Chapter 6.23: Poison Treatment (Visha Chikitsa / विषचिकित्सा)

Among the Ashtangas, agada tantra (toxicology) stands separate in its concept, clinical approach, management and result. This is the only chapter which guides us in the management of poison and the conditions of poisoning. As we all know visha and visha chikitsa requires a special mention in any medical system. It is rightly justified by the following facts: Treatment of poisoning is an emergency and should be managed as a house on fire, earlier its extinguished, lesser the damage, and the result for the effort of vaidya is immediate when compared to the other disorders. This chapter deals with study of the poison, its origin and criterion of classification. The group of sthavara (poisons of plant origin, minerals and metal, poison of immobile origin or vegetable poison) and jangama (poisons of animal origin) are described. A special category called kritrima visha (artificial poison) with a significant role for a good physician in treating severe cases. Dushivisha (slow poisons) is exp

Source: Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan by Vagbhata