COMPARATIVE CONCEPTUAL STUDY OF NAGARADI CHURNA AND BHUNIMBADI CHURNA IN PITTAJA GRAHANI

Background: Grahani is a disease of impaired Agni and its seat, the Grahani. Pittaja Grahani arises when aggravated Pitta, with its increased Drava Guna, weakens Agni. Classical texts prescribe Shodhana followed by Tikta Rasa Churna and medicated Ghrita. Nagaradi Churna and Bhunimbadi Churna are two such Churna formulations described under Pittaja Grahani, yet their stage-wise application is not clearly distinguished. Aim: To conceptually analyse and compare the therapeutic rationale of Nagaradi Churna and Bhunimbadi Churna in Pittaja Grahani with reference to the Avastha of the disease. Materials and Methods: This conceptual literary study drew on the Brihattrayi and Laghutrayi with commentaries, Bhavaprakasha Nighantu, Dravya-Guna-Shastram and Charaka Kalpa Sudha. Contemporary literature was searched in PubMed, DHARA and Google Scholar. The ingredients, Rasapanchaka, Karma, Anupana and Phalashruti of both formulations were compiled and compared. Discussion: Nagaradi Churna has a predominance of Tikta-Katu Rasa and Ruksha Guna, and shows Deepana-Pachana, Grahi, Raktaprasadana and Vatanulomana actions, with Madhu and Tandulodaka as Anupana. Bhunimbadi Churna is dominated by Kutaja (about two-thirds of the formulation) and is Tikta, Shita and Ruksha, acting through Drava-shoshana and Vibandha-nashana, with Guda-Shitambu as Anupana. Conclusion: Nagaradi Churna appears more suitable when Raktapravartana, Vibandha or Avaruddha Vata is present. Bhunimbadi Churna appears more suitable when Raktapravartana is absent, in Dravapradhana Pitta and in Shakhagata Pitta. Both formulations may be used for Pachana in Sama Avastha by changing the Anupana.