ROLE OF ASHOKARISHTA IN RAKTAPRADARA (MENORRHAGIA) - A REVIEW

Dr. Shrikant Atmaram Dighe*, Dr. Veena Ajay Patil and Dr. Bhagyashri Mahavir Khot

ABSTRACT

Menorrhagia is the leading menstrual irregularity seen among menstruating women due to various gynecological diseases. Menorrhagia means excessive amount of bleeding per vagina or duration of bleeding increases due to various pathological conditions. Normal average amount of bleeding during menstruation is 50 to 80 ml while normal duration of menstruation is considered as 3 to 5 days. But if these parameters changes to greater than their normal range then it is said to be menorrhagia. According to Ayurveda menorrhagia can compare with Asrigdara, which is also known as Raktapradara. In Raktapradara excessive vaginal bleeding is seen mainly due to Rakta dhatu vriddhi and pitta dosha dushti and it causes deleterious effects on a woman. Ayurveda having unique treatment approach on raktapradara. This treatment includes, Panchakarma therapy for detoxification of body, followed by oral medications which causes dosha shamana. These oral medications include various forms of medicines such as kwatha (Decoction of various medicinal plants), Churna (Powdered form), Vati (Tablet form) etc. One of the form which is most useful is Arishta. Arishta is a liquid form ayurvedic medicine, prepared with natural fermentation using decoction of medicinal plants also Dhataki (Woodfordia Fruticosa) flowers and sugar. Arishta prepared with herb Ashoka (Saraka asoca) is known as Ashokarishta. The use of ashokarishta in Raktapradara is very beneficial according to Bhaishajya Ratnavali, which is a popular text on Ayurvedic medicinal preparations. In this article we are going to review on role of Ashokarishta in Raktapradara i.e. in menorrhagia.

Keywords: Raktapradara, Dosha shamana, Ashokarishta, Menorrhagia.