Charaka-Samhita — trans. Kaviraj Avinash Chandra Kaviratna

The boiled or cold ‘Kashaya’ of ‘Musta’ (tubers of Cypsrus rotun¬ dus ), and ‘Parpataka’ ( Oldenlandia biflora), should be drunk ;*

Or, of ‘Nagara’ (dry ginger) and ‘Parpataka’ ( Oldenlandia biflora ), and ‘DuralabhS ( Alhagi Maurorum ), should be drunk ; r9i

Or, of ‘Kirâtatikta’ ( Ophelia Chireyta), ‘Musta’ (tubers of Cyperus rotundus), ‘Guduchi’ ( Tinospora cordifolia), ‘Vigwabhesaja’ (ginger), ‘Patha’ Cissampelos hernandifolia), ‘Ushira’ (the roots of Andropogon muricatnm ),' and ‘Udichya’ ( Andropogon Schcenanthus), should be drunk for the alleviation of fever, f :92

These ‘Kashayas’ are destructive of fever. They increase the strength of the digestive fire.

They aid the digestion of the faults. They alleviate thirst, and unwillingness or disgust for food ; and remove also the tastelessness of the mouth. J93

When the ‘kwatha’ (decoction) of these is to be given, it should be given cold.

The boiled or cold ‘Kashaya’ of ‘Vatsaka’ (the seeds of Holarrhena antidysentrica ), ‘Aragbadha’ ( Cassia fistula), ‘Patha’ ( Stephania hernan¬ difolia ) ‘Shadgrantha’ ( Acorus Calamus of the white variety), ‘Katurohini’ ( Picrorrhiza kurroa ), ‘Murva’ ( Sanseviera Zeylanica ), ‘Ativisha’ (Aconitum heterophyllum), ‘Nimba’ (Melia Azadirachta), ‘Patola’ {Trichosanthes dioica), ‘Dhannayasaka’ (Alhagi Maurorum), ‘Vacha’ ( Acorus Calamus of the yellow variety), ‘Musta’ (tubers of Cyperus rotundus), ‘Ushira’ (roots of Andropogon muricatum), ‘Madhuka’ (liquorice), ‘Triphala’ (the three myrobalans, viz., Chebulic, Emblic, and Belleric), and ‘Bala’ ( Sida cordifolia ), which is alleviative of fever, should be drunk by a person (that is afflicted with fever). 194-195 The ‘kwatha’ (decoction) of the above drugs should be given cool.

The following five ‘KashSyas’ quickly alleviate the five varieties of fever, viz, ‘Santata’ (Remittent), ‘Satata’ (Double quotidian),

* I retain the word Kashaya’ which has been used here to mean decoctions and infusions and other liquid preparations of drugs. — T.

t ‘PSkya’ is the result of boiling ; ‘Qita’, the result of infusion in cold water. The decoctions, and infusions of these three sets of drugs are recommended as alleviative of fever.— T.

CHARAKA-SAMHITA.

i 25

‘Anyedyuh’ (Quotidian), ‘Tritiyaka’ (Tertian), and ‘Chaturthaka’ (Quartan).

The ‘KashSyas’ are made of the five sets of drugs mentioned in the five half-verses below :

1. ‘Kalingaka’ (Cisalpina bonducella), the leaves of- ‘Patola ' {TrichosantheS dioica ), ‘Katurohini’ {Picrorrhiza Kurroa ) ;

2. ‘Patola’ ( Trichosantkes dioica ), ‘£ariba’ ( Hemidesmus Indicus), ‘Musta’ (tubers of Cyperus rotundus), ‘Patha’ ( Stephania hernandifolia ), ‘Katurohini, ( Picrorrhiza Kurroa ) ;

3. ‘Nimba’ ( Melia Azadirachta), ‘Patola’ ( Trichosantkes dioica ), ‘Triphala’ (the three myrobalans), ‘Mridwika’ (dried grapes), ‘Musta’ (tubers of Cyperus rotundus), ‘Vatsaka’ (seeds pf Holarrhena antidycenterica) ;

4. ‘Kiratatikta’ ( Ophelia Chireyta ), ‘Amrita’ {Tinospora cordifolia ), ‘Chandana’ ( Pterocarpus santalina ), ‘Vigwabhesaja’ (ginger) ;

5. ‘Guduchi’ ( Tinospora cordifolia ), ‘Amlaka’ ( Phyllanthus Emblica), ‘Musta’ (tubers of Cyperus rotundus ).

‘Kwatha’ (decoction) should be administered in Intermittent fevers. 196-197

By drinking the infusion of these drugs, viz., ‘Madhuka’ ( Bassia latifolia ), ‘Musta’ (tubers of Cyperus rotundus), ,‘Mridwika’ (dried grapes), Kagmarya ( Melia arborea ), ‘Parushaka’ ( Grewia Asiatica ), ‘Trayamana’ ( Ficus heterophyllum), ‘Ushira’ (the roots of Andropogon muricatuni), ‘Triphala’ (the three myrobalans), and ‘Katurohini’ ( Picrorrhiza Kurroa), in cold water kept in an exposed place for a whole night, i'one is promptly relieved of fever. 198

(This cold infusion is prescribable in Intermittent fever.)*

The following preparation, consisting of the decoction of the drugs mentioned below, viz., the two Vrihatis ( Solanum Indicum and Sola¬ rium Xanthocarpuin ), Vatsaka (the seeds of Holarrhena antidysenterica ), Musta (the tubers of Cyperus rotundus), Devadaru (Cedrus deodara ), Mahaushadha (dry ginger), Kolavalwi (otherwise called Gajapippali or Pothos officinalis), is alleviative of fever caused by the excitement of all the three faults. l99

(In fever caused by the excitement of all the three faults the form of the medicine should be decoction.)

This

occurs in Gangadhara’s text. Other texts

.— T.

p. 1126

CHAR AKA - SA MHITA .

A fever-stricken person having his faults obstructed should drink the ‘Kashaya’ (decoction) of JStyamalaka (larger variety of the fruit of Phyllanthus E mb lie a), Musta (tubers of Cyperus rotundus ), and Dhannayavfisaka (otherwise called Durâlabha or Hedysarum Alhagi), mixed with treacle. 200

The ‘KashSya* (decoction) of Triphala (the three myrobalans), Trayamâna (Ficus heterophylluni ), Mridvika (dried grapes), and Katurohini (Picrorrhiza Kurroa), is alleviative of (excited) bile and phlegm. It is at the same time capable of restoring to the faults their normal course.