AYURVEDIC CONCEPT OF KOSHTHA AND ITS IMPORTANCE IN PANCHKARMA

Abstract

Ayurveda is the science of life. Panchakarma procedure comes under the shodhana chikitsa. Shodhanaa chikitsa is better than shamanaa chikitsa, because disease treated with shodhana therapy will never reoccur. Koshtha, Agni, bala are the assessment factor in Panchakarma. The term koshtha can be described in two ways. koshtha is nature of digestive tract or hollow parts of body which represents motility of the intestines and movement of food and fecal matter in the alimentary canal and elimination of stool. koshtha shodan is most important procedure in Panchakarma. Assessment of Koshtha is very important for Panchakarma therapy as Dosage of Shodhana drugs are dependent upon type of    Koshtha. If Koshtha Assessment does not properly done then Samyak shodhan does not occur.