A A M J Anveshana Ayurveda Medical Journal

A A M J Anveshana Ayurveda Medical Journal www.aamj.in ISSN: 2395-4159 Research Article A Pilot study on Physical Parameters for the analysis of Guru-Laghu, Snigdha-Rūkśa and Śīta-Uśna Guna Sonal Bhola 1 M Paramkussha Rao 2 A b s t r a c t The gunas present in the dravya are indriya grāhya, (acharaya Susruta has described the identification of aśta gunas through indriyas). The Guru-Laghu, Snigdha-Rūkśa and Śīta-Uśna gunas are among aśta gunas and are taken into study. For study 50 noncontroversial drugs are selected. The present study is an attempt to evolve certain parameters to analyse the guru-laghu, snigdha-rūkśa and Śīta-Uśna gunas through simple laboratorial techniques. The data generated in the study were analysed and compared with the gunas mentioned in API. The obtained results are satisfactory and encouraging. Keywords: indriya grāhya, Guru-Laghu, Snigdha-Rūkśa, Śīta-Uśna gunas, parameters etc. 1 PG Scholar, 2 Professor & Head of the Department, Post Graduate Dept of Dravyaguna, S. V. Ayurvedic College, Tirupati. CORRESPONDING AUTHOR Dr. SONAL BHOLA PG Scholar, Post Graduate Dept of Dravyaguna, S. V. Ayurvedic College, Tirupati. Andhra Pradesh Email: drsonalbhola21@gmail.com AAMJ / Vol. 2 / Issue 4 / July August 2016

INTRODUCTION The Guna is one of the components of Rasapanchaka (Rasa, Guna, Vipāka, Vīrya and Prabhāva). Prof. C Dwarkanath has given the term Predicament to Guna. Predicament is the supreme and ultimate genre or class of predicates (it doesn t in the technical sense mean anything like a perplexing or an embarrassing situation). The term guna represents an inseparable predicament of a thing. So, then the nearest equivalent to guna is predicament, which will be used in this context. [i] Etymology - The word guna is derived from the root guna āmantrane (Aapte Sanskrit kosha), capable enough to highlight the ability to attract or to invite towards it. Definition- Acharaya Charaka has given the definition of guna- samvāyi tu niśchestah kāranam gunah (Ch.Su.1/51) i.e., Guna possesses inseparable concomitance, it is the cause and devoid of action. Among 41 gunas- guruvadi gunas are most significant therapeutically present in herbal drugs. These are 20 in no in 2 pairs, each consisting of 10 gunas. These 2 pairs are opposite to each other in therapeutic actions. Out of these 20 gunas, 8 gunas are considered as the most potent or prime gunas (utkriśta gunas) that take part in the action of dravya, which are termed as Vīrya. Acharya Charaka [ii] and Susruta [iii] both have opined these gunas as utkriśta gunas with a little difference:- Table.No.1. Aśta Utkriśta Guna as per Charaka and Susruta Samhita Charaka s Aśta Utkriśta guna Mridu Tīkśna Guru Laghu Snigdha Rūkśa Uśna Śīta OBJECTIVES Susruta s Aśta Utkriśta guna Śīta Uśna Snigdha Rūkśa Vishada Picchila Mridu Tīkśna Till now, no work have been found done on gunas on the basis of pure laboratorial techniques, only subjective parameters have been conducted to evaluate these gunas. To evolve a uniform method and certain parameters to identify guru-laghu, snigdha-rūkśa and Śīta-Uśna gunas. MATERIALS AND METHODOLOGY Drugs mentioned in the table below were used in the study to evaluate parameters of above said gunas- Table.No.2. List of Drugs with Part Used Sr.no DRUG LATIN NAME FAMILY PART USED 1 Āragvadha Cassia fistula Linn. Fabaceae Fruit pulp 2 Asthisamhārka Cissus quadrangularis Linn. Vitaceae Stem 3 Āmalkaī Emblica officinalis Gaertn. Euphorbiaceae Fruit 4 Aśoka Saraca asoca (Roxb.) De Wide Caesalpiniaceae Bark 5 Aśvagandha Withania somnifera Dunal Solanaceae Root 6 Arjuna Terminalia arjuna W.. & A. Combretaceae Tvak 7 Āmra Mangifera indica Linn. Anacardiaceae Seed 8 Bhūmyāmalakī Phyllanthus niruri Hook.f. non Linn. Euphorbiaceae Whole plant 9 Dādima Punica granatum Linn. Punicaceae Fruit Rind 10 Dāruharidra Berberis aristata DC. Berberidaceae Stem Bark 11 Dhānyaka Coriandrum sativum Linn. Apiaceae Fruit 12 Eranda Ricinus communis Linn. Euphorbiaceae Root 13 Gokśura Tribulus terrestris Linn. Zygophyllaceae Fruit 14 GajaPippali Scindapsus officinalis Schott Araceae Fruit 15 Gudūchi Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Miers ex hook.f. & Jhoms. Menispermaceae Stem 16 Harītaki Terminalia chebula Retz. Combretaceae Fruit 17 Haridra Curcuma longa Linn. Scitaminae Rhizome AAMJ / Vol. 2 / Issue 4 / July August 2016 890

Sr.no DRUG LATIN NAME FAMILY PART USED 18 Indrayava Holarrhena antidysenterica Wall. Apocynaceae Seed 19 Jatāmānsi Nardostachys Jatāmānsi DC. Valerianaceae Rhizome 20 Kokilākśa Asteracantha longifolia Nees Acanthaceae Seed 21 Kapikachu Mucuna prurita Hook. Fabaceae Seed 22 Katuki Picrorhiza kurroa Royale ex Benth. Scrophulariaceae Rhizome 23 Kankola Piper cubeba Linn.f. Piperaceae Fruit 24 Kirātatikta Swertia chirata (Roxb. Ex. Flem.) Karst. Gentianaceae Whole plant 25 Kutaja Holarrhena antidysenterica Wall. Apocynaceae Bark 26 Lākśa Laccifer lacca (Kerr) Lacciferidae Niryāsa 27 Manjiśta Rubia cordifolia Linn. Rubiaceae Stem 28 Mārkandika Cassia angustifolia Vahl Fabaceae Leaves 29 Madhusnūhi Smilax glabra Roxb. Liliaceae Tuberous Roots 30 Methika Trigonella foenum graecum Linn. Papilionaceae Seeds 31 Mustā Cyperus rotundus Linn. Cyperaceae Rhizomes 32 Madhunāśini Gymnema sylvestre R. Br. Asclepiadaceae Leaves 33 Nirgundi Vitex negundo Linn. Verbenaceae Leaves 34 Nimba Azadirachta indica A. Juss. Meliaceae Stem Bark 35 Punarnava Boerhaavia diffusa Linn. Nyctaginaceae Root 36 Pippali Piper nigrum Linn. Piperaceae Fruit 37 Rāsnā Alpinia galangal Willd. Zingiberaceae Rhizomes 38 Śatāvarī Asparagus racemosus Willd. Liliaceae Root 39 Śunthi Zingiber officinale Roscoe Zingiberaceae Rhizomes 40 Śveta Jīraka Cuminum cyminum Linn. Apiaceae Fruit 41 Sāriva Hemidesmus indicus R. Br. Asclepiadaceae Root 42 Tejapatra Cinnamomum tamala Nees & Eberm Lauraceae Leaves 43 Tvak Cinnamomum zeylanicum Lauraceae Bark 44 Trivrit Operculina turpethum Silva Manso Convolvulaceae Root 45 Upkunchika Nigella sativa Linn. Ranunculaceae Seeds 46 Varuna Crataeva nurvala Buch.-Ham. Capparidaceae Stem Bark 47 Vibhītaki Terminalia bellirica Roxb. Combretaceae Fruit 48 Vāsā Adhatoda vasica Acanthaceae Leaves 49 Vijayasāra Pterocarpus marsupium Roxb. Fabaceae Stem Bark 50 Yaśtimadhu Glycyrrhiza glabra Linn. Fabaceae Root Procurement of drugs - 1. For the study 50 non-controversial drugs are selected. Drugs are procured from SriniVāsā Mangapuram Ayurvedic pharmacy, Tirupati. 2. All the drugs are identified pharmcognistically in the department of dravyaguna. 3. Procured drugs are dried well and pulverised. 4. Powder of all drugs sieved through 80 no mesh. 5. Powder of all drugs preserved in air tight glass bottles without any preservatives. Acharaya Susruta has given the identification of these eight gunas [iv] Identification of gunas is as follows:- Mridu, Śīta, Uśna- sparśa grāhya Picchila, vishada- chakśu, sparśa grāhya Snigdha, Rūkśa- chakśu grāhya Tīkśna- mukha dukhotpadnāta As Acharaya Susruta has given the physical identification (indriya grāhya) of these eight gunas, this initiates studying and evaluating parameters for identifying gunas through physico-laboratory methods and an attempt has made to evolve certain parameters. AAMJ / Vol. 2 / Issue 4 / July August 2016 891

In the present topic six gunas are taken to analyse their property through following parameters:- Guru - laghu - Drug s Ashing time Snigdha - Rūkśa - Drug s Binding Water Volume (DBWV) Śīta-Uśna - Drug s Solution Diffusing Time (DSDT) The data generated from these parameters were analysed and compared with the gunas mentioned in API. The gunas of fifty drugs taken for this study described in this text is as follows:- Table.no.3. Describing gunas of drugs as per API Sr.no DRUG PART USED GUNA (API) 1 Āragvadha Fruit pulp Guru 2 Asthisamhārka Stem Laghu, Rūkśa, Sara 3 Āmalkaī Fruit Rūkśa, Laghu 4 Aśoka Bark Laghu, Rūkśa 5 Aśvagandha Root Laghu 6 Arjuna Bark Rūkśa 7 Āmra Seed Rūkśa 8 Bhūmyāmalakī Whole plant Laghu, Rūkśa 9 Dādima Fruit Rind Laghu, Snigdha 10 Dāruharidra Stem Bark Rūkśa 11 Dhānyaka Fruit Snigdha, Laghu 12 Eranda Root Guru, Snigdha 13 Gokśura Fruit Guru, Snigdha 14 GajaPippali Fruit Rūkśa 15 Gudūchi Stem Laghu 16 Harītaki Fruit Laghu, Rūkśa 17 Haridra Rhizome Rūkśa 18 Indrayava Seed Laghu, Rūkśa 19 Jatāmānsi Rhizome Laghu 20 Kokilākśa Seed Picchila, Snigdha 21 Kapikachu Seed Guru, Snigdha 22 Katuki Rhizome Rūkśa, Laghu 23 Kankola Fruit Laghu, Tīkśna 24 Kirātatikta Whole plant Rūkśa, Laghu 25 Kutaja Bark Rūkśa, Laghu 26 Lākśa Niryāsa - 27 Manjiśta Stem Guru 28 Mārkandika Leaves Laghu, Rūkśa, Tīkśna 29 Madhusnūhi Tuberous Roots Laghu, Rūkśa 30 Methika Seeds Snigdha 31 Mustā Rhizomes Laghu, Rūkśa 32 Madhunāśini Leaves Rūkśa, Laghu 33 Nirgundi Leaves Laghu 34 Nimba Stem Bark Laghu, Rūkśa 35 Punarnava Root Laghu 36 Pippali Fruit Snigdha, Laghu 37 Rāsnā Rhizomes Guru 38 Śatāvarī Root Guru, Snigdha 39 Śunthi Rhizomes Snigdha, Laghu 40 Śveta Jīraka Fruit Rūkśa 41 Sāriva Root Snigdha, Guru 42 Tejapatra Leaves Picchila, Laghu, Tīkśna 43 Tvak Bark Laghu, Rūkśa, Tīkśna 44 Trivrit Root Rūkśa, Laghu, Tīkśna 45 Upkunchika Seeds Rūkśa, Laghu 46 Varuna Stem Bark Rūkśa, Laghu 47 Vibhītaki Fruit Rūkśa, Laghu 48 Vāsā Leaves Laghu 49 Vijayasāra Stem Bark Laghu, Rūkśa 50 Yaśtimadhu Root Guru, Snigdha A) LABORATORY METHOD FOR IDENTIFYING GURU AND LAGHU GUNA Assessment parameter for guru & laghu guna: - Drugs Ashing Time According to Bhava Prakasha Nighantu guru is Chirapāki - the word chira [v] means long, a delay, or for a long time and the word pāka [vi] means burning, digestion, assimilation etc., i.e, which takes longer time to burn or digest, and Laghu dravya is Shīghrapāki the word shīghra [vii] means quick, speedy, rapid, So Shīghrapāki is that which takes lesser time to burn or digest. Basing on this presumption the following parameter named as Ashing Time is designed. INSTRUMENTS: 1. Heating mantle 2. Silica crucible 3. Holder 4. Glass rod 5. Weighing machine 6. Drug powder 7. Spatula 8. Stop watch ASHING TIME PROCEDURE: 1gm of the dried drug powder sieved through 80 no mesh is collected in a silica crucible of known weight. The crucible along with the powder is kept on Heating Mantle at 100 c temperature continuously in an air still room, until the total powder is burnt and turned into ash. While burning a glass rod is used to shift the powder for uniform burning. Again the crucible with ash is measured on a Digital Balance. The time consumed to turn the drug into ash is measured with the stop clock. The Ashing Time in seconds / 1gm powder is recorded. The values are taken for three times on every powder. AAMJ / Vol. 2 / Issue 4 / July August 2016 892

Data of Ashing Time of Drugs: The data is arranged in ascending order. Table.No.4. Data of Ashing time of 50 drugs Sr.no Drug Part Used Guna (As Per Api) Ashing Time (In Seconds) 1 Śveta Jīraka Fruit Rūkśa 400 2 Vāsā Leaves Laghu 402 3 Mārkandika Leaves Laghu, Rūkśa, Tīkśna 411 4 Dhānyaka Fruit Snigdha, Laghu 414 5 Katuki Rhizome Rūkśa, Laghu 414 6 Punarnava Root Laghu 415 7 Haridra Rhizome Rūkśa 417 8 Madhusnūhi Tuberous Roots Laghu, Rūkśa 420 9 Mustā Rhizomes Laghu, Rūkśa 431 10 Arjuna Tvak Rūkśa 431 11 Trivrit Root Rūkśa, Laghu, Tīkśna 432 12 Tejapatra Leaves Picchila, Laghu, Tīkśna 441 13 Kirātatikta Whole Plant Rūkśa, Laghu 451 14 Tvak Bark Laghu, Rūkśa, Tīkśna 457 15 Gudūchi Stem Laghu 460 16 Āmra Seed Rūkśa 461 17 Eranda Root Guru, Snigdha 477 18 Kutaja Bark Rūkśa, Laghu 480 19 Nimba Stem Bark Laghu, Rūkśa 481 20 Nirgundi Leaves Laghu 485 21 Dāruharidra Stem Bark Rūkśa 487 22 Methika Seeds Snigdha 492 23 Pippali Fruit Snigdha, Laghu 500 24 Bhūmyāmalakī Whole Plant Laghu, Rūkśa 500 25 Jatāmānsi Rhizome Laghu 502 26 Madhunāśini Leaves Rūkśa, Laghu 510 27 Asthisamhārka Stem Laghu, Rūkśa, Sara 511 28 Dādima Fruit Rind Laghu, Snigdha 517 29 Sāriva Root Snigdha, Guru 524 30 Varuna Stem Bark Rūkśa, Laghu 527 31 Gokśura Fruit Guru, Snigdha 541 32 Amalaki Fruit Rūkśa, Laghu 560 33 Vibhītaki Fruit Rūkśa, Laghu 560 34 Upkunchika Seeds Rūkśa, Laghu 565 35 Aśoka Bark Laghu, Rūkśa 574 36 Kankola Fruit Laghu, Tīkśna 612 37 Vijayasāra Stem Bark Laghu, Rūkśa 612 38 Kapikachu Seed Guru, Snigdha 621 39 Rāsnā Rhizomes Guru 645 40 GajaPippali Fruit Rūkśa 663 41 Yaśtimadhu Root Guru, Snigdha 664 42 Harītaki Fruit Laghu, Rūkśa 740 43 Āragvadha Fruit Pulp Guru 784 44 Aśvagandha Root Laghu 784 45 Manjiśta Stem Guru 794 46 Śunthi Rhizomes Snigdha, Laghu 796 47 Kokilākśa Seed Picchila, Snigdha 832 48 Indrayava Seed Laghu, Rūkśa 911 49 Śatāvarī Root Guru, Snigdha 1280 50 Lākśa Niryāsa Snigdha, Laghu, Śīta(As Per B.P.N) Did Not Turn Into Ash, Become Solidified AAMJ / Vol. 2 / Issue 4 / July August 2016 893

Ashing time of the drugs (prepared under uniform conditions) has shown the following observations:- 1. 21 out of 32 laghu dravyas turn into ash below within 506seconds. 2. 8 out of 9 guru dravyas turn into ash at longer time i.e. more than 506seconds. 3. 11 out of 32 laghu dravyas took longer time to turn into ash. 4. 1 out of 9 guru dravyas took lesser time to turn into ash. 5. Out of 50 drugs 8 drugs does not have guru laghu property. Still on the basis of this test, 6 drugs under laghu and 2 drugs under guru guna can be considered. 6. Lākśa is not turned into ash; therefore the ashing time is not estimated. Therefore, this test is appropriate and holds validity to identify guru laghu property by physical test i.e Ashing Time. B) LABORATORY METHOD FOR IDENTIFYING SNIGDHA & RŪKŚA GUNA: Assessment Parameter for Snigdha & Rūkśa Guna: - Drug s Binding Water Volume Method (DBWV) INSTRUMENTS: 1. Drug powder 2. Distilled water 3. Sterilised gloves 4. Glass rod 5. Watch glass 6. Burette PROCEDURE: 1gm of dried drug powder sieved through 80 no mesh is collected in a watch glass. Drops of distilled water are added slowly with a graduated burette to the powder until the powder is turned into dough like lump. The lump should be intact without disintegrating. The water added to that point is measured in ml. Amount of water added to make lump is considered as Drug Binding Water Volume (DBWV). This volume is variable from powder to powder basing on its unknown components. Under controlled temperature and pressure the DBWV value is constant. Thus, this stands as a parameter to identify the Snigdha guna in a drug. The drug which has more snigdha guna is presumed to use less water to get binded. This presumption is based on classical reference. The values are taken for three times on every powder. Snigdhata is the quality which causes adhesion of powder etc. it is a transient property i.e.it exists in jala mahābhūta only (bhūta guna). [viii] Data of Snigdha & Rūkśa Guna: - Drug s binding Water Volume (DBWV) The data is arranged in ascending order. Table.No.5. Data of Drug s Binding Water Volume (DBWV) of 50 drugs Sr.No Drug Part Used Guna (As Per Api) AAMJ / Vol. 2 / Issue 4 / July August 2016 894 Drug s Binding Water Volume - Quantity of Water In 1gm of Powder 1 Indrayava Seed Laghu, Rūkśa 0.3ml 2 Kapikachu Seed Guru, Snigdha 0.4ml 3 Harītaki Fruit Laghu, Rūkśa 0.4ml 4 Kokilākśa Seed Picchila,Snigdha 0.5ml 5 Madhunāśini Leaves Rūkśa, Laghu 0.5ml 6 Śatāvarī Root Guru, Snigdha 0.7ml 7 Āmra Seed Rūkśa 0.8ml 8 Āragvadha Fruit Pulp Guru 0.8ml 9 Lākśa Niryāsa Snigdha, Laghu, Śīta 0.9ml 10 Śunthi Rhizomes Snigdha, Laghu 0.9ml 11 Gokśura Fruit Guru, Snigdha 1.1ml 12 Mārkandika Leaves Laghu, Rūkśa, Tīkśna 1.1ml 13 GajaPippali Fruit Rūkśa 1.2ml 14 Dhānyaka Fruit Snigdha, Laghu 1.3ml 15 Madhusnūhi Tuberous Roots Laghu, Rūkśa 1.4ml 16 Aśvagandha Root Laghu 1.4ml 17 Tvak Bark Laghu, Rūkśa, Tīkśna 1.5ml 18 Vibhītaki Fruit Rūkśa, Laghu 1.5ml 19 Methika Seeds Snigdha 1.6ml

20 Arjuna Tvak Rūkśa 1.6ml 21 Manjiśta Stem Guru 1.6ml 22 Haridra Rhizome Rūkśa 1.7ml 23 Sāriva Root Snigdha, Guru 1.8ml 24 Śveta Jīraka Fruit Rūkśa 1.8ml 25 Asthisamhārka Stem Laghu, Rūkśa, Sara 1.8ml 26 Mustā Rhizomes Laghu, Rūkśa 1.8ml 27 Kankola Fruit Laghu, Tīkśna 1.8ml 28 Dādima Fruit Rind Laghu, Snigdha 1ml 29 Pippali Fruit Snigdha, Laghu 1ml 30 Yaśtimadhu Root Guru, Snigdha 1ml 31 Amalaki Fruit Rūkśa, Laghu 1ml 32 Upkunchika Seeds Rūkśa, Laghu 1ml 33 Varuna Stem Bark Rūkśa, Laghu 2.1ml 34 Punarnava Root Laghu 2.1ml 35 Bhūmyāmalakī Whole Plant Laghu, Rūkśa 2.2ml 36 Vijayasāra Stem Bark Laghu, Rūkśa 2.2ml 37 Gudūchi Stem Laghu 2.3ml 38 Jatāmānsi Rhizome Laghu 2.3ml 39 Nirgundi Leaves Laghu 2.4ml 40 Vāsā Leaves Laghu 2.5ml 41 Eranda Root Guru, Snigdha 2.6ml 42 Dāruharidra Stem Bark Rūkśa 2.6ml 43 Katuki Rhizome Rūkśa, Laghu 2.6ml 44 Rāsnā Rhizomes Guru 2.7ml 45 Aśoka Bark Laghu, Rūkśa 2ml 46 Kirātatikta Whole Plant Rūkśa, Laghu 2ml 47 Kutaja Bark Rūkśa, Laghu 2ml 48 Nimba Stem Bark Laghu, Rūkśa 2ml 49 Tejapatra Leaves Picchila, Laghu, Tīkśna 2ml 50 Trivrit Root Rūkśa, Laghu, Tīkśna 3.1ml Binding water volume of the drugs (prepared under uniform conditions) has shown the following observations:- 1. 12 out of 13 snigdha dravyas took less quantity of water i.e. less than 1.8ml to bind. 2. 15 out of 26 Rūkśa dravyas took more water i.e. more than 1.8ml to bind. 3. 1 out of 13 snigdha dravyas took more quantity of water to bind. 4. 11 out of 26 Rūkśa dravyas took less quantity of water to bind. 5. Out of 50 dravyas 11 dravyas does not have snigdha Rūkśa guna but however the result of the test of these dravyas are recorded and given in the table. Basing on the results it can be said that binding water volume method stands as a new parameter for the confirmation of snigdha Rūkśa guna. C) LABORATORY METHOD FOR IDENTIFYING ŚĪTA AND UŚNA GUNA: Assessment Parameter for Śīta and Uśna Guna: - Drug s Solution Diffusing Time (DSDT) Śīta guna causes resistance in the movement of shonitadi dhatus whereas on the contrary Uśna guna causes movement (spreading) of rasadi dhatus. Uśna has gati pravartika property. On the basis of above quotation the parameter is evolved. INSTRUMENTS: 1. Drug powder 2. Beakers 3. Glass slide 4. Whatman s filter paper 5. Stop watch 6. Distilled water 7. Glass rod 8. Watch glass AAMJ / Vol. 2 / Issue 4 / July August 2016 895

PROCEDURE: 1gm of dried drug powder sieved through 80 no mesh is collected in a beaker. Add 10 ml of distilled water to the powder. The powder and water in beaker is stirred with a glass rod for 30 minutes. The beaker is kept in controlled conditions of temperature and pressure. The drug and water mixture is passed through a filter paper to get the drug solution. A clean glass slide is taken enrapped with Whatman s filter paper strip. Place the unit vertically in the beaker containing drug solution. Note the movement of the drug solution over the full length of enrapped filter paper. The time in the beginning and at the complete stoppage of the diffusion on the filter paper is recorded. The time taken for the complete diffusion in seconds is taken as a parameter. It varies from powder to powder. The values are taken for three times on every powder. This amount of time is considered as Drug s Solution Diffusing Time (DSDT). The method is based on the presumption that the hot substances spread faster due to gati pravartika effect as said in the classical reference commentary on Su.Su.46 D) DATA OF ŚĪTA - UŚNA PROPERTY: - DRUG S SO- LUTION DIFFUSING TIME (DSDT) The data is arranged in ascending order. Sr. No Table.No.6. Data of Drug s Solution Diffusing Time (DSDT) of 50 drugs Drug Part Used Vīrya (As Per Api) 1 Nirgundi Leaves Uśna 405 2 Tvak Bark Uśna 414 3 Rāsnā Rhizomes Uśna 418 4 Gokśura Fruit Śīta 421 5 Dāruharidra Stem Bark Uśna 457 6 Śunthi Rhizomes Uśna 494 7 Kutaja Bark Śīta 504 8 Āmra Seed Śīta 522 9 Haridra Rhizome Uśna 523 10 Methika Seeds Uśna 539 11 Gudūchi Stem Uśna 585 12 Vijayasāra Stem Bark Uśna 589 13 Tejapatra Leaves Uśna 602 14 Upkunchika Seeds Uśna 658 15 Kankola Fruit Uśna 669 16 Vibhītaki Fruit Uśna 678 17 Śveta Jīraka Fruit Uśna 692 18 Harītaki Fruit Uśna 720 Time Of Diffusion Against Gravity (Seconds) 39 Kapikachu Seed Śīta 1518 19 Mustā Rhizomes Śīta 726 20 Indrayava Seed Śīta 774 21 Arjuna Tvak Śīta 829 22 Sāriva Root Śīta 855 23 Dādima Fruit Rind AnUśna 859 24 Yaśtimadhu Root Śīta 866 25 Jatāmānsi Rhizome Śīta 870 26 Eranda Root Uśna 889 27 Madhusnūhi Tuberous Roots Uśna 896 28 Nimba Stem Bark Śīta 902 29 Lākśa Niryāsa - 933 30 Aśvagandha Root Uśna 974 31 Varuna Stem Bark Uśna 988 32 Bhūmyāmalakī Plant Whole Śīta 1032 33 Manjiśta Stem Uśna 1032 34 Dhānyaka Fruit Uśna 1044 35 Punarnava Root Uśna 1129 36 Vāsā Leaves Śīta 1129 37 GajaPippali Fruit Uśna 1139 38 Pippali Fruit AnUśna 1144 40 Mārkandika Leaves Uśna 1530 41 Trivrit Root Uśna 1587 42 Kirātatikta Whole Plant Śīta 1720 43 Madhunāśini Leaves Uśna 1734 44 Āragvadha Fruit Pulp Uśna 1738 45 Asthisamhārka Stem Uśna 1780 46 Katuki Rhizome Uśna 2078 47 Amalaki Fruit Śīta 2079 48 Aśoka Bark Śīta 2330 49 Śatāvarī Root Śīta 2490 50 Kokilākśa Seed Śīta 5626 Time of diffusion of the solvent (prepared under uniform conditions prescribed) has shown the following observa- tions:- 1. 15 out of 29 Uśna Vīrya dravyas have diffused fastly below within 879 seconds. 2. 9 out of 18 Śīta Vīrya dravyas diffused at a longer time from 879 seconds to 5626 seconds. 3. 14 out of 29 Uśna Vīrya dravyas took longer time from 879 secondss to 2078 seconds. 4. 9 out of 18 Śīta Vīrya dravyas took lesser time i.e. below 879 seconds to diffuse against gravity. 5. Two drugs fall in the group of AnUśna Vīrya; they diffuse in time less between 859 seconds to 1144 seconds. 6. The property of Lākśa is not mentioned in API. However, in this test, it is majorly evidenced that the drugs of Śīta Vīrya diffuse slowly take longer time against the gravity whereas Uśna Vīrya dravyas they AAMJ / Vol. 2 / Issue 4 / July August 2016 896

diffused fastly. The behaviour of few drugs Śīta as well as Uśna Vīrya drugs need further study. OBSERVATION AND RESULTS On observing the ashing time data of drugs out of 50 drugs 8 drugs does not have guru laghu property and 41 drugs have guru-laghu property, out of which 29 drugs have similar results with API i.e., it is found successful in 70.7317% of drugs. On observing the Drug s Binding Water Volume (DBWV) test, out of 50 drugs 11 drugs don t have snigdha-rūkśa property. 39 drugs have snigdha-rūkśa property, out of which 27 drugs have similar results with API i.e., it is found successful in 69.23% of drugs. On observing the Drug s Solution Diffusing Time (DSDT) test, out of 50 drugs 2 drugs have anuśna property. Out of 29 Uśna Vīrya drugs 15 drugs have similar results with API and out of 18 Śīta Vīrya drugs, 9 drugs have similar result with API i.e., it is found successful in 51.063% of drugs. DISCUSSION & CONCLUSION The parameters evolved hence gave above 50% of results. The drugs which do not match with the standards of API might have geographical variations and the information regarding gunas is also varied in different Nighantus, which has created ambiguity. The first effort of analysing the gunas by laboratorial parameters has provided satisfactory results. ΛΛΛΛ AAMJ / Vol. 2 / Issue 4 / July August 2016 897

REFERENCES i. Dwarkanath C. The Fundamental principles of Ayurveda, part -1,Chowkhamba Krishnadas Academy, Ed. Reprint 2009, p.no.33. ii. Agniveshacharya, Charaka Samhita, Elaborated by Charaka and Drudhabala with Ayurveda Dipika Commentary by Chakrapanidatta, Edited by Yadavaji Trikamaji Acharya, Reprint Edition-2008, Chaukhamba Surbharti Prakashana, Varanasi, Sutrastana 26/64,p.no.147. iii. Dalhanacharaya Susruta Samhita, Elaborated Susruta and Dalhana with Nibhandha Sangraha Commentary by Dalhanacharaya, Edited by Yadavaji Trikamaji Acharaya, Reprint Edition-2012, Chaukhamba Surbharti Prakashana, Varanasi, Sutrasthana 40/5, p.no.176. iv. Dalhanacharaya Susruta Samhita, Elaborated Susruta and Dalhana with Nibhandha Sangraha Commentary by Dalhanacharaya, Edited by Yadavaji Trikamaji Acharaya, Reprint Edition-2012, Chaukhamba Surbharti Prakashana, Varanasi, Sutrasthana 41/11, p.no.183. v. Sir Monier-Monier-Williams, Sanskrit-English Dictionary, Marwah Publications, New Delhi, Edition-1986, p.no.398. vi. Sir Monier-Monier-Williams, Sanskrit-English Dictionary, Marwah Publications, New Delhi, Edition-1986, p.no.614. vii. Sir Monier-Monier-Williams, Sanskrit-English Dictionary, Marwah Publications, New Delhi, Edition-1986, p.no.1077. viii. Dipika of Annambhatta, Tarka Samgraha, Edition-2013, Section IIIrd,sloka no14, p.no.66. Source of Support: Nil. Conflict of Interest: None declared How to cite this article: Sonal & Paramkussha : A Pilot study on Physical Parameters for the analysis of Guru-Laghu, Snigdha-Rūkśa and Śīta-Uśna Guna. AAMJ 2016; 4: 889 898 ΛΛΛΛ AAMJ / Vol. 2 / Issue 4 / July August 2016 898