Role of General Principles of AGAD Tantra in Diagnosis and Management of Toxicological Conditions – A Comprehensive Review
Keywords:
Agad Tantra, Visha, Visha Lakshana, Detoxification, Environmental Toxicity, Ayurveda, Poisoning, RasayanaAbstract
Agad Tantra, a specialized branch among the eight clinical divisions of Ayurveda, focuses on the study, diagnosis, and management of poisons (Visha) originating from animate, inanimate, and artificial sources. In the contemporary era, the burden of toxicological conditions has surged significantly due to increased exposure to environmental pollutants, pesticide residues, adulterated food, heavy metals, and pharmaceutical drugs. These toxic agents contribute to a wide spectrum of acute and chronic disorders, necessitating integrative approaches to their diagnosis and management.Classical Ayurvedic texts meticulously describe the origin, classification, symptomatology, and therapeutic modalities related to various toxins through concepts such as Visha Utpatti (origin of toxins), Visha Lakshana (clinical features of poisoning), and Shodhana-Upashaya (detoxification and treatment). The principles of Dushi Visha, Garavisha, and Jangama-Sthavara Visha in Agad Tantra offer profound insight into the understanding of slow-acting, compound, and natural poisons, respectively. These principles can be reinterpreted in the context of modern toxicology, providing a foundation for early detection, differential diagnosis, and individualized detoxification therapies.Therapeutic measures in Agad Tantra include the use of Agada Yogas (antidotal formulations), Shodhana Chikitsa (purificatory therapies like Vamana, Virechana, Basti), and Rasayana (rejuvenation) for recovery and immunity enhancement. This review aims to consolidate the general principles of Agad Tantra and analyze their applicability in modern clinical toxicology, proposing a synergistic model that blends ancient wisdom with contemporary scientific insights. Such integrative approaches have the potential to offer holistic, safe, and sustainable solutions in managing toxicological challenges of the present age
Downloads
References
Sharma PV. Charaka Samhita (Vol. I). Chaukhambha Orientalia; 2008. Sutrasthana, Ch. 1.
Tripathi I. Charaka Samhita (Vol. II). Chaukhambha Surbharati Prakashan; 2006. Kalpasthana 1/3.
Sushruta. Sushruta Samhita. Edited by Kaviraj Kunjalal Bhishagratna. Vol. II. Chowkhamba Sanskrit Series; 2005.
Ghanekar BG. Raj Nighantu. Meharchand Lachhmandas Publications; 1982. Visha Varga.
Srikantha Murthy K. Bhavaprakasha Nighantu. Chaukhambha Krishnadas Academy; 2005. Visha Adhikara.
Sharma S. Kashyapa Samhita. Chowkhamba Sanskrit Series Office; 2000.
Dash B, Sharma R. Agada Tantra. Chowkhamba Sanskrit Series; 2013.
WHO. Environmental Health Criteria: Principles for Evaluating Health Risks. Geneva: WHO; 2006.
Singh RH. Panchakarma Therapy. Chaukhambha Orientalia; 2007.
Kaur G, Alam MS, Athar M. Curcumin and Triphala: Mechanisms in Heavy Metal Detoxification. Environ Toxicol Pharmacol. 2014;37(2):525–30.
Mukherjee PK. Rasayana Therapy in Ayurveda: Molecular Approach. J Ethnopharmacol. 2015;158:479–89.
Sharma V, Dandiya PC. Ayurvedic Management of Metal Toxicity. Indian J Pharmacol. 2010;42(3):139–46.
Dey P, Chattopadhyay S. Neem and Lead-Induced Toxicity. J Basic Clin Physiol Pharmacol. 2016;27(3):225–33.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
You are free to:
- Share — copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format
- Adapt — remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially.
Terms:
- Attribution — You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use.
- No additional restrictions — You may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from doing anything the license permits.
