| This chapter includes thirty-two types of formulations in the form of powder or paste (''churna/pradeha''). The paste is prepared by mixing the powder with oil, ''ghrita'' (ghee, or clarified butter), milk, butter milk or cow urine etc. Occasionally, oil smearing in the affected part is a pre-requisite for such application of powder (''avachurnana'' and ''udvartana''), so that the drug used gets in contact with the oily surface and enhances the rate of penetration. Different kinds of skin diseases and conditions like ''shopha'' (swelling), pain in the abdomen, head and flanks, ''vatarakta'' (painful inflammation of joints), etc. are discussed here for external cleansing treatments. | | This chapter includes thirty-two types of formulations in the form of powder or paste (''churna/pradeha''). The paste is prepared by mixing the powder with oil, ''ghrita'' (ghee, or clarified butter), milk, butter milk or cow urine etc. Occasionally, oil smearing in the affected part is a pre-requisite for such application of powder (''avachurnana'' and ''udvartana''), so that the drug used gets in contact with the oily surface and enhances the rate of penetration. Different kinds of skin diseases and conditions like ''shopha'' (swelling), pain in the abdomen, head and flanks, ''vatarakta'' (painful inflammation of joints), etc. are discussed here for external cleansing treatments. |
− | The three types of external applications viz. ''pralepa, pradeha'' and ''alepa'' are mentioned in this chapter. ''Pralepa'' is a form which is applied cold, in a thin layer irrespective of its absorbability. It is indicated in vitiation of ''pitta'' and ''rakta dosha''.''Pradeha'' is thick and it is generally applied in the form of bolus. It is applied in cold in case of ''pitta-rakta'' vitiation and hot in cases of ''vata-kapha'' vitiation. ''Alepa'' is the medium form which is neither too thin nor too thick<ref>Agnivesha, Charak Samhita with Ayurveda-Dipika commentary by Chakrapanidatta, edited by Acharya J T, Reprint edition, Chaukhamba Surbharati Prakashan, Varanasi, 2000; Sutra Sthana (Su).30/36</ref>. Thus the thickness or thinness of paste application determines its specific effect. Temperature of paste also plays role in determining effect of application. The underlying mechanism may be due to absorption through sweat pores. | + | The three types of external applications viz. ''pralepa, pradeha'' and ''alepa'' are mentioned in this chapter. ''Pralepa'' is a form which is applied cold, in a thin layer irrespective of its absorbability. It is indicated in vitiation of ''pitta'' and ''rakta dosha''.''Pradeha'' is thick and it is generally applied in the form of bolus. It is applied in cold in case of ''pitta-rakta'' vitiation and hot in cases of ''vata-kapha'' vitiation. ''Alepa'' is the medium form which is neither too thin nor too thick<ref>Agnivesha, Charak Samhita with [[Ayurveda]]-Dipika commentary by Chakrapanidatta, edited by Acharya J T, Reprint edition, Chaukhamba Surbharati Prakashan, Varanasi, 2000; Sutra Sthana (Su).30/36</ref>. Thus the thickness or thinness of paste application determines its specific effect. Temperature of paste also plays role in determining effect of application. The underlying mechanism may be due to absorption through sweat pores. |