Shothahara Mahakashaya - A Critical Review

Shothahara Mahakashaya denotes group of ten medicines which acts on Shotha Roga. Shotha is also known as Svayathu in Ayurveda. Swelling anywhere on body can be called as Shotha so Shotha Roga can be correlated with the term oedema / swelling of modern medicine. Acharya Charak has described Shothahara Mahakashaya in Sutrasthana as 38th Gana of the 50 Mahakashaya Gana. Patala, Agnimantha, Bilva, Shyonaka, Kashmariya, Kantakari, Brihati, Shalaparni, Prishaniparni, Goksura are included as ten ingredients under this category. These 10 plants which are effective individually, work together and results into enhanced output. These plants having Katu, Tikta, Kashaya Rasa, Ushna Virya, Katu Vipaka, Ruksha, Laghu Guna and Tridoshaghna properties. Due to these qualities, they cure Shotha. This article is an attempt to describe symptoms, pathogenesis and treatments of Shotha Roga through Shothahara Mahakashaya