The drugs which increase the vitality and strength of the body are called Balya Dravyas. Increase in vitality and strength also depicts an increase in immunity. Bala is said to be the function of Oja (essence of body tissues in the body depicting the immunity of an individual). The strength and vitality of the body remain intake due to the oja. The stability, quality and quantity of oja depends on the quality of tissues formed and maintained in the body. Thus the bala, oja and dhatu (tissues) are interdependent. Thus it can be inferred that the Balya drugs have an impact on all these parameters governing the smooth functioning of the body.
In the absence of bala, the body functions deteriorate and gradually come to a halt, thus destroying the body. Balya drugs intermediate this process, provides vitality to the body, makes it strong and thus avoids the destruction of body and its tissues.
The balya dravyas can be classified into 2 categories:
General Balya Dravyas: these contribute to the enhancement of the strength and vitality of all the organs and tissues in totality. Ex: Kapikachchu, Shatavari etc. These drugs enhance the quantity of the tissues. This inturn leads to the increase in the quantity of ojas. The increase of ojas provides an increase in the vitality to the body.
Specific Balya Dravyas: These drugs increase the strength and vitality of specific organs. Ex: Tikta Dravyas (Bitter drugs) for stomach, Arjuna for Heart, Kashaayamla for Muscles, Kupeelu for Spinal cord, Tagara for Nervous system, Loha for Blood etc.
Charaka has mentioned 10 best Natural Vitality promoters under the heading Balya Mahakashaaya. They are as said below:
ऐन्द्रय्रृषभ्यतिरसर्ष्यप्रोक्तापयस्याश्वगन्धास्थिरारोहिणीबलातिबला इति दशेमानि बल्यानि भवन्ति।{चरकसंहिता सूत्रस्थानम् ४/८-७}
- ऐन्द्री – Baccopa monnieri
- ऋषभी – Mucuna pruriens / Fagonia cretica / Mucuna monosperma
- अतिरसा (शतावरी) – Asparagus racemosa
- ऋष्यप्रोक्ता (मांसपर्णी) – Argyreia petaloides
- पयस्या (क्षीरविदारी / काकोलि) – Roscoea procera
- अश्वगन्ध – Withania somnifera
- स्थिरा (शालपर्णी) – Uraria picta
- रोहिणी (कटुकी) – Picrorrhiza kurroa
- बला – Sida cordifolia / Sida rhombifolia
- अतिबला – Abutilon indicum
So, when you are banking on increasing your strength, immunity and vitality….think natural….and when you think natural…none other than Ayurveda…..
Prevention or interventions…when you think of handling things in a natural way…think of AYURVEDA
For Health Awareness
By: Dr Raghuram Y.S.
MD(Ayurveda)
Bangalore, Karnataka, India
Ph: +91-9480071422
Email: drraghuramys@gmail.com
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