Ayurvedic Medicines And Herbs Useful In Raktapitta

Article by Dr Raghuram Y.S. MD (Ay) & Dr Manasa, B.A.M.S
Samshamani means medicines which pacify the vitiated doshas. In case of Raktapitta, Samshamani Kriya includes the medicines and formulations which could be used to pacify the vitiated pitta which is the chief culprit in the causation of Raktapitta. 

Samshamani Kriya indicated conditions

Conditions for administration of Samshamani Kriya
In patients of Raktapitta, Samshamani Kriya should be advised (implemented) in the below mentioned conditions – 

• Bala mamsa pariksheenam – Loss of Bala (strength) and Mamsa (muscle bulk
• Shoka karshitam – patient emaciated due to excess grief
• Bhara karshitam – patient emaciated due to carrying excessive and heavy weights
• Adhwa karshitam – patient emaciated due to excessive walking
• Jwalana Santapta – fire burns
• Aditya santapta – sun burns
• Anyaihi aamayaihi ksheenam – patient emaciated due to chronic or long standing illnesses
• Garbhini – pregnant woman
• Sthaviram – old aged people
• Baalam – children
• Ruksha ashinam – those eating dry foods
• Alpa ashinam – those eating less quantity of food
• Pramita ashinam – limited diet or food
• Avamyam – patients in whom Vamana cannot be administered (or not fit for vamana)
• Avirechyam – patients in whom Virechana cannot be administered (or not fit for virechana)
• Shosha anubandha – when raktapitta is associated with shosha or rajayakshma (wasting diseases, tuberculosis, phthisis)

Shamshamani Kriya comprises of administering medicines, herbs and formulations which have disease modifying effect (action) especially in the presence of the above said conditions.
Read related: Tarpana and Ahara in the treatment of Raktapitta

Medicines and formulations

Samshamani Kriya – Medicines and Formulations for Raktapitta
Kwathas (herbal decoctions)
Atarooshakadi Kwatham – Decoction or infusion of Vasa Patra (leaves of Adhatoda vasica), Mrudwika (raisins) and Haritaki (Terminalia chebula) mixed with sugar and honey

Padhmakadi Kwatham – Paste of Padhma kashta (stem of Prunus cerasoides), Padhma kinjalka(stamens of lotus flower), Durva (Cynodon dactylon), Vastuka (Lamb’s quarter, Wild spinach, Chenopodium album), Utpalam (blue variety of lotus, water lily), Nagakeshara (Mesua ferrea) and Lodhra (Symplocos racemosa) mixed in decoction of Vasa (Adhatoda vasica)

Prapaundarika (Nymphaea lotus) and Madhuka (Licorice)

Bala Kwatha – Decoction of Bala (Sida cordifolia) mixed with powder of mudga (green gram), laja (parched rice, puffed paddy), yava (barley), pippali (long pepper), ushira (Vetiveria zizanioides), Musta (Cyperus rotundus) and Chandana (sandalwood)

Shakrud Rasa Yoga (formulations in fluid extract or liquid portion of animal feces)

Paste of Prapaundarika (Nymphaea lotus) and Madhuka (Licorice) mixed in Ashwa Shakrud Rasa (liquid portion of horse feces)

Paste of Yavasa mula (root of Alhagi camelorum) and Bhringaraja mula (root of Eclipta alba) mixed in Go shakrud rasa (liquid portion of cow feces), should be taken with rice wash water

Gomaya shakrid rasa (liquid portion of cow feces) and Ashwa shakrid rasa (liquid portion of horse feces) mixed with honey and ghee

Churna (herbal powders)
Khadiradi Churna – Powder of Khadira (Acacia catechu), Priyangu (Callicarpa macrophylla), Kovidara (Bauhinia variegata) and Shalmali (flowers of Salmalia malabarica) mixed with honey

Sringatakadi Churnam – Powder of Shringataka (Trapa bispinosa), Laja (puffed paddy), Musta (Cyperus rotundus), Kharjura (dates) and Kamala kesara (stamens of lotus flower) mixed with honey

Ushiradi Churnam – Powder of:

• Ushira (Vetiveria zizanioides)
• Kaaleeyaka (Yellow sandalwood)
• Lodhra (Symplocos racemosa)
• Padhma kashta (stem of Prunus cerasoides)
• Priyangu (Callicarpa macrophylla)
• Katphala (Myrica nagi)
• Shanka bhasma (ash of conch)
• Gairika (red ochre)
• Chandana (lotus)

The powder of the above said should be taken mixed with tandula dhavana (rice wash) and sharkara (sugar)

The above mentioned churna can be taken as a whole formulation or individual herbs mentioned in the formulation can be taken in the below mentioned forms –

• Sheeta Kalpana – The churna or powder of individual ingredients shall be dipped in water overnight, filtered and taken first thing in the morning
• Swarasa – Fresh juice of all or individual ingredients
• Kalka – Paste of all or individual ingredients
• Mrudita or Phanta – Hot infusion of all or individual herbs
• Kwatha – Decoction of all or individual herbs (ingredients)

Peya

Peya in Raktapitta (drink)
Usheeradi Peya – Drink made out of Ushira (Vetiveria zizanioides), Padma (lotus), Utpala (water lily) and Chandana (sandalwood) prepared after dipping the powders of these herbs in water overnight and filtering them should be taken after adding sugar and honey, first thing in the morning

Loshta Peya – Drink made after immersing Pakwa Loshta (powder of new earthen pot) in water overnight and filtering it should be taken after adding sugar and honey, first thing in the morning

Priyangwadi Peya – Drink made after immersing Priyangu (Callicarpa macrophylla), Chandana (sandalwood), Lodhra (Symplocos racemosa), Sariva (Hemidesmus indicus), Madhooka (Madhuca longifolia), Musta (Cyperus rotundus), Abhaya (Terminalia chebula) and Dhataki (Woodfordia fruticosa) mixed with Loshta Jala (water dipped with powder of earthen pot) and Shashtika Jala (water washed with rice grown in 60 days) should be taken mixed with sugar

Management of Vatanubandha

In spite of the agni (digestion, metabolism) getting rectified and kapha getting pacified after the administration of Kashayas and other Samshamani Kriyas, if the raktapitta doesn’t get alleviated and if bleeding keeps recurring it indicates the association of vitiated Vata i.e. Vata has not been taken into control (Vatanubandha).

To control Vata and to stop the bleeding, the below mentioned measures shall be done –

Chaga paya – Initially goat’s milk should be given mixed with sugar and honey
Go dugdha – Cow’s milk processed with 5 times water should be given mixed with sugar and honey

Vidarigandhadi gana (Laghu Panchamula or lesser 5 roots) siddha dugdha – Milk processed with Laghu Panchamula should be given mixed with sugar and honey

Draksha Shrutam Paya – Milk processed with draksha (raisins) mixed with sugar
Nagara Shrutam Paya – Milk processed with nagara (ginger) mixed with sugar
Bala Shrutam Paya – Milk processed with roots of bala (Sida cordifolia) mixed with sugar
Gokshura Shrutam Paya – Milk processed with gokshura (Tribulus terrestris) mixed with sugar

Jeevaka Rishabhaka Shrutam Paya – Milk processed with jeevaka (Malaxis acuminata) and rishabhaka (Manilkara hexandra) mixed with ghee of cow and sugar

Ghritas in Raktapitta

Medicated Ghee is very useful in severe bleeding related to Raktapitta, especially bleeding from urinary tract, rectum and nose. Below mentioned are the most effective ghritas (ghee) in Raktapitta.

Vasa Ghrita – Ghee prepared with kwatha (decoction) of branches, leaves and roots of Vasa plant (Adhatoda vasica). This ghee should be taken mixed with honey.

Palasha siddha ghrita – Ghee processed with juice and paste of leaves and petioles of Palasha (Butea monosperma) should be given mixed with ¼ the quantity of honey

Vatsaka Ghrita – Ghee processed with paste of Vatsaka (seeds of Holarrhena antidysenterica)

Samangadi Ghrita – Ghee processed with Samanga (Mimosa pudica), Utpala (water lily) and Lodhra (Symplocos racemosa) should be given mixed with ¼ the quantity of honey

Trayamana Ghrita – Ghee processed with Trayamana (Gentiana kurroo) should be given mixed with ¼ the quantity of honey

Udumbara-Patola Ghrita – Ghee processed with Udumbara (Ficus racemosa) and Patola (Pointed gourd) should be given mixed with ¼ the quantity of honey

Shatavaryadi Ghrita – Ghee processed with Shatavari (Asparagus racemosa), Dadima Pushpa (flowers of pomegranate), Tintideeka (Rhus parviflora), Kakoli (Roscaea procera), Meda (Polygonatum cirrhifolium), Yashtimadhu (Licorice), Vidarikanda (Pueraria tuberosa) & Phalapuraka (Citrus medica)

Traditional formulations

Traditional formulations (classical medicines) for Raktapitta

• Bolabaddha Rasa
• Chandrakala Rasa
• Pravala Panchamrita
• Raktapittantaka Lauha
• Kamadhgha Rasa
• Godanti Bhasma
• Pravala Pishti
• Usheerasava
• Lodhrasava
• Pushyanuga Churna

Proprietary medicines

• Tab Ayapon (Alarsin)
• Tab Caparin (Arya)
• Cap Point (Ayulabs)
• Tab Posex Forte (Charak)
• Tab Styplon (Himalaya)
• Liquid Surodhini (Nanjangud)
• Liquid Ultivin (Imis)
• Tab Arshonyt (Charak)
• Tab Pilex (Himalaya)
• Tab Pilocure (Alopa)
• Cap Pilogems (Fort Herbal)
• Cap Pilonil (Dindayal)
• Tab Pilorid (Nagarjuna)
• Tab Pirrhoids (Baidyanath)
• Cap Pylapy (Capro)
• Tab Rectacare (Anuja)
• Tab Rectocare (Bacfo)
• Tab Peptilin (Arya)
• Tab Berb-Enterone (Sandu)
• Cap Bilva (Vitalcare)
• Tab Diarex (Himalaya)
• Cap Dicinil (Fizikem)
• Tab Entoform (Manil)
• Tab Entostal (Solumiks)
• Tab Kosht-Sanjivini (Pavaman)
• Tab Kutajadi (Pavaman)
• Cap Mebarid (Phyto Pharma)

Single herbs

Single herbs useful in Raktapitta

• Vasa – Adhatoda vasica
• Shatavari – Asparagus racemosa
• Kutaja – Holarrhena antidysenterica
• Vatsaka – Seeds of Holarrhena antidysenterica
• Yashtimadhu – Licorice
• Udumbara – Ficus racemosa
• Trayamana – Gentiana kurroo
• Samanga – Mimosa pudica
• Utpala – water lily
• Padhma kinjalka – stamens of lotus flower
• Kamala kesara – stamens of lotus flower
• Padma – lotus
• Padhma kashta – stem of Prunus cerasoides
• Utpala – water lily
• Lodhra – Symplocos racemosa
• Palasha – Butea monosperma
• Jeevaka – Malaxis acuminate
• Rishabhaka – Manilkara hexandra
• Gokshura – Tribulus terrestris
• Bala – Sida cordifolia
• Draksha – raisins
• Laghu Panchamula – lesser 5 roots
• Go dugdha – Milk of Cow
• Chaga Paya – Milk of goat
• Priyangu – Callicarpa macrophylla
• Chandana – sandalwood
• Sariva – Hemidesmus indicus
• Madhooka – Madhuca longifolia
• Musta – Cyperus rotundus
• Abhaya – Terminalia chebula
• Dhataki – Woodfordia fruticosa
• Ushira – Vetiveria zizanioides
• Kaaleeyaka – Yellow sandalwood
• Katphala – Myrica nagi
• Shringataka – Trapa bispinosa
• Laja – puffed paddy
• Kharjura – dates
• Khadira – Acacia catechu
• Kovidara – Bauhinia variegata
• Shalmali – flowers of Salmalia malabarica
• Durva – Cynodon dactylon
• Nagakeshara – Mesua ferrea

Apathya

Apathya in Raktapitta
Apathya or unwholesome foods are touched upon in the context of Nidana of Raktapitta
Related reading –Raktapitta Causes, Premonitory Symptoms, Symptoms, Pathogenesis

Effective Decoctions For Bleeding Disorders From Sahasrayogam

Raktapittahara Kashayam

Ref – Sahasrayogam, Kashaya Prakaranam, 14

a. Shatavaryadi Kashayam

b. Vata Shringadi Kashayam

c. Chandanadi Kashayam

2. Drakshadi Kashayam (Vata-Pitta Jwarahara Kashayam)

Ref – Sahasrayogam, Kashaya Prakaranam, 6

3. Sarivadi Kashayam (Trishnahara Kashayam)

Ref – Sahasrayogam, Kashaya Prakaranam, 33b

4. Vasaguluchyadi Kashayam (Panduhara Kashayam)

Ref – Sahasrayogam, Kashaya Prakaranam, 46b

5. Shatavari Chinnaruhadi Kashayam (Vataraktahara Kashaya)

Ref – Sahasrayogam, Kashaya Prakaranam, 62b

6. Duralabhadi Kashayam

Ref – Sahasrayogam, Parishishta Prakaranam, 11

7. Hriberadi Kashayam

Ref – Sahasrayogam, Parishishta Prakaranam, 15

8. Usiradi Kashayam

Ref – Sahasrayogam, Parishishta Prakaranam, 16

9. Chandanadi Kashayam

Ref – Sahasrayogam, Parishishta Prakaranam, 18

10. Satavaryadi Kashayam

Ref – Sahasrayogam, Parishishta Prakaranam, 19

11. Trayantyadi Kashayam

Ref – Sahasrayogam, Parishishta Prakaranam, 111

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