The amazing therapeutic properties of dhatura-a short review

Glossary definitions and references:

Scientific and Ayurvedic Glossary list for “The amazing therapeutic properties of dhatura-a short review”. This list explains important keywords that occur in this article and links it to the glossary for a better understanding of that concept in the context of Ayurveda and other topics.

1) Nighantu (Nighamtu):
Nighantu references are traditional Ayurvedic texts that provide information on medicinal plants, including their properties, uses, and synonyms. Dhatura is mentioned in multiple Nighantus, detailing its therapeutic applications and pharmacognostical properties.

2) Katu:
Katu is a taste described as pungent in Ayurveda, often associated with hot and spicy qualities. Dhatura exhibits Katu rasa in several Ayurvedic texts, which contributes to its therapeutic benefits such as anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties.

3) Ushna (Usna):
Usna refers to the quality of being hot. In Ayurveda, it is used to describe the heating effect of a substance. Dhatura possesses Usna virya (heating potency), impacting its applications in managing conditions like asthma and inflammation.

4) Disease:
Disease refers to an abnormal condition affecting the body. Dhatura is used in treating a variety of diseases such as fever, leprosy, scabies, asthma, and more due to its diverse therapeutic properties recognized in Ayurvedic and modern medicine.

5) Tikta:
Tikta is a taste categorized as bitter in Ayurveda. Dhatura exhibits Tikta rasa, and this bitter quality is noted in different Nighantus, contributing to its effectiveness in treating fever, skin diseases, and as an anti-helmintic.

6) Kumar:
Kumar is part of the names of the authors, Dinesh Kumar Kumawat, who contributed to the review on Dhatura. He is a P. G. Scholar from the National Institute of Ayurveda, Jaipur, where the study was conducted.

7) Pain:
Pain is a common symptom that Dhatura aims to alleviate, especially in the context of conditions like arthritis, wounds, and neuralgia. Its leaves, seeds, and other parts are known for their analgesic properties in Ayurvedic medicine.

8) Ayurveda (Ayus-veda):
Ayurveda is an ancient system of medicine originating in India, focused on holistic health through balance. Dhatura is an Ayurvedic herb used after proper purification (Shodhana) to treat various ailments despite its poisonous nature.

9) Pharmacognostical:
Pharmacognostical pertains to the study of medicinal drugs derived from plants or other natural sources. The article details the pharmacognostical properties of Dhatura, including its taste, potency, and overall therapeutic benefits.

10) Pharmacological:
Pharmacological relates to the effects and uses of drugs and their mechanisms of action. Dhatura has been studied for its pharmacological properties, such as anti-asthmatic, anti-cancer, antioxidant, and anti-bacterial activities.

11) Antibiotic (Antibacterial):
Anti-bacterial indicates the ability to inhibit bacterial growth. Dhatura exhibits anti-bacterial activity, particularly against strains like Salmonella typhii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, making it useful for infections and toxin-related conditions.

12) Phytochemical:
Phytochemical denotes chemical compounds produced by plants. Dhatura's phytochemical constituents include tropane alkaloids, withanolides, and glycosides, which are responsible for its diverse therapeutic effects.

13) Purification:
Purification, or Shodhana, is a crucial process in Ayurvedic medicine to detoxify poisonous substances. Dhatura undergoes purification with cow milk in a Dolayantra to neutralize its toxic properties while enhancing its therapeutic benefits.

14) Madhura:
Madhura is a taste described as sweet in Ayurveda. Dhatura has Madhura rasa along with other tastes, which contribute to its varied pharmacological properties, including its anti-inflammatory and demulcent effects.

15) Kashaya (Kasaya):
Kashaya refers to astringent taste in Ayurveda. Dhatura possesses Kashaya rasa, which helps in tightening tissues and drying up secretions, beneficial in treating wounds, ulcers, and inflammation.

16) Cancer:
Cancer is a disease characterized by uncontrolled cell growth. Dhatura's anti-cancer properties have been studied, showing effectiveness against various human cancer cell lines like breast, head, neck, and lung cancers.

17) Fever:
Fever is an elevated body temperature often due to infection. Dhatura is traditionally used to treat fever, with multiple Nighantus noting its efficacy, likely due to its anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties.

18) Guru:
Guru in Ayurveda signifies heaviness, a quality that affects the body's doshas. Dhatura has been mentioned in Ayurvedic texts to have Guru (heavy) guna, impacting its digestive and therapeutic actions.

19) Roga:
Roga means disease or ailment in Sanskrit. Dhatura is used in Ayurveda to treat various Rogas (diseases), including asthma, skin conditions, fever, and pain, due to its well-documented therapeutic properties.

20) Yoga:
Yoga, within the context of this text, refers to specific Ayurvedic formulations or medicinal preparations. Dhatura is included in various yogas for treating conditions like rabies, insanity, and skin diseases.

21) Guna:
Guna represents the inherent qualities of a substance in Ayurveda. Dhatura's guna, as described in traditional texts, include attributes like Guru (heavy), Usna (hot), and others, which determine its therapeutic applications.

22) Drug:
Drug refers to any substance used in the treatment, cure, prevention, or diagnosis of disease. Dhatura, after proper purification, is used as a drug in Ayurvedic medicine to treat various diseases despite its toxic nature.

23) Dhanvamtri (Dhanvantri):
Dhanvantri Nighantu is one of the classical Ayurvedic texts where Dhatura is mentioned. This text provides details about its properties, uses, and therapeutic benefits in traditional medicine.

24) Discussion:
Discussion in this context analyzes the pharmacological properties of Dhatura, correlating ancient Ayurvedic knowledge with modern research findings. It highlights the need for further studies to fully understand its medicinal potential.

25) Shodhana (Sodhana):
Shodhana is the purification process in Ayurveda used to detoxify and enhance the therapeutic properties of poisonous herbs like Dhatura. This process involves treatments like boiling with cow milk to neutralize toxic effects.

26) Madakari:
Madakari in Ayurveda refers to intoxicating or narcotic properties. Dhatura is described as Madakari in some texts, indicating its potent mind-altering effects, which can be used therapeutically in controlled applications.

27) Medicine:
Medicine refers to substances used to treat diseases. Dhatura, when properly purified, is used as a potent medicinal herb in Ayurveda, treating ailments such as asthma, fever, and pain, due to its diverse pharmacological properties.

28) Samhita:
Samhita is a classical collection of Ayurvedic texts. Dhatura is described in various samhitas like Sushrut Samhita, highlighting its uses and purification methods to mitigate its poisonous nature while retaining its medicinal benefits.

29) Hanging:
Hanging refers to the method used in the Dolayantra process for purifying Dhatura. The seeds are hung in a cloth bag (Pottali) over boiling cow milk to neutralize their toxic properties before medicinal use.

30) Kanaka:
Kanaka is another name for Dhatura in Ayurvedic texts. Despite being a poisonous herb, with proper purification, Kanaka is used for its therapeutic properties in various Ayurvedic preparations.

31) Dharma:
Dharma in this context refers to the inherent properties or qualities of Dhatura. The pharmacognostical properties (guna-dharma) such as taste (rasa), potency (virya), and post-digestive effect (vipaka) are detailed in traditional texts.

32) Jaipur:
Jaipur is the location of the National Institute of Ayurveda, where the authors of this review are based. This institution is involved in the research and study of traditional Ayurvedic medicines like Dhatura.

33) Family:
Family denotes the botanical classification. Dhatura belongs to the Solanaceae family, known for both its medicinal and poisonous properties, used under specific guidelines in Ayurvedic medicine.

34) Priya:
Priya Nighantu is one of the traditional texts where the properties and applications of Dhatura are detailed. It includes descriptions of its taste, potency, and various medicinal uses.

35) India:
India is the country where Ayurveda, the traditional system of medicine, originated and where Dhatura is studied and used for its therapeutic properties despite its toxic nature.

36) Nadi (Nadin):
Nadi refers to nerves or channels in Ayurvedic terminology. Dhatura is used in treating nadi-roga (nerve-related diseases), among other ailments, highlighting its broad spectrum of applications in traditional medicine.

37) Hair:
Hair is mentioned in the context of Dhatura's therapeutic applications. The juice of Dhatura fruit is applied externally to treat issues like dandruff and hair fall, showcasing its diverse uses in traditional remedies.

38) Milk:
Milk, specifically cow milk, is used in the Shodhana process to purify Dhatura seeds. The seeds are boiled in milk to detoxify them, making them safe for use in Ayurvedic medicine.

39) Rheumatoid arthritis:
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease causing joint inflammation. Dhatura is noted for its pain-relieving properties, and its use in treating arthritis like conditions is documented in Ayurvedic texts.

40) Bronchial asthma:
Bronchial asthma is a respiratory condition treated with Dhatura in Ayurvedic medicine. Due to its anti-cholinergic properties, Dhatura helps relieve bronchial spasms and asthma symptoms.

41) Cow milk (Cow's milk):
Cow milk is used in the Ayurvedic Shodhana process to detoxify herbs like Dhatura. The seeds are boiled in cow milk to neutralize their toxic effects, allowing their medicinal properties to be safely harnessed.

42) Tuberculosis:
Tuberculosis is a severe infectious disease. Dhatura is mentioned in Ayurvedic texts with properties that can aid in managing symptoms of tuberculosis among other ailments.

43) Inflammation:
Inflammation is the body's response to injury or infection. Dhatura has anti-inflammatory properties that make it useful for treating conditions like arthritis, rheumatism, and other inflammatory diseases.

44) Dolayantra (Dola-yantra, Dolayamtra):
Dolayantra is a traditional Ayurvedic apparatus used for the Shodhana (purification) process. Dhatura seeds are purified by hanging them in a Dolayantra containing boiling cow milk to remove their toxic effects.

45) Dravyaguna (Dravya-guna):
Dravyaguna refers to the study of medicinal properties of substances in Ayurveda. Dhatura's properties such as taste, potency, and therapeutic uses are detailed under Dravyaguna in various classical texts.

46) Vatsanabha (Vatsa-nabha):
Vatsanabha is another toxic plant used in Ayurveda after proper purification. Like Dhatura, it undergoes Shodhana to mitigate its poisonous properties while retaining its therapeutic benefits.

47) Visahara (Vishahara, Visha-hara):
Vishahara means anti-poison in Ayurveda. Dhatura, after undergoing Shodhana, exhibits Vishahara properties, making it useful in counteracting toxins and treating poison-related ailments.

48) Gurushna (Gurusna, Guru-ushna):
Guru-usna signifies the combination of heavy (Guru) and hot (Usna) qualities. This combination in Dhatura impacts its therapeutic uses, particularly in managing Kapha and Vata-related disorders.

49) Knowledge:
Knowledge in this context refers to the ancient and contemporary understanding of Dhatura's properties. The review discusses how traditional Ayurvedic knowledge aligns with modern pharmacological research.

50) Flavonoid:
Flavonoids are a type of phytochemical found in plants. Dhatura contains flavonoids, which contribute to its antioxidant properties, helping to neutralize free radicals in the body.

51) Vipadika:
Vipadika is a condition characterized by fissures and cracks in the skin. Dhatura is used in Ayurvedic medicine to treat skin conditions, including Vipadika, due to its anti-inflammatory and skin-healing properties.

52) Prabhava:
Prabhava refers to the specific and often unique action of a substance that cannot be explained by its taste, potency, or post-digestive effect. Dhatura's prabhava is its potent therapeutic effects despite its toxicity.

53) Khalitya:
Khalitya refers to hair loss or baldness in Ayurvedic medicine. Dhatura is used to treat hair-related issues, and its juice or extracts are applied to the scalp to promote hair growth and reduce hair fall.

54) Assamese:
Assamese is one of the vernacular languages in which Dhatura is known by its local name, Dhatura, showcasing its widespread recognition and use across different regions of India.

55) Sanskrit:
Sanskrit is the classical language in which Ayurvedic texts are written. Dhatura is referred to by various Sanskrit synonyms like Kanaka and Shivpriya, indicating its significance in Ayurvedic medicine.

56) Visarpa:
Visarpa is a condition resembling erysipelas or spreading skin infection in Ayurveda. Dhatura is used in the treatment of Visarpa due to its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.

57) Pottali:
Pottali refers to a cloth bag used in Ayurvedic purification processes. Dhatura seeds are placed in a Pottali and boiled in cow milk during the Shodhana process to remove their toxic components.

58) Marathi:
Marathi is one of the vernacular languages spoken in India. In Marathi, Dhatura is known as Dhotra, indicating its widespread recognition and use in various cultural contexts.

59) Kannada:
Kannada is a regional language in which Dhatura is referred to by various names like Ummatti and Madagunaki, showing the herb’s ubiquitous use in traditional medicine across different parts of India.

60) Upavisha (Upavisa):
Upavisa is a category in Ayurveda for lesser potent poisons. Dhatura is classified under Upavisa in texts like Rastarangani and Rasratna Samuchya, highlighting its toxic nature and the need for proper purification before use.

61) Ummattu:
Ummattu is the name for Dhatura in Malayalam, one of the regional languages in India, indicating its local recognition and cultural relevance in traditional medicinal practices.

62) Vyavayi:
Vyavayi refers to a property in Ayurvedic medicine where a substance spreads quickly through the body. Dhatura exhibits Vyavayi guna, which impacts its rapid therapeutic action once administered.

63) Leprosy:
Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease. Dhatura is mentioned in various Ayurvedic texts for its use in treating leprosy due to its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.

64) Ruksha (Ruksa):
Ruksha means dry in Ayurveda. Dhatura has Ruksha guna, which contributes to its therapeutic use in conditions requiring dryness, such as wounds and skin diseases with excessive moisture.

65) Harita:
Harita is an ancient Ayurvedic text that mentions the use of Dhatura in treating conditions like Arsha (hemorrhoids), highlighting its historical therapeutic applications.

66) Vipaka:
Vipaka is the post-digestive effect of a substance in Ayurveda. Dhatura has Katu (pungent) Vipaka, influencing its long-term effects on the body, particularly in digestive and metabolic processes.

67) Aureus:
Aureus refers to Staphylococcus aureus, a common bacterium. Dhatura exhibits moderate anti-bacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, making it useful in treating infections caused by this pathogen.

68) Bitter:
Bitter describes the Tikta taste in Ayurveda. Dhatura's bitter quality contributes to its therapeutic effects, including cooling, detoxifying, and anti-inflammatory actions, used for conditions like fever and skin diseases.

69) Sharman (Sarma, Sharma, Sarman):
Sharma is part of the name of co-author Anita Sharma, who contributed to the review on Dhatura. She is an Associate Professor at the National Institute of Ayurveda, providing expertise in Ayurvedic medicine.

70) Summer:
Summer indicates the blooming season of D. stramonium, which flowers throughout the summer, providing an optimal time for harvesting and utilizing its seeds, leaves, and other parts for medicinal preparations.

[Note: The above list is limited to 75. Total glossary definitions available: 88]