Management of Krimiroga as Depicted in Charaka Samhita, Harita Samhita, Bhela Samhita and Bhaisajyaratnavali with Current Scientific Outlook

Abstract

Despite decades of dramatic progress in their treatment and prevention, infectious diseases remain a major cause of death and debility and are responsible for worsening the living conditions of many millions of people around the world. In spite of lot of advances in the field of microbiology, still we are unable to answer challenges mentioned above. Hence, an effort has been made to compile the management strategies of Ayurveda to find answers for above problems. Whoever interested in finding an alternative solution to the management of infectious diseases may refer to this article to plan research design. Compilation of management strategies depicted in Charaka Samhita, Harita Samhita, Bhela Samhita and Bhaisajyaratnavali has been done. It helps the researchers to plan study design and to find a solution for microbial management challenges. Extensive search of texts Charaka Samhita, Harita Samhita, Bhela Samhita and Bhaisajyaratnavali was done by the author while composing a book entitled Kala-azar in Ayurveda and the materials were segregated, consolidated and edited from that book. Later, internet browsing was made to collect the recent research updates on management of krimi. Both data are compared and analyzed and conclusion was drawn regarding the views of our acharyas with present research data. Charaka mentioned twenty varieties of krimi along with their management and they are broadly grouped under external (ectoparasite) and internal (endoparasite). Each krimi is described in respect to etiology, habitat, form, shape, color, type, clinical features and treatment. The present article sheds light on management of krimi by various methods. Management principle for twenty types of krimi may be broadly classified into three headings, namely, extraction of the krimis, destruction of the source of their origin and development and abstinence from etiological factors. Many eliminative and alleviative therapies are described in Charaka Samhita for the effective management of krimi. Krimighna mahakasaya (aksiva, marica (piper nigrum), gandir, kebuka (costus specious), vidanga (embelia ribes), sindhuvara (vitex nigundo), kinahi (albizzia lebbeck), goksura (tribulus terrestries), vrsaparnika, musakarni (merremia emerginata), jambir, rasona, camel’s milk, butter milk, yavaksara, etc. are useful in eradicating krimi. Embelia ribes acts as ascaricidal, anthelmintic, carminative, diuretic, astringent, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and febrifuge. Extensive search of texts Charaka Samhita, Harita Samhita, Bhela Samhita and Bhaisajyaratnavali was done by the author while composing a book entitled Kala-azar in Ayurveda and the materials were segregated, consolidated and edited from that book. Later, internet browsing was made to collect the recent research updates on management of krimi. With the advent of antimicrobial agents, some medical leaders believed that infectious diseases would soon be eliminated and become of historic interest only. Nevertheless, we now realize that as we developed antimicrobial agents, microbes developed the ability to elude our best weapons and to counterattack with new survival strategies. Still many challenges are ahead to manage microbial infections. Hence an effort has been made to compile the data mentioned in various samhitas for effective management of microbial infections. This article provides the rich source of materials mentioned in Ayurveda for management of krimi (microbial agents).

Keywords: Krimi, extraction of krimi, destruction of source and development, krimighna