World Journal of
Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences

CRITICAL APPRAISAL ON LANGHANA - AN AYURVEDIC & MODERN PERSPECTIVE

Dr. Kavita Shivhare*

ABSTRACT

Each medical system has its own principles of diagnosing a disease and hence the management approach. Ayurveda sights health as a equilibrium state of doshas and dhatus (body element), the derangement of which either in the form of undernourishment or over nourishment affects the homeostasis and result in diseases. Management of such a derangement is based on substituting the depleted component and removal of those accumulated in excess. Ayurveda the ancient science of life describes various types of treatments in context of healthy individual and also diseased one. In the management of Ama, Upavasa is the ideal line of treatment. Bhavaprakasha in the context of Jwara, considers Langhana as Upavasa.[1] As both Jwara and Amavata are Amashayotha diseases, Upavasa.[2] can be considered as the ideal method of Langhan. This is also because of unsuitability of the other methods of Langhana,Chatushprakara samshudhi, cannot be employed in many diseased conditions because Samshodhana is contraindicated in the Samavastha of a many diseases.[3] Pipasa cannot be employed because in morbid patients Jala is Pranadharaka.[4] Maruta and Atapa Sevana are less efficient for Jatharagni impairment when compared to Upavasa. Deepana, Pachana cannot be employed as Agni affected by Ama is incapable of Dosha, Ahara and Oushadha Pachana.[5] Vyayama is incompatible in alpa bala patients.[6] For these reasons, Upavasa is the ideal method of achieving Langhana, which can be achieved by Anashana or Alpabhojana. The Langhana thus achieved will have Amapachaka effects at the Koshta level as well as Sarvadaihika level.[7]

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