वत्सनाभ  Vatsanabha

Classical Textual References (Shloka Pramana)

Sanskrit Shloka (in Devanagari script):

वत्सनाभो वत्सनागः क्ष्वेडोऽस्त्रीच विषं मतम् ।

अमृतञ्च तदेवोक्तं रसतन्त्र विशारदैः ॥ र.त.२४/१६

 vatsanābho vatsanāgaḥ kṣveḍo'strīca viṣaṁ matam |

amṛtañca tadevoktaṁ rasatantra viśāradaiḥ || ra.ta.24/16

"This verse from Rasatantra (24/16) elucidates the fundamental duality of a substance known by names such as Vatsanabha and Vatsanaga. It is considered a poison (Visham). However, the experts of Rasashastra (alchemy and iatrochemistry) state that this very same substance, when properly processed and utilized according to tantric principles, is proclaimed to be nectar (Amritam).

 Commentary: This shloka encapsulates the core Ayurvedic principle of Sodhana (purification/detoxification). It authoritatively states that a toxic substance can be transformed into a potent therapeutic agent through specific pharmaceutical processes. The verse establishes that the difference between a poison and a medicine is not inherent to the raw material itself but is determined by the expertise (visharadaih) in its preparation, as outlined in texts on Rasashastra (Rasatantra)."

 1. Botanical Reference & Nomenclature

   Latin Name: Aconitum ferox, Wall.

   Family: Ranunculaceae

   Classical Gana/Varga: Unmentioned in the texts of Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita.

   Sanskrit Synonyms:

    Visha - Poison

    Amrita - Nectar (refers to its therapeutic potential when purified)

    Ugra - Violent, Potent

    Mahaushadha - Great Medicine

    Garala - Venom

    Pranaharaka - Life-taking

   Regional Names:

    Hindi: Bachha-naga, Mithavisha

    Bengali: Kathavisha

    Marathi: Bachanag

    Gujarati: Bachhanag

    English: Aconite, Monk's hood

 2. Botanical Description & Processing (Śodhana & Māraṇa)

   Morphology: A shrub 30-60 cm tall. Leaves are 7.5 to 15 cm long and scattered. Flowers are purple, 2.5 to 5 cm long. Fruits are hairy, containing small, winged seeds. The root is elongated, 2.5 to 7.5 cm long, tapering at one end, brownish externally and white internally.

   Habitat: Himalayan region at an altitude of 3,000 to 5,000 meters.

   Part Used: Root (Śodhita Mūla - Purified root)

   Purification (Śodhana): The raw, poisonous root pieces are immersed in cow's urine in an earthen pot for four days, with the cow's urine being changed daily. The pieces are then washed with water and boiled with milk for three hours in a Dolayantra (a special apparatus for boiling). Finally, they are taken out, washed, dried, and powdered for medicinal storage.

   Preservation: To prevent moth infestation, the purified roots are immersed in a mixture of 40 liters of cow's urine and 7 kg of Kasisa (Ferric Sulphate - FeSO₄) until the roots occupy 2/3 of the volume. They are kept immersed for 8-10 days, subsequently boiled in cow's urine, and sun-dried. Mustard oil is sprinkled on them before they are mixed carefully and stored. This process renders them an oily, blackish-purple colour.

 3. Pharmacodynamics (Rasa, Guṇa, Vīrya, Vipāka)

Attribute (Guṇa) Property    

Rasa (Taste)  Madhura (Sweet)  

Guṇa (Quality)Ruksha (Dry), Teekshna (Sharp/Penetrating), Laghu (Light), Vyavayi (Pervasive), Vikashi (Diffusing) |

Vīrya (Potency)Ushna (Hot) 

Vipāka (Post-digestive)Madhura (Sweet) 

 4. Pharmacological Properties & Therapeutic Indications (Karma-Prayoga)

   Dosha Karma:

    Kaphaghna: Mitigates Kapha due to its Teekshna, Ushna, Laghu, and Ruksha properties.

    Vataghna: Mitigates Vata due to its Ushna Vīrya.

    Pittakara: Aggravates Pitta due to its hot potency.

   Srotas Karma (Actions by Body System):

    Annavaha Srotas (Digestive System): In its pure, purified, and proper dose, it acts as Ruchikara (appetizer), Deepana (kindles digestive fire), Pachana (digestive), and Shulaprashamana (antispasmodic). It absorbs excess secretion of Kledaka Kapha and stimulates the liver. In its raw form, it irritates nerves, causing salivation and nausea.

    Pranavaha Srotas (Respiratory System): Due to its Ushna and Teekshna properties, it is Kaphavilayana (liquefies Kapha) and Prananulomana (normalizes the flow of Prana Vayu). It reduces excess secretions in the stomach, useful in Kasa (cough) and Shvasa (asthma). It stimulates the respiratory center in the brain.

    Rasavaha & Raktavaha Srotas (Circulatory System): It is primarily Jvaraghna (antipyretic). It digests Ama (toxins) causing obstruction in the channels and dilates the Svedavaha Srotas (sweat channels), allowing accumulated heat to be excreted as sweat. It alleviates associated symptoms like body ache, headache, heaviness, cough, and chest pain.

    Asthivaha & Majjavaha Srotas (Musculoskeletal System): Its paste or medicated oil is applied externally in Sandhigata Vata (osteoarthritis), Vatarakta (gout), and Katishula (low back pain) to reduce pain and inflammation.

    Mutravaha Srotas (Urinary System): In formulations with other herbs (e.g., Vishatindukavati), it gives tone to nerves and bladder muscles, effectively treating Shayyamutra (bedwetting).

    Artavavaha Srotas (Female Reproductive System): It stimulates the uterus (Artavajanana) due to its Ushna and Teekshna properties, making it useful in Anartava (amenorrhea) and Kashtartava (dysmenorrhea).

   Primary Actions: Jvaraghna (Antipyretic), Vedanāsthāpana (Analgesic), Hṛdyota (Cardiotonic - when purified), Deepana-Pachana (Digestive stimulant), Shothahara (Anti-inflammatory).

 5. Dosage, Administration & Important Formulations (Mātrā, Anupāna, Kalpa)

   Dosage (Mātrā): 8 mg to 60 mg of the purified powder.

   Anupāna (Vehicle): Honey.

   Important Formulations (Kalpa): Tribhuvankirti Rasa, Anandabhairava Rasa, Sutshekhara Rasa, Hinguleshvara Rasa, Jvaramurari Rasa, Panchavaktra Rasa, Yogaraj Guggulu, Sanjeevani Vati.

 6. Toxicology & Safety Profile (Viṣa Lakṣaṇa & Chikitsā)

   Contraindications (Nivārita): Pitta Prakriti, during pregnancy, hot season, in patients exposed to heat and sun, and in those with known intolerance. Concomitant use of Katu (pungent), Amla (sour), and Lavana (salty) tastes, spicy food, and daytime sleep should be avoided.

   Symptoms of Toxicity (Aśuddha Viṣa Lakṣaṇa): Tingling of the tongue, nausea, salivation, burning sensation in the mouth and stomach, vomiting, perspiration, tingling and numbness of the skin, bradycardia (slow heart rate), irregular pulse, dilatation of pupils, fixed pupils, difficult respiration, depression of heart and respiratory function, convulsions, loss of consciousness, and death due to cardiac or respiratory arrest.

   Antidote & Treatment (Viṣa Chikitsā):

1.  Administer therapeutic emesis (Vamana).

2.  Perform gastric lavage.

3.  Administer 500 mg of Tankana (Borax) with 100 ml of cow's ghee.

4.  Give 2 teaspoons of Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna) bark powder with ghee and honey to support heart strength.

 7. Modern Scientific Correlates

   Chemical Composition: The root contains toxic diterpenoid alkaloids: Pseudoaconitine, Aconitine, Picroaconine, Econine, and Homohepeline.

   Research Notes:

1.  Administration of 20 mg of aconitine was observed to cause significant cardiovascular changes.

2.  Aconitine-induced cardiac arrhythmia can be prevented or abolished by adreno-receptor blocking agents.

3.  The traditional purification process (Śodhana) using cow's urine and sunlight catalyzes the hydrolysis of toxic alkaloids (Aconitine and Pseudoaconitine) into less toxic derivatives (Benzyl aconine and Vetroil aconine), thereby detoxifying the root.