Visha.

Vatsanάbha.

Vern. Mithάbish, Sringibish, Dagrά.

The poisonous root called bish or sringibish is derived chiefly from Aconitum ferox and Aconitum Napellus, which are indigenous to the temperate and sub alpine Himalaya. Other equally poisonous species of aconite are met with in these regions, and their roots collected for use. In the Introduction (page 7) it has been stated that of the nine virulent poisons mentioned by Sanskrit writers, the majority probably consist of species of aconite. The characters of these poisons are described in the Bhabaprakasa, as follows.

Vatsanάbha. This root resembles in appearance the navel of children, hence it is called Vatsanάbha. Its leaves are like those of Vitex Negundo. It is said that no plant can grow near it.

Hάridra. This root resembles turmeric in appearance, hence it is so called.

Saktu. This poisonous tuber, when broken, is found to contain a white starch-like substance.

Pradipana. This variety is said to be red and shining in appearance, and to cause a severe burning sensation when taken internally.

Saurάshtrika is the variety of poisonous root produced in the country called Surat.

Sringi is a variety of aconite which if tied to the horn of a cow, is said to tinge her milk red.

Kάlakuta. This poison is said to be the gum of a plant resembling the Ficus religiosa in appearance. It is a native of Malwa and the Concans.

Halάhala. The bunches of fruits of this plant resemble those of grapes. Its leaves are like those of the palm tree. It is found in the Himalaya, in the sea coast to the south, the Concan and in the mountain called Kishkindhya to the north of Mysore.

Brahmaputra. This poison is of a tawny colour and causes purging. It grows on the Malayachala, that is, the Western Ghats on the Malabar Coast.

From the above description it would seem that of these nine poisons, the first six are probably species of aconite. Of these the variety called Vatsanάbha has been used in medicine from a very remote period.

Aconite is purified by being cut in small slices and steeped in cow's urine for three days, before being used. It is regarded as heating and stimulant, and useful in diseases supposed to be caused by deranged phlegm and air. It is used in a great variety of affections, but is specially recommended in fever, cephalalgia, affections of the throat, dyspepsia and rheumatism. In recent or acute fevers the following is a favourite medicine.

Mrityunjaya rasa.1 Take of purified aconite, sulphur, black pepper, long pepper and borax, each one part, cinnabar two parts; powder and beat them into a mass with water and make into two-grain pills. These pills are given with suitable adjuncts in fever supposed to be caused by deranged air, as also in those caused by the derangement of all the humours, that is, in ordinary remittent fever and in that of typhoid type. A composition very similar to the above is recommended by Sarangadhara under the name of A'nanda bhairava rasa. If there is much constipation along with the fever, croton seeds are added to the above ingredients, as in the preparation called Jvara murάri rasa.1

In fever complicated with cerebral symptoms aconite is used in combination with mercury and datura, as in the following called Panchavahtra rasa,2 Take of purified mercury, sulphur, aconite, black pepper and borax, rub them together with the juice of datura leaves for twelve hours, and make into four-grain pills. Along with these pills a decoction of the root of Calotropis gigantea (arka) with the addition of long pepper, black pepper and ginger is recommended to be taken.

In chronic fever with strong shivering fits, copious perspiration, or much heat of body, aconite is used in combination with salts and aromatics, as in the follwing called Saubhάgya vatikά.3 Take of aconite, borax, cumin seeds, the five salts, viz. rock, sea, sonchal. vit and sambar salts, the three myrobalans, ginger, long pepper and black pepper, prepared talc, mercury and sulphur, in equal parts. First rub the mercury and sulphur together, then mix them with the other ingredients, soak the mixture seven times successively in the juice of the following leaves, namely, of Vitex Negimdo ( nirgundi ) Nyctanthes Arbor-tristis ( sephάlikά ), Eclipta prostrata ( kesarάja ), Adhatoda Vasica ( vάsaka) and Achyranthes aspera ( apάmάrga ), and make into four-grain pills.

Aconite is much used in dyspepsia with loss of appetite, in a variety of combinations. The following called Ramavana rasa 1 is an illustration. Take of mercury, aconite, cloves, and sulphur, each one part, black pepper, two parts, nutmeg, half a part, rub them together with tamarind juice and make into two-grain pills. These pills are given with the addition of powdered black pepper. Another preparation called Hutάsana rasa is similar in composition to the above, and is recommended by several writers. In diseases supposed to be caused by deranged phlegm, such as catarrh, sore throat, cough, asthma, discharges from the ears and nose etc, aconite is used in combination with other heating medicines. The following called Kapha ketu rasa2 is a well known medicine for these diseases. Take of aconite, borax, long pepper, and conch-shell lime, equal parts; powder, mix and soak the mixture three times successively in fresh ginger juice. Dose, two grains, to be given with ginger juice. A preparation similar to the above and called Bhairava rasa, is used in hoarseness and loss of voice.

In cephalalgia and hemicrania it is recommended to be given in the following form. Take of aconite one part, liquorice root and the pulse of Phaseolus Roxburghii (mάsha), each two parts; powder and make into one-grain pills.

In boils and other skin diseases aconite is used in the form of liniment and ointment. The following is an illustration.

Visha taila.1 Take of sesamum oil four seers, aconite root eight tolas, seeds of Pongamia glabra (karanja), turmeric, wood of Berberis Asiatica (dάruharidrά), root of Galotropis gigantea (arka), of Nerium odorum (karavira), flowers of Tabernaemontana coronaria (tagara ), Acorus calamus ( vacha ), Aplotaxis auriculata (kushtha) Vallaris dichotoma (άsphotά), red sandal wood, flowers of Aganosma caryophyllata ( mάlati ), bark of Alstonia Scholaris, (saptaparna), madder and leaves of Vitex Negundo (nirgundi ), each four tolas, cow's urine sixteen seers. The solid ingredients should be beaten into a paste with water, and then boiled with the oil and cow's urine till the watery portion is evaporated. This oil is said to be useful in boils, prurigo, psoriasis, leucoderma and other skin diseases.