A critical review of Vishaghna Dravya mentioned in Madanpal Nighantu

Abstract

Background: Agada Tantra is the branch of Ayurveda that deals with food poisoning, snakebites, dog bites, insect bites, etc. Envenoming is an important public health problem in India. In modern, there are various treatments including anti-venoms for poisoning. But still, there is a lacuna in treatment due to the side effect of contemporary treatment. But in Ayurveda, various drugs are described, having antitoxic properties, without any side effects. Aim: To provide comprehensive information about Vishaghna Dravya (anti-toxic drug) mentioned in Madanpal Nighantu which is used as a medicine for the treatment of different animate, inanimate poison, and metallic poison. Materials and Methods: Ayurveda text Madanpal Nighantu in Sanskrit as well as Hindi where the Dravya (drug) of different origins and their antitoxic property are mentioned have been referred for this literary work. Knowing the relevance of drugs in the form of Visha Chikitsa (treatment of poison) and their Vishaghna Guna (antitoxic property). For the discussion, all of the gathered information has been reorganized and critically reviewed, and an attempt has been made to draw certain meaningful insights. Results and Conclusion: In this article, we focused on various Vishahar Dravya mentioned in Madanpal Nighantu, based on Rasa, Guna, Virya, and Vipaka, and out of 500 drugs in Madanpal Nighantu there are 74 drugs having Vishaghna properties. This Nighantu generally describe drugs having action against different type of poisons such as Jangam, Sthavar, and Dhatu Visha. Visha-Upavisha Dravyas from the therapeutic point of view are considered highly valuable in accordance with their quick effectiveness even in smaller doses.