Article by Dr Raghuram Y.S. MD (Ay) & Dr Manasa, B.A.M.S

Pragbhakta is one among the many ‘aushadha sevana kala’ i.e. time for taking drugs.

Pragbhakta / Prakbhakta = Prak + Bhakta

–        Prak = earlier than,

–        Bhakta = meals

So, within the case of Pragbhakta Aushadha Sevana Kala, the drugs is run earlier than consuming the meals. This additionally implies that the individual / affected person is on an empty abdomen when the drugs is consumed.

Synonyms

Pragbhakta additionally has different names. They’re –

–        Purvabhakta = Purva + Bhakta = earlier than + meals – the that means is identical as Pragbhakta, the phrase Prak has been changed by Purva (Prak = Purva = earlier than)

–        Bhaktadau = Bhakta + Adau = meals + initially of, the that means being identical as Pragbhakta, the phrases have swapped their locations and the phrase prak has been changed by ‘adau’ each of which imply the identical.

–        Annadau + Anna + Adau – offers the identical that means as Bhaktadau, the phrase bhakta has been changed by anna (bhakta = anna = meals).

Understanding Pragbhakta Aushadha Sevana Kala / Annakala

When is the drugs administered in ‘Pragbhakta’?

As already talked about, the drugs in Pragbhakta is run earlier than meals / meals whereby the individual is ‘empty abdomen’.

Even in Abhakta Aushadha Sevana Kala, the drugs is given earlier than meals. The distinction is Abhakta is given early within the morning, when the individual is empty abdomen, when there isn’t any dosha exercise within the abdomen and when the affected person isn’t hungry, for robust individuals who can tolerate drugs on empty abdomen.

In Pragbhakta Aushadha, the drugs is given earlier than meals, when the individual is on an empty abdomen, and nearly a couple of minutes earlier than taking meals and never early within the morning. Since this drugs works for apana vata circumstances, although not specified, it could be given earlier than dinner too, since it’s apana kala.

Associated Studying – Pragbhakta vs Abhakta

Wherein a part of the day the drugs is run?

We simply have a reference that this drugs ought to be given earlier than taking meals. There isn’t a specification of early morning. So, it may be given any time earlier than meals, hypothetically i.e. earlier than breakfast, lunch or dinner.

Since this drugs is praised for its motion on apana vata and apana vata issues, an oblique trace is to present the drugs at night time, earlier than dinner, which is claimed to be a time of exercise of apana vata i.e. apana kala. It’s also an excellent ‘vata time’.

Why ought to drugs be given presently? Dosha relation

For the reason that drugs is taken earlier than meals on empty abdomen, the drugs will get completely digested by the motion of agni. No a part of the drugs is expelled with out being digested. So, there’s correct and complete utilization of drugs in Pragbhakta administration.

Although there isn’t any direct indication when this drugs must be given, earlier than breakfast, lunch or dinner, it may be generalized that it may be given earlier than any meal. However the therapeutic indications say that it’s best for balancing apana vata and apana vata issues and likewise to remedy the illnesses of the decrease elements of the physique. That is yet one more clue for customizing such a medicine for night, earlier than dinner.

The medication is taken earlier than meals. So, the individual takes the drugs. The medication comes into contact with agni. The agni begins digesting the drugs. Now the individual eats meals. The meals prevents regurgitation of drugs again into the meals pipe (oesophagus) and mouth. As a result of meals being above the drugs, the drugs will get a very good time of retention within the abdomen for it to get digested utterly. This helps in optimum use of drugs. Acharya Kashyapa says that the drugs given as Pragbhakta, destroys the doshas current within the amashaya – abdomen. So, it’s also a finest drugs for native doshas i.e. Kledaka Kapha, Samana Vata and Pachaka Pitta. Since ama is shaped after taking meals and the drugs stays for a very long time within the abdomen, the ama (as pachana) and ama associated illnesses too could be focused utilizing Pragbhakta drugs.

Medication taken as Pragbhakta might be digested with out affecting the energy of the individual. So, it won’t trigger bala kshaya i.e. deterioration of energy.

Indications and advantages of Abhakta

Optimum utilization of drugs – Pragbhakta drugs might be used optimally with out being expelled because it comes into contact with agni immediately and is pressed by meals, which permits its most retention within the abdomen.

Absorption – The absorption and utilization of this drugs too might be optimum and its therapeutic motion on desired doshas and illnesses as effectively.

Prevents drugs regurgitation and expulsion – Individuals are reluctant in the direction of taking bitter and astringent tasting medicines. Aside from not being palatable, the drugs retains regurgitating into the mouth. For people who find themselves acutely aware about this, if drugs must be given on an empty abdomen, pragbhakta would be the perfect time of administration. Since, after consumption of meals, the drugs is enveloped by meals, the drugs isn’t expelled even in a downward path simply.

Fast digestion and motion of drugs – In line with Acharya Sushruta, the drugs taken as Pragbhakta undergoes shigra vipaka i.e. rapidly will get digested and the post-digestion impact can be quick and so is its motion. So, pragbhakta is a fast appearing drugs.

Weight Discount in Sthoulya, Medoroga – This time of administration of drugs is right to attain weight reduction for individuals who are concentrating on it. So, weight problems and weight improve circumstances primarily having their origin from extreme kapha improve and depletion of agni within the abdomen are perfect circumstances to be tackled with Pragbhakta drugs. So, it’s the finest in treating medoroga, sthoulya and medovaha sroto dushti janya rogas i.e. illnesses brought on as a consequence of contamination of fats forming and conveying channels within the physique and illnesses arising out of this.

Weight / Bulk promotion in Krishanga – Pragbhakta medicines can embody medicines focused to extend weight in emaciated people. This drugs by bettering the general well being of amashaya and agni, by balancing the doshas therein and likewise destroying the morbid doshas therein, will allow correct digestion of meals and correct absorption and distribution of vitamins.

Medicines for Apana Vata Dushti – Medicines concentrating on apana vata imbalance, illnesses brought on as a consequence of apana vata aggravation ought to be administered Pragbhakta. For the reason that drugs acts on apana vata, it may be readily administered in circumstances like gudagata vata and pakvashayagata vata whereby aggravated vata is localized in anus (rectum) and colon respectively, i.e. within the zone of apana vata.

Medicines for abdomen doshas, ama and agni – The medicines for balancing samana vata, kledaka kapha and pachaka pitta ought to be used pragbhakta. Ama pachana and Dipana medicines might also be deliberate to be given presently.

Illnesses occurring within the decrease portion / elements of the physique – Most illnesses of the decrease elements of the physique are brought on by apana vata imbalance. By correcting the apana vata imbalance and likewise by strengthening the decrease elements of the physique, pragbhakta drugs would remedy the illnesses therein.

For strengthening the decrease parts of the physique – Pragbhakta medicines are recognized to strengthen the decrease elements of the physique. So, it ought to be deliberate whereby there’s lack of energy within the pelvis, pelvic organs and decrease limbs as a consequence of lengthy standing sickness or every other circumstances. This reveals that the medicines given in Pragbhakta template, has a balya function and it enhances the energy of muscle tissue, bones and joints within the decrease elements of the physique. That is additionally because of the apana vata balancing impact of pragbhakta aushadha.

Different indications – Acharya Sushruta says that (Su.Ut.64/69) pragbhakta drugs ought to be given to aged individuals, youngsters, women and cowards who do not need good tolerance for medicines.

Some illnesses which could be cured by medicines administered as Pragbhakta

Pragbhakta medicinal timing could be thought-about within the under talked about circumstances –

–        Illnesses of the abdomen and digestive issues – like ajirna, agnimandya, amashayagata vata amajirna and many others.

–        Illnesses of the colon / rectum and anus – Gudagata vata, Pakvashayagata Vata, Arshas – piles, Udavarta – upward motion of vata, Atopa – gurgling sounds within the intestines, Anaha – flatulence and constipation, Adhmana – distension of stomach, Jirna Atisara and Pravahika – continual diarrhoea and dysentery and many others.

–        Pelvic inflammatory illnesses

–        Illnesses of the urinary bladder – Mutraghata – urinary obstruction, Mutrakrichra – dysuria and many others.

–        Illnesses of genital system – erectile dysfunction, untimely ejaculation, and many others.

–        Gynaecological issues – dysmenorrhea, menorrhagia and many others.

–        Weak point and fatigue within the decrease limbs, related to circumstances like hemiplegia, arthritis and many others

–        Lack of muscle bulk within the decrease limbs and round pelvis

–        Low again ache of continual nature

–        Weight problems and extreme weight achieve, illnesses of fats associated channels and errors of fats metabolism, Hypothyroidism and many others.

–        Emaciation, extreme lack of weight

References

–        Ashtanga Sangraha Sutra Sthana, Chapter 23 (23/15)

–        Sushruta Samhita Uttara Sthana, Chapter 64 (64/67)

–        Charaka Samhita Chiktsa Sthana, Chapter 30 (30/299)

–        Sharangadhara Samhita Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 2 (2/5)

–        Kashyapa Samhita Khila Sthana (Ka. Sam.  Khi.Sth.3/44)