This article deals in detail the mode of action of Rasna Saptakam Kashayam / RasnaSaptakam Kwatham and is in continuation with my previous article “Ayurvedic Back Pain Remedies: RasnaSaptakam Kashayam – Highly effective in Low Back Pain, Sciatica, Sacro-Iliac joint pain”
RasnaSaptakam Kashayam, also available as RasnaSaptakam Kwatham is a simple Ayurvedic formulation in a decoction form which is highly effective in the treatment of Low Back Pain, Sciatica and Sacro-Iliac joint disease / pain.
RasnaSaptakam Kashayam is also available in the form of Kashayam Tablets / Kwatham Tablets
The ingredients of RasnaSaptakam Kashayam and their mode of action is as explained below:
Rasna:
- Rasna / Pluchea Lanceolata, being bitter in taste (tikta rasa) and hot in potency (ushna veerya), combats both Kapha and Vayu, thus relieves stiffness and pain associated with back pain low, sciatica and other painful conditions of the back and lower limbs.
- It is also a potential analgesic.
- It also relieves inflammation and regional swelling (shotha hara).
- Since it is one of the best amahara (expels metabolites and detoxifies the system) it is also used in back pain occurring due to inflammatory arthritis like amavata (rheumatoid arthritis)
Guduchi:
- Guduchi / Tinospora cordifolia is a potential immune modulator. The immunity in painful (inflammatory or degenerative) conditions especially those of systemic origin will be very low. Guduchi or Amrita solves the purpose of the requirement of an ingredient which modulates immunity.
- Guduchi mainly acts through its madhura vipaka (post digestive product which is sweet in nature and is antagonistic to vata and kapha) and ushna veerya (hot potency) which again is against vata and kapha (which are cold in nature).
- Guduchi having the tastes of Katu (hot/pungent),Tikta (Bitter) and Kashaya (Astringent) counteracts Kapha.
- Guduchi also has a pitta alleviating effect. Thus it is useful to combat all the 3 doshas.
- Being a good amahara it digests and removes the endo-toxins from the gut and cells and thus aids in quick healing. Presence of ama in the system slows down the process of healing and also increases pain & stiffness.
- Its contribution in agni deepana (correcting the disturbed metabolism) function comes handy as most of the pains have their origin from disturbed metabolism.
- Guduchi also provides strength to the tissues (balakaraka) and a potential rejuvenator (rasayana).
- Thus the action of Guduchi can be considered as 3 fold: at the onset of the treatment, during the treatment and after the treatment also to sustain immunity.
Aragwadha:
- Aragwadha / Cassia Fistula serves the purpose of a potential laxative in the combination. Since the metabolites need to be removed regularly from the system we need a potential laxative or purgative as per the nature and strength of the pathology. As and when the toxins are removed (ama) the pain and stiffness comes down, so does the inflammation.
- Being sweet in taste (Madhura Rasa) and heavy in nature (guru guna) it is antagonistic to Vata and Pitta.
- Being cold in nature (sheeta) it pacifies pitta.
- Being a Mridu Virechaka (mild laxative), it expels the aggravated pitta and kapha from the system.
- It keeps the bowels clean, clear and sterile. This aids in quick healing and enables the medicines to act in a better way.
Devadaru:
- Devadaru / Cedrus deodara by the virtue of its Tikta rasa (bitter taste), Katu vipaka (Pungent after taste or post digestion effect) and Laghu guna (light property) effectively combats the disturbed Kapha.
- Being snigdha in nature (unctuous nature) it counteracts vata.
- Devadaru by combating vayu and kapha, effectively removes the constipation, block, flatulence and distension, thus relieving the pressure symptoms on the back and joints of the lower limb.
- It is also a potential amahara (detoxifier).
Goksuhra:
- Gokshura / Tribulus Terrestris serves the purpose of a diuretic in the compound. According to Ayurveda, Kleda is a liquid waste produced during the cellular metabolism. When this kleda is held in excess in the cells, it leads to many diseases. Excess kleda is removed by kidneys through urine. Gokshura is highly potential in enabling kidneys to expel this kleda.
- Being a good agni deepana herb, it corrects the metabolic errors. So its action starts from the gut.
- Gokshura has sweet taste (madhura rasa) which helps in alleviating vata and pitta.
- Its sheeta veerya (cold potency) combats the disturbed pitta.
- It is also a good balakaraka (provides strength) and pushtikaraka (nutritious)
Erandamoola:
- Erandamoola / The root of Ricinus Communis (Castor Plant) is very affective in pacifying the aggravated Vayu (responsible for pain)
Punarnava:
- Punarnava / Boerhaavia diffusa (Hogweed) is the best available tissue rejuvenator. While there is a healing process taking place at one end, we need something to maintain and sustain things. Punarnava fits into this role of rejuvenation and brings about the cellular immunity.
- This also helps in reversal of pathology and takes care that the things under control do not get lost.
- It prevents the recurrence of the disease process.
- With its tikta rasa (bitter taste) and katu vipaka (pungent after taste or post digestive effect) Punarnava combats the disturbed Kapha and with its Sheeta veerya (cold potency) it counteracts pitta.
Disclaimer:
- ü Take medicines only when prescribed by your doctor
- ü Self Medication is not good and may be harmful
- ü Medicines are not universal (all medicines do not suit everyone). Patient discrimination (Prakriti) and Disease discrimination (Vikriti) should be done by an experienced Ayurveda doctor as a backdrop of prescription
- ü Many options of medicines are available for a particular disease condition and there may be something else which suits you better. Other medications may be suggested by your doctor after the type and nature of the disease is diagnosed.
- ü Necessary lifestyle changes and diet protocol are mandatory for a reasonable healing to set in
- ü Cause of your disease needs to be identified and isolated
- ü Adjuvents, Co-prescription (other medicines prescribed along with the main medicine to enhance efficacy) and treatments if required will be decided by your Ayurveda doctor
When you or anyone in and around you are suffering from Low Back Pain…just remember…Ayurveda has the best remedies…..
Prevention or intervention…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
All About Ayurveda 