A Theoretical Approach on the Action of Vilwadi Agada in Relieving the Symptoms of Acute Gastroenteritis

Abstract

Ayurveda a unique science of life, which emphasized on the principle of protecting the health of a healthy individual and eradicating the disease in diseased persons. Now a days, people living in the midst of diseases that disturb them to achieve a good health. The people are trying to overcome this situation by developing an art of medicine and science of healing. Agadatantra is one of the branches in Ayurveda. Literally’ Agada’ means a disease-free condition. It deals with different type of poisoning from animate and inanimate objects with its management. The poisoning from the bite of snakes, spiders, insects, rodents and from the combination of different poisons with their management are included in this branch. Vilwadi agada is a polyherbal combination can be used in various toxicological conditions, GIT problems, concocted poisoning, systemic symptoms like fever, infectious conditions. Today Vilwady agada is marketing as Vilwady gutika by different pharmaceutical companies. Classical reference of Vilwadi agada mentioned in Ashtangahridaya, Ashtangasamgraha, Sahasrayogam, Visha Jyotsnika and Kriyakoumudhi. Acute gastroenteritis (stomach flu) is an infection characterised by diarrhoea, cramps, nausea, vomiting and fever with inflammation of gastric mucosa. Viruses are the important causative factors for 70% of the episodes of acute gastroenteritis in children especially the rota virus. In contemporary science the first choice is oral rehydration therapy and then gives anti diarrhoeal drugs, antiemetics, antispasmodic drugs according to the condition of the patient. The drugs in Vilwadi agada having antimicrobial, antiviral, analgesic, anti- inflammatory, antioxidant, carminative properties. These attributes of this combination is very effective in relieving the cardinal symptoms such as abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting diarrhoea and fever in acute gastroenteritis.