद्धं सिक्थकसिन्दूरपुरतुत्थकतार्क्ष्यजैः ।
कच्छूं विचर्चिकां चाशु कटुतैलं निबर्हति ॥ ८४ ॥
siddhaṃ – Medicated oil prepared from
sikthaka – bee wax,
sindūra – Bixa orellana
pura – Commiphora mukul,
tutthaka – copper sulphate
tārkṣyajaiḥ – Emerald
kaṭutailaṃ – and mustard oil
āśu nibarhati – quickly cures
kacchūṃ – kacchu
vicarcikāṃ ca – and psoriasis /eczema.
Lakshadi lepa
लाक्षा व्योषं प्रापुनाटं च बीजं सश्रीवेष्टं कुष्ठसिद्धार्थकाश्च ।
तक्रोन्मिश्रः स्याद्धरिद्रा च लेपो दद्रूषूक्तो मूलकोत्थं च बीजम् ॥ ८५ ॥
lākṣā – Laccifer lacca,
vyoṣaṃ – Vyosa (Piper longum, Piper nigrum and Zingiber officinale),
prāpunāṭaṃ ca bījaṃ – seeds of Cassia tora,
sa śrīveṣṭaṃ – Pinus roxburghii,
kuṣṭha – Saussurea lappa,
siddhārthakā – Brassica nigra,
haridrā – Curcuma longa
macerated with buttermilk and applied, cures ringworm similar is the impact with the seeds of Raphanus sativus macerated with buttermilk.
Bahya Cikitsa: External treatment: Lepa
चित्रकशोभाञ्जनकौ गुडूच्यपामार्गदेवदारूणि ।
खदिरो धवश्च लेपः श्यामा दन्ती द्रवन्ती च ॥ ८६ ॥
लाक्षारसाञ्जनैलाः पुनर्नवा चेति कुष्ठिनां लेपाः ।
दधिमण्डयुताः पादैः षट् प्रोक्ता मारुतकफघ्नाः ॥ ८७ ॥
Paste of:
citraka – Plumbago zeylanica,
śobhāñjanakau – Moringa oliefera;
guḍūcī – Tinospora cordifolia,
apāmārga – Achyranthes aspera,
devadārūṇi – Cedrus deodara;
khadiro – Acacia catechu,
dhavaśca – Anogeissus latifolia;
śyāmā – black variety of Operculina turpethum,
dantī – Baliospermum montanum
dravantī – Jatropha cucrus;
lākṣārasa – Laccifer lacca,
añjana – Rasanjana – extract of Berberis aristata
elāḥ – Elettaria cardamomum;
punarnavā – Boerhavia diffusa
these six-paste mixed with supernatant water of curds and applied cure skin disease arising from Vata and Kapha.
Jaladi Lepa
जलवाप्यलोहकेसरपत्रप्लवचन्दनमृणालानि ।
भागोत्तराणि सिद्धं प्रलेपनं पित्तकफकुष्ठे ॥ ८८ ॥
Paste of Pavonia odorata,
vāpya – Saussurea lappa,
loha – calcined iron,
kesara – Crocus sativus,
patra – Cinnamomum tamala,
plava – Ficus infectoria,
candana – Santalum album,
mṛṇālāni – Nymphaea stellata
increased by one part in succeeding order, is best application for skin disease arising from Pitta and Kapha.
तिक्तघृतैर्धौतघृतैरभ्यङ्गो दह्यमानकुष्ठेषु ।
तैलैश्चन्दनमधुकप्रपौण्डरीकोत्पलयुतैश्च ॥ ८९ ॥
In skin disease with severe burning sensation, the body should be anointed with either ghee boiled with bitter herbs or ghee washed several times in water or decoction of herbs or with oil boiled with
candana – Santalum album,
madhuka – Glycyrrhiza glabra,
prapauṇḍarīka – Nelumbo nucifera
utpalayutaiśca – Nymphaea stellata.
क्लेदे प्रपतति चाङ्गे दाहे विस्फोटके च चर्मदले ।
शीताः प्रदेहसेका व्यधनविरेकौ घृतं तिक्तम् ॥ ९० ॥
When the parts of the body are sloughy, moist and falling off, when there is burning sensation and appearance of blisters, and in carmadala Kustha, cold applications and pouring stream of decoctions, cutting the veins (for blood- letting), purgative therapy and use of tikta Ghrita should be administered.
खदिरवृषनिम्बकुटजाः श्रेष्ठाकृमिजित्पटोलमधुपर्ण्यः ।
अन्तर्बहिः प्रयुक्ताः कृमिकुष्ठनुदः सगोमुत्राः ॥ ९१ ॥
khadira – Acacia catechu,
vṛṣa – Adhatoda vasica,
nimba – Azadirachta indica,
kuṭajāḥ – Holarrhena antidysenterica,
śreṣṭhā – Aquilaria agallocha,
kṛmijit – Embelia ribes,
paṭola – Trichosanthes dioica
madhuparṇyaḥ – Tinospora cordifolia,
with cow urine, administered both internally and externally, cures skin disease in fasted with worms.
Indication for Panchakarma based on Dosha
वातोत्तरेषु सर्पिर्वमनं श्लेष्मोत्तरेषु कुष्ठेषु ।
पित्तोत्तरेषु मोक्षो रक्तस्य विरेचनं चाग्रे ॥ ९२ ॥
In skin disease in which Vata is predominant, medicated ghee should be administered first; That in which Kapha is predominant emesis therapy and that in which Pitta is predominant, bloodletting and purgation therapy are first.
ये लेपाः कुष्ठानां युज्यन्ते निर्हृतास्रदोषाणाम् ।
संशोधिताशयानां सद्यः सिद्धिर्भवति तेषाम् ॥ ९३ ॥
The application of paste made after removal of blood and doshas and purification of the seats (of skin diseases), becomes effective immediately.
Need of comprehensive and timely treatments
दोषे हृतेऽपनीते रक्ते बाह्यान्तरे कृते शमने ।
स्नेहे च कालयुक्ते न कुष्ठमतिवर्तते साध्यम् ॥ ९४ ॥
When the Doshas have been mitigated, blood-letting done, palliative medications used externally and internally, oleation therapy, administered at appropriate times, skin disease does not transgress the border of easy curability.
Need for repeated cleansing
बहुदोषः संशोध्यः कुष्ठी बहुशोऽनुरक्षता प्राणान् ।
दोषे ह्यतिमात्रहृते वायुर्हन्यादबलमाशु ॥ ९५ ॥
The patient of skin disease who has great aggravations / increase of the Doshas, should be administered purificatory therapy many times, protecting his life (strength) all the time. If the doshas are expelled out in great measure Vata kills the weakened patient quickly.
Frequency for repeated panchakarma procedures
पक्षात्पक्षाच्छर्दनान्यभ्युपेयान्मासान्मासाच्छोधनान्यप्यधस्तात् ।
शुद्धिर्मूर्ध्नि स्यात्त्रिरात्रात्त्रिरात्रात्षष्ठे षष्ठे मास्यसृङ्मोक्षणं च ॥ ९६ ॥
Emesis therapy should be done every fortnight, downward purification (purgation therapy) every month, purification of the head (nasal medication) every third day and blood-letting every six months.
Need for timely cleansing therapies:
यो दुर्वान्तो दुर्विरिक्तोऽथवा स्यात् कुष्ठी दोषैरुद्धतैर्व्याप्यतेऽसौ ॥ ९७ब् ॥
निःसन्देहं यात्यसाध्यत्वमेवं तस्मात् कृत्स्नान्निर्हरेदस्य दोषान् ॥ ९७द् ॥
The patient of skin disease who does not get proper emesis and who does not get proper purgation, who becomes filled with greatly increased Doshas, surely gets into the state of incurability. Hence the increased doshas should be removed out quickly.
Self-restraint etc. rituals
व्रतदमयमसेवात्यागशीलाभियोगो द्विजसुरगुरुपूजा सर्वसत्त्वेषु मैत्री |
शिवशिवसुतताराभास्कराराधनानि प्रकटितमलपापं कुष्ठमुन्मूलयन्ति ॥ ९८द् ॥
Adhering to vows, control of emotions, control of the sense organs, serving others, parting with comforts, maintaining virtues, respecting the twice- born, Gods and Preceptors, friendship with all living being, worship of lord siva, Sivasuta (lord ganesha), Tara (stars), and Bhaskara (sun) these remove the sins of increased Doshas and skin disease.
इति श्री वैद्यपति सिंहगुप्तसूनु श्रीमद्वाग्भटविरचितायामष्टाङ्गहृदयसंहितायां चतुर्थे चिकित्सितस्थाने कुष्ठचिकित्सितं नामैकोनविंशोऽध्याय: ॥ १९ ॥
Thus, ends the chapter KusthaCikitsita the nineteenth in Cikitsita Sthana of AsthangaHrdaya Samhita composed by Srimad Vagbhata, son of Sri Vaidyapati Simhagupta.
