A Comprehensive Guide to Ayurvedic Specialties
Ahiphena (Opium)
Latin Name: Papaver somniferum L.
Family: Papaveraceae
Classical Gana/Varga: Upavisha (Sub-poison) [Ashtanga Hridaya].
Sanskrit Synonyms: Aphuka, Aphana, Niphena, Rasodbhuta.
Regional Names:
English: Opium, Poppy
Hindi: Aphim
Marathi: Aphu, Aphim
Malayalam: Kashkasha
Tamil: Kasa-kasa, Gashagasha
Telugu: Postakatoi, Gasugasalu
Morphology: An annual herb, 1 to 1.5 meters tall. The stem is glabrous with few hairs and scattered branches. Leaves have a cordate base, are oblong, and irregularly toothed. Flowers are large, bluish-white, and variegated. Fruits are large and globular. Seeds (Poppy seeds) are white or blackish.
Habitat: Native to Europe, Central Asia, and North Africa. Cultivated in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh, India.
Types: Shveta (white), Rakta (red), Krishna (black).
Part Used: Niryasa (Latex/exudate - the primary source of opium), Seeds (Ahiphenabeeja), Fruit skin (Poppy).
Purification (Śodhana):
1. Dissolve raw Ahiphena in water and strain the liquid to eliminate physical impurities like leaves and pebbles.
2. Dry the strained liquid on a low flame to obtain a solid residue.
3. Triturate (grind) this solid residue 21 times with Adraka Svarasa (fresh ginger juice) to purify it.
Preservation: Not explicitly mentioned in the source text.
Attribute (Guṇa) Property
Rasa (Taste) Tikta (Bitter), Kashaya (Astringent)
Guṇa (Quality) Laghu (Light), Ruksha (Dry), Sukshma (Subtle), Vyavayi (permeates without digestion), Vikashi (causes looseness in joints)
Vīrya (Potency) Ushna (Heating)
Vipāka (Post-digestive) Katu (Pungent)
Prabhava (Special Effect) Madakara (narcotic), Vedanasthapana (analgesic)
Dosha Karma: Kapha-Vataghna (reduces Kapha and Vata) due to its Ushna Virya. However, it is Pittapkara (can aggravate Pitta).
Srotas Karma (Actions by Body System):
Annavaha & Purishavaha Srotas (Digestive System):
Mechanism: Suppresses secretions due to Ruksha and Kashaya properties. Acts as Shulaghna (antispasmodic) and Stambhana (astringent, binding).
Clinical Use: Gastritis, diarrhoea, dysentery (Raktatisara, Raktapravahika), peptic ulcer (Parinamashula) as an analgesic and antiemetic. Contraindicated in Ama (undigested toxins) due to its Stambhana action.
Pranavaha Srotas (Respiratory System):
Mechanism: Kaphavilayana (liquefies mucus), Vatashamaka, depresses the respiratory center, and dilates bronchi. Acts as an antitussive.
Clinical Use: Acute pneumonia, Vata-Kaphaja cough (Kasa), dyspnoea (Shvasa), whooping cough.
Rasa-Raktavaha Srotas (Circulatory System):
Mechanism: Slows heart rate and strengthens it (cardiotonic in small doses). Stops internal bleeding due to Kashaya Rasa.
Clinical Use: Labored respiration, precordial pain, internal bleeding (Raktapitta).
Majjavaha Srotas (Nervous System):
Mechanism: Madakari (narcotic), Vedanasthapana (analgesic), Nidrajanana (soporific), Akshepahara (anticonvulsant). Stimulates the vagus nerve and medullary centers.
Clinical Use: Severe pain (abdominal colic, kidney stones, sciatica), insomnia, delirium in fever, convulsions (Apasmara, Apatantraka), and as an antidote for other poisons. Also used for mental irritability.
Shukra-Artavavaha Srotas (Reproductive System):
Mechanism: Causes Dhatuksheenata (tissue wasting) and Klaibya (impotency) due to its Ruksha, Vyavayi, and Vikashi properties. However, it prevents premature ejaculation (Shukrastambhana).
Clinical Use: Analgesic in dysmenorrhea, pain during miscarriage (Garbhapata), and labor pain (Prasutivedana).
Primary Actions: Vedanasthapana (Analgesic), Nidrajanana (Hypnotic), Shulaghna (Antispasmodic), Stambhana (Astringent), Kasaghna (Antitussive), Madakara (Narcotic).
Dosage (Mātrā): 30 to 120 mg of purified Ahiphena. Extreme caution is required due to narrow therapeutic index.
Anupāna (Vehicle): Honey, Milk, Water.
Important Formulations (Kalpa): Ahiphenasava, Nidrodayavati, Karpurarasa, Mahavataraja, Dugdhavati, Akarakarabadivati, Shankhodara.
Notes on Other Parts:
Seeds (Ahiphenabeeja): Madhura-Kashaya Rasa, Madhura Vipaka, Anushna Virya. Balya (strengthening), Vrishya (aphrodisiac), Malasangrahi (binding). Used in diarrhea and as a nutritive galactagogue (Stanyavardhaka) postpartum.
Fruit Skin (Poppy): Used for fomentation in conjunctivitis and traumatic pain.
Contraindications (Nivārita):
Presence of Ama (undigested toxins).
Pregnancy and Lactation: Excreted through placenta and breast milk, adversely affecting the fetus and infant.
Can cause addiction (Vyasana) due to its euphoric effect.
Symptoms of Toxicity (Aśuddha Viṣa Lakṣaṇa): Progressive stages include:
Tandra (stupor) → Nidra (deep sleep) → Sanyasa (coma) → Avasada (depression of vital functions) → Shvasavarodha (asphyxia) → Death.
Cardinal Signs: Constricted pupils (dilate just before death), offensive breath, sweating, depressed respiration, lack of movement. Depression occurs within 4-6 hours; death within 6-12 hours of ingestion.
Antidote & Treatment (Viṣa Chikitsā):
1. Immediate Decontamination: Induce vomiting using Arishtakajala, followed by stomach wash.
2. Chemical Antidote: 0.5 to 1 gm of Potassium Permanganate in 200 ml water.
3. Herbal Antidotes (Agada): Administer water decocted with Hingu, Akshota, Eranda, Karpasabeeja, Banana stem juice, Dronapushpi, Nimba, and Patalagarudi.
4. Supportive Therapy: Administer Ghrita (ghee) and Suvarna Bhasma. Rub Sarshapa (mustard) powder on hands and feet. Give strong coffee. Do not allow the patient to sleep.
Chemical Composition:
Primary Alkaloids (18): Morphine, Codeine, Thebaine, Narcotine, Papaverine, Nascopine, etc.
Secondary Alkaloids (8): Apomorphine, Apocodeine, etc.
Other Constituents: Lactic acid, resin, fat, glucose, volatile oil, ammonia, calcium, magnesium.
Research Notes: Not explicitly mentioned in the source text.