TOPICAL APPLICATIONS OF SINGLE DRUGS MENTIONED IN SUSHRUTA SAMHITA – A REVIEW

Abstract

Drug plays a vital role in the treatment as it prevents, alleviates or cures the diseases. Wise or proper administration of drug is crucial to convey the mechanism of action of drug. So the concept of Bheshaja prayoga (route of administration) in Ayurveda is the key factor to obtain optimum therapeutic efficacy of the drug. Ayurveda emphasizes on both routes of administration of drug internal as well as external. Based on the target of action the route is selected. To achieve the purpose of healing, topical applications are suitable. Topical application refers to external application of drug. This is applied to a particular place on or in the body.  Prashasta bheshajam or an ideal drug of medicament is one which keeps away an individual from diseases and maintains in healthy condition. The non-availability of genuine drugs, their high cost, substitution, adulteration and incorrect identity of the ingredients used are a few of the major problems encountered today in the utilization of compound drugs in Ayurveda. Thus there is an urgent need to reemphasize the use of single drugs recorded in the classical texts. For the purpose, the compilation work was done regarding topical applications of single drugs and their therapeutic indications quoted in Sushruta samhita which is one of the richest records of the ancient Ayurveda. In this, administration of single drug preparation were given with some adjuvant i.e. ghrita, honey, sugar etc. which plays an important role in the treatment. The present article is an attempt to make a review on “Comprehensive Database of Topical applications” suggested by Acharya Sushruta.