Thikthakam kashayam is an Ayurvedic medicine for skin diseases and improving complexion. It also helps to treat many digestive disorders and beneficial in some psychiatric conditions too.
Benefits of Thikthakam kashayam
The formulation of Thiktakam is explained as a ghrita yoga in Malayalam text Sahasrayoga but it is used as a kashayam more often. In today’s world people are affected by many types of derangement in fat metabolism; may it be Hyperlipidemia or obesity or hypercholesteremia or atherosclerosis or hypertension. Most of these, associated with weak digestion, too. In such people, the ghee preparation may worsen the condition rather than curing it. But the same herbs in a water-soluble form in the decoction can act as the cure for many such derangements, even for hypercholesterolemia.
Thiktakam Ghee combination is used either as acchasnehapana as a preparatory procedure to Ayurvedic Panchakarma (cleansing therapy) or as samanasneha in small doses after having Kashaya or other rookshana medicines for a while.It helps to regain health after the rookshana(drying up ) therapies.
It is very effective in chronic skin diseases like psoriasis, eczema, and atopic dermatitis.
It is found beneficial in healing diabetic wounds and gangrene. Also, fistulae, cervical lymphadenitis, abcesses, oedema, and sinus wounds.
Thiktakam being pacifying Pitta dosha, it is used in many diseases where Agni is deranged. It includes many liver disorders like Obstructive and infective jaundice, hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, and non-alcoholic fatty liver.
In psychiatric disorders where Pitta is the main vitiated Dosha, thiktakam is very much yielding. It is used successfully in Maniac stage of Bipolar disorder, schizophrenia with grandeur or paranoid delusions etc
In some stages of epilepsy also it is found useful.
Kids with some types of Learning disorders and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder show much affinity to Thiktakam ghritam and it is beneficial in such conditions.
Indications of Thikhtakam kashayam
Pittakushtha – Skin diseases where redness, raised temperature and burning sensation are evident.
Pareesarpa – Herpes
Pitika -Boils
Daaha -Burning sensation
Thrit -Excess thirst
Bhrama -Giddiness
Kandu -Pruritis
Pandwamaya -Anaemic disorders
Gandamala – Scrofula/Cervical tubercular lymphadenitis
Dushtavrana -Non-healing wounds and ulcers
Naadeevrana -Sinus
Apachi -Cervical lymphadenitis/Goitre
Visphota -Skin rash with infected blisters and pustules
Vidradhi -Abscess
Gulma -Indigestion with abdominal pain and distension.
Sopha -Oedema
Unmada -Psychotic conditions
Mada -Intoxication
Hridroga – Chest pain and discomforts, diseases of the heart
Timira -Eye diseases including cataract
Vyanga -Melasma
Grahani -Irritable bowel syndrome and Malabsorption
Switra -Vitiligo
Kamila -Jaundice
Bhagandara -Anal fistulae
Apasmara -Epilepsy
Udaram -Ascites
Pradaram -Leucorrhoea
Garam -Chronic and slow poisoning
Arsas -Piles
Asrapitta -Bleeding disorders
And other severe Paittika diseases
Ingredients of Thikthakam kashayam
| Pointed gourd | Patola | Trichosanthes dioica Roxb. |
It has ant-diabetic, hepato-protective, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and wound-healing properties. It has anti-oxidants. It is useful in lowering cholesterol and skin diseases. It acts as a laxative.
| Margosa, Neem | Nimba | Azadirachta indica A. JUSS. |
The important health benefits of this drug include its ability to treat dandruff, soothe irritation, protect the skin, boost the immune system, and reduce inflammation. It also speeds up wound healing, treats gastric conditions, slows the aging process, improves hair and scalp health, maintains sexual organ health, has anti-cancer potential, and helps treat diabetes.
| Yellow gentian, Hellebore | Katurohini | Picrorhiza kurroa |
It is used for Dyspepsia, fever and in purgatives. Although it shows anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory activities, it is most valued for its hepatoprotective effect.
| Indian barberry/chutro/tree turmeric | Darvi | Berberis aristata |
It has anti-bacterial, anti-fungal anti-diarrhoeal and anti-cancerous properties. It is used in the treatment of ophthalmic infections.
| false pareira root/ velvet leaf | Paatha | Cissampelos pareira L. |
It has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic actions. This plant is used to treat gynaecological conditions. Patha is used in the treatment of chronic non-healing ulcers and sinuses. It is also used in the treatment of chronic skin diseases and in the treatment of poisonous bites.
| Stinging nettle | Duralabha | Tragia involucrata Linn. |
This plant is used in many conditions like wounds, eczema, scabies and other skin infections. It has anti-inflammatory property. It is used to treat piles, migraine, warts and rheumatism.
| Small-flowered fumitory | Parpataka | Fumaria parviflora AUCT. NON. LAM. |
This drug is mentioned as the prime remedy of fever in Ayurveda. Fumaria has been traditionally used as a laxative and diuretic. This plant is applied in treatment for dermatologic conditions such as eczema. The drug is suggested to be beneficial in hepatobiliary disorders, and also for colic pain.
| Water hyssop, herb of grace, Indian pennywort. | Thrayamana | Bacopa monnieri (L.) PENNELL |
It is used for improving memory. It has powerful antioxidants and it can reduce inflammation. It boosts brain functions and is used in treatment of ADHD. It can be helpful in anxiety and stress.
| Himalayan gentian | Thrayanthi | Gentiana kurroo ROYLE. |
It has anti-bacterial, anti-oxidant, anti-arthritic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic and immune-modulatory properties.
| Coco grass, nut grass, purple nutsredge | Musta | Cyperus rotundus L. |
It has marked anti-inflammatory action. It also has anthelmintic, antioxidant and antifungal properties. The drug improves lactation, relieves fever, burning sensation, and excessive thirst. It is also used in treating diarrhoea, dyspepsia and skin diseases.
| Indian gentian | Bhoonimba | Swertia chirata (ROXB. EX. FLEM.) KAR. |
It is an important herb used in Ayurveda for the treatment of fever, inflammation, skin diseases, intestinal parasites and diabetes. It has hepato-protective action also. It is used in treatment of piles, ulcers and fevers.
| Conessi | Kalinga | Holarrhena antidysentric). Wall. |
It has been used in bleeding piles, diarrhoea, eczema, fever and colic. It is beneficial in amoebic dysentery and many other gastro-intestinal disorders.
| Long pepper | Kana | Piper longum |
It has carminative action and maybe used as appetizer. The fruit and root of Pippali are used in the form of powder to treat fever, diarrhoea, piles, cough, hiccough, asthma, hoarseness of voice, flatulence, colic, vomiting, acid gastritis, oedema, diseases of mouth, eye diseases, diseases of semen, diseases of women, jaundice, and earache.
Pippali mixed with honey alleviates cough, dyspnoea, fever splenomegaly, and hiccough.
| Red sandalwood | Raktachandana | Pterocarpus santalinus L. |
It has anti-inflammatory, anti-pyretic, anthelmintic, aphrodisiac, anti-hyperglycaemic and diaphoretic properties. It is used in the treatment of fever, haemorrhage and dysentery.
Details of the manufacturing
As already discussed, Thikthakam kashayam is prepared using both the kashaya herbs and the Kalka herbs in the ghritayoga as its ingredients with a distinct ratio.
All these ingredients should be washed well and dried up in shade.
Take the prescribed herbs in dried & crushed form in an earthen pot. Now add 16 times clean water into it. Make it boil and then cook in the open vessel with low fire. Reduce the quantity into one by eighth of the initial quantity. Make sure to mix it in between with a ladle. Also, the fire should be kept low to make sure that all the active ingredients in the herbs needed are absorbed well into the water. Once the quantity is reduced to one by eighth of the initial amount of water, remove the vessel from the fire. Squeeze and drain through a clean white cloth. Collect the decoction in a clean vessel and discard the solid waste. Drink the mild warm decoction.
Dosha Dooshya Predominance with roga marga.
Thikthakam kashayam is Pitta-Kapha hara.
It acts on aabhyantara, madhyama and bahya rogamarga
Dosage and Usage of Thikthakam kashayam
Dosage: two Pala.
Usage:
Kashayam is advised to take in empty stomach, once the ingested food is digested well and aahaararasa is formed well.
Usage of kashayam with prescribed prakshepadravyas according to the condition of disease and the patient gives the best results mostly.
Exercises and Yoga.
As Thikthakam kashayam targets mainly infections, swelling, and immunity, only mild exercises are advised. But when this combination is used for psychotic disorders, relaxing & cooling exercises and meditation are advised. Also, specific Yogacharya including nadisuddhi pranayama, suryanamaskara, bhujangaasana, is recommended.
Regular exercise helps improve the bioavailability of medicine and food ingested and leads to positive health.
Yoga can maintain harmony within the body and with the surrounding system.
Nadisudhi pranayama
Suryanamaskara
Bhujangasana
Simple exercises for lungs and heart health
All the exercises and physical exertions must be decided and done under the supervision of a medical expert only.
Recommended diet and behaviour
Diet:
- To be avoided
Heavy meals and difficult to digest foods – cause indigestion.
junk foods- cause a disturbance in digestion and reduces the bioavailability of the medicine
carbonated drinks – makes the stomach more acidic and disturbed digestion
refrigerated and frozen foods – causes weak and sluggish digestion by weakening Agni (digestive fire)
Milk and milk products – increase Kapha and cause respiratory problems
curd – causes vidaaha and thereby many other diseases
- To be added
Light meals and easily digestible foods
Green gram, soups, honey, fruits and vegetables, dry fruits and nuts in moderate quantity.
freshly cooked and warm food processed with cumin seeds, ginger, black pepper, ajwain, etc
Behavior:
Protect yourself from heat.
Better to avoid exposure to excessive sunlight, wind, rain, or dust.
Maintain a regular food and sleep schedule.
Avoid holding or forcing urges like urine, faeces, cough, sneeze, etc.
Avoid sleeping late night.
Side effects and contraindications
No known side effects reported.
Classical references
ASHTANGAHRUDAYAM CHIKITHSA 19/2-7
Equivalent medicines.
Thrayantyadi kashayam
Brands Available
AVS Kottakal
Vaidyaratnam oushadhasala
AVP Coimbatore
Nagarjuna Ayurveda
Research papers
Patola -an overview
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3358970/
Katuka
Study in Non-alcoholic fatty liver
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3087357/
Hareetaki
ANTI DIABETIC AND RENAL PROTECTION
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/1472-6882-6-17
Thrayanthi
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5750598/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24707440/
Raktachandana
Therapeutic roles
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4791987/
Thrayamana
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