A Critical Review on Drakshadi Agada

Abstract

Agadatantra, one among the eight branches of Ayurveda deals with various type of toxic substances like inanimate, animate, concocted and delayed toxicities even from environmental pollution as well. Among the animate or animal poisons, snakebite poisoning is more common and significant as the condition requires emergency care. Snakebite is a neglected public health issue in many tropical and subtropical countries. Snake venom is a heterogenous and complex mixture of proteins, amino acids, lipids, carbohydrates, metal ions and other compounds. Depending on the snake, type of venom and the amount of venom delivered, snake venom produces a number of effects on human beings. Many Agada yogas have been mentioned in the classical text books for the management of Sarpa visha. Drakshadi agada is one such formulation mentioned by Acharya Susruta in Susruta Samhita Kalpa sthana 5^th chapter in the context of Mandali visha chikitsa. An attempt is made here to analyze the probable mode of action of Drakshadi agada in Mandali visha.