Anupana - A Critical Review

Ayurveda has a unique approach to maintain health of an individual and to cure diseases. According to Ayurveda, there does not exist anything which is not medicinal. The food we eat and the water we drink, can influence the status of our body. Anupana is a unique concept mentioned in our science, in which various liquid as well as solid items are logically administered along with various food and medicine. In context of food, Anupana helps in its better digestion and absorption and provides complete nourishment to the body. While in the administration of medicine it is not only for palatability but for carrying the drug to target site by which it increases its absorption and bio availability to target sites. The terms which can be taken to understand the concepts of Anupana from modern system of medicine are vehicle, adjuvant or synergist and carrier through which the actions like drug absorption, drug companion, drug delivery and bioavailability of the drug takes place. The mode of action of Anupana explained by Acharya is that, as the oil spread in the water, the medicine also get spread by the effect of which the drug action get enhanced. Anupana plays a major role in potentiating drug action through pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics. However, its importance and practical utility is not fully recognized and applied in clinical practice