A Single Drug Protocol for Bhinnavisha (fragmented poison)

Concepts like Garavisha (artificial poisons), Dooshivisha (cumulative toxins), Jangamavisha (poison of animal origin), Sthavaravishas (poisons of plant origin), Virudhaahara (incompatible food) are much familiar to the ayurvedic world. The idea of Bhinnavisha (fragmented poison) is not acquainted to the budding ayurvedic physicians so far. Many textual references are available for this topic in traditional Malayalam Vishachikitsa texts. The modern conceptual world is with less knowledge on such topics though its applicability is very high. Bhinnavisha is a condition in which the Visha gets scattered and settles in Sandhipradesha (joints), resulting in symptoms like weakness of joints, pains, Kampa (tremors), Daha (burning sensation) and different kinds of manifestations in the course of time due to certain reasons. We are provided with many treatment methodologies for Bhinnavisha (fragmented poison) textually. Here is an attempt to reveal a much-practiced methodology for the treatment of Bhinnavisha (fragmented poison) with a widely available single drug Physalis minima. Linn used in Kashaya (decoction), Ksheerapaka (decoction in milk) and Ghrita (ghee) forms

Case study on Vrischika Damsha managed with Arkapatra Ghrita Dhara and Dasanga Agada

Many people die every year because of venomous animal bites and stings. Among venomous stings, scorpion stings are a major cause of global public health issues associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. Worldwide, only about 30 of the estimated 1500 species of scorpions produce venom toxic enough to be fatal. Signs and symptoms at the site of a scorpion sting may include pain, which can be intense, numbness, tingling, slight swelling and warmth. The clinical manifestations seen in scorpions seem like Vrischika Damsha in Agadatantra. This is a case study of a scorpion sting with acute symptoms of pain, burning sensation and erythema. Based upon the result of the study Arkapatra Ghrita Dhara has shown assuring results in the management of acute scorpion envenomation

Multi-proxy evidence for an arid shift in the climate and vegetation of the Banni grasslands of western India during the mid- to late-Holocene

Tropical semi-arid grasslands are a widespread and ecologically and economically important terrestrial biome. Here, we use paleoecology to understand woodland–grassland transitions across the mid- to late-Holocene period in the Banni grassland, western India. Multi proxy analyses involving palynology, phytoliths and elemental geochemistry were carried out on two sediment cores retrieved from wetlands (Chachi and Luna), to understand temporal fluctuations in vegetation, moisture availability and other environmental parameters. Based on the results, the Chachi core was divided into two major climatic phases. Phase 1 (4600–2500 cal. yr BP) was characterised by high precipitation and abundance of pollen types and phytolith morphotypes that indicate the presence of woody savanna, and mesic herbaceous taxa. Phase 2 (2500 cal. yr BP to the present) was characterised by lower precipitation, lower abundance of mesic taxa and an increase in grass phytolith abundance. However, the period from ~1000 cal. yr BP to the present was characterised by the increased abundance of leguminous taxa, dryland herbs/shrubs and a decline in grass phytolith abundance. The Luna core (~1000 cal. yr BP to the present) also showed results matching with the Chachi core for this latter period. Overall, moisture availability in the ecosystem appears to have declined since 4600 cal. yr BP, and the vegetation has responded to this. Although the balance between tree, shrub and grass elements has fluctuated, overall, the region has remained as an open ‘grass and shrub savanna’ with sparse woody vegetation throughout this period. Our study provides insights into the vegetation dynamics and environmental settings in a poorly understood tropical arid-grassland ecosystem from Asia during the mid-late-Holocene