VATSANABHI
Botanical
Name—Aconitum ferox Wall
Family- RANUNCULACEAE
Scientific
classification: Aconites belong to the family Ranunculaceae. The helmet
flower is classified as Aconitum napellus.
Synonyms
Amrtam,
Ugra Visa, Garalam, Nãgam, Nãbhi, Prãna haram, Maranam, Mahousadham, Visam,
Stokakam, Sthavaradyam; Vatsanagam.
Names
in different languages
Assami
: Vish; Bengali -Kathvish Mitha vish; Bihari- Dakara; English : Monk’s
hood,Aconite; Gujarati : Basnag, Bachnag, Chingadiyo;Hindi : Bachnag,
Mitha vish, Mitha Teliya, Teliya vish; Kannàd : Nasnabhi, Malayalam
Vatsanabhi; Marathi Bachnag; Punjabi Mohari, ShyamMohari; Tamil: Vasanasi;
Telugu : Nabhi.
Classification
according to Caraka, Susruta & Vagbhata
Caraka
Susruta Vagbhata |
Sthãvara
Visas
Kanda
Visas
-
|
Introduction
Aconite,
common name for certain perennial herbs and for a preparation derived from them
that was formerly used in medicine. More than 100 species belong to the aconite
genus and are native to temperate regions of the northern hemisphere.
Vatsanabhi is known to the Ayurvedic pharmacopoeia since very early times. The
herb Visa is delineated in Atharvaveda and Brãhmana granthas. The utility of
Vatsanãbhi definitely increased after the development of Rasa sãstra.
Aconite is a Greek word meaning arrow (Acron). The arrows were coated with this
poison and used. Hence the name aconite. it was used as an arrow poison early
in Chinese history’. Aconite is one of the oldest known drugs and is of two
different kinds viz., poisonous and non-poisonous. Among the poisonous
varieties both A. ferox and A. Chasmanthum are used as Vatsanãbhi/Visa in
India.
Varieties
& adulterants - (CV – controversy, AD – adulterants)
1.
A. luridum
2. A. chasmanthum - [AD] – sringi visha [CV]
3. A. violaceum
4. A. heterophyllum - prativisa -[CV]
5. A. palmatum
6. A. deinorrhizum
7.
A. balfouri
8.
A. spicatum
9.
A. laciniatum
10.
A. napellus – used in unani, Chinese & homeopathy
11.
A. falconeri
12.
A. elwasii
13.
A. lethale
14.
A.columbianum
Variety
|
Colour
|
Property
|
|
14.
|
Brãhmana
|
Pãndu Varna
|
Rasãyana
|
15
|
Ksatriya
|
Rakta Vania
|
Deha puti kar:
|
16
|
Vaisya
|
Pita Varna
|
Kuthaghna
|
17
|
sudra
|
Krsna Varna
|
Dhãtu
karma
|
Morphology
(i) Aconitum ferox Wall ex. Seringe—
It is a perennial herb.
Roots—
paired; daughter-tuber ovoid- oblong to ellipsoid, 2.5-4 cm long, about
1-1.5 cm thick, with filiform root-fibres, lark brown externally, yellowish on
fracture; another-tuber much shrunk and wrinkled with more numerous
root-fibres.
Stem—
erect, with or without a slender, hypogynous base, simple, 40-90 cm high,
covered with short spreading yellow hairs in the upper part and glabrous below.
Leaves—
scattered,
distant, glabrous; petioles slender upto 25cm; blade orbicular-cordate to
reniform in outline with a rather wide sinus; palmately 5-lobed.
Inflorescence—
peduncle straight, bearing flowers on both sides; flowers pale dirty blue,
borne in a dense terminal raceme, 10-25 cm long; helmet-vaulted with a short
sharp beak, resembling a pea flower.
Fruits—
carpels 5, tomentose; follicles oblong, 15-20 mm long and 4-5 mm. broad; seeds
obovoid to obpyramidal, 2.6-3 mm. long, winged along with the raphe.
Distribution
& Habitat
Grows
wild in the alpine Himalayas, Kashmir at an altitude of 3,600 m; alpine
Himalayas of Nepal.
(ii)Aconitum
Chasmanthum
Biennial herb
roots paired, tuberous
2.5-3.5 cm, 12-18 mm. thick, bearing more or
less numerous root-fibres
leaving behind the indurated bases when breaking off, dark brown to blackish
brown, smooth or wrinkled when dry, fracture cartilaginous, hard, white with in
the cambium ring.
Stem— evect, simple
inclusive of the inflorescence, 60-120 cm high, and crispopubescent above,
glabrous below.
Leaves— numerous, petioles
in the lower part of stem upto 7.5 cm long, the upper petioles shortly petioled
or subsessile.
Inflorescence— long,
narrows, stiff, dense or loose raceme, 30 cm long, often leafy below; rachis
stout; pedicles slender.
Flowers blue or whitish and
variegated with blue, crispo-pubescent or almost glabrous; uppermost helmet-
shaped, 15-20 mm high, 12-18 mm long from the tip to base, 5- 7 mm wide,
lateral margin conspicuously concave.
Fruits— carpels 5;
follicles oblong, truncate 10-16 mm long; seeds brown, ovoid to obpyramidal,
3-5 mm long, unequally 3vinged.
Distribution— Sub-alpine
and alpine zones of western Himalayas at an altitude of 7000-12000 ft.
(iii) Aconitum napellus—
A herb indigenous to the temperate alpine Himalayas, where it grows in abundance.
Roots—
biennial tuberous,
Stem—
erect, 60-90 cm height, finely pubescent in the upper part.
Leaves—
scattered, basal 5-6, upper leaves upto 10, reniform, petioles slender, 5-pedatipartite.
Inflorescence—
loose racemes, sepals blue, hairy, uppermost helmet shaped. Fruits— oblong,
conspicuously reticulate follicks, seeds obovoid to obpyramidal.
Chemical Constituents
The roots of A. chasmanthum (10 times) and A. ferox (2
times) are richer in alkaloids than those of A. napellus. The alkaloids of A. chasmenthum are less potent (0.7 times) and of A. ferox more potent (1.5 times) than those of A. napellus, A. ferox is specially recommended for wider use on account of its more common occurance, easier identification, and the higher crystallising power of its alkaloid (about 80% being crystallisable).
(i) A. ferox—
Roots contain toxic alkaloids, pseudoaconitine along with
bikhaconitine, chasmaconitine, indaconitine,veratroyl pseudoaconitine and diacetyl pseudoaconitine ,alkaloids-2- (lH)- quinolinone and 3,4- dihydro-6- hydroxy2(1H)quinolone, diterpenoid alkaloid , acetylsenbusjne A; Vakognavine, Chasmaconitine, crassicauline A, falconerjcjne, bikhaconine, pseudoaconine, neoline, senbusjne A, neoline, senbusine B, isotalatizodjne and aconine are reported (Phytochem, 1994, 36,1527). Four lipoakaloids viz., liposeudo aconitine, lipoyunaconitine, lipojndaconitjne and lipobikhaconjtjne and four aconine viz., veratroylpseudaconjne anisoylyunaconine, benzoyljndaconjne and veratroylbikhaconine
(ii)A.
chasmanthum
Indaconitine,A
& B; chasmaconitine and chasmanthinine ,chasmanine
(iii) A. napelius—
Neoline,aconitjne , atisine chloride and isoatisine a diterpene- l5a- hydroxyneoline, aconosine, l4-acetylncoline, hokbusine A, senbusjne A & C, aconitine and mesaconitine .
Properties—
Rasa
-
Madhura
Guna
-
Laghu, RUksa, Tiksna, Vyavãyi, Vikãsi
Virya - Usna
Vipaka - Katu
Karma - Vatakaphahara, Jvarahara, Jangama visahara,
Madakãri, Kuhaghna
Virya - Usna
Vipaka - Katu
Karma - Vatakaphahara, Jvarahara, Jangama visahara,
Madakãri, Kuhaghna
Prabhãva
– Rasãyana
External
uses
Application reduces pain and inflammation. It is applied after rubbing it with
oil. On massaging, it stimulates the tip of sensory nerve fibres after which it
produces tingling and numbness. It is absorbed faster through mucous membranes.
Internal uses
Nervous
system It
has no special effect on the brain. As it is avayi and vikasi and stimulates
the tip of the nerve fibres, it ads as a depressant. It acts on motor nervous
system also as a vasoconstrictors and above alt on the vagus and respiratory
system.
Digestive system When it comes in contact with tongue it produces a tingling sensation initially then numbness, nausea and excessive salivation. In therapeutic doses it acts as an appetizer, deepen, packers and reduces pain, parasthesia of stomach. It reduces gastric secretions and reduces kapha.. It is a hepatostimulant.
Circulatory
system Impure Vatsanabhi has a depressant effect on the. heart whereas
purified Vatsanabhi acts as a cardio stimulant by its ‘ayavayi and vikasi
properties. This cardio stimulant property is enhanced if it is purified in
cows milk. Vatsanabhi is used to alleviate oedema of any type.
Respiratory
system Kaphaghna.
In small dose, it stimulates the respiratory system. ‘t is useful in the
pleurisies and pneumonitis
Urinary
system
Diuretic and reduces urinary calculi.
Reproductive
system it
is shukra stambhak and is useful to amenorrhoea.
Satmikaran
In very small dose, it is balya and nutritious (madhur rasa and madhur vipak.
Skin Kushthaghna, diaphoretic.
Temperature In jwara, it is the best medicine. Excretion It is chiefly excreted through the urine, saliva, bile and sweat.
Purification
Small pieces of bachanag are kept in cow’s urine for 3 to 4 days. Then they are
cleaned with fresh water and boiled in cow’s milk for 3 hours, By this process.
ii gets purified.
Only purified hachanag must be used and in little quantity only. To reduce toxicity of toxins, large quantity of cow ghee roust be taken.
Indications—
Jvara (Sannpãta Javara mainly). Jangama Visa, Kustha, Madhumeha, Svãsa-kãsa, otha, Plihodara, Agnimändya, Vãta rogas etc.
(i) 3 months administration - cures all the eight major types of Kustha.
(ii) 6 months administration - improves complexion etc. (cosmetic purpose)
(iii)12
months administration - cures all diseases
Part used—
The tuberous root is medicinally used in various preparations. Both the ancient and modern descriptions indicate that the collection of root is preferred during winter1.
Dosage—
P.V.
Sharmaji prescribes 1/8 Ratti i.e; 15 mg (approx.) of
root powder and Vaidya Bapalal advocates 60-125 mg of root powder.
[*Note_ The former may indicate the impure form while the later indicates purified root].
root powder and Vaidya Bapalal advocates 60-125 mg of root powder.
[*Note_ The former may indicate the impure form while the later indicates purified root].
Rasa Ratna Samuccaya and Ayurveda Prakãa mentioned to increase gradually and tapering of Vatsanãbhi like Vardhamana Yogas.
They
are—
In Rasa Ratna Samuccaya—
1st day
2-4 days 5-7 days 9th day onwards |
-0
1Sarapa
-1
- 2 Sarsapa
-2
- 3 Sarapa
-3
1 Sarapa quantity days till it reaches Ratti (120 mg). increased for every a maximum dose of |
In
Ayurveda Prakãa—
1st daya I Sarapa
2-7 days - I Sarsapa quantity increased per day
8-14 days - I Sarsapa quantity tappering per day
3rd week - I Sarapa quantity increase per day
4th week - I Sarsapa quantity reduced per day
The maximum dose of Vatsanãbhi may be 8 Yavas only.
Toxic
effects and Anti-dotes.
Susruta , father of surgery clearly documented the toxic effects of Vatsanãbhi viz., Grivasthambha (torticollis) and Pita VitMütra-Netratva (deep yellowish discoloration of stools, urine & conjunctiva)’. Rasa Vagbhata enumerated the eight stages (Asta- vegas) of aconite poisoning and described the symptoms as well.
They
are—
1st
stage (Prathama- vega) - Tvak vikãra (skin changes)
2nd stage (Dvitiya- vega) - Vepathu (tremers)
3rd stage (Trtiya- vega) - Dãha (burning allover the body)
4th stage (Caturtha- vega) - Vikrtãvastha
5th stage (Pañcama- vega) - Phenodgama (bubbles from mouth)
6th stage (aama- vega) - Skandha bhanga (drooping of shoulders)
7th stage (Saptama- vega) - Jadatã (comatose)
8th stage (Asama- vega) - Marana (death)
2nd stage (Dvitiya- vega) - Vepathu (tremers)
3rd stage (Trtiya- vega) - Dãha (burning allover the body)
4th stage (Caturtha- vega) - Vikrtãvastha
5th stage (Pañcama- vega) - Phenodgama (bubbles from mouth)
6th stage (aama- vega) - Skandha bhanga (drooping of shoulders)
7th stage (Saptama- vega) - Jadatã (comatose)
8th stage (Asama- vega) - Marana (death)
Anti-dotes—
Accidental
poisoning or over dosage with aconite may produce the above symptoms. Different
anti-dosage been mentioned for the management. It is very specifically
mentioned by Rasa Vagbhata that the treatment is possible upto 5-7 Vegas only3.
First Vamana (Vomiting) shall be induced followed by Lepa or Kvãtha or Añjana
of Viaghna gaa (Ra.Ra.Sa.)4 Cow’s ghee is considered as one of the best
anti-dotes for visa.
Marked
general fatigueless is experienced in the muscles and oppression in the chest.
Death finally occurs due to paralysis of heart or respiratory centers or even
both.
Fatal
Dose— 1-2 gm of root or 4-6 mg of aconitine Fatal Period— 3-6 hours
Treatment—
1.
Gastric lavage with warm water and weak solution of potassiun permanganate or
with a solution of iodine in potassium iodide or with tannic acid or strong
coffee or strong tea to precipitate the alkaloid.
2.
Powdered charcoal to diminish solubility.
3.
Atropine 0.5-1 mg is useful
4.
Strychnine, artificial respiration, application of heat etc. may also be
useful.
5.
Symptomatic treatment.
Purification (Sodhana)
Though
there is no reference about the purification of
Vatsanãbhi among the major classics, the tuberous roots of aconite are treated in several ways before oral administration. Probably, Rasa sãstra might have laid emphasis on its Sodhana in the ancient days. It is mentioned that impure form of Via (Vatsanãbhi) may produce Dãlha (burning), Moha (inebrient state), cardiac depressant and death (Maranna) eventually. Therefore purification is essential. There are several methods for purification’.
Vatsanãbhi among the major classics, the tuberous roots of aconite are treated in several ways before oral administration. Probably, Rasa sãstra might have laid emphasis on its Sodhana in the ancient days. It is mentioned that impure form of Via (Vatsanãbhi) may produce Dãlha (burning), Moha (inebrient state), cardiac depressant and death (Maranna) eventually. Therefore purification is essential. There are several methods for purification’.
Some
of them are—
1. Aconite root is cut into pieces and tied in a
cloth. Then it is soaked in cow’s urine for three days by changing cows urine
every day .Afterwards the pieces are shade dried. Some people advocate
application of mustard oil over the root pieces after purification.
2. Purification may be done by means of boiling (Svedana) the aconite roots in cow’s urine for 3-6 hours in Dolã Yañtra.
3. Aconite roots may also be boiled in the similar fashion either by using Triphalä Kvãtha (decoction prepared by using three myrobalans) or by using Ajja ksira (goat’s milk). If goat milk is not available then cow’s milk is acceptable.
4. Aconite tubers may be kept in the buffalo exereta and boiled for 3 hours.
5. Some consider that even boiling aconite in ordinary water for three hours may purify it.
Important
Yogas or Formations
Ananda Bhairava Rasa; Amrtã Rasãyana; Hingulesvara Rasa;
Aiñdri Rasayana; Jvara murari; Jayã Vati; Kaphaketu Rasa;
Mrityunjaya Rasa; Pañcãmrta Rasa; Pañcavaktra Rasa; Rãmabãna
Rasa; Saubhãgya Vatika; Siratandava Rasa; Tribhuvana Kirti Rasa;
Vãta Vidhvamsani Rasa; Visa Rasãyana; Visa Taila.
Srotogamitva
Dosha
; Kapha, vatavaha
organ
: liver, spleen. medya, rasayan.
Mala Urine, sweat, saliva.
Mala Urine, sweat, saliva.
Important research work going on
1. Analgesic activity
2.
cardiovascular
3.
effects in adrenaline production
4.Action
in Snake bite
Therapeutic Uses—
(1) Treatment of
inflammatory oedema.
(2) Vriscika Visa (scorpion poison) — Vatsanãbhi root paste is applied at the site of scorpion sting
(3) Sukrameha— Its oral administration controls spermatorrhoea and incontinance of urine
(7) Lepa— The root in the form of lepa (liniment or paste) is spread upon the skin in cases of neuralgia and muscular rheumatism, acute and chronic itching as in erythema; in nasal catarrh, tonsillitis, sore-throat, acute gout
1 comments:
canwe grow it in mountainous regions of south india like ooty, kodaikanal. paderu, eastern ghats
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