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Principles of Ayurvedic Treatment
The Theory of Vimshati Gunas (Twenty properties of a substance)
Every substance (Padartha) has some
basic properties. These properties are called as ‘Guna’s. In basic sciences
these Gunas are classified in many ways e.g. – Three basic Gunas (satva, raja
& tama), Six Atmagunas (echha, dvesha….) Etc. However in Ayurveda, more
emphasis is given on applied classification. These classifications are applied
to ‘Hetu’s (causes) of the disease & ‘Chikitsa’ (therapeutic measures,
drugs). In this view the ‘Vimshati Gunas’ classification is most important.
Vimshati Gunas- these are ten (reciprocating) pairs of Gunas
described in textbook Ashtangasangraha. Each one in the pair is opposite
to the other. These are as follows-
1. Guru-
heavy Laghu- light
2. Manda- slow Tikshna- fast/penetrating
3. Hima-
cold Ushna- hot
4. Snigdha- oily Ruksha- dry
5. Shlakshna- slippery/soft Khara- rough
6. Sandra- coagulated Drava- liquid
7. Mrudu- soft kathina- hard
8. Sthira- fixed Sara- movable
9. Sukshma- micro Sthula- macro
10.
Vishada- cleansing Pichhila- sticking
Above translation cannot exactly
explain these properties. Let us see the Panchabhautik
Composition & other properties
of these Gunas.
1. Guru-Prithvi & Jala predominant Dravyas are
mostly Guru in nature. Therefore these Dravyas increase Kapha Dosha, they
decrease Vata, and they increase bulk of the tissues. They are difficult to
digest. E g – Vidari
2. Laghu- these are Akash & Vayu
predominant. They increase Vata & decrease Kapha; they tend to reduce the
bulk of tissues. They are easily digested. E g – Shali(rice)
3. Manda-these substances move slowly in the
body. They are Shaman (used mostly for palliative treatment) Prithvi & Jala
predominant. Reduce Vata & Pitta, increases Kapha. E g – Ghee/butter.
4. Tikshna-These are Agni predominant. They
break the Sanghata (accumulation) of Dosha/Dhatu/Malas. They reduce tissue
bulk, increase pitta, and decrease Kapha. They may produce inflammation. E g-
Marich(black pepper)
5. Sheeta-Jala predominant. Produce pleasant
cold in the body. Decrease pitta, increase Vata & Kapha. These are Stambhan
in nature (They prevent the flow of Dhatu or Mala outside its strotas). They
are hemostatic. E g Chandana (sandalwood), Kamala (lotus).
6. Ushna- Agni predominant. Produce heat, digest
food, increase pitta, decrease vata, they melt & decrease the Kapha. E
g-Chitrak.
7. Snigdha- Jala & Prithvi predominant.
Increase kapha, decrease vata, increases tissue bulk. These are oily
substances. E g –Gruta (Ghee), Oil.
8. Ruksha- Opposite to Snigdha, these are dry.
Vayu, Prithvi & Agni predominant. These try to absorb the wetness &
oilyness in the body. Decreases Kapha, increase Vata.
9. Shlakshna- means soft to touch. Substances
that are like talcum powder (with rounded particles) may be included in this
category. These increase Kapha, decrease Vata. E g- talcum powder, Shatavari
(Asparagus.)
10.
Khara-Opposite
to shlakshna, these are rough. They increase vata & decrease kapha. They
are Prithvi predominant. E g –(Vacha)
11.
Sandra- this
means coagulated. This Guna binds the particles together. These substances are
Prithvi predominant. They increase Kapha & decrease Vata. E g- Shimbi type
of grains
12.
Drava- this
means liquid. This is opposite to Sandra. This Guna liquefies the food &
facilitates the digestion. E g – water, milk, sugarcane juice.
13.
Mrudu- this
also means soft, but in respect to its action in the body. Jala & Akash are
predominant. This reduces Pitta, nourishes Dhatus, reduces inflammation (Daha),
and heals wounds. E g- Yashtimadhu.
14.
Kathina-This is
opposite to Kathina. These substances give strength to the body. They tighten
the loose tissues in the body. They are of course, Prithvi predominant. E g
–Khadira.
15.
Sthira-Substances
having this property tends to remain at same location for a longer time, they
don’t move (or move very little). Prithvi predominant. They improve &
increase the bony tissue (Asthi Dhatu). E g – Babul (Acacia Arabica).
16.
Sara-Opposite
to Sthira. These substances spread in the body very fast. They increase Vyana
Vayu. E.g.- Alcohol, Poisonous substances.
17.
Sukshma-Substances
having this property can go into minutest Strotasas (channels). This property
can be used to convey other medicines into smallest cavities. E g- alcohol,
oil.
18.
Sthula-this is
opposite to Sukshma. These produce Kapha. They are difficult to digest. They
can be absorbed in the body when digested. eg-Kadali(banana)
19.
Vishada- this
means cleansing property. These Dravyas remove the stickiness. These can be
used for wound healing (by cleaning it). These are Prithvi & Vayu
predominant. They also remove the Kleda (One sticky byproduct in the body).
eg-khadir
20.
Pichhila- this
is opposite to Vishada. These are Jala predominant. They increase Kapha. They
improve the joints (ligaments). E.g.- Shalmali, Badara.
Application of
Twenty Gunas-
Diagnosis- Ayurvedic diagnosis is nothing but
identification of Samprapti (disease complex). Increased or vitiated Doshas get
mixed with Dhatus and vitiate them. Together, they form the disease complex.
For Shaman (palliative) treatment,
it is necessary to identify exact nature of the Dosha. This is possible if we
study the Hetus (causes). In majority of patients, improper food habits are
causes of vitiation of Doshas. This is where Guna theory is applicable. If we
take complete history of diet & behavior of the patient, we can decide
which Gunas are responsible for the vitiation.
E.g.- Excessive curd (yogurt)
increases Kapha Dosha by Guru, Pichhila Gunas
Excessive exercise increases Vata by
Laghu Guna etc.
Symptoms & signs can also give
the clue. E.g.- Sticky productive cough means increase in Kapha Dosha by
Pichhila Guna. Roughness on the skin indicates increased Vata by Ruksha Guna.
Treatment- Ayurvedic treatment is nothing but breaking
the disease complex. This is possible by using the methods, which- either
remove vitiated Doshas from the body (Shodhana), or reduce them inside the body
by palliative treatment (Shamana). Medicines, which are of exactly opposite Gunas
are used to reduce the causative Doshas. This is an important principle in
Ayurvedic treatment (Samanya vishesh siddhanta).
E.g.- For the patients suffering
from Shvasa (Asthmatic bronchitis) gives history of excessive Sheeta (cold)
& Guru (Heavy) diets like Curd (yogurt), Banana etc. we can treat him with
drugs which are Ushna (hot) & Laghu (light) like Ardrak (ginger), Pippali
(Piper longum).
Discussion-
There is vast scope for thinking in
this subject. Properties of many substances are described in textbooks like
Charak samhita & Ashtangahrudaya. Still, there are many substances, of
which we have to identify the exact properties (Gunas). In modern society,
there are number of new food items. Their properties should be decided.
Twenty Gunas are reciprocating
pairs. Each Guna has its counterpart. If we think more deeply, these Gunas are
not equally strong in different substances. Take Guru guna as an example. Let
us consider three substances, which are Guru (heavy). Milk, Banana & Masha
(a cereal). In this order, they are increasingly heavier (more & more
Guru). This means that Banana is Laghu than Masha & milk is Laghu than
banana. These gunas are decided relatively according to human body. These
things influence the treatment course & drug regime.
In future would it be possible to give degrees of lightness (or heaviness) to specific substances?
Dr. C. M. Thite
www.ayurvedicrx.com
Disclaimer: Information in these pages is general and cannot be used for self-treatment except under medical supervision. It is advised to seek authentic medical guidance preferably from authorized Vaidya (ayurvedic doctor). Views expressed in the articles are personal and are open for discussion.
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