Aschotana Anjana Vidhi – आश्चोतन अंजन विधि – Eye drops, Collyrium Therapy : Ashtanga Hridaya Sutrasthan Chapter 23

In Aschotana Anjana Vidhi we will look at Ayurveda treatments for eyes and different types. This chapter is the 23rd in Ashtanga Hrudaya Sutrasthana, written by Acharya Vagbhata, the father of Vaidyapathi Simhagupta. The chapter is known by the name of Aschotana Anjana Vidhi Adhyaya. Aschotana, as well as Anjana, refer to treatments for the eyes.

Aschotana – Herbal eye drops

Aschotana is the application of liquid drugs in drops inside the eyes.

In all conditions of the eyes, aschotana (eye drops) is extremely beneficial. It assists in preventing Ruk – eye pain.
Toda – painful pricking
Kandu – eye itching Gharsha – the sensation of irritation in the eyes. Ashru – excessive lacrimation tears Daha burning sensation
Raga – eye redness. 1.

Drops of medicated fluids should be hot in cases there is a Vata imbalance.  It is lukewarm during Kapha imbalance, as well as
frigidity and cold in Rakta (blood) along with Pitta imbalance.

Aschotana Vidhi – procedure :-

The person must lie on a cot and sleep in an area free of wind.
The eyes of the patient should be opened by doctor’s left hand.
The medicine dispenser, whether an ocean shell or a wick, is placed by the hands of the doctor with only the two angulas (finger width) over the angle of the inner side of the eyes (inner canthus)
10-12 drops from the medicated liquid are injected into the eye.
The eyes must then be cleaned using a soft cloth.
Mild fomentation can be given by an ointment that is washed in warm water. It can be used in conditions in Kapha or Vata.

In cases of blood disorders or Pitta vitiation, the eyes are cleaned with the help of a cloth immersed in cold, icy water. 2 -4

Hot and powerful drops of medicinal use can cause redness, pain, and loss of vision.
Extremely cold drops cause painful pain, reduce the eyeballs’ movement, and irritation;
Excess therapy causes lids’ roughness, friction, and difficulties opening the lids. A lack of (less) therapy increases the severity of the disease and swelling. Inflammation and lacrimation are not present. 5 – 6.

The medicine is dropped through the lens, getting into the channels of joints (fornices in the eye) and the nose, head, and face. It eliminates Doshas that are in imbalance and have been confined in the upper regions of the body. 7.

Anjana Vidhi – method to apply collyrium (eye salve) to the eye:–

Anjana Vidhi – method to apply collyrium (eye salve) to the eyes

Collyrium can be used for
the body is cleaned through Vamana, Virechana, etc.,
The Doshas in which they are located to the eyes alone,
If signs of a fully ripe state, such as a slight Oedema (Alpa shopha) and intense itching (Ati Kandu), and a sliminess (Paichilya) are detected in the eyes when the excretions from the eyes are thick when people are affected due to Pitta, Kapha and blood and
Particularly specifically Vata imbalance. 8 – 9.

Anjana types

Anjana types

Lekhana Lekhana frightening scraping
Ropana is healing and
Drishti prsadana – making vision clear and soothing to the eyes;

Lekhana Anjana

Lekhana Anjana

It is made from herbs with salt that is astringent, sour, pungent flavors, and hot potency.

Ropana Anjana

Ropana Anjana is made from herbs with a bitter taste.

Prasadana Anjana

Prasadana Anjana

From sweet-tasting herbs and from herbs of sweet taste and shita potency.

To counteract the negative effects of strong collyrium, Prasadana Anjana can be employed. This method of utilizing one Anjana against the negative effects of the other is called Pratyanjana counter collyrium.

Anjana Shalaka – Collyrium apparatus

Pratyanjana – counter collyrium

A rod of metal 10, Angula long, thin at the center, and with tips resembling a flower bud is ideal for use in the Anjana application.

लेखने ताम्री Lekhana Anjana Shalaka must be constructed from copper
रोपणे काललोहजा अंगुली Ropana It should be constructed of iron or fingers is also a possibility.

सुवर्णोत्था रूपयज़ा च प्रसादने , Shalaka of gold and silver is employed. 12 – 13.

Anjana Bheda – types of eye salve

Anjana Bheda – kinds of eye salve

Pinda is a pill that is used to treat the severe imbalance of Dosha.
Rasakriya : Gel confection, semisolid, and gel from boiling decoction to solidify is used to balance the moderately of Dosha
Churna Powder is three different varieties of Anjana used in mild imbalances of Dosha. 14

Pinda Anjana

The amount of Pinda Anjana prepared using powerful herbs equals one Harenu. The amount of Pinda Collyrium made from gentle herbs amounts to two Harenu.

Rasakriya Anjana

The amount of eye salve that can be found in the form of gel or confection (Rasakriya) is that from Vella (Vidanga),

Churna Anjana

the amount of eye salve made of Powder (Churna) is two rods in the case of strong herbs.
Three rods in the event for mild plants. 15.

Anjana Kala – Time for Collyrium

Anjana Kala – time for Collyrium

The application of eye salve (collyrium) is not made at night, while you nap, or during the middle of the day when your eyes are tired due to the sun’s intense rays.
If taken at this time, it can result in eye diseases because Doshas increase, it will spread to other places and then liquefy.
To reduce Doshas Anjana must be used every day, whether in the morning or in the evening when the sun isn’t there. 16 – 17.

Anjana time

Others suggest that powerful Anjana shouldn’t be applied in the daytime since the eye, which has weakened through purgation treatments derived from strong herbs, could be even more debilitated due to the sun’s presence. 18.

Importance of Night Sleep for Healthy Eyes

Importance of Night Sleep for Healthy Eyes

The eye is an Agneyi which is associated with the element of fire. Being accustomed to cold comforts, it is regenerated after an evening of rest and is fed by the cool nature in the dark. 19.

In the case of extreme growth in Kapha or in conditions that require Lekhana Anjana Scraping kind,

Teekshna Anjana – a strong kind that can be sprayed in the eyes even in the daytime If you want, but only if the weather is not too hot. 20.

Eyes are Aagneya

Metals originate from minerals;

Only from ores do metals obtain their sharpness. Like the eyes, they get their power and features from Agni, the Fire element.

When there is a serious cold, applying a strong eye salve is not recommended, even at night, since it cannot cause the removal of the Doshas from the eyes.

It is more likely to cause irritation, inactivity, etc. In this case, Doshas stagnated in the eyes even after Anjana’s treatment due to the cold effects. 22.

Contraindications of Anjana -Anjana Ayogya

Contraindications of Anjana -Anjana Ayogya

Anjana’s application Anjana should not be made to people who are
Bheeta In fear,
Vamita, Virikta – who were treated Vamana along with Virechana, who are starving,
Shitavegita people who feel the urge to urinate, vomit, etc.,
Krodha- anger;
Jvarita – during fever,
If the eyes are tired,
Shiroruk – during headache,
Shoka – episodes of sorrow and
Jagarana – sleep loss;
Adurshte Arke, when sunspots are completely cloud-free, intense heat
Shira Snate – after a head bath,
after inhaling smoke and drinking wine
Ajirne – during indigestion,
exhausted from exposure to sun and fire;
Divasupte – shortly after sleeping in the day.
Pipasite is a drinker’s stone. 23 – 24.

Unsuitable Anjana

Anjana is extremely powerful or mild, tiny or huge, thin or very dense in consistency, hard, rough or hot or cold, and shouldn’t be used. 25

Anjana karma Procedure

Anjana Paschyat karma

When applying Anjana, the eyeballs are to be moved up and slowly rotated, and the eyelids must also be gently moved by massaging them over. Through these actions, the salve for the eyes is absorbed across all areas. 

But closing and opening the eyelids, or squeezing or washing the eyelids, shouldn’t be done. 26-27.

After the end of the effects of the drug, once the eyes have returned to the strength they had lost, they need to be cleaned with cold or hot water suitable for the disease Doshas, season, and the disease. 28.

The doctor must lift and hold the lower lid on the right side of your eye using an item of cloth with your right fingers and thumb. T

hen wash the left eye using his hands on the left and the opposite eye. 29.

Should you wash your eyes After Anjana?

However, if not cleaned, the Anjana left in the lids triggers Doshas, which can lead to diseases.

Itching after Anjana

If you experience itching or inactivity, a vigorous Anjana or inhalation of a powerful smoke from herbs should be performed. 30.

When the eyes are upset by the strong Anjana application, a Pratyanjana counter eye salve that is in powder form and is cold must be applied. 301/2.

This concludes the chapter aschotana This is Anjana Vidhi on the 23rd day of Sutrasthana in Astanga Hrudaya Samhita, written by Srimad Vagbhata, who was the brother of Sri Vaidyapati Simhagupta.

FAQ’s of Anjana, Eye Drops