RASA
|
|
It is the examination of the
patient and is divided into 3 steps |
| Madhura
(Sweet) |
V- |
P - |
K+ |
| Amla
(Sour) |
V- |
P+ |
K+ |
| Lavana
(Salty) |
V- |
P+ |
K+ |
| Tikta
(Bitter) |
V+ |
P - |
K- |
| Kadu
(Pungent) |
V+ |
P+ |
K- |
| Kashaya
(Astringent) |
V+ |
P - |
K- |
|
|
|
Where |
V = Vatha
P = Pitta
K
= Kapha
+ = Causes increase
- = Causes decrease
|
|
|
Rasa - Bhutha
Relation
|
| Elements |
Rasas |
| Ether + Air |
Tikta - bitter |
| Air + Fire |
Katu - pungent |
| Fire + Water |
Lavana - saline, salty |
| Water + Earth |
Madhura - sweet, plain
taste |
| Earth + Fire |
Amla - sour |
| Earth + Air |
Kashaya - astringent |
|
|
GUNA |
|
Guna is a quality, mode or
property. Out of the Gunas, only twenty are used in
Pharmacology. They are known as Gurvadi Guna (Vimsathi Gunas). |
| Guna |
Composition |
Action |
| Guru (Heavy) |
E-W |
Building (Brimhana) |
| Laghu
(Light) |
F-A- |
Eth Reducing
(Langhana) |
| Seetham (Cold) |
W |
Cooling (Stambhana) |
| Ushnam (Hot) |
F |
Heating (Swedana) |
| Snigdham (Unctuous) |
W |
Moistening (Kledana) |
| Ruksham (Dry) |
E-F-A |
Absorbing (Shoshana) |
| Mandam (Dull) |
E-W |
Slowing-pacifying
(Shamana) |
| Theekshanam (Sharp) |
F |
Penetrating-purifying
(Shodhana) |
| Sthiram (Firm) |
E |
Stabilizing (Dharana) |
| Saram (Mobile) |
A |
Stimulating (Prerana) |
| Mridu (Soft) |
W- |
Eth Loosening
(Shlathana) |
| Kadhina (Hard) |
E |
Hardening
(Dridhikarana) |
| Vishadam (Clear) |
E-F-A- |
Eth Cleansing
(Kshalana) |
| Pichilam (Sticky) |
W |
Adhering (Lepana) |
| Slekshnam (Smooth) |
W-E |
Healing (Roopana) |
| Kharam (Rough) |
A |
Scraping (Lekhana) |
| Sookshmam (Subtle) |
A |
Pervading (Vivarana) |
| Sthulam (Gross) |
E |
Covering (Samvarana) |
| Sandram (Dense) |
E-W |
Solidifying
(Prasadana) |
| Dravam (Fluid) |
W |
Liquefying (Vilodana) |
|
|
|
Where |
E
W
A
F
Eth |
=
=
=
=
=
|
Ether
Water
Air
Fire
Earth |
|
VEERYA |
|
The potency by which the action
of a substance is taking place. |
| Type |
Action
on Doshas |
General
Effect |
| Hot |
Pacifies Kapha and
Vatha, aggravates Pitta. |
Helps digestion,
causes hot sensation, thirst, diaphoresis. |
| Cold |
Pacifies Pitta,
aggravates Kapha and Vatha |
Cooling, exhilarant,
moistening, enlivening, enhances reproductive functions. |
|
|
VIPAKA |
|
The food ingested is acted upon
by the digestive fire, in the process of which the six tastes
(Rasas) are resynthesised into post digestive effect. This is
called Vipaka. And the post digestive effect is inferred from
the final action of the ingested food or medicine. |
| Tastes |
Post-Digestive
Effect |
Action |
Madhura (sweet)
Lavana
(saline) |
Sweet |
Promotes Kapha,
smoothly eliminates faeces and urine, increases
reproductive fluids.
|
| Amla (sour) |
Sour |
Promotes Pitta,
smoothly eliminates faeces and urine, diminishes
reproductive fluids.
|
Kadu (pungent)
Tikta
(bitter)
Kashaya (astringent) |
Pungent |
Promotes Vatha,
suppresses faeces and urine, diminishes reproductive
fluids.
|
|
|
PRABHAVAM |
|
Specific potency of a herb is
called Prabhava, which is observed irrespective of the tastes
and post digestive effects. eg. Cardiotonic activity of the
plant Terminalia arjuna. |
