1. THE HERBAL DRUGS IN OPHTHALMIC DISEASES
AUTHOR:
Dr.Pravin M.Bhat
M.S(Shalakyatantra.)
DEPT. OF SHALAKYATANTRA
Sumatibhai Shah Ayurved College, Hadpasar, Pune.

2. INTRODUCTION AYURVEDA : The Science Of Life
EIGHT BRANCHES OF AYURVED :
1.Kayachikitsa(Internal Medicine)
2.Balaroga(Pediatrics)
3.Graharoga(Psychiatry)
4.Urdhwang(ENT,Ophthalmology)
5.Shalyatantra(Surgery)
6.Danshtra(Toxicology)
7.Jara(Geriatric Medicine)
8.Vrishan(Aphrodisiac)

3. Ophthalmology is the branch in developing phase in Ayurveda
Eyes :Delicate organ providing sight
Dravyaguna is the branch of Ayurveda related with the Herbal informatics & pharmaceutics
Most of the herbs in Ophthalmology are described under the heading of NETRYA & CHAKSHUSHYA DRAVYA

4. NETRYA DRAVYA Five sense organs –Eye is one of them
Netrya – Beneficial for the eyes
These dravya works on the sense organ itself i.e Eye
Netrya dravya works as eye tonics preventing diseases of eye affecting from external factors
E.g. Nirgundi (Vitex nigundo), Shatavari(Asparagus racemosus)

5. CHAKSHUSHYA DRAVYA
These are the herbs which works on Chakshurendriya (i.e Retina:A nervine structure present inside the eyeball)
These dravyas helps and important in Visual improvement and these are the visual Tonics

6. AMALAKI Emblica officinalis ,Garetn
Family : Euphorbiaceae
A/P : Vitamin C , Galic Acid
PU : Fruit, Leaves
MP : swarasa (Extraction)
MA : 1.All Netraroga Swaras form applied
into the eyes
2.Blepharitis : Anjan (collyria)
3.Progressive Myopia :Internal use
4.Leaf juice used as eye drops in eye
disorders

7. HARITAKI Terminalia chebula ,willd
Family : Combrataceae
A/P : Chebulinic acid, Tanic acid , Galic Acid
PU : Fruit
MP : Haritaki made into a paste & boiled with
ghrita
MA : 1. Haritaki viz.Abhaya is used in eye
diseases.Identification- Fruit has five
lines on it
2. Conjunctivitis –Application on eye
lids- Anti inflammatory action
3.Chakshushya-Beneficial for sight

8. BIBHITAKA Terminalia bellerica
Family : Combrataceae
A/P :Tannin, Volatile oils
PU :Fruit pulp
MP : Pulp made into a paste & honey added
MA : 1. Inflammatory Eye condition – Local
application of paste
2. Conjunctivitis –Application of Anjana
3. Important herb in Triphala trio

9. DARUHARIDRA Berberis aristata
Family : Berberidaceae
A/P : Berberine alkaloid
PU : Bark/Wood
MP : Decoction is prepared & honey added
MA : 1. Used in burning sensation,watering
of eyes & painful condition in
conjunctivitis
2.250mg of Rasanjan
(Extractum berberis) mixed with 20ml
of RoseWater is used as eye drops

10. YASHTIMADHU Glycerriza glabra
Family : Leguminoceae
A/P : Glycerrhizin
PU : Wood
MP : Used in the form of Dried
Decoction
MA : 1. Used as Anjana in Corneal
Opacity
2. Decoction is used as eye drop
in Subconjunctival Haemorrhage

11. LODHRA Symplocos racemoces
Family : Symplococeae
A/P : Bark-Loturine 0.06%,coloturine .02%
PU : Bark
MP : Paste of Lodhra bark is fried with Ghee
& tied in a cloth,is soaked in warm
water,later squeezed well into eyes
MA : 1. Used in pain caused due to Vata
2. In Subconjunctival haemorrhage-
Acts as haemostatic
3.In Purulent conjunctivitis-Decoction
used as eye drops

12. JEEVANTHI Lrptadenia reticulata
Family : Asclepiadaceae
A/P : ----
PU : Leaves
MP : Jeevanthi leaves are boiled with ghrita
MA : 1. Used internally in Naktandhyata
(i.e Retinitis pigmentosa)
2. Application as an ointment in allergy
due to Pitta

13. PIPPALI/KANA Piper longum,L
Family :Piperaceae
A/P : Piperine
PU : Fruit
MP : Pippali given as putapaka-mixed with
honey
MA : 1. Used in various eye diseases as in
Retinitis Pigmentosa
2.Used in Kaphaj eye diseases

14. PUNARNAVA Boerhavia diffusa
Family : Nyctaginaceae
A/P : Punarnavine
PU : Root
MP : Rootr rubbed along with milk/ghee
MA : 1. Used as anjana along with milk in
Netra Kandu(i.e Itching of eyes)
2.Used along with ghee in Corneal
Opacities
3.Used along with honey in Purulent
Conjunctivitis
4.Lekhan (Scraping) property & anti
inflammatory property

15. SHATAVARI Asparagus racemosus
Family : Liliaceae
A/P : Volatile oil
PU : Roots
MP : Payas is prepared with roots of
Shatavari
MA : 1. Used in Vataj & Pittaj eye diseses
2. Used in Acute Conjunctivitis having
Redness
3. Used in Dry Eye Syndrome &
Computer Vision Syndrome as
Netratarpan with Shatavari Ghee

16. DISCUSSION
According to parts used the majority of parts used in preparation are Fruits, Leaves followed by Roots & Bark
In Mode of Administration most of the preparations were used Topically. Very few preparations were used internally as they are crossing Retinal Barrier.

17. CONCLUSIONS
The Herbal drugs & their preparations are mostly useful in Conjunctivitis as it is the prime cause for many of eye diseases & various occular complications
The Prevalance of eye diseases leading to Blindness being very high among economically backward class.So these cost effective preparations are very useful in such cases.

18. THANK YOU !!!