Controversial aspects of Pashanabheda in classical texts of Ayurveda

Abstract

Background Ayurveda is an Indian traditional system of medicine. In the present era, the world is looking towards herbal medicine for its acceptability and safety. There are some medicinal plants in Ayurveda that are used across India under different local names and different botanical species. Pashanabheda is one among them, which is used in ashmari, basti shodhana, mutrakrichha, yoni roga, prameha, etc., and many different species are used under the name Pashanabheda. Purpose The purpose of this study is to find out the correct botanical identity of Pashanabheda based on the characteristics, effects, properties, and therapeutic uses mentioned in our classical texts. Materials and Methods Classical texts of Ayurveda, such as Samhita and Nighantu, other texts related to botany, taxonomy, and various scientific research articles as well as online search engines were reviewed and information was systematically collected, compared, and presented. Result Bergenia ligulata Wall., Aerva lanata Juss., Coleus aromaticus Benth., Kalanchoe pinnata (Linn.), Ammania baccifera Linn., Rotula aquatica Lour., Homonoia riparia Lour., and Bridelia retusa Spreng. are abundantly used under the name Pashanabheda in different regions of the country. We compared the effects, properties, and therapeutic indications of all species. After considering the botanical description, habitat, synonyms, and comparative analysis of effects and therapeutic indications of the various species, Berginia ligulata seems to be more appropriate and should be used as Pashanabheda. Conclusion It is concluded that Bergenia ligulata is widely acceptable for Pashanabheda. Aerva lanata, Coleus aromaticus, and several other diuretic plants are usually recommended to be used instead, but the habitat (growing among the rocks) and the clinical efficiency of Bergenia in dissolving the stones formed in the urinary tract fully justify the use of various names attributed to it.