The pharmacological action that is considered to be the one that results in providing relief to a condition presents with the sign of burning type of pain either all over the body or on a specific part is known as DAHAPRASHAMANA. Basically, the action is regarding the soothing of the burning type of pain which may be due to any cause like virus, neuritis, burns, etc. In either of the case there is always involvement of the nerves too. In Ayurveda, the condition DAHA is said to be due to the involvement of Pitta Dosha where there is utmost rise in temperature, irritation and a feeling of burning sensation. Thus for the manifestation of this activity, the substances are supposed to have Sheeta and Guru properties primarily. The explanation of the activity from modern perspective is seen as those which result in the control and removal irritants and also the condition of dysesthesia. For proper analysis and understanding, the details are explained on the basis of various references obtained from classical and recent texts of modern authors pertaining to the science of Ayurveda and also modern science.
DETAILS OF THE ACTION
ACTION NAME
दाहप्रशमन
POSSIBLE MODERN EQUIVALENTS
DEMULCENT, ANTI-IRRITANTS & COOLANTS
DEFINITION
DEFINITION
EXPLANATION/MEANING
REFERENCE
The reference for this definition is from Gangadhara's commentary for Dahaprashamana.
OTHER DEFINITION
OTHER REFERENCES
NOT AVAILABLE
EXPLANATION/MEANING
NOT AVAILABLE
REFERENCE
NOT AVAILABLE
MODE OF ACTION / PHARMACODYNAMICS
AYURVEDA EXPLANATION
The definition of DAHAPRASHAMANA refers to that action helps in providing the relief from a condition known as DAHA. Generally, the word “DAHA” refers to a particular type of sensation which is distinct from other types of pain and is said to be due to the involvement of the PITTA DOSHA. It is also mentioned under the list of 40 Pittaja Disorders. Even though the causes are due to excessive intake of Madya (Liquor), suppression of Trishna (Thrist), Marmabhighata (Injury to vital points), Vitiation of Rakta (generally equated to Blood), Abhighata (Acute Injury) and Loss of Dhatu (Body tissues). In any of the case, there will always be involvement of Pitta Dosha either initially or later. The condition may be a generalised or a localised depending on the cause that has resulted it. Even though the Dosha is Pitta but depending on the Dhatu involved which can be undoubtedly Rakta as one among them will lead to the determination of severity of the condition. It is because the Pitta and Rakta are closely related and the common Mahabhuta which is connecting them is the Agni Mahabhuta. Hence it is quite obvious that there will be the increase of Agni Mahabhuta during the manifestation of Daha. Thus among the various components that we take as food or medicine, those which are opposite to the properties of Agni Mahabhuta will result in the action of Dahaprashamana. The properties that have been enlisted as opposite to those of Agni Mahabhuta are Guru (heavy), Sheeta (Cold), Manda (Sluggish), Sandra (Turbid), etc which is mainly seen in Jala and Prithvi Mahabhuta. Here substances that are predominant with the properties of these two Mahabhutas will be be able to produce this action. Depending on the cause the substances should be selected. If the condition is due to the loss of Dhatu or Rakta, then the substances that are basically Dahaprashamana but also have the ability to generate a Brimhana (Nourishing) effect will be more useful. These can be obtained by using the Prithvi Mahabhuta predominant substances. But if the condition is resulted due to the vitiated Pitta dosha primarily then substances with the predominance of Jala Mahabhuta would be ideal as they can result in soothening of the region along with countering the Pitta Dosha.
MODERN EXPLANATION
Generally, the burning sensation is caused due to injuries, infections or autoimmune conditions that result in nerve damage and trigger neurological pain. The conditions may vary from simple gastric reflux to multiple sclerosis or even nutritional deficiency like B-complex deficiency. In all the cases there is involvement of nerve endings where they undergo irritation or sometimes even demyelination. The agents that are useful in the management of the condition involves many class of drugs and cannot be equated to one set from Modern Pharmacology. Thus, the substances that can be used from the management of the condition are generally Anti-inflammatory drugs, Multivitamin drugs, Topical applications like gels, creams or lotions are also used as anti-irritants or Coolants. Even Anti-depressents are also employed for the same especially when the condition is purely a neurologic origin. On the cutaneous level, the condition is commonly said as DYSESTHESIA. This is resulted due to the nerve injury, irritation or impingement. But the most commonly used ones are Demulcents, Anti-irritants, Anti-inflammatory and Coolants that are being used in treatment of such conditions.
While the anti-inflammatory action is explained under Shothaghna action, the anti-irritants are taken into consideration here. Undoubtedly, any irritation will result in inflammatory changes which will be giving rise to the use of Anti-inflammatory substances. But anti-irritants which are defined as a diverse group of topical product ingredients, which were able to reduce the irritation potential of other more irritating ingredients in the same product as per the paper “Anti-irritants I: Dose-response in acute irritation”. Other than this the conditions that arise due to peripheral neuritis due to loss of vitamins are usually supplemented by giving B-complex. The most nearing activity can be equated to Demulcent action. This action is defined as a substance that relieves the irritation and inflammation especially on the mucosa of the alimentary tract. These class of drugs lubricate the alimentary tract along with providing protection. This results in the pacification of the related symptoms.
If all the above measures fail then, the condition is usually advised for surgical intervention.
INVESTIGATIVE PARAMETERS TO ASSESS
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CATEGORY OF PARAMETER
INVESTIGATION NAME
TYPE OF INVESTIGATION
1.
NOT YET COMPILED
NOT YET COMPILED
NOT YET COMPILED
LIST OF SUBSTANCES THAT EXHIBIT THE ACTION
दाहप्रशमनीय गण/DAHAPRASHAMANEEYA GROUP OF CHARAKA
लाजा चन्दन काश्मर्यफल मधूकशर्करा नीलोत्पलोशीर सारिवा गुडूची ह्रिबेराणिति दशेमानि दाहप्रशमनानि भवन्ति। (च.सू. 4th Chapter)
SANSKRIT NAME
1. लाजा
2. चन्दन
3. काश्मर्यफल
4. मधूक
5. शर्कर
6. नीलोत्पल
7. उशीर
8. सारिवा
9. गुडूची
10. ह्रिबेर
BOTANICAL NAME
Puffed Paddy (Oryza sativa Linn)
Santalum album L
Fruits of Gmelina arborea (Roxb) ex Sam
Madhuca indica J F Gmel
Sugar
Nymphaea nouchali Burm f
Vetiveria zizanioides (L) Nash
Hemidesmus indicus R. Br.
Tinospora cordifolia (Thunb) Miers
Pavonia odorata Willd.
PART USED
Puffed Grains
Heartwood
Fruit
Flowers
Crystals
Flowers
Roots
Roots
Mature stem
Root
RESEARCH PAPERS ON THE PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTION
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1.
2.
TITLE OF THE PAPER
Literary Review on Dashemani Kashaya Varga
Anti-irritants I: Dose-response in acute irritation.
PUBLISHING JOURNAL
PunarnaV
Contact Dermatitis
CITATION
Darshan Babu N et al: Literary Review on Dashemani Kashaya Varga. PunarnaV. July 2015. 3(2). pp:1-10.
Andersen F, Hedegaard K, Petersen TK, Bindslev-Jensen C, Fullerton A, Andersen KE. Anti-irritants I: Dose-response in acute irritation. Contact Dermatitis. 2006 Sep;55(3):148-54. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0536.2006.00752.x. PMID: 16918613.