A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF PATOLA (TRICHOSANTHES DIOICA) IN NIGHANTUS

Background: In Ayurveda, there are lots of references of Patola available in the Charaka Samhita,Sushruta Samhita and Astanga Hridaya.It is widely referenced in various Nighantus.It is called as Trichosanthesdioica,a genus of family Cucurbitaceae,annual or perennial herbaceous climber commonly known as Pointed gourd, it is found wild in the plains of Northern India from Punjab to Assam; it is extensively cultivated all over the warmer regions of India, particularly in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal and Assam. Aim: This review compiles the synonyms, varieties, Rasapanchaka and Karma of Patola as mentioned in different Nighantus, with proper references.

Materials and Methods: The drug has been mentioned in Charaka Samhita,Sushruta Samhita and Astanga Hridaya and in various Nighantus.

Results and Conclusion: Different types of synonyms mainly Kulaka, Panduk, Karkaschachad, Bijgarbha and Kasbhanjana, Rasapanchaka: Tikta Rasa mainly, with Laghu and Snigdha Guna, Ushna Virya, and Katu Vipaka and Karma of Patola: Yakrit Shodhana, Deepana, Kandu Hara, kushthaghna, Jwaraghna, Pitta-Kapha Shamana these all can be studied together with proper differentiation, as mentioned in different Nighantus.