European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

PRINCIPLES OF MONO DRUG THERAPY IN AYURVEDA- A REVIEW

Prof. Karnam Chandrashekhar*

ABSTRACT

Best doctor gives the least medicines- Benzamin Franklin. A quote that is needed to contemplate in the present scenario. Medicalization has pushed the standard therapy to a different direction. Bunch of drugs used to treat a condition has not only irked the patients but also contributed additional health issues. The credibility on the patient- doctor relationship is highly at stake. The psychological distress and the economic burden associated with poly pharmacy are really worrisome. Ayurveda explained different approaches such as Mono drug therapy and drug therapy with poly herbal preparations for treating a condition. No doubt, the formulations containing more than one ingredients offer better effect through synergy. Nevertheless, Mono drug therapy is effective in its own way in number of conditions. Administration of a dosage form prepared from a single drug with a proper anupana, at a right time through an appropriate route and with an optimum dose benefits the patient to a greater extent. It can act as first aid or preliminary step or a complete treatment in different conditions depending upon the severity. But, its application is based on few important principles. This review is an earnest attempt to explore the important principles governing the mono drug therapy in Ayurveda that need to be considered while prescribing it to the patient.

Keywords: Mono drug therapy, Rasa vikalpa, Reverse pharmacology, shelf life, Chronopharmacology.