A Comprehensive Guide to Ayurvedic Specialties
Avipattikara Chūrṇa,
Aṣṭāṅga Hṛdayam (Aṣṭāṅga Hrdayam) - Kalpa Sthāna, Virecana Kalpa, 21st Prakaraṇa
This formulation is classically detailed in the 21st chapter on Purgative Therapies within the Kalpa section of the authoritative text Aṣṭāṅga Hṛdayam. It is also a renowned formulation from Sahasrayoga.
The formulation is a compound powder with specific proportional parts:
Part 1: Individual Ingredients (1 part each)
शुण्ठी (Śuṇṭhī) (Zingiber officinale)
मरिच (Marica) (Piper nigrum)
पिप्पली (Pippalī) (Piper longum)
त्वक् (Tvak) (Cinnamomum zeylanicum)
एला (Elā) (Elettaria cardamomum)
पत्र (Patra) (Cinnamomum tamala)
मुस्ता (Mustā) (Cyperus rotundus)
विडंग (Vidaṅga) (Embelia ribes)
आमलकी (Āmalakī) (Emblica officinalis)
Part 2: Primary Active Ingredient (9 parts)
त्रिवृत (Trivṛt) (Operculina turpethum)
Part 3: Base & Corrective (18 parts)
शर्करा / सिता (Śarkarā / Sitā) (Sugar)
Final Preparation: The powdered ingredients are mixed with honey as an adjuvant (Anupāna).
Primary & Classical Diagnoses (Sanskrit)
Agnimāndya: Impaired digestive fire, leading to indigestion.
Mūtrakṛcchra: Dysuria or painful urination.
Chardi: Vomiting.
Jvara: Fever.
Kāsa: Cough.
Śoṣa / Kṣaya: Wasting diseases, consumptive conditions (e.g., Tuberculosis).
Dāha / Tāpa: Burning sensation throughout the body.
Pāṇḍu: Anemia, pale discoloration of the skin.
Bhrama: Giddiness, dizziness.
Scope of Application (Modern & Integrated Clinical Correlation)
This formulation has a broad and profound application in managing inflammatory and hyperacidic conditions across multiple systems.
Gastroenterological Conditions: Gastritis, dyspepsia, peptic ulcer disease, stomatitis, nausea, liver disorders (hepatitis, jaundice), acts as a cholagogue.
Dermatological Conditions: Inflammatory skin diseases originating from Pitta or vitiated blood (Rakta) (Pitta/Rakta Dushtijanya Twak Rogas).
Ophthalmology & ENT (Śālākya Tantra): Conjunctivitis, tonsillitis, otitis media, sinusitis.
Urological Conditions: Recurrent urinary tract infections (UTI), dysuria.
Systemic & Febrile Conditions: Chronic fevers, severe Pitta-dominant fevers, toxic conditions (visa). Used preventively for viral and communicable inflammatory diseases.
Hematological Conditions: Epistaxis (nosebleeds) and other Pitta-related bleeding disorders.
Dosha Karma (Action on Bio-energies): Primarily Pitta Kapha Śamana/Śodhana. It pacifies and purifies aggravated Pitta and Kapha Doshas. It is contraindicated in Vāta, Kapha, and Vāta-Kapha conditions.
Dhātu Karma (Action on Tissue Layers): Acts on Rasa (plasma) and Rakta (blood) Dhātus, purifying them of excess heat and toxins.
Agni Karma (Action on Digestive Fire): Dīpana (enkindles the digestive fire).
Srotas Karma (Action on Bodily Channels): Srotoviśodhana (cleanses the bodily channels), particularly Annavaha (GI tract), Rasavaha (plasma), Raktavaha (blood), and Mūtravaha (urinary) Srotas.
Roga Karma (Action on Diseases): Specific action on all Kevala Paittika (pure Pitta) and Pittānubandha Kapha (Kapha associated with Pitta) disorders.
Lakṣaṇika Karma (Symptomatic Action): Virecana (purgative), Anulomana (laxative), Malamūtravibandhahara (relieves constipation and urinary obstruction), Dāhaghna (alleviates burning sensation), Yakṛtprasādana (liver tonic).
Attribute (Guṇa) Property
Rasa (Taste) Tikta (Bitter), Madhura (Sweet), Kaṭu (Pungent) <br> Predominantly Tikta Rasa.
Guṇa (Quality) Rūkṣa (Dry)
Vīrya (Potency) Śītōṣṇa (A unique combination of cooling and heating energies, providing a broad-spectrum action)
Vipāka (Post-digestive Effect) Not explicitly stated in source; often Madhura or Kaṭu based on composition.
Modern Correlate Actions: The formulation exhibits laxative, purgative, digestive stimulant, carminative, hepatoprotective, choleretic (cholagogue), anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, and mild diuretic properties.
A wide range of reputable manufacturers produce this classical formulation, including:
Arya Vaidya Sala, Kottakkal (AVS-KTKL)
The Arya Vaidya Pharmacy (Coimbatore) Limited (AVP)
Vaidyaratnam Oushadhasala (VOS)
Sitaram Ayurveda Pharmacy (STM)
Thaikkattu Mooss ETM Oushadhasala (India) Ltd (ETM)
Nagarjuna Ayurvedic Group (NAGJ)
Kerala Ayurveda Ltd (KAL)
SNA Oushadhasala Pvt. Ltd. (SNA)
Arya Vaidya Nilayam (AVN)
ASOKA Pharmaceuticals
BODHI Pharmacy
CHANGAMPALLY Ayurveda Vaidyasala
Dhanwanthari Vaidyasala (DHAN)
VAIDYARAJ Oushadhasala
ARYA VAIDYA VILASINI
DESEEYA Ayurvedic Pharmacy
FARMERS Ayurveda Pharmacy
PAM Labs
VISWAKEERTHY Herbals (India) Pvt. Ltd (VK)
VAIDYARATNAPRABHA Vaidyasala (VP)
SREEDHAREEVAM
Everest Ayurvedic Medicines (EVT)
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Clinical Note: Avipattikara Chūrṇa is a versatile Doṣa Viparīta medicine (acts against the aggravated Dosha) with dose-dependent actions:
Śamana Dose (~5g): Pitta-pacifying, palliative.
Bhedana Dose (~10g): Laxative.
Śodhana Dose (15-20g): Purgative (Virecana).
It is contraindicated in Āmāvastha (state of undigested toxins), Vāta, Kapha, and Vāta-Kapha conditions. It acts as a Rūkṣa Virecana Dravya (dry purgative), and dehydration must be monitored; oral rehydration with sugared water is recommended if necessary. Honey is the classical adjuvant (Anupāna).