This document analyzes Pramehahara (diabetes-treating) plants listed in the Bhavaprakash Nighantu for their potential use in managing diabetes mellitus. It identifies 47 single plants and 3 plant combinations described as Pramehahara. Most of these plants have been proven to have antidiabetic effects in animal studies. While not all are specifically listed as treatments for Madhumeha (diabetes), their actions suggest they could be useful for diabetes management. The study concludes these plants warrant further clinical research to validate their traditional use against diabetes.

1. CRITICAL REVIEW OF
PRAMEHAHARA DRAVYAS IN
BHAVAPRAKASH NIGHANTU IN
MANAGEMENT OF DIABETES
MELLITUS
Keshari. Puneshwar1 , Pradeep2
1.P.G. Scholar, 2nd Year, Department of Dravya-Guna
SDM College of Ayurveda and Hospital, Hassan, Karnataka
2.Associate Professor, Department of Dravya-Guna
SDM College of Ayurveda and Hospital, Hassan, Karnataka
.

2. INTRODUCTION
• Diabetes Mellitus (DM) comprises a group of common metabolic
disorders that share the phenotype of hyperglycemia.
• The Worldwide prevalence of DM has risen dramatically over the
past two decades. Based on current trends, more than 360 million
individuals will have DM by the year 2030.
• According to the International Diabetes Foundation. Diabetes
affects more than 50 million Indians and kills 1 million Indians per
year.
• Diabetes Mellitus can be co-related with Madhumeha mentioned in
Ayurveda classics. It is a type of Vataj Prameha.
• With detailed and systemic description, importance to this disease
has been established in classics and various drugs have been
mentioned which are useful in Prameha.
• Bhavaprakash Nighantu is a clinically important, advanced and
latest Nighantu to deal with various drugs useful in Prameha.

3. PURPOSE
 Prevalence rate of Diabetes Mellitus growing
rapidly year by year.
 It poses a great risk through morbidity and
mortality and various complications.
 In Ayurveda classics a number of drugs are
described for Prameha.
 The purpose of this study is to enlist the
Pramehahara/Mehaghna Dravyas enumerated
in Bhavaprakash Nighantu and critically analyze
them on the basis of research studies done
upon them to evaluate the potential of their
use in Diabetes Mellitus.

4. METHODS
 Along with Bhavprakash Nighantu other
suitable Ayurvedic literature, contemporary
literature, journals & internet media were also
used for collecting information.

5. OBSERVATION
 Bhavaprakasha Nighantu is divided into 23 Vargas,
along with Anekartha Varga..
 Among 426 dravyas dealt in Bhavaprakash Nighantu,
47 dravyas are described as Pramehahar.
 Except that Tushar jala from Vari varga , Jangala
mamsa from Mamsa varga, Kshaudra, Poutik,
Chatrajatiyee and Daalmadhu from Madhu varga and
Rajat, Vanga, Yasad, Naaga, Lauha, Mandoora,
Swarnamakshika, Taarmashika, Shilajatu, Abhraka,
Rajavarta etc. are also described as Pramehahar
dravyas.

6. Table-1, Plants detail

7. S.N. Sanskrita Name Botanical name Family Dosha Karma Guna Karma Reference of
Varga and
Shloka no.
1. Aamalaki Emblica officinalis Euphorbiaceae Tridoshahara Pramehaghna Haritkyadi
Varga- 39
2. Aamra Pushpa Mangifera indica Anacardiaceae Kapha Pittahara,
Vatajanaka
Pramehanut Aamradi
Varga- 2
3. Arkapuspi Holostemma
annularis
Asclepiadaceae Kapha, Pittahara Mehajeet Guduchyadi
Varga-271
4. Atibala Abutilon indcum Malvaceae Vatashamaka Mehasamana Guduchyadi
Varga-146
5. Bakuchi Psoralea
corylifolia
Fabaceae Kapha, Vatahara Mehanut Haritkyadi
Varga- 208
6. Beejaka Pterocarpus
marsupium
Fabaceae Shleshma,
Pittashamaka
Mehaghna Vatadi
Varga- 29
7. Brihanloni Portulaca oleracea Portulacaceae Kapha,
Pittahara
Pramehnut Shaka
Varga- 21
8. Brahmi Bacopa monnieri Scrophulariaceae - Pramehahara Guduchyadi
Varga-279-281
9. Chirbilva
(Karanji)
Holoptelia
integrifolia
Ulamaceae Pitashamaka Pramehajeeta Guduchyadi
Varga-124
10. Devadaru Cedrus deodara Pinaceae Sleshmahara Pramehanut Karpuradi
Varga- 25
11. Dhava Anogiessus
latifolia
Combretaceae Pitta,
kaphahara
Pramehahara Vatadi
Varga- 60
12. Dronapuspi Leucas cephalotes Pittahara Mehahara Shaka

8. 13. Gojihva Elephantopus
scaber
Polypodiaceae Kaph,
Pittahara
Pramehara Guduchyadi
Varga- 298
14. Guduchi Tinospora
cordifolia
Menispermaceae Tridoshahara Pramehanut Guduchyadi
Varga – 10
15. Guggulu Commiphora
mukul
Burseraceae Vata,
Kaphasamak
Mehahara Karpuradi
Varga- 40
16. Gokshura Tribulus terrestris Zygophyllaceae Vatanut Pramehara Guduchyadi
Varga - 46
17. Haridra Curcuma longa Zingiberaceae Kapha, Pittahara Mehaghna Guduchyadi
Varga- 197
18. Haritaki Terminalia chebula Combretaceae Tridoshahara Pramehahara Haritkyadi
Varga- 20
19 Indrayana Citrulus
colocynthis
Cucurbetaceae Pitta, Kaphahara Pramehahara Guducyadi
Varg – 206
20 Kadali (Pakwa) Musa sapientum Musaceae - Mehaghna
Amradi Varga- 34
21. Kakamachi Solanum nigrum Solanaceae Tridoshaghni Mehajeet Guduchyadi
Varga - 247
22. Kakubha Terminalia arjuna Combretaceae Kaphapittahara Mehahara Vatadi
Varga – 27
23. Kampillaka Mallotus
philippensis
Euphorbeaceae Kaphapittahara Mehanut Haritkyadi
Varga- 147
24. Karanja Phala Pongamia glabra Fabaceae Kaphavataghna Mehajeet Guduchyadi
Varga- 122

9. 25. Karavellam Momordica
charantia
Cucurbetaceae Pittakaphahara Mehaghna Shaka
Varga- 63
26. Katabhi Careya arborea Lecythidaceae Kaphaghna Pramehara Vatadi
Varga – 67
27. Kataphala Myrica esculenta Myricaceae Vatakaphahara Pramehara Haritkyadi
Varga- 181
28. Katuki Picrorhiza kurroa Scrophulariaceae Kaphapittahara Pramehanut Haritkyadi
Varga- 152
29. Kemukama Costrus speciosus Zingiberaceae Kaphapittahara
Vatala
Pramehaghna Shaka
Varga- 111
30. Khadira Acacia catechu Mimosaceae Pittakaphahara Mehaghna Vatadi
Varga- 32
31. Mahanimba Melia azaderach Meliaceae Kaphapittahara Pramehahara Guduchyadi
Varga- 99
32. Mandookparni Centella asiatica Apiaceae - Mehaghna Guduchyadi
Varga- 281
33. Manjistha Rubia cordifolia Rubiaceae - Mehanut Haritkyadi
Varga- 191
34. Meshashringi Gymnema
sylvestre
Asclepiadaceae Pitta,
shleshmahara
Mehaghna Guduchyadi
Varga- 255
35. Moorva Marsdenia
tenacissima
Asclepiadaceae Tridoshahara Mehanut Guduchyadi
Varga- 245
36. Nimba Azadirachta indica Meliaceae Pittahara, Vatala Mehanut Guduchyadi
Varga- 96

10. 37. Palasha Butea frondosa Fabaceae Kaphapittahara
Vatakara
Mehaghna Vatadi Varga-
53
38. Pashanabheda Saxifraga ligualata Saxifragaceae - Pramehara Haritkyadi
Varga- 185
39. Pippali Piper longum Piperaceae Vata, Shleshmahara Pramehaghna Haritkyadi
Varga- 55
40. Sarjaka Vateria indica Dipterocarpaceae Kaphahara Mehaghna Vatadi Varga- 21
41. Shitivara Marsilea minuta Marsileaceae Tridoshahara Meha pranut Shaka
Varga- 32
42. Suvarchala Cleome viscose Capparidaceae Kaphpittahara Mehaghna Guduchyadi
Varga- 286
43. Tinduka Diospyros
embryopteris
Ebenaceae Pittahara Pramehaghna Aamradi
phalavarga-65
44. Tinisha Ougeinia
dalbergioldes
Fabaceae Kapha,
Pittahar
Pramehajeet Vatadi Varga- 76
45. Trikatu - - Kaphahara Mehahara Haritkyadi
Varga-63
46. Triphala - - Kapha, Pittaghna Mehahara
Haritkyadi
Varga-43
47. Varahikanda Dioscorea
bulbifera
Dioscoreaceae Kapha,
Vatahara
Mehaghna Guduchyadi
Varga-179
48. Vasa Adhatoda vasica Acanthaceae Kapha,
Pittahara
Mehaghna Guduchyadi
Varga-90
49. Vridhdaruka Argyreia speciosa Convulvulaceae - Mehapranut Guduchyadi
Varga-
50. Ashtavarga - - Vata, Pittashamaka Mehapranuta
Haritkyadi
Varga- 122

11. RESULT AND DISCUSSION
 50 Dravyas are listed in the Table but among them
Triphala, Trikatu and Ashtavarga are groups of drugs.
 Except these three Gana, 47 single herbs are
Pramehahara Dravyas.
 Pramehahara Dravyas are mentioned as Pramehaghna,
Mehaghna, Pramehanut, Mehanut, Mehahara etc. but
none of them are given the name Madhumehaghna.
 Among 47 single herbs, 43 are proven as antidiabetic
as per studies

12. Contd…
 Studies upon Sarjaka(Vateria indica),
Tinduka(Diospyros embryopteris) aren’t done to
confirm them as antidiabetic.
 Amra Pushpa(inflorescence of Mangifera indica) is
mentioned as Pramehahara but such type of studies
aren’t done. Eventhough leaf extract of Mangifera
indica has significant antidiabetic effect.
 Pakwa Phala Kadali(ripened banana) is mentioned as
Pramehahara but not established, eventhough it’s peel
and unripen fruit are proven as antidiabetic.

13. Contd…
 Among Triphala, Trikatu, Astavarga, Triphala is proven
as beneficial in DM clinically but studies aren’t done
upon Trikatu and Astavarga.
 Most of the herbs having active principles like
glycosides, alkaloids, terpenes, saponins, etc. which
were responsible for hypoglycaemic actions or
antidiabetic effects.
 Pharmacological screening for hypoglycaemic or
antidiabetic action has been done on animal models
like fasting rat, streptozotcin induced rats, normal rats
or alloxan induced rats etc.
 In most of the cases water extract or alcohol extracts
of different parts of plants are used.

14. CONCLUSION
 Madhumeha( Diabetes Mellitus) is a type of
Vataj Prameha, more prevalence in present
era.
 Prameha is classified on the basis of color
and characteristics of Mutra(urine).
 The drugs mentioned as Pramehahara/
Mehaghna etc. in Bhavaprakash Nighantu are
not specifically mentioned as
Madhumehaghna but their actions as
antidiabetic are proven by various
experimental studies.

15. Contd..
 It is conceptualized that most of the
Mehaghna/Pramehaghna drugs of
Bhavaprkasha Nighantu is identical for anti-
diabetic properties and useful for management
of Diabetes mellitus.
 These drugs could be taken for higher studies
in term of clinical validation in future.
अत ऊर्ध्वं प्रवक्ष्यामि गुणानाां किम ववस्तरि्।
किममिस््वनुिीयन्ते नानाद्रव्याश्रया गुणा: ॥
सु. सू. 46/514

16. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The authors acknowledge the full cooperation
and guidance of Dr. Prasanna N. Rao, Principal,
and faculty members, Dr. Harini A. (HOD), Dr.
Prakash L. Hegde Dr. Anuradha K.N., Dr.
Poornima B.S. and all P.G. Scholars,
Department of Dravya- Guna, SDM College of
Ayurveda and Hospital, Hassan, Karnataka.

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