Pharmacognacy of Paththu dravya for Amavatha Sandhi Shotha used in Nadungamuwa Weda Parampara

Abstract

Traditional medicine is the sum total of the knowledge, skills, and practices based on the theories, beliefs, and experiences. Chronic/Acute inflammatory joint disease Amavata (Rheumatoid Arthritis) is a disease that some medical systems fail to provide proper treatments. This causes swelling, pain and stiffness of joints. According to Ayurveda texts, it is manifested mainly in joints of hasta, pada, sira, trika, gulpha, janu and uru. The main symptoms include are Angamarda Aruchi, Trishna, Gouravam, Apaka and Shotha. In traditional system the shothahara paththu is most significantly used in ama vatha shotha locally. This study consisted of a descriptive study model applied to particular registered traditional practitioner and the patients who followed the physician practicing traditional medicine. Ayurveda text books were referred to analyze the Guna-karama. As the ingredients of paththu, Thala, Sathakuppa, Eranda seeds, Aralu, Rathhadun, and Siyabala leaves prominently show Thiktha-Madhura rasa. In addition Katu-Kashaya-Amla rasa can be seen. Lavana rasa was not found. Mostly Lagu-Ruksh-Thikshna guna were found and Snigdha-Sara-Guru guna were found in very less amount. 78% of dravyas were Ushna in Veerya and 22% of them were Sheetha Veerya. 80% of the drugs possess Katu Vipaka, 20% Madhura vipaka and 4% of them were Amla Vipaka. The traditional Amavatha Shotha paththu reduce the shotha condition by palliating (Shamana) of Vata and Kapha dosha. By using guli kalka, sweda along with the external paththu increase and normalize the decreased Agni and facilitate to digest the Ama. According to the above findings, Vata-Kapha Shamana and Agni deepana is suggested as the probable mode of action while considering the properties of the ingredients