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|title=Aushadha
|titlemode=append
|keywords=carakasamhitaonline, charak samhita, caraka samhita, ayurved, Aushadha, medicine, drug, Aushadha in ayurveda, Bhojani M.K., Basisht G., Deole Y.S.,	Chikitsita, Vyadhihara, Pathya, Sadhana, Prayaschitta, Prashamana, Prakritisthapana, Hita, Bheshaja, administration of aushadha, aushadha dose, Examination of aushadha
|description=Aushadha means medicine or drug. It is used for the preservation of health and the treatment of diseases. 
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<p style='text-align:justify;'>Aushadha means medicine or drug. It is used for the preservation of [[health]] and the treatment of [[Vyadhi|diseases]]. Aushadha is used for regaining [[Health|health]], and its appropriate use is as beneficial as nector, whereas inappropriate use makes it a poison.<ref>Satyapala, editor, (1st ed.). Commentary Vidyotini of Kashyap Samhita, Khila Sthana; Bheshajyopakramaniya Adhyaya: Chapter 3, Verse 4. Varanasi: Chaukhamba Sanskrit Sansthan, 2015; 363.</ref> The aushadha may be used either in combination or as a single drug. In the context of using a single aushadha, a description of agrya prakarana (superior aushadha) with 152 entities is found in [[Charak Samhita New Edition|Charak Samhita]] [Cha. Sa. [[Sutra Sthana]] 25/40] and 155 entities in Ashtanga sangraha.<ref>Tripathi R.D., (1 st ed.). Commentary Saroj on Astanga Sangrah of Vridhavagabhata, Sutra Sthana; Agryasangraha Adhyaya: Chapter 13, Verse 3. Delhi: Chaukhamba Sanskrit Pratishthan, 2015; 269-271.</ref> Ashtanga Hridaya described 55 entities.<ref>Murthy K.R.S., editor, (8th ed.). Vagbhata’s Ashtanga Hridayam, Uttar Tantra: Vajikaranavidhi Adhyaya: Chapter 40, Verse 48-58. Varanasi: Chowkhamba Krishnadas Academy, 2011; 420.</ref>  [A. Hr. Uttar Tantra 40/48-58] Aushadha is among the four aspects of the healthcare system with the physician, attendant, and patient. [Cha. Sa. [[Sutra Sthana]] 9/3] All [[Dravya|dravya]] in the world are derived from [[Pancha mahabhuta|five mahabhutas]] ([[Prithvi mahabhuta|prithvi]], [[Jala mahabhuta|apa]], [[agni|agni]], [[Vayu mahabhuta|vayu]] and [[Akasha mahabhuta|akasha]]). The [[Sharira|sharira]] is a constitution of [[Pancha mahabhuta|panchamahabhuta]] in variable proportion. Any imbalance in this proportion can alter homeostasis and cause disorders. <br/>[[Dravya|Dravya]] of a particular panchamahabhautika composition is required to normalize the composition of [[Pancha mahabhuta|panchamahabhuta]] in [[Sharira|sharira]]. For example, if a [[Vyadhi|disease]] originated due to insufficiency of [[Jala mahabhuta|apa mahabhuta]], then [[Dravya|dravya]] rich in [[Jala mahabhuta|apa mahabhuta]] is administered to patient to increase the quantity of [[Jala mahabhuta|apa mahabhuta]] back to normal. Since all [[Dravya|dravyas]] have a specific panchamahabhautika constitution, they can be used to establish normal homeostasis of [[Pancha mahabhuta|panchamahabhutas]] of [[Sharira|sharira]] and treat [[Vyadhi|disease]]. Since [[Aushadhi|aushadhi]] too is a [[Dravya|dravya]] and similarly treats the [[Vyadhi|disease]], thus all the [[Dravya|dravyas]] are [[Aushadhi|aushadhi]]<ref>Shastri A D, editor, (1st ed.). Commentary Ayurveda Tattva Sandipika of Ambikadutta Shastri on Sushruta Samhita, Sutra Sthana; Dravyavisheshavigyaniya Adhyaya: Chapter 41, Verse 9. Varanasi: Chaukhamba Sanskrit Sansthan, 2015; 199.</ref> [Cha. Sa. [[Sutra Sthana]] 26/12] [Su. Sa. Sutra Sthana 41/9]  Effectively managing a [[Vyadhi|disease]] requires correct identification, dosage and time of administration of aushadha. Selection of the right aushadha requires understanding its mode of action. To prevent the untoward effects of aushadha, it’s essential to know that the aushadha are patient-specific, location-specific, and season specific. Examination of aushadha must not be missed prior to its use. This chapter describes various aspects of aushadha. </p>

{{Infobox
|title =  Contributors
|label1 = Section/Chapter/topic
|data1 = Concepts / [[Aushadha]]  
|label2 = Authors
|data2 =Bhojani M.K.<sup>1</sup>,<br/>Rahul Anand<sup>1</sup>
|label3 = Reviewer 
|data3 =  [[Gopal Basisht|Basisht G.]]<sup>2</sup>
|label4 = Editor 
|data4 = [[Yogesh Deole|Deole Y.S.]]<sup>3</sup>
|label5 = Affiliations
|data5 = <sup>1</sup> Department of Kriya Sharira, A.I.I.A., New Delhi, India, <br/><sup>2</sup> Rheumatologist, Orlando, Florida, U.S.A.,<br/><sup>3</sup> Department of Kayachikitsa, G.J. Patel Institute of Ayurvedic Studies and Research, New Vallabh Vidyanagar, Anand, Gujarat, India 
|label6 = Correspondence email
|data6 = meera.samhita@aiia.gov.in,<br/>carakasamhita@gmail.com
|label7 = Publisher 
|data7 = [[Charak Samhita Research, Training and Development Centre]], I.T.R.A., Jamnagar, India
|label8 = Date of first publication:
|data8 = December 13, 2022
|label9 = DOI
|data9 = {{DoiWithLink}}
}}