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Pharmacokinetics of Vamana & Virechana Karma

Article · March 2010

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 LITERARY REVIEW
Pharmacokinetics of Vamana & Virechana Karma
* Dr. Gopesh Mangal, **Dr. Om Prakash Sharma, ***Dr. R. S. Sharma

Abstract

Vamana Karma: Vamaka dravyas get quickly absorbed in blood and cross the blood brain barriers
and stimulates the vomiting centerand result into vomiting due to Usna, Tikshana, Sukshama, Vyavayi, Vikasi,
Urdhavabhagha prabhava properties .The expelled material consists of undigested food, Kapha Dosha& Pitta
dosha. The vitiated Kapha dosha is expelled out through the mechanism of Vamana Karma and the disease
process is stopped

Virechana Karma: The drugs which are Ushna, tikshana, Sukshma, vyavayi and vikashi reach to
the heart (hridaya) by virtue of their virya and prabhava, circulate through the micro & macro channels
due to its sukshma and vyavayi properties and pervade the entire body. Then they liquefy (vishyandana)
the dosha samghata by virtue of their Ushana guna and flaccid it and break it up (chhedana) by their tikshana
and vikashi guna. The vitiated Pitta dosha is expelled out through the mechanism of Vamana Karma and the
disease process is stopped

These Shodhana (Vamana & Virechana) probably may leads to certain endogeneous changes in body
responsible for the alleviation of pathological process of various diseases.

Key Words: Snehana, Swedana, Shodhana, Shamana, Vamana, Virechana, Purgation, Vomitus, Emesis

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• M.D. (Sch.) ** Assistant Prof .••• Associate Professor & Head, P.G. Deptt. of Panchakarma, National Institute of
Ayurveda., Jaipur (Raj.).

67
 LITERARY REVIEW
Pharmacokinetics of Vamana & Virechana Karma
Dr. Gopesh Mangal, Dr. Om Prakash Sharma, Dr. R. S. Sharma

Pharmacokinetics of VAMANA:
pachana and vishayandana of doshas and ultimately
Vamana karma is the specific therapy for leads the migration of doshas towards Kostha.
kaphaj disorders. Vamana should always be preceded
by suitable Poorva Karma in order to mobilize the 4) Vyavayi guna -
Doshas from the discrete parts of the body .It is With this guna, Vamana dravya spread in the
believed that imbalanced Doshas spread from the body and reaches to the cellular level without being
Kosthas to Shakhas & thus be able to produce various digested.
types of diseases depending upon the dosha-dusya
5) Vikashi guna -
adhisthan patterns. To eradicate the imbalanced
Doshas it is essential to mobilize the vitiated Doshas With this guna Vamana dravya induced
in the shakha & to bring them back from shakha to sandhi -shaithilaya.
kostha. So that they may be easily expelled out by 6) Urdhavabhagha prabhava
vamanadi sanshodhan karma.
With this guna Va mana dravya induced
Pharmacodynamic properties of Vamak migration of doshas towards mouth.
Dravyas
7)Saratva-
S.No. Name
Saratva is the property mentioned for
1. Usna Vamana drugs by Sushruta. Dalhana says that
saratva means 'anulomatva'. This property shows the
2. Tikshana
tendency of the drug to be remained in active form.
3· Sukshama Due to this Guna, Vamana drugs, after administration,
work continuously without any break (opposite to
4· Vyavayi
---_. Sthira property). It may be said that due to this
5· Vikasi guna, the vamaka drugs lead to micro channels,
-
bring doshas to kostha & then expel them out.
6. Urdhavabhagha prabhava

Following pharmacological action of vamak

dravya work in collaboration with each other to
produce Vamana;
1) Usna guna -
It induced pachana, dahana, swedana, and
spreading of the drug at cellular level.
2) Tikshna guna-
It is responsible for quick action of the drug,
sodhana, pachana, chedana and sravana of doshas
from their own places.
3) Sukshama guna-
With this guna Vamana dravya enters into
srotas (micro circulatory channels) and induced
68
Vol.IV No.1 jan-Mar 2010 Journal of Ayurveda

Flow Diagram no 1. Showing the Mechanism of Vamana Karma

-VAMANA SAMPRAPfI-
Vamaka drugs possessing the properties like Usna, Tikshna, Sukshama, Vyavayi, Vikasi

!
Due to their 'Swavirya'

!
Move to 'Hridaya'

!
From there, throughfaciou, 'Dharnarris'

Lead to sthula' & suksma Srotas (micro and macro channels) in the body

!
Act over the vitiated complexes in the body with 'Agneya Property'(liquefy the complexes) &
'Tikshna property' (Break them down into several particles)

!
Liquefied matter then glides through various unctuous or
Smooth channels towards Kosha

Enter 'Amasaya'
!
and then stimulated by 'Udana Vayu"

Due to 'Agni' and 'Vayu' Pradhanya

! along with (Prabhava)

!
Move in upward direction towards oral cavity

!
Expelled to outside through it

!
Vamana

(Snehana and Swedana leads the migration of doshas from Sakha to Kostha. Vamana expelled these
doshas in form of vomiting through the mouth. )

69
Journal of 1\ yurveda Vol.IV No.1 lan-Mar 2010

Other components in the Samprapti of muscular and gastro-intestinal myoelectrical

Vamana karma: muscular phenomena.

Udana Vayu: Charaka has used the word,
"Udana Pranunno", that Vamana drugs lead in the
upward direction due to Udana vayu. During the
process of vomiting, it is stimulated & continuously
working. 'Udana Vayu' helps the Vamana drugs to
remove the extracted matter through exhaustive
process of Vamana.
Dhamani: These are the channels through
which Vamana drugs spread throughout the body 144
to reach the cellular level for their purpose.
Vomiting may initiated by stimuli acting on
a variety of anatomical structures within the central
nervous system & peripheral nervous system
The area postrema on the dorsal surface of
the medulla at the caudal aspect of the fourth
ventricle is believed to represent the chemoreceptor
trigger zone (CRTZ) that is responsible to abroad
range of neuro -chemical activators, other central
nervous system sites mediate initiation of emetic
response to selected stimuli.

Amashaya: Cakrapani made a note there Finally, emesis may result from activation of
by saying that Urdhva amashaya is the site of Kapha peripheral structures outside of the central nervous
& adho amashaya is the site of pitta. According to system.
Charaka for Shodhana of both Kapha & Pitta, he
Chemoreceptor trigger zone (CRTZ) located
mentioned the same site i.e. amashaya as the
in the postrema and the nucleus tractus solitarius
receiving site of morbid doshas (especially Kapha &
(NTS) are the most important relay areas for afferent
also in association with Pitta).While explaining
impulse arising in the G.I.T., throat & other viscera.
pittanta vamana Cakrapani says that at the end, Pitta
The chemoreceptor trigger zone (CRTZ) is also
should come out from Amasaya, but not only from
accessible to blood borne drugs, mediators,
Urdhva Amashaya.
hormones, toxins etc. because it is unprotected by
Hridaya: Vamana drugs due to their the blood brain barrier. Cytotoxic drugs, radiations
"Swavirya" move into dhamani after passing from & other G.I.T. irritants release SHT from
Hridaya to spread in all over the body. Here the word enterochromaffin cells acts on sHTI receptors
"Hridaya" may have the both means, i.e. heart & present on vagal afferents and sends impulses to NTS
brain because to reach the micro level through out and CRTZ. Released in large quantity, SHT may also
the body in short duration, circulatory & nervous spill into circulation and reach CRTZ. It may as well
systems are chief systems in the body be released from platelets by inflammatory
mediators. However, SHT is not the only mediator
SAMPRAPTI OF VAMANA KARMA
of such signals, many peptides and other messengers
Properties Usna, Tikshna, Sukshama, are also involved.
Vyavayi, Vikasi.
Various unpleasant sensory stimuli such as
Sites Hridaya, Amasaya bad odour, ghastly sight, severe pain as well as fear,
recall of an obnoxious events, anticipation of emetic
Channels Dhamani
stimulus cause nausea and vomiting through higher
Stimulant Udana Vayu centers.

Constitution Agni + Vayu The Vamana process is carried out by two manners

Prabhava Urdhwa bhagahara 1) Reflex emetics, local emetics, or gastric

emetics.
MODERN REVIEW OF VAMANA
2) Central emetics
The drug, which produces vomiting, is called
Emetics. The process of vomiting is called emesis. Reflex emetics
Vomiting results from the coordinated interaction of
Peripheral afferent pathways involved in
central & peripheral neural, humoral, somatic
emesis may be activated by stimulation of receptors
70
v-uv No.1 Jan-Mar 2010
within the gastro-intestinal wall. Vomiting induced
by hypertonic saline or intra gastric copper sulphate
is mediated by activation of gastro-duodenal mucosal
afferent fibres, where as vomiting with gastric
distention involves activation of smooth muscles
afferent fibres.
Non-gastric stimuli within the peritoneal
cavity can also evoke emesis via Peripheral afferent
pathways include distension of the colon, small
intestine and bile ducts. Peritoneal inflammation and
mesenteric vascular occlusion stimuli may also
originate from the pharynx and heart potentially
according for the emesis induced by activation of the
gag reflex and from myocardial infarction
respectively.
When these Dravyas reaches to the stomach,
they stimulated gastric mucosa, stimulated vagus and
sympathetic nerve that carry signals to the vomiting
centre and induced emesis.
Emesis started when Vamana Dravyas
reaches to the pyloric end of the stomach.
Administration of Luke warm water, yastimadhu
kwatha or saline water induces emesis by reflex
stimulation of vomiting center of brain.
Central emesis
A central emetics drug induces vomiting by
directly stimulation of the vomiting centre. These
drugs also stimulate gastric muscles, diaphragm, and
G.I.T. and also increase peristalsis. Their action is
more prompt. Digitalis and Apomorphine are the
example of Central emetics.
Instead of these factors, some other factors
also play role in the process of emesis. During the
initial bouts of emesis, the contents of the upper
gastro-intestinal tract up to the pylorus alone come
out. Repeated emesis creates a negative pressure
gradient towards the lumen of the upper gastro-
intestinal tract while hypertonic saline water causes
a positive osmotic gradient towards the lumen.
Both of them cause a forced extraction of
easily detachable substances from the cells of the
lumen and those containing waste metabolites
situated nearby peripherally. In this way, excessive
lipid that was consumed during the preparatory days
blebs into the lumen with the water-soluble
71
Journal of Ayurveda
substances, which are extracted out due to the
osmotic gradient. Repeated emesis also causes the
generation of the negative pressure gradient up to the
second part of the duodenum where the bile duct and
pancreatic duct open into the ampulla of vator. This
negative pressure gradient causes forced expulsion
of the bile from the gall bladder and so eliminates
some of the wastes with bile, which has been
transported to the liver via the blood stream during
the preparatory phase of the samsodhana. Vamana
acts in other ways also.
The osmotic gradient generated by the
hypertonic saline solution and the physical insult
done to the luminal cells during the process causes
the loss of some of the integral proteins on the inner
cell surface and other components of the cell. Some
old and degenerated cells are also shed into the
lumen due to this osmotic shock. This loss stimulated
the cell machinery to recoup. This leads to a pacified
anabolism in the luminal cells, which means more
effective absorption through the G.I.T.
Striated muscles structure of abdomen,
thorax & pharynx are involved in process of emesis,
during retching inspiratory, thoracic, diaphragmatic
& abdominal wall muscles contract simultaneously
with closed glottis .The resulting high positive intra-
abdominal pressure provides a driving force for
reflux of gastric contents into the esophagus with
associated herniation of the abdominal esophagus &
gastric cardia into the thorax. However, the
simultaneously high negative intra -thoracic
pressure prevent expulsion of luminal contents into
the mouth even through the upper esophageal
sphincter may relax during retching
In contrast to retching, both the intra-
abdominal & intra-thoracic pressure is positive, in
part due to a lack of diaphragmatic contraction in the
gural region, which permits transmission of the high
positive abdominal pressure into the thorax.
Additional synchronous contraction of both the
inspiratory & expiratory muscles contributes to this
reversal of intra thoracic pressure during expulsion
as with retching, the abdominal esophagus & the
gastric cardia herniated across the diaphragm with
transfer of gastric contents into the esophagus, with
vomiting
Journal of Ayurveda Vol.IV No.1 Jan-Mar 2010

However, the high positive intra-thoracic Madanphala works like both central as well
pressure provides a force for expulsion into mouth. as reflex emetics.
Oral propulsion of the vomitus is further facilitated
The probable mechanism for removal of
by movement of hyoid bone & larynx upward &
toxic/waste material which are responsible for the
forward. Prior to emesis there may be
alleviation of pathological process of various diseases
hyperventilation associated with salivation, but with
through Vamana after Snehana & Swedana:
initiation of vomiting, ventilation is suppressed
except for the persistence of small inspiration
between expulsions.

Flow Diagram no 1. Showing the Mechanism of Vamana Karma

Toxic material are mainly fat soluble

By oleation Their is dissolution of toxic material into oil and fat soluble toxin now become membrane
bound by the help of fat soluble protein.

The toxin which are firstly present in cytoplasm of cell now become membrane bound.

By swedana

Cell membrane permeability changes

Leading to excretion of fat soluble protein bound toxin into circulation

Thus the toxins which are earlier present in cell are now present in circulation. Due Vamak yoga
CRTZ in activated which is located as small area present bilaterally in the floor of fourth ventricle. It mainly
acts by stimulating vagus nerve.

72
Vol.IV No.1 Jan~Mar 2010 Journal of Ayurveda

Now the provable mechanism of Vamana is:

Vamaka drug ~ Induce CTZ ~ Vomiting ~ Raised B.P

Change in pulmonary
!
saturation of PC0 2
and P0 2

!
Their is - PO 2

Leading to increase demand

! of ° after
2
vomiting

Induce
l
respiratory centre

P0 2
(-
!
saturation of pure 0,)

Metab~1iSm

Vamaka drug + by drinking Vamanopaga

!
& excessive salty water

1 1
Induce CTZ Irritation and overdilation of UGTI
1 1
Vagus nerve Stimulation of vomiting centre by sympathetic

t
Vasodilation of portal vein, sup.
t
CCK, VIP, gastrin diluting the gastric media
mesenteric & inj mesenteric Kallidin Brydikinin thus the fluid
vein + microvasculature of vellus in UGIT become hypotonic then blood

t
Increased secretion in gut by the excretion
of fluid from blood into lumen of gut
t
Process of osmosis take place causing
excretion of fluid (toxin) iron blood into lumen

t--------1--------1
By this mechanism the toxin which are excretes into circulation by snehana and swedana become
expelled into lumen of gut

Pressure in lumen of gut due to fluid antiperistaltic

t
movement from small intestine up to the level of stomach.

Excretion of all toxin and waste material

t
from whole GIT which is collected into lumen of gut to outside
through Vamana

73
Journal of Ayurveda
In Vamana there is anti-peristaltic movement
begin to occur. The anti-peristaltic may begin as for
down in the intestinal tract as the ileum and the anti-
peristaltic wave travels backward up to the intestine
at the rate of 2-3 ern/sec. During the vomiting strong
intrinsic contractions occur in both the duodenum
& lower esophageal sphincter. Thus following the
vomitus to begin moving into the esophagus, from
here a specific vomiting act involving the abdominal
muscle expel the vomitus to exterior. In this
vomitus, toxic/waste materials which are responsible
for the alleviation of pathological process of various
diseases through Vamana after snehana & swedana
are excreted out.
Pharmacokinetics of Virechana Drugs
(Purgatives)
The mode of action of emetics as well as
Purgatives is almost the same because they have
more or less the same properties.
The main action of Virechana dravyas is on
Adhobhaga of the individual. The vitiated Pitta
Dosha present in entire body is alleviated and
expelled out through the mechanism of Virechana
and the disease process is arrested. The Virechana
drug spreads throughout the body of cellular level
due to its pharmacological properties.
• The Ushna property may help in increasing the
quantum of Agni. it cause Vishyandana i.e.
oozing of the Dosha in the Koshtha
• Tikshna properties of Virechana drugs produce
chedana of the doshas, which are already
softened due to oleation therapy or able to
disintegrate the Sanghata of the Dosha. Thus,
liquefied doshas are dragged towards the
koshtha.
• Vyavayi properties of Virechana drugs is able
to spread in the whole body prior to its digestion
while Vikasi Guna able to scorch various dhatu
and can compel the Dosha residing in it to come
out.
• Due to dominance of prithivi and Jala
mahabhutas in the Virechana drugs and their
potent Adhobhaga hara Prabhava, the vitiated
doshas are made to pass through anal route
(Guda) and are expelled out of the body.
74
Vol.IV No.1 jan-Mar 2010
• The vamaka and Virechak drugs induce emesis
and purgation respectively due to their specific
Prabhava. For example, Danti and Citraka have
same rasa and Virya, but Danti on administration
internally produces Virechana karam, but
Ciktraka does not produce Virechana. This is
called selective action of the drug i.e. Prabhava.
When there is similarity in two drugs in relation
to their taste (Rasa) and potency (Vipaka and
Virya), their pharmacological actions may be
different due to Prabhava of these drugs.
Virechana drug possessing the above
properties reaches the Hridaya by virtue of its virya
and then following the dhamani. It pervades the
whole body through large and small srotas. On virtue
of its agney properties, it causes vishyandana i.e.
oozing of the doshas and by its Tikshana Guna, it is
able to disintegrate the accumulated Dosha. Due to
snehana, Dosha smear easily without any hurdle and
easily come to Amashaya from where Virechana
evacuates them.
Here the word Hridaya can be understood in
two ways. Firstly, as center of local nerve plexus
upon which the drug may act i.e. ghreya yoga in
which Virechana dravyas are administered by nasal
route. It is possible that such medicine has some
effect over brain or local plexus of abdomen through
which it causes Virechana. On the other hand,
hridaya can be taken for circulation .i.e. Drug like
phenolphthalein used for purgation, is partly
absorbed after which it enter in circulation and then
comes in intestine exerting its purgative effect.
MECHANISM OF ACTION OF PURGATIVES
All purgatives increase the water content of
feces by -
• A Hydrophilic or osmotic action, retaining water
and electrolytes in the intestinal lumen -
increase volume of colonic content and make it
easily propelled.
• Acting on intestinal mucosa to decrease net
absorption of water and electrolyte, intestinal
transit is enhanced indirectly by the fluid bulk.
• Increasing propulsive activity as primary action
- Allowing less time for absorption of salt and
water as a secondary effect.
VoU\' No.1 .lan-Mar 2010 Journal of Ayurveda

Certain purgative do increase motility • Inhibiting Na+K+ ATpase of villous cells -

through an action on the mesenteric plexuses. impairing water and electrolyte absorption.

Stimulant Purgative: • Stimulating adenylyl cyclase in crept cells

increasing water and electrolyte secretion.
These are potent and irritate the intestinal
mucosa and by which they stimulates motor activity. • Enhancing PG synthesis in mucosa which
Few of them increase motility by acting on increases secretion.
mesenteric plexuses, accumulation of water and
• Structural injury to the absorbing intestinal
electrolytes in the lumen by altering absorptive and
mucosal cells.
secretary activity of the mucosal cell is an important
action. They inhibit Na+K+ ATpase at the basolateral So up to some extent the mode of action of
membrane of villous cells - transport of Na+ and Virechana drug seems to be of stimulant or osmotic
accompanying water into the interstitium is reduced. type; but the Virechaka drugs have got double
Secretion is enhanced by activation of cAMp in crept action, systemic as well as local, whereas purgative
cells and by increased PG synthesis e.g. have mainly local action and hence having very little
Anthraquinone - Senna. use in eliminating the morbid humours from all over
the body.
Osmotic Purgative :
MODERN CONCEPTS OF VIRECHANA
Certain salts, when given orally are not
(PURGATION)
much absorbed and are retained in the GI tract. Such
preparation exerts as osmotic effect and therefore The process of Virechana karma is regulated
hold considerable amount of water, thus increasing and controlled by a special centre situated near
the intestinal bulk. This, acts as a mechanical medulla oblongata in the brain. This centre is close
stimulus causing and increase in the intestinal motor to respiratory and vomiting centre. The Virechana
activities and evacuation. The efficacy of saline drugs stimulate the Virechana (purgation) centre and
laxatives is, thus related to the osmotic activity indirectly the vomiti ng centre is relaxed. Sacral
exerted by the unabsorbed fraction within the plexus (situated in the sacral region) of the spinal
intestinal lumen. Release of cholecystokinin, cord also helps in controlling and regulating the act
pancreozymin with consequent stimulation of of purgation. The act of purgation is also controlled
intestinal secretory and motor activity has been and regulated by local reflex action of the
proposed as an additional mechanism of action - concerned body parts. During the act of defecation
MgjKjNa salts. Excess of bile acids also cause the respiration is arrested momentarily, diaphragm
Virechana (diarrhea) by activating adenylyl cyclase. is activated and it presses transverse colon.
Simultaneously the accessory muscles of the
Bulk Purgative :
abdomen are also activated and they also help in
These are various natural or semi-synthetic propelling the faecal matter towards anus along with
polysaccharides and cellulose derivatives, which the stimulates lock nerve plexuses and then the
when given orally are not absorbed and increase the enforced peristalsis further helps in expelling
indigestible residue. These agents absorb water and contents of intestine towards rectum and finally to
swell up, thus providing the stimulus of mechanical anal canal. When the voluntary or involuntary act of
distension for evacuation. Their action is mild and defecation starts, the ultimate result is evacuation of
usually seen in 12 - 30 hours after ingestion. Isapgol bowels.
(Plantago ovata)
Virechana and Endothelium:
Virechaka drug modified the fluid dynamics
The health of the cells and tissues depends
of the mucosal cells and may cause fluid
not only on intact circulation but also on normal
accumulation in gut lumen by one or more of the
fluid homeostasis. Changes in vascular volume;
following mechanism.
pressure or alternation in endothelial function may
cause morbidity in various forms.
75
Journal of Ayurveda
It is possible that this derangement is
inversed by Virechana Karma. Derangement is
nothing but placement of an element in the place,
which it does not belong. We can compare this with
Dosha, which have gone to Shakha from the Koshtha.
Virechana along with snehana and Swedana can
efficiently resolve this problem. In production of
profuse watery stool and profuse purgation like in
Virechana, cytokines and serotonin play a part.
Endothelial cells modulate several (and frequently
opposing) aspects of normal homeostasis and
cytokines have highest effect over endothelium. We
can assume that during Virechana also the cytokines
are produced which stimulates the endothelium and
brings back the deranged cellular elements, an action
similar to that of Dosha coming from Shakha to
Koshtha.
Virechana and Neuropeptides of Gut:
Various neuropeptides and hormones of gut
are found in brain. These are the chemicals, which
have great range of effects on neurons, smooth
muscles and glands. neuromediators of peptide
nature, which have are present in brain as well as GI
tracts, are as follows
Bombesin, cholecytokinine, gastrin,
glucagons, insulin, motiIin, neurotensin, pancreatic
polypeptide, substance P, Vasoactive Intestinal
polypeptide
Virechana may enhance the amount of these
neuropeptides by cleansing the completely GI tract,
as a result, the quantity of neuropeptides may rise
that in turn may affect the brain and modify its
various functions. Based on the above findings, we
can affect brain physiology to a highly considerable
extent through Virechana. Hence, Virechana could
be used in all diseases of brain.
Virechana and Glycoprotiens:
Glycoprotein are those structures which are
responsible for cell communications, means to work
together and function properly in our body and built
by the body out of combination of amino acids and
eight specific saccharides or sugar. Of these, two are
glucose and galactose. In order to build those others,
the body literally has to take raw materials, break
them down and reassemble them. These saccharides
form the actual letters to create word that carry cell-
76
Vo\.IV No.1 Jan-Mar2010
to-cell communication message. These
communication structures are incredibly complex,
consume extra energy, many different enzymes and
involve many different steps for creation. Some of
these communication structures last for month at a
time while others last for only 10 seconds. This
implies that every 10 seconds each of these body
cells needs to manufacture new once to resolve those
that are used up. The body works all day long, every
year in and out. If it is unable to manufacture either
the quantity or quality needed the result may be
development of bed genetic code and future
breakdown of function.
Toxins of body and due to indigestion
damage formations of these communication
structures. Virechana can remove this. In Ayurveda,
Kaphanta Virechana is appreciated. Kapha may be
correlated to the mucous that is secreted by goblet
cells of intestine. Mucous is nothing but a
glycoprotein. We can assume that Dushita Kapha
Dosha or glycoprotiens comes in goblet cells during
Snehana and Swedana and they are excreted during
Virechana. The removal of morbid communication
structures may improve whole body functions.
Effect of Virechana on various system of body
through Alimentary Canal:
Now it is believed that gut secretes lot of
Hormones, enzymes and neuropeptides that can be
rectified by Virechana and thereby improves the
function of distal part. Virechana can modify GALT
(Gut Associated Lymphatic Tissue) in lamina propria
of GIT, which is responsible for immunity also.
Effect of Virechana in the prevention of
Hydropic Degeneration:
Hydropic degeneration is a variety of cellular
degeneration in which mitochondria are converted
into bags of fluid or they are actually disintegrated.
mitochondria is used for active transport of water .so
if mitochondria damages, this will increase water
content of cell or increase water content in cell can
also damage mitochondria. Virechana improves this
situation in dual ways as it causes water loss.
Recently bile acids are found to exert protective
effect over mitichondria of brain. By snehapana,
which elevated bile secrectins and Virechana by
which dushita Pitta is removed can prevent
VoUY No.1 Jan-Mar 2010 Journal of Ayurveda

mitochondrial damage done in hydropic may produce clear vacuoles means vacular
degeneration. degeneration. In Virechana, the water loss from gut
may shift this intracellur fluid to colon and thus
Effect of Virechana in the prevention of
restrict vacuolar degeneration. Therefore, Virechana
Reversible cell injury/ Vacuolar
can help in all the disease, which are due to ischemia
Degeneration:
and vacuolar degeneration
One of the commonest types of cell injury is
Virechana clears different types of toxic
due to ischemia. The resultant hypoxia causes
materials resulted due to metabolic activity the
reduction of ATP and lack of ATP results in failure
things to be excreted through the liver and the
of sodium pump mechanism. The resultant inflow of
intestinal mucosa, along with the unabsorbed
sodium is accompanied by accumulation of water in
residues of gastro-intestinal tract. It regulates Vata
cell. The break down of cell constituents secondary
dosha by movement regulation (Vatanuloman), Pitta
to this injury also causes an increase in the number
dosha by Chemo-enzymatic secretion and Kapha
of small molecules within cytoplasm with increased
Dosha by regulation of intestinal mucosal.
intracellur fluid. If water continues to accumulate it

The probable mechanism for removable of toxin from lower GIT through Virechana is

Snehana ---+ Resolution of toxin material into fat which they bound to membrane protein
(i.e. toxin which are earlier present in cytoplasm now become membrane
bound)

Swedana
(application of heat) Change in cell permeability leading to expulsion of toxin
material to outside the cell, which are membrane bound

1
Now the toxin present in circulation i.e. in vein Virechana Dravya

1
Cause irritation of intestinal mucosa

1
Leading to excessive secretion from intestinal mucosa and vasodilatation

1
Toxin now present in gut lumen along with secretion
of electrolyte and fluid from crypt of liperkuhn
in distal ileum and colon.

1
Expulsion of toxin + fluid + electrolyte through and route

This by Virechana it is clear that the toxin or nitrogenous waste material which are collected in lower
intestinal cell are removed and thus cleansing the lower passage and rejuvenating each and every cell of
lower GIT

77
Journal of Ayurveda VoLIV No.1 Jan-Mar 2010

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