Download Critical Review of Trikatu in Ayurvedic classics

DEV SANSKRITI : Interdisciplinary International Journal (2014), 04, 73-78 (ISSN : 2279-0578)
Critical Review of Trikatu in Ayurvedic
classics
BHAVANA SINGH, SARVADEO UPADHYAYA and SUJATA NUNNA
Abstract
Earthen hemisphere is gifted with varieties of large number of medicinal herbs. Herbs are natural
remedies for the disease with higher safety profile and efficacy. India has an ancient heritage of
traditional herbal medicine. Ayurvedic literature has a treasure of medicinal herbs in which Trikatu is
very important drug. Trikatu is used as solo drug rarely, but it is an essential ingredient of numerous
formulations and prescriptions of Ayurvedic medicine. Trikatu is a poly herbal preparation, It consists
of three crude drugs namely maricha (Piper nigrum Linn.), Pippali (Piper longum Linn.) and Shunthi
(Zingiber officinalis Rosc) in the ratio of (1:1:1; w:w). Trikatu curna is considered as one of the best
drugs to treat the condition of Ama(improperly digested absorbed and improperly metabolised food
particles including free radicles) . Trikatu is regarded as the drug of choice in cases of Agnimandya
(poor digestion due to faulty digestive process). In Brihattrayi, it is recommended for various diseases
due to Agni (digestive fire) vitiation such as Grahaniroga(Malabsorbtion syndrome), Udara
roga(major diseases of abdomen surgical and medical like hepatomegaly, spleenomegaly and ascitis
), Arsharoga(piles) etc. The objective of this article is to highlight classification, synonyms,
pharmacological actions as described in various diseases, and different formulations of Trikatu in
ancient Ayurvedic literature in special reference of Brihattrayi and Nighantus.
Key words: Trikatu, Brihattrayi, Nighantus and Agnimandya.