SHYAMA TRIVRUT, A LESS KNOWN BUT FREQUENTLY USED DRUG IN AYURVEDIC CLASSICS: A REVIEW

Abstract

Trivrut is widely used herbal drug in Ayurveda, reported best among laxative drugs (Rechana Dravya). Shyama, Shukla, Aruna, Trivrut, Mahashyama are the terms used to describe variety of Trivrut. Shyama variety is accepted by most of the seers of Ayurveda and authors of Nighantu (lexicon). Though a chapter namely Shyamatrivrut Kalpadhyaya has been described in Charaka samhita, its botanical equivalent is still the matter of debate. In this article, an attempt has been made, to collect the information regarding to Shyama Trivrut from 18 classical texts including Samhitas, Samgraha granthas and available ten Nighantus. Critical analysis of the compiled data showed that, 29 synonyms were attributed to Shyama, it is described in 7 different Varga (group of drugs) and posses Katu Rasa, Ushna Virya, Tikshna Guna as its pharmaco-dynamics properties. Maximum number of formulations are reported for their indication in Gulma (abdominal lump) followed by, Jwara (fever), Prameha (diabetes), Raktapitta (bleeding disorder) Udara (abdominal disorders), etc in different dosage form like Churna, Kwatha, Ghruta, Taila, Lepa etc.

Headnote

ABSTRACT

Trivrut is widely used herbal drug in Ayurveda, reported best among laxative drugs (Rechana Dravya). Shyama, Shukla, Aruna, Trivrut, Mahashyama are the terms used to describe variety of Trivrut. Shyama variety is accepted by most of the seers of Ayurveda and authors of Nighantu (lexicon). Though a chapter namely Shyamatrivrut Kalpadhyaya has been described in Charaka samhita, its botanical equivalent is still the matter of debate. In this article, an attempt has been made to collect the information regarding to Shyama Trivrut from 18 classical texts including Samhitas, Samgraha granthas and available ten Nighantus. Critical analysis of the compiled data showed that, 29 synonyms were attributed to Shyama, it is described in 7 different Varga (group of drugs) and posses Katu Rasa, Ushna Virya, Tikshna Guna as its pharmaco-dynamics properties. Its purgative action is more potent than other variety of Trivrut and explained with undesirable effect. Though, it has been advised to use with cautious, it is reported in near about 190 formulations among which 153 and 32 are for internal and external use respectively. Maximum number of formulations are reported for their indication in Gulma (abdominal lump) followed by, Jwara (fever), Prameha (diabetes), Raktapitta (bleeding disorder) Udara (abdominal disorders), etc. in different dosage form like Churna, Kwatha, Ghruta, Taila, Lepa etc.

KEYWORDS: Trivrut, Shyama Trivrut, Ayurveda, Virechana, Operculina petaloidea, Ipomoea petaloidea

INTRODUCTION

Since ages Trivrut is an important and frequently used herbal drug in Ayurveda. It is considered as the best among laxative dugs. (Acharya YT, 2011). Complete chapter namely Shyamatrivrut Kalpadhyaya has been described in Charakasamhita (Acharya YT, 2011). Its Root bark, root and leaves have medicinal values. (Acharya YT, 2011). There is different opinion regarding its variety in the classical text of Ayurveda. Most of the authors considered two variety namely Shyama and Aruna, (Acharya YT, 2011) or Shyama and Shukla (Mishra Brahmashankar, 2007), Mahashyama as third variety is accepted in Sushruta samhita. (Acharya YT, 2009). Among these varieties, Shyama has been advised to be used precautiously. Its therapeutic properties and actions have made it useful in many disease conditions. Part use, pharmacological properties and actions, side effects along with indications and contraindications of Shyama Trivrut have been systematically recorded in Samhitas (treatise) as well as Samgraha Granthas (compendia). It is being used either as a single drug or an ingredient of compound formulations. In the present review article attempt has been made to compiled information pertaining to Shyama Trivrut including formulations from different classical texts and present in systemic manner.

MATERIAL AND METHODS:

In the Ayurvedic classical texts, the word Shyama has been used as a synonym for the description of as many as twenty drugs like Shyamalata, Priyangu, Bakuchi, Krushna, Nilika, Guggula, Somalata, Gundra, Guduchi, Vanda, Kasturi, Vatapatri, Pippali, Haridra, Niladurva, Tulasi, Padmabija, Vruddhadaruka, Krushnasariva, Shimshapa etc. (Shaligram, 2004). In the present review article, Shyama, denoting variety of Trivrut by the authors or the commentators was referred only. Total 18 books i.e various available Samhitas (treaties), Samgraha Granthas (compendia) including Bharata bhaishajya ratnakara were scrutinized for the formulations containing Shyama as an ingredient. The synonyms, properties and actions were compiled from various available Samhitas and Nighantus (lexicons) and different dictionaries were referred for the interpretation of synonyms (William Monnier, 2007) (Apte Vaman, 2009). All the compiled data were arranged systematically and presented alphabetically with their respective Panchavidha Kashaya Kalpana (dosage form), Adhikara (prime indication) and internal or external mode of administration, in a tabular form.

RESULT AND DISCUSSION:

Critical analysis of the obtained result from the compiled data shows that, among different variety of Trivrut, Shyama was accepted as a variety in Samhita as well as in Nighantu Granthas. Total 29 synonyms have been coined and attributed to Shyama Trivrit in different ten available lexicon for the description of its morphological characters, properties and action (Table No1). On the basis of reported synonyms it is presumed that, it is a prostrate with spreading nature, can be found in town. Leaf are similar to lentil gram leaf with lunar base, flowers with dark colour or copper colour, winged stem and dark colour roots. Others synonyms elucidate protecting action against diseases and purgative nature of plant. But still, authenticated botanical source for this drug is controversial. Lettsomia atrepurpurea (Convolvulaceae) (William Dymock, 2005), Operculina turpethum, Ipomoea petaloidea (Convolvulaceae) (Khare C P, 2000) are some of the botanical source drug, considered as source for Shyama by different authors. Common synonyms like Trivrut, Sarala, Kalmeshi, Kalindi etc are attributed to the different varieties of Trivrut may suggest two different species from same family.

Classification:

Classical texts of Ayurveda and Nighantus (lexicons) classified the drugs according to their properties, actions, uses and morphological characters of plant. Shyama has been categories under various Vargas (group of drugs) like Mulini Varga (group of roots) (Acharya YT, 2011), Mulasava (group of alcoholic preparations of root) (Acharya YT, 2011), Virechana Dravya (Acharya YT, 2011), Adhobhagahara Varga (group of purgatives), Shakavarga (group of vegetables) (Sharma Shivaprasad, 2008) Shyamadi Gana (group of drugs where Shyama is considered as the first drug), Eksara Gana (Acharya YT, 2009) etc.

Shyama is having Katu Rrasa, Ushna Virya, pacifies Kapha Dosha, indicated in Udara (diseases of the abdomen), Jwara (fever), Krumi (worm infestation), Pleeha (spleen disorder), Pandu (anemia) and Shopha (oedema) (Tripathi Hariprasad, 2008). Its properties have been explaind as Hinaguna /less effective as compare to other variety of Trivrut (Mishra Brahmashankar, 2007). It has been advised to use only in Krurakoshthi and in Bahudoshavastha (vitiated dosha) Properties and action of Shyama have been explained with some side effect/drastic effect (Table No 2).

To avoid these undesirable effects, it has been advised to fry the roots in oil, before use to minimize its potency (Tiwari Premavati, 2007). It is used, both internally as well as externally, in various dosage forms such as Kwatha (decoction), Churna (powder), Taila (oil), Ghruta (clarified butter/ ghee), Lepa (paste), Varti (suppositories), Rasakalpa (mercurial preparation), Vati (tablet), Modaka (solid dosage form), Kshirapaka (medicated milk) etc. Following table (Table No.3) shows the compiled formulation from different books.

Shyama is being used as an ingredient in near about 190 formulations used in different diseased conditions. Among them 153 and 32 for internal and external use respectively and 5 formulations are having both internal and external uses. Maximum number of formulations i.e (12) is being used in Gulma(abdominal lump), followed by 11 in Jwara (fever), Kushtha (skin disease), 8 in Prameha (diabetes), Raktapitta (bleeding disorder) and 6 in the Udara (abdominal disorders), Shotha (oedema), 5 in Arsha (piles), Amavata (rheumatoid arthritis), Kshudraroga (skin diseases), Netraroga (eye diseases), Balroga (pediatrics disorders), Udavarta (Condition in which threre is upward movement of Vayu), 4 in Striroga (gyanaecological disorders) and Vatavyadhi (diseases of joints). Among the different formulations maximum number of formulations were Churna (powder) 40, followed by Kwatha (decoction) 38, Ghruta (clarified butter) 33, Taila (oil)19, Lepa (paste) 16, Kshirapaka and Rasakalpa 7, Modaka 5, Varti (suppositories) and Vati (tablet)4.

Among the Bruhatrayi (Charaka samhita, Sushruta samhita, Astanga samgraha) maximum number of formulations were observed in Ashtanga samgraha 18, followed by Charakasamhita 15 and Sushruta samhita 11. Seven formulations have been reported in Ashtangahrudaya. Among the Laghutrayi (Bhavprakasha, Sharangdharasamhita, Madhavanidana) and other Chikitstagranthas, maximum formulations were observed in Gadanigraha 34, followed by Vangasena 32, Kashyapasamhita 12, Yogaratnakara 11, Vrundamadhava 7, Bhelasamita 6, Bhavprakasha 5, Sharangadhara 3. Bharata bhashajyaratnakara has reported 12 formulation of Shyama Trivrut.

CONCLUSION

Dedication of a chapter (Shyamatrivrut Kalpadhyaya) in the Charaka samhita and inclusion of the drug Shyamatrivrut in different Ganas (group of drugs) in the classical texts, denotes the importance of Shyamatrivrut. Classical texts of Ayurveda described Shyama as a variety of Trivrut with potent purgative action. Shyama is attributed with same pharmacological properties of Trivrut but should be used under medical supervision due to its undesirable effects. To minimize its potency and Tikshana Guna, it has been advised to fry it in oil. About 190 formulations contain Shyama as an ingredient and used both internally and externally in 17 different dosage forms and indicated in more than 45 diseased conditions like Gulma (Abdominal lump), Jwara (fever), Udara (abdominal disorders), Krumi (worm infestation), Pandu (anemia) etc. Though highlighted for its adverse effects this drug is also indicated in the management of Striroga (gynecological diseases) and Balaroga (pediatrics diseases). Basing upon the synonyms and vernacular names Operculina petaloidea Ooststr. Synonym Ipomoea petaloidea may be considered as the botanical source of Shyama Trivrut.

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Cite this article:

Kolhe Rasika. H., Acharya R., (2013), SHYAMA TRIVRUT, A LESS KNOWN BUT FREQUENTLY USED DRUG IN AYURVEDIC CLASSICS: A REVIEW, Global J Res. Med. Plants & Indigen. Med., Volume 2(11): 772-784

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Source of Support: Nil Conflict of Interest: None Declared