CONCEPTUAL STUDY ON RUKSHANA: ITS IMPORTANCE AND THERAPEUTIC METHODS IN AYURVEDA

Abstract

आयुर्वर्णो बलं स्वास्थमुत्साहापचयां प्रभाः। ओजस्तेजोअग्नयः प्राणाश्चोक्ता देहग्निहेतुकाः। शान्तेगनौ म्रियते युक्ते चिरं जीवत्यनामय:। रोगी स्थ्विदिकृते मूलमग्नितस्मान्निरुच्यतं (Ch. Chi 15/3-5) Agni is regarded as the factor responsible for digestion, metabolism, and maintenance of health. Any imbalance in the normal functioning of Agni results in the production of Ama, which is the cause of the development of many metabolic and Kapha predominant diseases. Ayurveda has described various treatment procedures such as Deepana, Pachana, and Rukshana for the correction of Agni and elimination of Ama. Rukshana is a treatment procedure that provides dryness, lightness, and non-unctuousness to the body and is primarily used as Vishesh Poorvakarma for Shodhana procedures. This article describes the concept of Rukshana, its properties, types, indications, and uses. Therapeutic procedures such as Takrarishta, Udvartana, and Valuka Sweda are described along with their possible mechanism of action. Rukshana has great importance in the prevention of Sneha-related complications and increases the efficacy of Shodhana procedures, especially in the treatment of Prameha, Sthoulya, Urustambha, Amavata, and Shotha.