Biocides and fumigants in Ayurveda

Biocides & fumigants play an important role in agriculture, industry and health. They contribute to the conservation and durability of a multitude of raw materials and manufactured products during production, storage and final use. In Ayurveda, there are many such measures described in the management of individual and social health & disease.

In Charaka Samhita Vimanasthana Chapter 3, an independent chapter dealing with epidemics (Janapadodhvamsa) has many such references dealing with measures for the purification of air, water and soil. These measures can be broadly grouped under preventive and curative measures. In general, these are aimed at control and elimination of harmful macro & microorganisms. For example, use of preservatives for drugs, food, beverages; use of fumigants to kill or drive away the harmful pathogens and insects, etc. However, these natural biocides and fumigants are mostly scattered in the context of control and treatment of various diseases and very few of them have been studied on modern scientific parameters for their nature and mode of action. These plant, animal or mineral derivatives usually have some common property; e.g. they possess strong bitter or pungent taste, strong smell and a few are poisonous, if consumed in sufficient quantity.

In terms of protection from and prevention of disease or unwanted harmful animals and insects we find use of certain trees and plants e.g. Azadirachta indica A. Juss. (Nimba), Ocimum sanctum Linn. (Tulasi), Ocimum basilicum Linn. (Vanatulasi) in and around houses, evening fumigation of house with leaves of Azadirachta indica A. Juss (Nimbapatra), seeds of Brassica campestris Linn. (Sarsapa), exudates of Shorea robusta Gaertn. f. (Sarjarasa), exudates of Ferula foetida Regel (Hingu) etc. on charcoal or cow dung fire to repel insects, or purify the places like operation theater (Vranagara), puerperal chamber (Sutikagara). Fumigants are also used in disinfecting the fermentation pots used for Asava and Arishta.

There are several fumigation (Dhupana) formulations to combat foul smell emanating from wound (Vrana), vagina (Yoni) and the whole body (Gatra). Fumigants were also used to disinfect the atmosphere. Various fumigants (Dhupa) e.g., Dasangadhupa and other oblations for burning (Havisa) of Ghee (Ghrta), exudates of Commiphora wightii Bhandari (Guggulu), woods of Cedrus deodara (D.Don) G.Don (Devadarukastha) etc., were used whenever some epidemic broke out in the villages.

For the prolong preservation of potency and prevention from getting rotten; the drugs and dietary items were extensively stored in or formulated with ghee (Ghrta), oil (Taila), honey (Madhu), alcoholic preparations (Asava/ Arishta).

In Charaka Samhita – Sutrasthana, 3rd chapter (Aragvadhiyam), thirty-two formulations for local application (Lepa and Pradeha) have been described consisting of various drugs including formulations for the management of skin conditions like scabies, eczema, leprosy, etc. There are fifteen formulations for curing skin diseases including leprosy (Kusthahara) and in each group some drugs are biocides while others are soothing or healing agents. There is one formulation to remove foul smell from body (Sarira-daurgandhahara) and formulation for local application (Pradeha). Also, there are many formulation for local application and single drugs mentioned to be worn on the body of an infant to cure some of the paediatric idiopathic syndromes (Shishu Grahabadha).

Likewise in Charaka Samhita Sutrasthana, 4th chapter, there are drugs for curing skin diseases including leprosy (Kusthaghna), drugs curing skin diseases with itching (Kandughna), and anthelmintics (Krimighna) great decoctions (Mahakashaya) that consist of biocides as well. These are enumerated as Acacia catechu (Linn. f.) Willd. (Khadira), Terminalia chebula (Gaertn.) Retz. (Haritaki), Phyllanthus emblica Linn. (Amalaki), Curcuma longa Linn. (Haridra), Semecarpus anacardium Linn. f. (Bhallataka), Alstonia scholaris (Linn.) R. Br. (Saptaparna), Cassia fistula Linn (Aragvadha), Nerium indicum Mill (Karavira), Embelia ribes Burm. f (Vidanga) and young leaves of Jasminum officinale Linn (Jatipravala) which are drugs curing skin diseases including leprosy (Kusthaghna).

Pterocarpus santalinus Linn. F. (Candana), Vetiveria zizanioides (Linn.) Nash (Nalada), Cassia fistula Linn. (Aragvadha), Pongamia pinnata (Linn.) Pierre (Naktamala), Azadirachta indica A. Juss. (Nimba), Holarrhena antidysenterica (G Don) Wall. ex DC (Kutaja), Brassica campestris Linn. (Sarsapa ), Glycyrrhiza glabra Linn. (Madhuka), Berberis aristata DC. (Daruharidra) and Cyperus rotundus Linn. (Musta) have been described as drugs that cure skin diseases with itching (Kandughna).

Moringa pterygosperma C.F. Gaertn. (Aksiva), Piper nigrum Linn. (Maricha), Coleus barbatus (Andrews) Benth (Gandira), Costus speciosus (Koen. ex Retz) Smith (Kebuka), Embelia ribes Burm. f (Vidanga), Vitex negundo Linn. (Nirgundi), Albizia procera (Roxb.) Benth. (Kinihi), Tribulus terrestris Linn. (Gokshura), Ipomoea maxima (Linn. f.) G. Don.(Vrishaparnika), and Merremia gangetica (Linn.) Cufodont (Akhuparnika) are described as anthelmintics (Krimighna ).

In Sushruta Samhita Sutrasthana, hapter 38 (Dravyasangrahaniya) the Arkadigana plants viz., Calotropis procera Dry and ex W.Ait. (Arka ), Calotropis gigantea (Linn.) Ait.f. (Alarka), Pongamia pinnata (Linn.) Pierre, and Holoptelea integrifolia (Roxb.) Planch. (Karanjadvaya), Croton oblongifolius Roxb. (Nagadanti), Achyranthes aspera Linn. (Mayuraka), Clerodendrum divaricatum Jack (Bharangi), Pluchea lanceolata Oliv. & Hiern (Rasna), Gloriosa superba Linn. (Indrapushpi), Albizia lucida Benth. (Ksudrasveta), Albizia procera (Roxb.) Benth. (Mahashveta), Pergularia daemia (Forsk.) Chiov. (Vrischikali), Celastrus paniculatus Willd. (Alavana) and Balanites aegyptiaca (Linn.) Delile (Tapasavrksa) are said to have the property to cure worms (Krimi), skin diseases including leprosy (Kustha) and for wound cleansing & purifying (Vranavisodhana).

The Surasadigana plants viz. Ocimum sanctum Linn. (Surasa), Ocimum canum Sims. (Svetasurasa), Origanum majorana Linn. (Phanijjaka), Orthosiphon pallidus Royle ex. Benth. (Arjaka), Cymbopogon martini (Roxb.) Wats. (Bhustrna), Leucas martinicensis R.Br. (Sugandhaka), Brassica juncea (L) Czern. (Sumukha), Ocimum basilicum Linn. (Kalamala), Ocimum basilicum Linn. (Kutheraka), Cassia occidentalis Linn. (Kasamarda), Centipeda minima (Linn.) A. Br. & Aschers (Ksavaka), Origanum majorana Linn (Kharapuspa), Embelia ribes Burm. f. (Vidanga), Myrica esculenta Buch.-Ham. ex D. Don (Katphala), Limonia crenulata Roxb. (Surasi), Vitex negundo Linn. (Nirgundi), Linn. (Kulahala), Merremia gangetica (Linn.) Cufodont (Undurukarnika), Rivea ornata Choisy (Phanji), Peristrophe paniculata (Forssk.) Brumm. (Prachibala), Solanum nigrum Linn. (Kakamachi) and Strychnos nuxvomica Linn. (Visamustika) are also said to be anthelmintics (Krimighna) with wound cleansing and purifying (Vranasodhana) properties.

In recommendation of plants for use as toothbrush Achrya Charaka enumerated some plants e.g. toothbrush sticks made of Azadirachta indica A. Juss. (Nimba ), Pongamia pinnata (Linn.) Pierre (Karanja ), Nerium indicum Mill.(Karavira), Calotropis procera Dry and ex W.Ait.(Arka) etc. that are disinfectant and remover of foul smell from mouth.

In Charaka Samhita Chikitsasthana, 23rd chapter (Vishachikitsa) there is description of one formulation for fumigation, which would kill serpents, rats, insects and tiny insects of clothes. The plants enumerated are Laksa i.e. secretion of Lacifer lacca (Jatu), Vetiveria zizanioides (Linn.) Nash (Sevya), leaves of Cinnamomum tamala Nees (Patra), Commiphora wightii Bhandari, (Guggulu) Semecarpus anacardium Linn. f. (Bhallataka), flowers of Terminalia arjuna (Roxb.) Wight &Arn. (Kakubhapushpa), exudates of Shorea robusta Gaertn. f. (Sarjarasa) and white flower variety of Clitoria ternatea Linn. (Shveta). In Vranacikitsa there are also formulations for local irrigation, application and fumigation that can be used for wound cleansing & purifying (vranasodhana ), which act as disinfectant. Natural biocides are also used in various types of Krimiroga e.g., intestinal worms (Udarakrimi), headache due to hydatid cyst/Taenia solium/ Taenia Echinococcus (Krimija-siroroga), heart disease with infective pathology (Krimija-hrdaroga), wound infested with worms (Vranakirmi), carious tooth/dental caries (Krimidanta) etc.

In Ashtanga Samgraha Uttarasthana, Chapter 1 (Balopacaraniya), it is described to tie a cotton pouch containing Ferula foetida Regel (Hingu), Acorus calamus Linn. (Vaca), Liquidambar orientalis Mill. (Turuska) and Brassica campestris Linn. (Sarsapa ), on the upper frame of door and head-side of bed (cradle) and also in the neck of infant and mother for protection. This possibly acts as repellent for insects, etc. Further there is mention of fumigants for a baby’s room (Kumaragara) consisting of dried crow feathers along with Operculina turpethum (Trivrta), Acorus calamus Linn. (Vaca), Saussurea lappa Clarke (Kustha), exudates of Pinus roxburghii Sarg. (Srivestaka), Brassica campestris Linn. (Sarsapa), along with little ghee (Ghrta).

Further in Ashtanga Samgraha Uttarasthana, Chapter 30 (Vranapratisedha) fumigation with exudates of Pinus roxburghii Sarg. (Srivestaka), exudates of Shorea robusta Gaertn. f. (Sarjarasa), Cedrus deodara (D. Don) G. Don (Devadaru), Dalbergia sissoo Roxb. ex DC. (Simsapa), Acacia catechu Linn. f. Willd. (Khadira), Pterocarpus marsupium Roxb. (Asana), Melia azedarach Linn. (Kaidaryasara), Hordeum vulgare Linn. (Yava), bees wax (Madhucchistha), Betula utilis D.Don (Bhurjapatra), Linum usitatissimum Linn.(Kshauma) and ghee (Ghrta) are indicated to allay exudation and pain of wounds.

In Ashtanga Samgraha Sutrasthana Chapter 38 (Sastrakarmavidhi) also there is mention of fumigation for wound healing (Vrana-raksoghna Dhupa) consisting of exudates of Commiphora wightii Bhandari (Guggulu), Aquilaria malaccensis Lam. (Agaru), exudates of Shorea robusta Gaertn.f. (Sarjarasa), Acorus calamus Linn. (Vaca), white seeds of Brassica campestris Linn. (Gaura-sarsapa), exudates of Ferula foetida Regel (Hingu), salt (Lavana), leaves of Azadirachta indica A. Juss. (Nimbapatra), and ghee (Ghrta) for the fumigation of wound. This also finds mention in Uttarasthana Chapter 1 for the protection of a newborn infant.

Ahstanga Samgraha Uttarasthana Chapter 8 (Bhutapratisedha) contains many formulations, which appear to consist of natural biocides and fumigants. Likewise, the external therapeutic measures to prevent or cure various paediatric idiopathic syndrome (Grahabadha) also finds mentioned. Ayurveda was intricately woven with culture and religion in the society and natural biocides and fumigants were widely used on a variety of contexts, aimed at prolonging life and providing health, happiness and prosperity.