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A CONCEPTUAL NOTE ON VISHAGHNA LEPA
Kalyanimath Gurusiddeshwar.J. H.T Chaitra
Dept. of Agada Tantra and vyavahara Ayurveda. SDM College of Ayurveda and Hospital, Thanniruhalla, Hassan
Karnataka, India
INTRODUCTION
The goal of medicine is to prevent
disease, restore health and reduce suffering.
Sufferings can be both external and internal;
the external sufferings may be in the form of
pain, rashes, inflammation, various skin le-
sions etc... Understanding and appropriately
treating these external sufferings is an im-
portant component of this goal. In contem-
porary science analgesics are given in the
form of topical applications, is said to pro-
vide the therapeutic benefits by reaching the
local tissue with minimal side effects. In
Ayurveda the topical applications are known
as Lepas and this comes under the broad
heading of Bahiparimarjana Chikitsa
1
. Skin
is the largest protective barrier in the body
which prevents invasion of microorganisms,
toxins and foreign substances in the body.
The main area of Bahiparimarjana Chikitsa
is Twak and the treatments like Lepa, Ab-
hyanga, Swedana, Parisheka, Unmardana
etc. according to disease are known as Bahi-
parimarjana Chikitsa.
The Vishaghna lepas are those which
nullifies the harmful or poison effects from
the sthavara ,jangama and krutrima visha.
The term Dooshivisha is of much impor-
tance now a day as it implies latent or resi-
dual poisons. In all vishachikitsa Lepas are
considered as first and prime treatment as-
pect, so in this article an effort is made to
explore those lepas which are explained un-
der visha Chikitsa and their use and precau-
tions while using them.
Definition of Lepa
The medicines that are in the form of a paste
and used for external application are called
as lepas.
2
Lipta, lepa, lepana, alepa are Syn-
onyms.
Types of Lepa
Sushrutha
3
-Pralepa, Pradeha, Alepa.
Sharangadhara
4
-Doshagna, Vishaghna and
Varnya both categories lepas into 3 separate
varieties and Vagb-
hat
11
Snaihika,Nirvapana,Prasadana,Stam-
bana,Vilayana,Pachana,Peedana,Shodana,S
Review Article International Ayurvedic Medical Journal ISSN:2320 5091
ABSTRACT
Vishaghna lepas are chief contribution of Ayurveda which dealt under Agada tantra to treat vari-
ous poisonous and unknown poisonous conditions and in conditions like Dhoosivisha and Gara-
visha. Ayurveda emphasized on both internal and external remedies to normalize Avasthika and
Sthanika vikaras. Lepas have first importance to cure sthanika vikaras and to prevent further
spreading of diseases. In this paper the importance, mode of application and their action and
some list of Vishaghna Lepa has been explained.
Keywords Vishaghna Lepa ,Dhooshivisha,Garavisha.
Kalyanimath Gurusiddeshwar.J & H.T Chaitra: A Conceptual Note on Vishaghna Lepa
62
www.iamj.in IAMJ: Volume 1; Issue 6; Nov Dec 2013
hoshana and Savarneekarana.
Vishaghna Lepa: Acharya Sharanghad-
har entitled the name Vishaghna lepa. That
which nullifies the poisonous effect is called
Vishaghna Lepa, and it is one among Cha-
turvimshati upakrama according to Cha-
raka. Susruta and Vagbhat also had given
prime importance. In any exposure to Stha-
var or Jangama visha, Doshas get vitiated
and that will be neutralized by vishaghna
lepas. Vishaghna lepa is said to be sheetal in
nature. Acharya Charaka while discussing
the treatment of Kushta tells about impor-
tance of Agada (Vishaghna) yogas as if the
spot (lesion) which is stony hard, rough, sta-
ble and old then one can use Agadayogass
in form of Lepa,Paana,Anjana and Nasya
9
.
General method of prepara-
tion
2:
:The drugs are first made into a fine
powder and then mixed with some liquid
media like water/ cows urine/ oil/
ghee/swarasa/decoction etc. to obtain the
paste form. This paste is applied over the
skin.
Doshagna lepa- Here, the powder has to be
mixed with Aranala (fermented gruel) as the
media.
Visaghna lepa- Here, Ghee mixed with hot
water should be used as the media.
Varnya lepa- Here, lemon juice/ milk should
be used as the media.
Common Rules of application of
Lepa: While applying the lepas, snehas
are said to be added. Their quantity has to be
decided as per the dosha vitiated
5
.The Lepa
should not be applied at night time and left
in situ after drying. It must be removed as
soon as it dries up. Because lepas in wet
state help to cure the diseases and on drying,
they lose their potency and causes the irrita-
tion of the skin
6
.Lepas should be prepared
and used fresh. Lepas should be applied only
once and should not be applied over the pre-
vious one
7
.
Thickness of Lepa: Sushruta has com-
pared the thickness of Lepa to the skin of
buffalo, he says that Pralepa is thinner and
Pradeha is thicker to buffalos skin and in
between is consider as Alepa. Acharya Sha-
ranghadhra says as Doshaghna lepa -1/4
angula,Vishaghna lepa-1/3 angula,Varnya
lepa-1/2 angula
8
.
Possible mode of Action of Lepa:
Lepas are usually applied against the hair
follicular direction, this facilitates the
quicker absorption of the drug potency
through Romakupa(hair roots), swedavahini
(sweat glands) and siramukha (blood ca-
pillaries)
10
. In the Chapter Dhamani Vyaka-
rana Adhyaya Susruta explains Dhamanis
which are Oordhwagata ,Adhogata and Ti-
ryakgata. Here he explains four Tiryakgami
Siras. Out of these four, each divides gradu-
ally hundred and thousand times and thus
become innumerable: by these the body is
covered like network, bound and pervaded
their openings are attached to hair follicles
which carry sweat and replenish rasa inside
and outside (Swedamabhiva-
hanti Rasamchabhitarpayanthi Antharbahi-
scha..) ;through them only the veerya of
Abhyanga, Snana and Lepa dravyas enter
the body after being transformed in skin; the
same also carry the sensation of touch plea-
sant
11
.
The physic-chemical properties of a
drug in a topical dosage form affect that
drugs trans-dermal delivery and topical
bioavailability. The molecules of the for-
mulation after penetrating through the stra-
tum conium and into viable epidermis and
dermis produces its characteristic pharma-
Kalyanimath Gurusiddeshwar.J & H.T Chaitra: A Conceptual Note on Vishaghna Lepa
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cological response through receptors even
before the blood and lymph circulations re-
move it, in which case it may set in a cas-
cade of systemic effects .Though the horny
layer is very impermeable to most chemi-
cals, contributing the rate limiting step in
trans-dermal absorption because of its high
diffusion resistance, providing a small frac-
tional area of 0.1 % only as permeable ap-
pendage shunt route. Besides this route the
drug molecules may penetrate through the
hair follicles and sebaceous glands or
through sweat ducts also and thus helps to
remove or neutralize the toxins in initial
stage only
12
.
Precaution for using Vishaghna
Lepa: The use of anti-poisonous formula-
tion is judicious only when the case is defi-
nitely of poisoning, as if used in poison less
person it may create troubles, hence with all
efforts, poison should be diagnosed, as in
absence of poison the physician might kill
the patient
13
.So diagnosis plays important
role and this precaution strictly follow when
drug has to administered internally.
Agada lepas which are mentioned in Bruhatrayis(in the context of visha Chi-
kitsa) with their reference.
Agada Lepa Mode Of Admin-
istration
Indication Reference
Kakandadiagadalepa Pradeha Sarvakeeta visha Ch.Chi 23/53
Mrutasanjeeevanaaga-
dalepa
Pralepa SarvaVishaghna Ch.Chi 23/58
Gandhahastinamaaga-
dalepa
Lepa Savishavrana/Vishajanya
damstra/Butagraha/visu-
chika/Unmada/apas-
mara/Arsha/Muda-
garbha/kitibha/Switra.
Ch.Chi
23/75-76
Mahagandhahastiaga-
dalepa
Pralepa/Alepa Sarvavishaghna Ch.Chi
23/77-84
Ksharagadalepa Pralepa/Alepa Shota/ Gulma/Arsha/Bha-
gandhar.
Ch.Chi
23/101-104
Khandasharkaralepa Pralepa in vataja-
vishajantudamstra.
Pradeha in pittaja-
vishajantudamstra
Pralepa-vatapradanavi-
shajantudamstr.
Pradeha-pittapradhanavi-
shajantudamstr.
Ch.Chi
23/170-171
Mamsyadiagadalepa Lepa Sarvavishahara/Shotaghna. Ch.Chi 23/90
Kalyanimath Gurusiddeshwar.J & H.T Chaitra: A Conceptual Note on Vishaghna Lepa
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Chandanadiagadalepa Pralepa/Alepa Sarvavishahara Ch.Chi
23/191-192
Ksheeravrukshatvaga-
lepa
Pralepa/Alepa Keetavishajanyashoth/daha/
shoola
Ch.Chi
23/199
Madukadilepa Pralepa/Alepa Loota visha Ch.Chi
23/200-202
Kusumbhapushpaadia-
gadalepa
Pradeha For keeta and lootavishaja-
nyakarnikapatana
Ch.Chi
23/203
Kapotavitaadilepa Pralepa/Alepa Vruschika and manduka
visha
Ch.Chi
23/208-209
Vachadiagadalepa Pralepa /Alepa Sarvavishahara Ch.Chi23/21
4
Vishaghna
lepa(shirisha+nirgundi)
Pralepa/Alepa Sarvavishahara Ch.Su 3/28
ShirishadiAgadalepa Pralepa Hrutapeeda due to visha Su.Ka 1/36
Shyamadiagadalepa Pralepa/Alepa Hasta and Nakha visha Su.Ka 1/37
Chandanadilepa Pralepa Abhyangaja visha Su.Ka 1/53
Chandanagrutadilepa Pralepa Cosmetic induced twakavi-
kara
Su.Ka 1/60-
61
Mahasugandhiagadalepa Pralepa/Alepa Aabharanajnya and Paadu-
kavish
Su.Ka 1/77
Vamsaadiagadalepa Pralepa Loota
/Mushika/Sarpa/Keeta visha
Su.Ka 5/78-
79
Shirisharajanyadiaga-
dalepa
Pralepa Mushika visha Su.Ka 7/33
Kustadiagadalepa Pralepa Keeta visha Su.Ka 8/47
Rajanyadiagadalepa Pralepa/Alepa Keeta visha Su.Ka 8/48
Meshasrungyadiagada- Pralepa/Alepa Manduka visha Su.Ka 8/50
Kalyanimath Gurusiddeshwar.J & H.T Chaitra: A Conceptual Note on Vishaghna Lepa
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lepa
Kumkumadiagadalepa Pralepa/Alepa Satapadi visha Su.Ka 8/49
Shirishatagaraadiaga-
dalepa
Pralepa/Alepa Keeta visha Su.Ka 8/52
Krushnamrutrikalepa Pralepa/Alepa Pippalikadamstra visha Su.Ka 8/55
Arkamooladiagdalepa Pralepa Loota visha Su.Ka 8/102
Chandanarasnaadiaga-
dalepa
Pralepa/Alepa Loota visha Su.Ka 8/103
Padmakadiagadalepa Pralepa/Alepa Loota visha Su.Ka 8/104
Sanjeeviniagadalepa Pralepa /Alepa Sarvavishahara A.S.U 40/46
Murvadichoorna Lepa Garavishajanyatwakaroga A.S.U 40/66
Harenyavadailepa Pralepa/Alepa Garopahatatwacha A.S.U 40/69
Tarunapalashkshara Lepa Twagaroga/gulma A.S.U 40/82
Grutalepa Pralepa /Alepa Sarvavishahara A.S.U 40/88
Chadanashirishalepa Pralepa /Alepa Sarpa visha A.S.U 42/9
Kashmaryadiagadalepa Pralepa /Alepa /
pradeha
Mandalisarpa visha A.S.U 42/20
Ksheerevishatwagalepa Pralep Keeta visha A.S.U 42/30
Dashangalepa Pralepa All type of Keeta visha A.S.U 43/31
Sheerishabeejalepa Pralepa Manduka visha A.S.U 43/34
Vachadilepa Pralepa /Alepa Keeta visha A.S.U 43/35
Tagaradilepa Pralepa Makshika visha A.S.U 43/39
Matulungaamladilepa Pralepa/Alepa Vrushcika visha A.S.U 43/43
Palashabeejadilepa Pralepa /Alepa Vrushcikadamstrashola A.S.U 43/54
Hinguharitaladilepa Pralepa/ alepa Vrushcika visha A.S.U 43/48
Kalyanimath Gurusiddeshwar.J & H.T Chaitra: A Conceptual Note on Vishaghna Lepa
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DISCUSSION
Lepa (Vishaghna) is one of the im-
portant Bahiraparimarjana Chikitsa, which
subsides vitiated doshas locally as well as
deeper situated doshas in the body and pre-
Pippalyadilepa Pralepa Vruschika visha A.S.U 43/50
Paravatashakrutalepa Pralepa /Alepa Vrushikadamstrjanyakandu A.S.U 43/52
Nagaradiagadalepa Pralepa Vrushcika visha A.S.U 43/56
Prapoundikadilepa Pralepa /Alepa Paittikaloota visha A.S.U 44/25
Syhyamadilepa Pralepa Shlaismikalootavisha A.S.U 44/26
Bimbyadilepa Pralepa Vatikaloota visha A.S.U 44/27
Bhodyadilepa Pralepa All type of loota visha A.S.U 44/28
Shirishapadmakadilepa Pralepa Loota visha A.S.U 44/36
Sarpakshichandanadi-
lepa
Pralepa Loota visha A.S.U 44/41
Lakshyarajanyadilepa Pralepa /Alepa Lootavishajanyatwakaroga A.S.U 44/49
Nishapadmakadilepa Pralepa/Alepa Loota visha A.S.U 45/01
Agadhumadilepa Alepa/ Pradeha Lootavishajanyakarneeka A.S.U 46/15
Matulungadilepa Alepa Alarka visha A.S.U 46/48
Lashunadilepa Alepa Alarka visha A.S.U 46/52
Somavalkalalepa Pralepa/ Alepa Alarkajanyanakhadanta vi-
sha
A.S.U 46/61
Bhallatakadiagadalepa Pralepa/Alepa Vicharchika /Dadru/kitibha A.S.U 48/33
Vishadiagadalepa Pralepa/Alepa Switra/Pundarika/Daru-
naka
A.S.U 48/34
Savarikaralepa Pralepa/Alepa Switra A.S.U 48/35
Veeralaangalilepa Pralepa Garpanaarta A.S.U 48/36
Visharasanjanadilepa Pralepa /Alepa Vishajanitadustavrana A.S.U 48/22
Kalyanimath Gurusiddeshwar.J & H.T Chaitra: A Conceptual Note on Vishaghna Lepa
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vents invasion of microorganisms, toxins
and foreign substances in the body.
Most of Vishaghna lepas are Tridoshahara
mainly pittahara (Brajakapitta is situated in
twacha) and due to Ashraya Aashrayibhava
they remove a vitiated Doshas from the
Rakta and acts as Vishaghna. Ghruta mixed
with hot water is best media for Vishaghna
lepas. Ghruta an end product of milk, is an
ideal substance that has a unique action on
the body constituents, it has a beneficial
soothing effect on the unctuous chain
(DhaatuSnehaParamparaa) of the tissues.
And its Sukshmakariguna helps in penetra-
tion of drug in deeper level.
Mode of administration Pralepa/ Alepa
/Pradeha plays very important role in ab-
sorbing a poison. Sushruta has compared the
thickness of Lepa to the skin of buffalo, he
says that Pralepa is thinner and Pradeha is
thicker to buffalos skin ,it means the actual
thickness of the skin buffalo may be attri-
buted as the thickness in between both,
which will be thickness of Alepa. Acharya
Sharanghadhra says as Doshaghnalepa -
1/4angula(0.48cm),Vishaghna lepa-1/3 an-
gula(0.65cm),Varnyalepa-1/2 an-
gula(0.97cm).[1 Angula = 1.95cm , yavoda-
rairangulamastasankya]
8
. Lepa in the Pra-
tiloma direction helps the Oushadha to re-
main there properly and allows it to enter the
romakoopas and thereby potency (veerya) of
dravya entering to svedavahinisrotas and
make the action of the application quick and
effective.
Charakacharya explained importance of
Agada (Vishaghna) lepa in Kustachikitsa, if
the spot which is stony hard, rough
,benumbed, stable and old then one can use
Agadalepas in form of Lepa,Paana,Anjana
and Nasya. By observing all indication of
Vishaghna Lepa , lepas are not only re-
stricted to Twaka vikaras, it supportive to
cure diseases involved in most of other
Srotas.(indicated in Un-
maada,Gulma,Arsha,Mudagarbha,etc.)
CONCLUSION
Vishaghna lepas can also be used in
other aliments other than Visharoga. How-
ever, causative factor for a disease is im-
portant, i.e. history pertaining to Dhooshivi-
sha/ Garavisha is must. All Vishaghna Le-
pas due to their Guna (property) and veerya
(potency) act as Doshaghna Lepa, but all
Doshaghna lepas need not be essentially Vi-
shaghna.Lepa done externally through skin
is only one example, though the Lepas de-
scribed in our texts are effective, Vishaghna
lepas are less used and less known, Know-
ledge of different varieties of Lepas availa-
ble in different forms may help future re-
search scholars and physicians to use it in an
appropriate way.
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CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Kalyanimath Gurusiddeshwar.J.
Dept. of Agada Tantra and vyavahara Ayurveda.
SDM College of Ayurveda and Hospital,
Thanniruhalla, Hassan Karnataka, India
Source of support: Nil
Conflict of interest: None Declared