Can we dispense with Ayurvedic samskaras?
Crude aconite is an extremely lethal substance. However, the science of Ayurveda looks upon aconite as a therapeutic entity. Crude aconite is always processed i.e. it undergoes 'samskaras' before being utilised in the Ayurvedic formulations. This study was undertaken in mice, to ascertain whether 'processed' aconite is less toxic as compared to the crude or unprocessed one. It was seen that crude aconite was significantly toxic to mice (100% mortality at a dose of 2.6 mg/mouse) whereas the fully processed aconite was absolutely non-toxic (no mortality at a dose even 8 times as high as that of crude aconite). Further, all the steps in the processing were essential for complete detoxification.
Thorat
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S
Department of Pharmacology, Seth G. S. Medical College, Bombay, Maharashtra.
Dahanukar
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S
D031841:Aconitum / Q000633:toxicity*; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D007194:India; D008297:Male; D008515:Medicine, Ayurvedic; D051379:Mice