AMLA SKANDHA OF CHARAK SAMHITA: A CRITICAL REVIEW

Introduction: In Ayurveda Rasa i.e., taste of a drug plays a very important role. Total six tastes are depicted in Ayurveda are Madhura (sweet), Amla (Sour), Lavana (Salty), Katu (Pungent), Tikta (Bitter)and Kashaya (Astringent). The principles of pharmacology of Ayurveda clearly mentions that taste of drug contributes to the action of drug. The action of drug starts from mouth and amla rasa i.e., sour taste has a significant role in creating interest in food. In Charaksamhita the drugs are classified in six groups based on Rasa. Amlaskandhas is one group out of six.
Material and Method: The dravya enlisted in amlaskandha were looked for their properties and actions in Vegetable drugs in Bruhattrayi, Bhavprakash Nighantu, Nighantu Adarsh Vaidya (2013) Then the contemporary research papers were surveyed for the pharmacological actions of dravya. The data compiled was critically analysed and presented in tabular form for making the skandhas more applicable practically.
Result and Discussion: There are total 32 dravya in Amla skandhas. all dravyas have actions like Deepan and Ruchikara i.e., they are enhancing appetite and increasing interest in food .15 Dravya out of 32 were found to be rich Source of Vitamin C.