Trikarshika: A Literature Review

Trikarshika: A Literature Review

Dr.Aishwarya G. Joshi¹, Dr. Abhaykumar S. Kulkarni²

¹ Assistant Professor, Dept. Of Dravyagun vigyan , Ashokrao Mane Ayurvedic Medical College , Hospital  & Research Centre Vathar Tarf Vadgoan , Kolhapur.

² Professor and HOD, Dept. Of Dravyagun vigyan , Ashokrao Mane Ayurvedic Medical College, Hospital & Research Centre Vathar Tarf Vadgoan , Kolhapur.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.51244/IJRSI.2025.120500187

Received: 07 June 2025; Accepted: 11 June 2025; Published: 23 June 2025

ABSTRACT

Group of drugs or herbs that share similar qualities, properties and Therapeutic uses are called as Mishrak Gana. Mishraka gana are advocated by Maharshi Sushruta in 38^th Chapter of Sutrasthana of Sushrut Samhita. Trikarshika is one of the Mishrak Gana & Significant formulation in Ayurvedic medicine. The three drugs together are called Trikarshika,composed of Musta, Ativisha, Shunthi. It is an Antioxidant, Polyherbal compound. It is necessary to corroborate the consistency of mixing or combining in attribute balance.  Traditionally used for digestive, febrifuge, & appetizer.

Keywords: Trikarshika, Ayurveda, Polyherbal, Antioxidant, appetizer.

INTRODUCTIOIN

Trikarshika is significant concept rooted in ancient Indian medical tradition i.e. Ayurveda. Trikarshika has been explored across various texts & domains such as Ayurveda, Sankhya philosophy & yogic sciences. The term trikarshika broadly signifies the interplay of three fundamental principles that govern health. This literature review aims to comprehensively synthesize existing research, debates, research gaps, & establish a roadmap for future inquiries into Trikarshika’s framework & practical implication.

Trikarshika basically refers to a specific polyherbal combination (Mishrak Gana).It is blend of equal parts of Zinziber officinalae (Shunthi), Cyperus rotundus (musta), Aconitum heterophyllum (Ativisha)¹. Traditionally used for digestive, febrifuge, & appetizer.

This review aims to systematically describe the sources, Uses, & thematic elements in existing research on Trikarshika Mishrak Gana.

Material:

The literature for this review gathered from Primary sources such as classical texts (Samhitas & Nighantus) and secondary Scholarly articles Indexed in Database like PubMed, IJCRT.Evaluation Criteria included Academic relevance, And therapeutic relevance.

Methods:

rikarshika is a significant formulation in Ayurvedic medicine,primarily composed of musta (Cyperus rotundus), Shunthi (Zingiber officinale), and Ativisha (Aconitum heterophyllum).This literature review aims to explore the properties, uses, and therapeutic benefits of these components as documented in classical texts.

Musta, known for its digestive and anti-inflammatory properties, is extensively mentioned in the Charak Samhita, where it is described as a remedy for various gastrointestinal disorders.² The Sushrut Samhita also highlights its role in alleviating Vata dosha imbalances, making it a crucial herb in Ayurvedic treatments.³

Shunthi, or ginger, is recognized for its warming properties and is frequently referenced in the Ashtanga Hridaya^.  It is noted for its effectiveness in treating respiratory conditions and digestive issues⁴. The text emphasizes its ability to enhance digestion and reduce nausea, making it a staple in many Ayurvedic formulations.

Ativisha, with its potent medicinal properties, is discussed in the Raj Nighantu⁵ and DhanvantariNighantu⁶. It is praised for its effectiveness in treating fevers and digestive disorders. The Dravyagunavigyana textbook elaborates on its pharmacological actions, including its role as a potent anti-inflammatory and analgesic agent⁷.

The Kaiyadeva Nighantu provides additional insights into the synergistic effects of these herbs when combined in the Trikarshika formulation⁸.

1) Shunthi ( Zinziber officinalae) Dried Rhizome

2 ) Musta ( Cyperus Rotundus) Dried Tubers

3) Ativisha (Aconitum Heterophyllum) Dried Roots

 Table no. 1. The different properties and the characteristics of the various ingredients of the Trikarshika mentioned below:^[9,10,11]

Table no. 2 Action of Trikarshika described by various Ayurvedic texts: ^{[12, 13, 14, 15]}

Table 3: Qualitative analysis of Trikarshika Churna [Water soluble extractive]¹⁶

CONCLUSION

The review of these classical texts reveals a comprehensive understanding of the therapeutic potential of Trikarshika (Musta, Shunthi, and Ativisha) supporting their continued use in contemporary Ayurvedic practice.

REFERENCES

1. Prabhatkumar Shrivastav, Textbook of Dravyagunvigyan, Chaukhamba Publication, New Delhi, First Edition. P.g 211.
2. BramhanandTripathi, Charaksamhita Part 2, Chaukhamba SurbharatiPrakashan, Varanasi,Reprint 2022 Pg.474,475.
3. Kaviraj Dr. AmbikadattaShastri, SushrutSamhita Part I,Chaukhamba Sanskrit Sansthan, Varanasi, Reprint 2022 P.g 187.
4. Murthy,K.R. Shrikantha, Vagbhata Ashtanga Hridayam; Vol I(Sutra &Sharirsthan):Chaukhamba Krishnadas Academy, Varanasi, Edition8th Reprint2011; Pg.519.
5. Satishchandra Sankhyadhar, Forward by Prof. K. C. Chunekar, Shri Narhari Pandit”s       Rajnighantu, First Edition 2012, Reprint 2017, Pg. 239,240.
6. Acharya Priyvrat Sharma Evam Dr. Guruprasad Sharma,Dhanvantari Nighantu, Chaukhamba Orientalia,Varanasi, Reprint 2023, Pg.17.
7. Prakash L. Hegde, Dr. Harini A., A Textbook of Dravyagun Vijanana Vol II,Chaukhamba Publications , New Delhi,Reprint 2023,Pg.990.
8. Acharya Priyvrat Sharma Evam Dr. Guruprasad Sharma, Kaiyadev Nighantu, Chaukhamba Orientalia, Varanasi, Reptint 2019, Pg. 561.
9. Supriya Kallianpur, Dr. Rohit Gokarn,Textbook of Dravyagun vijanana Vol II,Chaukhamba orientalia, Varanasi, First Edition2019, Pg. 24.
10. Supriya Kallianpur, Dr. Rohit Gokarn,Textbook of Dravyagun vijanana Vol II,Chaukhamba orientalia, Varanasi, First Edition2019, Pg. 234.
11. Supriya Kallianpur, Dr. Rohit Gokarn,Textbook of Dravyagun vijanana Vol II,Chaukhamba orientalia, Varanasi, First Edition2019, Pg. 44.
12. Satishchandra Sankhyadhar, Forward by Prof. K. C. Chunekar, Shri Narhari Pandit”s Rajnighantu, First Edition 2012, Reprint 2017, Pg. 1063
13. Acharya Priyvrat Sharma Evam Dr. Guruprasad Sharma, Kaiyadev Nighantu, Chaukhamba Orientalia, Varanasi, Reptint 2019, Pg. 561.
14. Acharya Priyvrat Sharma Evam Dr. Guruprasad Sharma,Dhanvantari Nighantu, Chaukhamba Orientalia,Varanasi, Reprint 2023, Pg. 261
15. J. L. N. Sastry, Textbook of Dravyaguna vijanan Vol I, Chaukhamba Orientalia, Varanasi, Reprint 2017, Pg. 288.
16. Revati Sakhare1, Manasi Deshpande 2 , Ninad Nangare3, Phytochemical Analysis of Trikarshik Churna (POWDER), International Ayurvedic Medical Journal (ISSN: 2320 5091) (April – May, 2017) 1(4)