An attempt to assess Teekshna Virechana - A Case Series

Virechana (~purgation therapy) is one of the Panchakarma procedures, which not merely cleanses the gut, but expels the morbid Dosha. Moreover, just purification of Dosha isn’t the aim of Virechana, but remission of disease, no ill effects to body are also to be attained. For this, pre-requisite is apt Virechana medicine for apt condition. According to intensity of Virechana drugs, procedure can be classified as- Mrudu (~mild), Madhyama (~moderate) & Teekshna (~sharp). But, these are Virechana types, and not Shuddhi (~purification) types. Commonest fallacy to diagnose the Shuddhi of Virechana from number of Vega (~urges) is prime concern for study. Shuddhi can be assessed as- Pravara, Madhyama and Avara in every aforementioned type. To clearly understand difference, case series of three Sthaulya cases fit for Teekshna Virechana is observed and analysis is attempted from it. The patients underwent Rukshana (~dryness inducing therapy), Snehapana (~internal oleation), Snehana (~therapeutic oleation), Swedana (~sudation), Virechana (~purgation). Virechana was analysed by certain factors, like- number of Vega, latency period, its contents, total duration, etc. The objective criteria observed for obesity was- weight, body mass index and waist-hip ratio. It was observed that Teekshna Virechana has lesser number of Vega, but with more number of bouts and amount. It may aggravate Pitta-related complaints for time-being, due to its hot potency.