Pancha Shirishanama Agad - An Ethno-Ayurvedic Formulation for Insect Bite

Agad Tantra is one among the branches of Ayurveda that deals with sign, symptoms and management of poisoning resulting from the bites of animal origin (Jangam Visha) like snakes (Sarpa), insects (Keet), spiders (Loota), rodents (Mooshika) etc as well as various toxic combinations of plants(inanimate) and mineral (Dhatu) poisons. To neutralize the effect of Visha (poison), administration of different Vishaghna (anti-toxic) formulations has been mentioned in classical texts. Pancha Shirishanama Agad is an ethno-Ayurvedic formulation indicated to be useful in the treatment of all types of Keet Visha (insect bite poison) and their associated symptoms. Pancha Shirishanama Agad consists of five parts of Shirish (seed, root, stembark, flower and leaves), Trikatu (Shunthi, Maricha, Pippali), Pancha Lavana (Saindhav Lavana, Sauvarchal Lavana, Samudra Lavana, Vid Lavana, Audbhidha Lavana) and Madhu. Almost all the ingredients are having Vedana Sthapana (analgesic) and Shothaghna (anti-inflammatory) properties as Vedana (pain), Sopha (swelling), Kandu (itch) and Jwara (fever) are the primary symptoms of Keet Visha Damsha (insect bite poison). Through this paper, an attempt has been made to understand the properties of all the ingredients of Pancha Shirishanama Agad in detail.