ELEMENTARY REVIEW OF AGNIKARMA AN AYURVEDIC PAIN KILLER

Agnikarma or thermal cauterization is one among the Anushastras or para-surgical technique mentioned in all literatures of Ayurveda. Agnikarma as dened by Aacharya Sushruta is one of the treatment in which with the help of particular shalaka the Agni is transferred into the tissue. Agnikarma is stated as more important than ksara or other surgical management because of non-recurrence of diseases treated with Agni and its success in diseases incurable by drugs, instrument and Ksara. Agni having usna, Tikshna, Sukshma and Ashukari properties pacify vitiated vata and kapha dosha bringing them to their normal function. Sushruta says the pain aggravated by vata in twak , mamsa, sira, snayu, sandhi and asthi. Chronic wounds having some hard elevated tissue, Cystic lesions, haemorrhoids, tumour, stula, sinus lymphadenopathy, larial, skin tag, hernia, joints disorders, to stop bleeding from cut vessels. In current practises we are using Agnikarma for all the said purposes but most frequently for analgesic properties of Agnikarma.