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The chapter describes fifty classes of medicines per their selective action on biological systems and their expected pharmacological effects. These medicines are clinically used in various disease conditions and for indicated benefit:

The chapter describes fifty classes of medicines per their selective action on biological systems and their expected pharmacological effects. These medicines are clinically used in various disease conditions and for indicated benefit:

1.1 Jivaniya (vitaliser): Drugs which promote vitality are called 'jivaniya'. They promote formation of good quality body tissues and are used in the management of ojas disorders. These drugs are predominant in prithví + jala mahabhuta and are mostly madhura (sweet in taste) and sheeta veerya (cool in potency). These drugs are used in immunocompromised and chronic debilitating diseases.  

 

1.2. Brimhaniya (strength promoting): Drugs that increase body strength and bulk of muscles (weight), and anabolic activities by nourishing the dhatus are termed brimhaniya. Thus, brimhaniya drugs make body strong and firm. Prithvi and jala mahabhutas are predominant in brimhaniya drugs. These drugs are indicated in degenerative diseases like neuromuscular diseases.

#Jivaniya (vitaliser): Drugs which promote vitality are called 'jivaniya'. They promote formation of good quality body tissues and are used in the management of ojas disorders. These drugs are predominant in prithví + jala mahabhuta and are mostly madhura (sweet in taste) and sheeta veerya (cool in potency). These drugs are used in immunocompromised and chronic debilitating diseases.  

1.3. Lekhaniya (lightness producing): Drugs that reduce excessively increased dhatus and make person lean and thin along with feeling of lightness are said lekhaniya. Vayu and agni mahabhutas are predominant in such type of drugs. These drugs are indicated in diseases like obesity that are caused due to overnutrition.  

#Brimhaniya (strength promoting): Drugs that increase body strength and bulk of muscles (weight), and anabolic activities by nourishing the dhatus are termed brimhaniya. Thus, brimhaniya drugs make body strong and firm. Prithvi and jala mahabhutas are predominant in brimhaniya drugs. These drugs are indicated in degenerative diseases like neuromuscular diseases.

1.4. Bhedaniya (useful for probing and depressurizing): Those drugs that break the accumulation of dosha, fecal material, gulma (abdominal lump) or any type of growth are called bhedaniya. Bhedana action of these drugs is due to their tikshna property (sharp, piercing properties). These are indicated in diseases with obstructive pathology.  

#Lekhaniya (lightness producing): Drugs that reduce excessively increased dhatus and make person lean and thin along with feeling of lightness are said lekhaniya. Vayu and agni mahabhutas are predominant in such type of drugs. These drugs are indicated in diseases like obesity that are caused due to overnutrition.  

1.5. Sandhaniya (union promoter): The drugs that are helpful for uniting tissues, wound healing and treatment of fractures are called sandhaniya. Mostly kashaya rasa dravyas are included in this group.

#Bhedaniya (useful for probing and depressurizing): Those drugs that break the accumulation of dosha, fecal material, gulma (abdominal lump) or any type of growth are called bhedaniya. Bhedana action of these drugs is due to their tikshna property (sharp, piercing properties). These are indicated in diseases with obstructive pathology.  

1.6. Dipaniya (appetiser): The drugs which increase appetite are called dipaniya. These drugs stimulate appetite as they possess predominantly agni mahabhuta. These drugs are pungent, sour and salty in taste, hot in potency, and with light and strong properties.  

#Sandhaniya (union promoter): The drugs that are helpful for uniting tissues, wound healing and treatment of fractures are called sandhaniya. Mostly kashaya rasa dravyas are included in this group.

2/7 Balya (tonic): Balya has been defined as a class of druges that have upachaya (firm) and shakti (strength) as their key properties. So balya means that which enhances strength by promoting ojas (Dalhana– Su.Su. 45.26). Bala has been considered as action of ojas. In absence of ojas body becomes unable to perform its own natural function. Balya dravyas are considered as of two types:

#Dipaniya (appetiser): The drugs which increase appetite are called dipaniya. These drugs stimulate appetite as they possess predominantly agni mahabhuta. These drugs are pungent, sour and salty in taste, hot in potency, and with light and strong properties.  

a. Samanya (general) – These drugs promote general bodily strength, such as shatavari etc. Being dhatu promoting they potentiate the formation of ojas.

#Balya (tonic): Balya has been defined as a class of druges that have upachaya (firm) and shakti (strength) as their key properties. So balya means that which enhances strength by promoting ojas (Dalhana– Su.Su. 45.26). Bala has been considered as action of ojas. In absence of ojas body becomes unable to perform its own natural function. Balya dravyas are considered as of two types:

b. Vishishta (specific) – Some drugs provide strength to specific organs, such as

##Samanya (general) – These drugs promote general bodily strength, such as shatavari etc. Being dhatu promoting they potentiate the formation of ojas.

Tiktarasa dravyas, effective for amashaya (stomach)

##Vishishta (specific) – Some drugs provide strength to specific organs, such as

Arjuna, effective for hridaya (heart)

###Tiktarasa dravyas, effective for amashaya (stomach)

2.8. Varnya (complexion promoting): Drugs that are useful in the maintenance and improvement of natural body complexion are called varnya. Bhrajaka pitta situated in the skin is responsible for the complexion of the skin. These drugs (e.g., chandana, ushira, manjishtha, sariva etc.) pacify bhrajaka pitta and improve the complexion, and therefore are used  in cosmetics .

###Arjuna, effective for hridaya (heart)

Varnya (complexion promoting): Drugs that are useful in the maintenance and improvement of natural body complexion are called varnya. Bhrajaka pitta situated in the skin is responsible for the complexion of the skin. These drugs (e.g., chandana, ushira, manjishtha, sariva etc.) pacify bhrajaka pitta and improve the complexion, and therefore are used  in cosmetics .

2.9. Kanthya (beneficial for throat and voice): Drugs which alleviate defect in the vocal cord and restore the normalcy of voice are called kanthya or svarya. Disorders of throat are considered tridoshaja (since all the doshas are vitiated in these disorders), however vata and kapha are predominant. Therefore, vata-kapha pacifying drugs are beneficial in alleviating throat disorders and improving voice.

2.9. Kanthya (beneficial for throat and voice): Drugs which alleviate defect in the vocal cord and restore the normalcy of voice are called kanthya or svarya. Disorders of throat are considered tridoshaja (since all the doshas are vitiated in these disorders), however vata and kapha are predominant. Therefore, vata-kapha pacifying drugs are beneficial in alleviating throat disorders and improving voice.

2.10. Hridya (cardiac tonic): The ten hridya drugs are generally mildly sour tasting and liked by most people. The word hridya denotes that which is beneficial to the heart (cardiac tonic) i.e. arjuna, gold. etc.

2.10. Hridya (cardiac tonic): The ten hridya drugs are generally mildly sour tasting and liked by most people. The word hridya denotes that which is beneficial to the heart (cardiac tonic) i.e. arjuna, gold. etc.