MAHATIKTAKAM GHRITAM- In different classics

Dr. BALAMURUGAN

All of us are very familiar with Mahatiktakam Ghrita. It can be used for a wide range of condition.
It is very interesting to note that this ghrita has been described in different forms by different
acharyas.

IMPORTANCE:

Acharya charaka says that this ghrita when admistered in accordance with time and strength of
the patient it immediately cures that diseases even if it was not cured by hundreds of other
recipes.

ACCORDING TO CHARAKA:

Ingredients:

Saptaparna, Ativisha, Aragvadha, katukarohini, patha, mustha, ushira, triphala, patola,

nimba, parpataka, duralabha, chandana, pippali, padranakul, haridra, daruharidra, vaca,
indravaruni, shatavari, shariba(2), kutaja beejam, vasa, murva, amrta, kirathatiktam,
trayamanam, yashti.

KALKA- 4 parts

JALAM- 8 parts

Important Ingredients: Amalaki Swarasa- 2 times than Ghrita

Indications:

Kusta, Rakta pitta, Rakta vahini, Visarpa, Amlapittam, Vata Sonitham, Pandu, Visphota,
Santapa, Unmada, Kamala, Jwara, Kandu, Hridrogam, Gulma, Pidakam, Pradara and
Galagandam.

ACCORDING TO SUSHRUTA:

Same ingredients as Charaka has explained but for small difference, Usira is not included but
Iksura and Musali have been included.

Indications: Kusta, Visarpa, Vishama jwara, Raktapitta, Hridroga, Unmada, Apasmara, Gulma,
Pidaka, Pradara, Galaganda, Gandamala, Slipada, Pandu, Visarpa, Arsas, Shandatva, Kandu,
Pama.

Sushrutha’s Tiktaka ghrita is indicated in Jatru Urdhva Rogam also.

ACCORDING TO VAGBHATA:
Indications: Kushta, Rakta pittam, Vatarakta, Sannipatha, Vispotha, Vidhradi, Swithram, Kasa,
Jwaram, Gandamala, Pali rogam (Ear lobe), Granthi, Arbuda, Hridrogam, Pandu rogam and
Bhagandara.

ACCORDING TO YOGA RATNAKARA:

Yoga ratnakaram has explained two type of Mahathikthakam ghrita.

One that is explained in kushta chikitsa is similar to Charakas yoga another one is found in vata
raktha chikitsa that too is similar to charakas yoga but Hirbera is an extra ingredient.

Indications: Gala ganda, Pandu, Sotham, Slipada, Vata raktham and Asta dasa Iwshta.

ACCORDING TO SATASLOKI (BOPADEVA):

This yoga is similar to that of charaka samhitha . Bopadeva has adviced to use the ghrita in
Shrama also.

ACCORDING TO VAIDYA MANORAMA:

Mahatikthakam ghritam can be given for vata rakta janya sopham, purana sita pitam, krimi

ACCORDING TO SARVA ROGA CHIKITSHA RATNAM:

In this text Mahatiktaka ghrita is especially indicated in Vipathika Kushtam.

Rasadi gunam: Mahatiktakam ghritham contain more number of Thiktha rasa, Sita virya, Pitta
samana dravya

DIFFERENT USES OF MAHATIKTAKA GHRITA:

Lepanam: Very few ghritas are used for lepana karma. Mahatiktaka ghrita is best for drinking
as well as for external application. It can be used both as lepa and for pariseka (especially for
agni visarpam).

In the case of daha samyuktha kusta abhyanga can be done with Ciktaka ghrita

Sopha: Mahatiktaka ghritam may be administred after determining the stage of the disease.

Pandu: In initial stage of pandu roga chikitsa, Sneha karma should be done with one of the
following ghrita namely, Kalyanakam ghritam, Pancha gavya ghritam, Mahatiktakam Ghritam.
Garbhasravam: Mahatiktaka ghritam is indicated for Pittaja asrgdaram, treatment for Grabha
srava and Pittaja asrgdara treatments are same. So we can use this ghrita for preventing
Grabha srava also.

Virecana Effect: Some amla dravyas are bhedi for example Amalakam. Some amla dravyas
are Sangrahi for example kapittha.

So Mahatiktaka ghrita may produce bhedi (losse stools) because it contains large amount of
amalaki swarasa.

APPROPRIATE STAGE FOR GIVING THIS GHRITA:

Tiktaka or Mahatiktaka ghrita can be given where there are no symptoms of ama, when kapha
has decreased but vata and pitta predominant condition.

Some kasaya yogas are found included in mahatiktaka ghrita for example:

1. Patola Katurohini (Madhu, srava, murva some vaidyas are using sigru twak instead of
murva)
2. Saptha parniyadi kasayam (Mukhapakam)
3. Amrutha rajanyadi kasayam (Sita pittam)
4. Pathya sadangadi kasayam (Suryavarta, Ardhavabhedaga, Netra rogam)
5. Patoladi kasayam (Visphota)
6. Musta Candanadi kasayam (Puya samyuktha vidradhi)
7. Patola Triphaladi kasayam (Daha samyuktha vata raktham)

CONCLUSION:

The physician must have the proper knowledge of the ingredients of every yogas he is using.
Yoga like Mahatiktaka ghritam can be used in different conditions by adding or excluding some
ingredient.

A sound knowledge of stage of disease is also essential. Acharyas have indicated this ghrita for
hridroga. In name of yukti Acharyas are expecting us to apply our mind before using a drug in
any of the diseases indicated.

It is a controversial drug. Some of the vaidyas are using brahmi instead of Traayamanam.

In this article Tiktaka Ghritam is also mentioned because Mahatiktakam is more potent than
Tiktaka Ghritam.