medicines 5 Sep How to increase the efficiency of your medicines naturally? The substance which decreases the severity of the ailment, augmenting the action of the medicine is known as Anupana. Anupanas are liquids which are taken before/along/after the medications or food. In Ayurveda, the Anupanas (vehicle) are studied under Bheshaja Avacharana Vidhi and it is considered an integral part of Chikitsa (treatment). An Anupana may be a Jala (water), Dugdha (milk), Swarasa (juices), Takra (buttermilk), & Ghee etc. It is also believed that such liquids also minimize the side-effects & enhance the curative properties of the food/medicines. Anupana for food and medicine 1) Anupana for Ahara (Food) - In general, an Anupana should be similar to the qualities of Dhatus (body tissues) so as to avoid any negative effect on the tissues, and it has to be dissimilar to the Guna (qualities) of food (eg. For Ruksha Ahar [dry food] the Anupana should be a Snigdha (greasy food). Benefits of Ahara (Food)-Anupana Bhuktam Avasadayati: It naturally facilitates the downward movement of the ingested food. Sanghatam Bhinnati: It trims the hard solid mass of the food particles & increases the surface volume ration which is beneficial for proper absorption & assimilation of the food particles. Mardavatam Apaadayati Kledayati: It softens the food & provides the desired moisture to the food. Sukham Parinamayati Jarayati: It promotes easy digestion. 2) Anupana for Aushadhi (Medicine) - The Anupana is most commonly administered with Aushadhi (Medicine) & a suitable Anupana makes the medicine more effective. In this case, Anupana is selected on the basis of the stage and the strength of the patient and disease. Benefits of Aushadhi (Medicine)-Anupana Bhaishajyam Kshananeva Agneshu Prasarpati: It escalates the quick disbursal of the medicine in the body. Aushadha Gunakaram: It enhances the properties of the medicines by imparting a suitable pharmacokinetic & pharmacodynamics. Rasadeenam Paramanuvaha Vibhajati: It helps in the disintegration of the constitution of Rasa Aushadhi (mineral medicines) to make it easy for absorption. Rasadinam Drutam Prasarpati: It helps in the spreading of mineral medicines throughout the body quickly. Bheshajyam Paribhramayati: It promotes the efficient circulation of the medicine in the body. The quantity of Anupana as per Dosha of the disease Vikar (disease) Anupana Matra (quantity) Vataja Vikara 3 pala (120 ml) Pittaja Vikara 2 pala (80 ml) Kaphaja Vikara 1 pala (40 ml) Quality (Guna) of Anupana as per Dosha of the disease Doshas Anupana Vata (Ruksha & Sheeta) Snigdha & Ushna (Sura, Souviraka, Tushodaka, Medaka, Dhanyamla, & Phalamla) Pitta (Amla & Ushna) Madhura & Sheetal (Mrudvika Svarasa, Amalaki Svarasa, Parushaka Svarasa, Phanita, & Ksheera) Kapha (Snigdha & Sheeta) Ruksha & Ushna (Madhu & Gomutra) Summary: Role of Anupana in Aushadhi Sevana (medicine intake) Anupana provides Tarpana (Satisfaction), Prinana (Self-pleasing), Urja (Strength), & Brimhana (Improves body mass). Anupana increases the action of the principal ingredients of the medicine ("synergistic effect"). Anupana channelizes the right metabolic pathway of Aushadhis to achieve the desired action. Anupana helps in dispensing the medicine to reach the target tissues from the site of administration. Anupana acts as a bulk promoter where dosage form is too small. Anupana assists Rasa Aushadhis (medicine) towards inter-membranous transportation & channelization. Contraindication of Anupana It has been mentioned in ancient texts that in the case of the following diseases the Anupana should be avoided: - Urdhwajatrugata Roga (ENT Diseases) Kasa (cough) Swasa (breathlessness) Hikka (hiccups) Urahkshata (chest injuries) Akshi (Eye diseases) Pinas (sinusitis) Galaroga (throat diseases) Additionally, after taking Anupana, one should avoid Bhashya (speech), Adhyayana (reading), & Geetham (singing). Reason: - Anupana (water) removes the Sneha (Ghee) from Ura (chest) and Kanth (throat) which is taken with food. This may lead to further aggravation of the disease. Also, due to the Abhisyanda properties of Sneha (Ghee), the Agni also diminishes which is not good for a healthy digestion of food. Some common diseases and their Anupana S.N. Disease Anupana 1 Shula (abdominal spasm) Hingu & Ghrita 2 Sheeta (cold) Tambool & Marich Kwatha 3 Unmada (insanity) Purana Ghrita 4 Prameh (urinary tract disease) Triphala Kwatha 5 Vatvyadhi (disease aggravated by Vata) Rasnadi Kwatha 6 Swas (respiratory disease) Trikatu & Madhu 7 Jwara (fever) Shadanga Paniya 8 Grahni (inflammatory bowel disease) Takra 9 Arsas (piles) Chitraka Mula Kwatha 10 Sotha (swelling) Punarnavadi Kwatha 11 Krimi (worm infestation) Vidanga Kwatha Apart from these, some common Anupana are given here below- Madhu (honey) - Madhu has Ruksha and Kashaya properties which increase Vata & decrease Kapha. It acts as Shroto Shodhaka (clears blocked microchannels) and provides the Balya (strength). It is Yogvahi (bio-enhancer) in nature which enhances the action of the medicine. Its Teekshna Guna helps in the digestion of Ama (toxins). Ushnodaka (warm water) - It is used as the most common Anupana for almost all the medicines as it is easily available and is naturally effective. It also has the Deepana (increases secretion of digestive juices) and Pachana (digestion) properties which help in the digestion of Ama (toxins). It acts as Vibandhahara (relieves constipation), Shrotho Shodhaka (clears blocked microchannels), and Mutrala (diuretic). Hence, based on the information provided by ancient Ayurvedic texts, it may be concluded that the selection of an Anupana is vital. So, the selection of an Anupana must always be considered while treating any medical condition.