CONCEPT OF 'VISHA' - AN AYURVEDIC PERSPECTIVE

Agadtantra is one of the eight branches of Ayurveda, which deals with the study of poison and it’s treating measures .The term visha is derived for causing vishada i.e. depression of sprits,even for devatas .When visha is administered , it disturbs all the functions of body , makes them abnormal, which degrades the health of human being resulting death. While using any drug it is important that the physician should be aware of its properties and it should be administered with the treating intensions. The real difference between a medicine and a poison is the intent with which it is given. An acute poison can become an excellent drug if it is properly administered, and similarly even a drug, if not properly administered, becomes an acute poison. Action of a drug on the body is depend upon various factors like it’s properties, dose, mode of administration etc.But it is important to know that what properties of a substance decides either it act like a medicine or like a poison on the body. As properties of a dravya is important to know it’s mode of action,it is useful to decide the line of treatment for specific poisoning. This review article includes discussion about the Ayurvedic concepts of properties of poisonous substances, their origins and factors responsible for their mode of action.