Article by Dr Raghuram Y.S. MD (Ay) & Dr Manasa, B.A.M.S
Pragbhakta is one among the many ‘aushadha sevana kala’ i.e. time for taking medication.
Pragbhakta / Prakbhakta = Prak + Bhakta
– Prak = earlier than,
– Bhakta = meals
So, within the case of Pragbhakta Aushadha Sevana Kala, the medication is run earlier than consuming the meals. This additionally implies that the individual / affected person is on an empty abdomen when the medication is consumed.
Synonyms
Pragbhakta additionally has different names. They’re –
– Purvabhakta = Purva + Bhakta = earlier than + meals – the that means is identical as Pragbhakta, the phrase Prak has been changed by Purva (Prak = Purva = earlier than)
– Bhaktadau = Bhakta + Adau = meals + originally of, the that means being identical as Pragbhakta, the phrases have swapped their locations and the phrase prak has been changed by ‘adau’ each of which imply the identical.
– Annadau + Anna + Adau – offers the identical that means as Bhaktadau, the phrase bhakta has been changed by anna (bhakta = anna = meals).
Understanding Pragbhakta Aushadha Sevana Kala / Annakala
When is the medication administered in ‘Pragbhakta’?
As already talked about, the medication in Pragbhakta is run earlier than meals / meals whereby the individual is ‘empty abdomen’.
Even in Abhakta Aushadha Sevana Kala, the medication is given earlier than meals. The distinction is Abhakta is given early within the morning, when the individual is empty abdomen, when there isn’t any dosha exercise within the abdomen and when the affected person just isn’t hungry, for robust individuals who can tolerate medication on empty abdomen.
In Pragbhakta Aushadha, the medication is given earlier than meals, when the individual is on an empty abdomen, and nearly a couple of minutes earlier than taking meals and never early within the morning. Since this medication works for apana vata circumstances, although not specified, it might be given earlier than dinner too, since it’s apana kala.
Associated Studying – Pragbhakta vs Abhakta
By which a part of the day the medication is run?
We simply have a reference that this medication must be given earlier than taking meals. There isn’t any specification of early morning. So, it may be given any time earlier than meals, hypothetically i.e. earlier than breakfast, lunch or dinner.
Since this medication is praised for its motion on apana vata and apana vata problems, an oblique trace is to offer the medication at night time, earlier than dinner, which is claimed to be a time of exercise of apana vata i.e. apana kala. It is usually a super ‘vata time’.
Why ought to medication be given at the moment? Dosha relation
Because the medication is taken earlier than meals on empty abdomen, the medication will get completely digested by the motion of agni. No a part of the medication is expelled with out being digested. So, there may be correct and whole utilization of drugs in Pragbhakta administration.
Although there isn’t any direct indication when this medication must be given, earlier than breakfast, lunch or dinner, it may be generalized that it may be given earlier than any meal. However the therapeutic indications say that it’s best for balancing apana vata and apana vata problems and in addition to remedy the illnesses of the decrease elements of the physique. That is yet one more clue for customizing one of these treatment for night, earlier than dinner.
The drugs is taken earlier than meals. So, the individual takes the medication. The drugs comes into contact with agni. The agni begins digesting the medication. Now the individual eats meals. The meals prevents regurgitation of drugs again into the meals pipe (oesophagus) and mouth. Because of the meals being above the medication, the medication will get a superb time of retention within the abdomen for it to get digested fully. This helps in optimum use of drugs. Acharya Kashyapa says that the medication given as Pragbhakta, destroys the doshas current within the amashaya – abdomen. So, it is usually a finest medication for native doshas i.e. Kledaka Kapha, Samana Vata and Pachaka Pitta. Since ama is fashioned after taking meals and the medication stays for a very long time within the abdomen, the ama (as pachana) and ama associated illnesses too could be focused utilizing Pragbhakta medication.
Medication taken as Pragbhakta can be digested with out affecting the energy of the individual. So, it is not going to trigger bala kshaya i.e. deterioration of energy.
Indications and advantages of Abhakta
Optimum utilization of drugs – Pragbhakta medication can be used optimally with out being expelled because it comes into contact with agni instantly and is pressed by meals, which permits its most retention within the abdomen.
Absorption – The absorption and utilization of this medication too can be optimum and its therapeutic motion on desired doshas and illnesses as nicely.
Prevents medication regurgitation and expulsion – Persons are reluctant in the direction of taking bitter and astringent tasting medicines. Aside from not being palatable, the medication retains regurgitating into the mouth. For people who find themselves aware about this, if medication must be given on an empty abdomen, pragbhakta would be the supreme time of administration. Since, after consumption of meals, the medication is enveloped by meals, the medication just isn’t expelled even in a downward path simply.
Fast digestion and motion of drugs – In line with Acharya Sushruta, the medication taken as Pragbhakta undergoes shigra vipaka i.e. rapidly will get digested and the post-digestion impact can be quick and so is its motion. So, pragbhakta is a fast performing medication.
Weight Discount in Sthoulya, Medoroga – This time of administration of drugs is right to realize weight reduction for individuals who are focusing on it. So, weight problems and weight improve circumstances primarily having their origin from extreme kapha improve and depletion of agni within the abdomen are supreme circumstances to be tackled with Pragbhakta medication. So, it’s the finest in treating medoroga, sthoulya and medovaha sroto dushti janya rogas i.e. illnesses brought about as a result of contamination of fats forming and conveying channels within the physique and illnesses arising out of this.
Weight / Bulk promotion in Krishanga – Pragbhakta medicines can embrace medicines focused to extend weight in emaciated people. This medication by enhancing the general well being of amashaya and agni, by balancing the doshas therein and in addition destroying the morbid doshas therein, will allow correct digestion of meals and correct absorption and distribution of vitamins.
Medicines for Apana Vata Dushti – Medicines focusing on apana vata imbalance, illnesses brought about as a result of apana vata aggravation must be administered Pragbhakta. Because the medication acts on apana vata, it may be readily administered in circumstances like gudagata vata and pakvashayagata vata whereby aggravated vata is localized in anus (rectum) and colon respectively, i.e. within the zone of apana vata.
Medicines for abdomen doshas, ama and agni – The medicines for balancing samana vata, kledaka kapha and pachaka pitta must be used pragbhakta. Ama pachana and Dipana medicines can also be deliberate to be given at the moment.
Illnesses occurring within the decrease portion / elements of the physique – Most illnesses of the decrease elements of the physique are attributable to apana vata imbalance. By correcting the apana vata imbalance and in addition by strengthening the decrease elements of the physique, pragbhakta medication would remedy the illnesses therein.
For strengthening the decrease parts of the physique – Pragbhakta medicines are recognized to strengthen the decrease elements of the physique. So, it must be deliberate whereby there may be lack of energy within the pelvis, pelvic organs and decrease limbs as a result of lengthy standing sickness or some other circumstances. This exhibits that the medicines given in Pragbhakta template, has a balya function and it enhances the energy of muscular tissues, bones and joints within the decrease elements of the physique. That is additionally as a result of apana vata balancing impact of pragbhakta aushadha.
Different indications – Acharya Sushruta says that (Su.Ut.64/69) pragbhakta medication must be given to aged individuals, kids, women and cowards who should not have good tolerance for medicines.
Some illnesses which could be cured by medicines administered as Pragbhakta
Pragbhakta medicinal timing could be thought-about within the beneath talked about circumstances –
– Illnesses of the abdomen and digestive problems – like ajirna, agnimandya, amashayagata vata amajirna and so on.
– Illnesses of the colon / rectum and anus – Gudagata vata, Pakvashayagata Vata, Arshas – piles, Udavarta – upward motion of vata, Atopa – gurgling sounds within the intestines, Anaha – flatulence and constipation, Adhmana – distension of stomach, Jirna Atisara and Pravahika – power diarrhoea and dysentery and so on.
– Pelvic inflammatory illnesses
– Illnesses of the urinary bladder – Mutraghata – urinary obstruction, Mutrakrichra – dysuria and so on.
– Illnesses of genital system – erectile dysfunction, untimely ejaculation, and so on.
– Gynaecological problems – dysmenorrhea, menorrhagia and so on.
– Weak point and fatigue within the decrease limbs, related to circumstances like hemiplegia, arthritis and so on
– Lack of muscle bulk within the decrease limbs and round pelvis
– Low again ache of power nature
– Weight problems and extreme weight acquire, illnesses of fats associated channels and errors of fats metabolism, Hypothyroidism and so on.
– Emaciation, extreme lack of weight
References
– Ashtanga Sangraha Sutra Sthana, Chapter 23 (23/15)
– Sushruta Samhita Uttara Sthana, Chapter 64 (64/67)
– Charaka Samhita Chiktsa Sthana, Chapter 30 (30/299)
– Sharangadhara Samhita Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 2 (2/5)
– Kashyapa Samhita Khila Sthana (Ka. Sam. Khi.Sth.3/44)