Ayurvedic answer to skin problems
If you get a patient with skin problems, what is the first dravya that would come to your mind? This is one of the questions our professor asked us. In love with the subject of dravya guna, Dr P R Swaminathan went on to explain about the tree called Acacia catechu—Khadira in Sanskrit and Karanagalli in Tamil. (Not to be confused with Karungali or ebony).
The professor went on to expatiate how Khadira is the first drug of choice for most skin ailments. It is fascinating how our siddhars classified trees and herbs depending on their properties and action. Charaka was a master at this and he had 50 types of Maha Kashayams based on the guna of the drug and the conditions they addressed. In addition to those drugs which deal with skin diseases, there are other dravyas or drugs that deal with everything from complexion-promoters to purgatives to thirst-quenchers to anti-diuretics. There is even a group of drugs that affect the colour of the foetus.
How did the siddhars gain such depth of understanding of various herbs and trees? Almost everything they have said about herbals is borne out by modern-day research. Anyway, getting back to Acacia catechu, it is called Kutch tree and has many synonyms in Sanskrit. Kadira means something that cures diseases and brings stability to the body. Dantadhavana is something that is useful as a toothbrush. The wood of this tree is used in yajnas and hence, it is called yajniya. It is called kantaki because it is a thorny tree and balapatra as it has small leaves.
One important formulation of Acacia catechu is Khadiradi Arishtam. Made from the heartwood of Acacia catechu and Cedrus deodara, it is prescribed by ayurvedic physicians for all types of chronic skin diseases, including psoriasis. Regarded as a great blood purifier, it helps clear acne and pimples. It is used in the treatment of vitiligo and other skin diseases, which affect pigmentation. Since it is an arishtam, it should not be taken by people of pitta prakriti, those who have ulcers or a burning sensation in the body. Dosage is 10 ml twice a day with equal amount of warm water. Ingredients include many of the dravyas indicated by Charaka in his listing of herbs that help in alleviating skin problems. Thus we have Devadaru (Cedrus deodara) and Bakuchi seeds (Psoralea corylifolia). In addition, we have Amalaki (Emblica officinalis), Haritaki (Terminalia chebula) and Nagakesara (Mesua ferrea) etc. This arishtam is alcoholic in nature and will warm you up on a cold winter evening.
Khadiradi vati made from the same Acacia catechu is a small gutika which is used to treat coughs and colds, and is quite effective. So from skin diseases to respiratory problems, khadiradi is a versatile drug. It is even prescribed by physicians for treatment of diabetic carbuncles. Another tree useful for treating skin diseases is Aragwadhadi (Cassia fistula), also known as Sara Kondra in Tamil. It is also called Syonaka in Sanskrit because of its pretty yellow cascading blossoms. Aragwadhadi kashayam is recommended for itching, urticaria, scabies and other skin diseases. Who would have thought that a tree with golden yellow flowers would help in treating something as common as skin diseases? The pulp of the fruit pod is a great purgative. How do you think our siddhars figured all this out?
The writer is retired Additional Chief Secretary of Tamil Nadu. She can be reached at sheelarani.arogyamantra@gmail. com/arogyamantra.blogspot.com