A CRITICAL REVIEW ON CHARAKOKTA VARNYA MAHAKASHAYA: AN AYURVEDIC AND SCIENTIFIC APPRAISAL OF COMPLEXION-ENHANCING DRUGS

Beauty is a subject of socio – medical importance. Deplorable skin conditions impact mental health which may further lead to stress, low personal drive, lack of motivation, fear of communicability of transmitting it to others. So, the cosmetics are used in wide range through out the world which lead to many hazardous effects due to their chemical content. Varna (skin complexion) is considered to be an important aspect of health in Ayurveda. It includes different parameters such as skin hydration, skin pigmentation, skin sensitivity, skin wrinkling, etc,. The disturbance in any of these components is considered as Vaivarnya or skin discoloration. Acharya Charaka has given a remedy for the task of restoring and retaining the natural hue, texture and tone of the skin called Varnya mahakashaya. It contains 10 herbs which can be used both internally and externally. The pharmacological properties of these herbs show a complexion promoting effect and has the potential to preserve and restore the lost beauty without side effects. So, the present article focusses on to study Varnya mahakashaya thoroughly so that it can be applied clinically.