Agada Tantra ( Toxicology ) is fifth branch of Ashtang Ayurveda.
Agada Tantra study of Poisons in Ayurveda.
Gada means a disease and Agada means any agent which makes the body free from disease.
The term Agada is used specifically for the branch of medicine dealing with toxicology,
the description of the different types of poisons, and their antidotes that is science of poisons.
The term Agada is used specifically for the branch of medicine dealing with toxicology,
the description of the different types of poisons, and their antidotes that is science of poisons.
Agada Tantra is defined as a section of toxicology that deals with food poisoning, snakebites, dog bites, insect bites, etc.
Kashyapa the great saint and medical practitioner is the father of Agada Tantra.
He founded school of Toxicology from which students later become Royal Vaidyas ( Doctors) in various kingdoms to protect Royal families from being poisoned.
Even they administer poison to king’s enemy.
There are two types of poisons that described in Agada Tantra.
The Natural poisons and artificial poisons.The naural poisons are classified as
Inanimate ( Sthaavara ) and Animate ( Jangama ).
Inanimate poisons are poisons that have plant origin and from toxic minerals,
metals or metal ores that are found inside the earth.
Animate poisons are poisons that are the venoms of animals like snakes,scorpions,worms,insects etc.
Artificial poisons are invented poisons that are prepared by combining different kinds of animate and inanimate poisons.
Agada Tantra has information regarding fatal doses of various poisons.
Agada Tantra is popularly known as Visha Chikitsa which deals with various methods of cleaning the poisons and throw out of the body as well as to recommends antidotes for particular poisons.
It deals with a wide range of natural toxins originating from wild lives like animals, birds, insects etc., In plants including herbs (belladonna, aconite etc.), vegetables, minerals (leads, mercury, arsenal etc.) and artificial poisons prepared from poisonous drugs.
This branch also deals with air and water pollution, which are basically the causes of various dangerous epidemics.
It deals with a wide range of natural toxins originating from wild lives like animals, birds, insects etc., In plants including herbs (belladonna, aconite etc.), vegetables, minerals (leads, mercury, arsenal etc.) and artificial poisons prepared from poisonous drugs.
This branch also deals with air and water pollution, which are basically the causes of various dangerous epidemics.
Well known example of Vishkanya,food poisoning and many other types of poisoning ,their remedies and methods to identify poisonous food,drink,Oil etc found in the text of Sushruta Samhita, Astanga Hridaya , Charak Samhita, Atharva Veda and Arthashastra of Kautilya i.e Arya Chanakya.
In history of Maurya empire Vishkanya is well known example how this Agada Tantra works and it’s effectiveness.
