January 14, 2026 2 min read

Pharmacological Definitions in Ayurveda:
Significant terms used in Ayurveda in relation to herbs and substances. These definitions are reat for all Ayurveda students - we suggest memorising these terms in Sanskrit and their meanings.
Deepana - These are herbs and substances that kindle the Jatharagni but do not digest Ama ๐ฅ Fennel would be an example of this.
Pachana ๐ฟ - These are herbs that digest Ama. Chitraka is an example of this.
Samsamana โ๏ธ - These are herbs that pacify a vitiated dosha in their own place but do not eliminate them. The drug of choice is Guduchi.
Anulomana - herbs which help to eliminate mala (stool) after proper digestion ๐ฉ The drug of choice is Haritaki.
Sramsana - Herbs that expel waste that is adhered to the intestine ๐ฟThe drug of choice is Aragwadha.
Bhedana - The herbs which brake up hard faecal matter and push it out ๐๐ผOne of the best bhedana herbs is Katuki.
Rechana - Wether pakwa (digested) or apakwa (improperly digested) the stool is made liquid and expelled out โฌ๏ธ The drug of choice is Trivrit.
Vamana - Herbs which remove vitiated Pitta and Kapha from the stomach through the mouth (emetics) ๐ฅฑ are called vamana dravya. The drug of choice is Madanaphala.
Samsodhana - The herbs which remove vitiated dosha either from the upwards โฌ๏ธ route or the downward โฌ๏ธ route of the body are called samsodhana dravya.
Lekhana - The drugs which remove waste from the body after drying them up are called as lekhana dravya. Herbs of choice are honey ๐ฏ hot water and guggulu.
Grahi - Drugs that have Deepana Pachana properties (please see above for the term definition) ๐ฅ Herbs such as ginger, cumin and Pippali.
Stambhana - These herbs have a stopping action, holding body fluids ๐ They have an action of vata dosha by ruksha (dry), sheeta (cold) and kashaya (astringent).
Rasayana - Drugs that help delay of old age and strengthen ๐ช๐ผ the immune system. Herbs of choice are Amalaki, Haritaki and Guduchi.
Vajikarana - The herbs which increase virility and fertility ๐คฐ๐ปare called Vajikarana dravya. The herb of choice is Nagabala and kapikacchu.
Sukshma - Drugs that can enter even the minutest ๐ค๐ผ pores of the body are called sukshma. Some examples are said have, nimba thaila and castor oil.
Abhisyandi - Herbs and substances which are unctuous and heavy for digestion cause the srota to block โ Curd is an example.
Reference ๐
Sarangadhara Samhita Chapter 4
Thus ends the fourth chapter of Sarangadhara Samhita. The reference for these terms is from the Sarngadhara Samhita ๐
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