Charaka Kalpa Sthana 5th Chapter Vatsaka kalpam

5th chapter of Charaka kalpa sthana deals with “Pharmaceutics of vatsaka kalpam”. The chapter name is vatsakakalpam.

Prologue
Now we shall explore the chapter dealing with the “pharmaceutics of Vatsaka. Thus said Lord Atreya” [1-2]
Read – Kutaja – Benefits, Usage, Dose, Side Effects – Ayurveda Details

Types and features of Vatsaka

I shall hereafter describe appropriately the symptoms of Vatsaka, along with the distinctive features of its female and male varieties and its recipes in detail.

Synonyms of Vatsaka are: Kutaja, sarkra, vrksaka and Giri- mallika. It’s seeds are called Indrayava and Kalingaka. The male varieties of Vatsaka have big fruits, white flowers and smooth (unctuous) leaves. The female variety has bluish black and pink flowers. It has tiny fruits as well as tiny stalks. [3-5]

Therapeutic Effects of Vatsaka

Vatsaka cures Raktapitta (an ailment characterized by bleeding from various parts of the body) and Kapha. It is useful for patients suffering from heart diseases, fever, gout and erysipelas. It is free from any adverse effects even if administered to persons of tender (delicate) nature. [6]

Recipes of Vatsaka decoction

Fruits of both the varieties of Vatsaka are collected in appropriate time (season), dried and coarsely powdered. A closed fist (quantity as would fit inside a closed fist) of this powder is impregnated by adding the decoction of madhuka, Kovidara, (karbudara, Nipa, Vidula, Bimbi, Sanapuspi or Pratyakpuspi). After keeping soaked for the night, the powder and decoction are stirred [and filtered] after adding salt and honey. This liquid (decoction) is taken as potion. These are the excellent emetic recipes for the elimination of pitta and kapha. [7- ½ 9]
Read – Vamanopaga Gana: Emesis Aiding Herbs: Review, Benefits, Formulations

Vatsaka recipes in powder

The powder of the fruits of Vatsaka should be impregnated in the milky latex of Arka for eight days. One Pani-tala (quantity that fits in the concavity of the hand) of this is taken with the decoction of Jivaka.
Similarly, this powder can be taken separately with the decoctions of Madanaphala, Jimutaka, Iksvaku or Jivanti in 1 karsha quantity. Alternatively 1 karsha of this powder shall be taken mixed with decoction of mustard, juice of flowers of madhuka or with salt water. [9 ½ – 11½]

Vatsaka recipe with kichdi

The powder of Vatsaka [processed as per the above description in the verse no. 7-8] may also be added to Krshara ( a preparation of rice and pulses) and administered by the physician [to the patient] for emesis. [11 ½]
Read – Vamana Therapy – Right Method, Side Effects, Management

Contents of the chapter

To sum up:
Eighteen recipes of vatsaka are described in this chapter as follows:
Nine recipes in the form of decoctions (vide verse nos. 7-9)
Five recipes in powder form (vide verse no . 9-10)
Three recipes should be taken along with water; and ( vide verse no .11)
One recipe to be taken with Krsara (Vide verse no. 11) [12]

Colophon
Thus, ends the fifth chapter of Kalpa-sthana dealing with the “Pharmaceutics of Vatsaka” in Agnivesha’s work as redacted by Charaka, and because of  its non-availability, supplemented by Drdhabala.