Has Langhana Therapy Worked? 12 Signs To Confirm

Article by Dr Raghuram Y.S. MD (Ay & Dr Manasa S, B.A.M.S

Langhana is an important therapy which is widely used in Ayurveda clinical and hospital practices. Langhana is of ten types according to Acharya Charaka.

They are –

1-4. Chatushprakara Samshuddhi – four types of shodhana – vamana – emesis, virechana – therapeutic purgation, niruha – decoction enema and nasya – nasal medication (cleansing type)

5. Pipasa – withholding thirst
6. Maruta – exposure to wind
7. Atapa – exposure to the heat of sun
8. Pachana – ama digesting medicines
9. Upavasa – fasting
10. Vyayama – exercise

Acharya Vagbhata has distributed these ten upakramas – treatments described by Acharya Charaka into two groups –

1. Shodhana – five types – four types described by Charaka + Raktamokshana (bloodletting)
2. Shamana – seven types – six types described by Charaka (from pipasa to vyayama as enumerated above) + Deepana (medicines which kindle agni – digestive fire)

Thus, Acharya Vagbhata has described twelve kinds of Langhana.

Related Reading – ‘Difference between Charakokta and Vagbhatokta Langhana’

These types of Langhana are indicated in different conditions and in different gradients of dosha aggravation / vitiation or accumulation and in different body strengths.

Related Reading 

Charaka Samhita, Sutra Sthana – Chapter 22

Ashtanga Hridaya Sutra Sthana – Chapter 14

Each of these Langhana methods are special treatments themselves. Each of these bestows a wide array of health benefits when done properly. But it is very important to conduct these treatments in a proper / correct method as indicated in the treatises, by the Acharyas.

How should we know if Langhana has been administered properly?

There are some indicators which tell us that Langhana therapy – any of the above said ten or twelve kinds of Langhana – has been conducted properly. They are called ‘Samyak Langhana Lakshanas’ i.e. signs of properly conducted Langhana. In this article, we shall study in brief, the samyak langhana lakshanas.

Samyak Langhana Lakshanas: Indicators of properly done Lightening therapies

Below mentioned are the symptoms which indicate that the Langhana Therapy has been successfully conducted –

वातमूत्रपुरीषाणां विसर्गे गात्रलाघवे|
हृदयोद्गारकण्ठास्यशुद्धौ तन्द्राक्लमे गते||३४||
स्वेदे जाते रुचौ चैव क्षुत्पिपासासहोदये|
कृतं लङ्घनमादेश्यं निर्व्यथे चान्तरात्मनि||३५||(Charaka Samhita, Sutra Sthana, 22/34, 35)

विमलेन्द्रियता सर्गो मलानां लाघवं रुचिः।

क्षुत्तृट्सहोदयः शुद्धहृदयोद्गारकण्ठता॥१७॥

व्याधिमार्दवमुत्साहस्तन्द्रानाशश्च लङ्घिते। (Ashtanga Hridaya, Sutra Sthana, 14/17-18)

1. Vata Mutra Pureeshanam Visarga – Proper and timely excretion of

–        vata – flatus,

–        mutra – urine and

–        purisha – feces

Sargo Malanam – timely and proper expulsion of wastes / excreta – Acharya Vagbhata

Indicates – the overall impact of Langhana on the excretory system – mainly bowels and bladder and indicates that they have been cleansed.

Srotas benefitted – Purishavaha, Mutravaha, Swedavaha
2. Gatra Laghava – lightness of the body.

Laghavam – feeling of lightness of the body – Acharya Vagbhata

Indicates – that the body has been properly cleansed of its impurities and morbidities and that all cells, tissues and channels have been cleansed and rebooted.

Srotas Benefitted – All.
3. Hrudaya Shuddhi – feeling of purity in the heart / chest or in the region of the heart.

Shuddha Hrdaya – feeling of purity in the chest or region of the heart – Acharya Vagbhata

Indicates – the functions of the cardiovascular and respiratory system have been restored and that the body is supplied with blood, oxygen and nutrition properly.

Srotas Benefitted – Pranavaha, Rasavaha, Manovaha.
4. Udgara shuddhi – purity in eructation i.e. belching is clean and clear.

Shuddha Udgara – clear belching – Acharya Vagbhata

Indicates – that the upper gastro-intestinal tract i.e. stomach has been cleansed, the functions of agni has been restored, the digestion of food is taking place in a proper way and the stomach is devoid of morbid doshas or ama.

Srotas Benefitted – Annavaha.
5. Kanta Shuddhi – feeling of purity in the throat.

Shuddha Kanthata – clarity of throat – Acharya Vagbhata

Indicates – proper movement of prana vata and udana vata and absence of Sama Kapha.

Srotas Benefitted – Pranavaha, Annavaha.
6. Tandra Klame Gate – disappearance of Tandra (drowsiness) and Klama (exhaustion).

Tandra Nasha – loss of stupor and laziness – Acharya Vagbhata

Indicates – clearance of blockage of srotas from morbid doshas (kapha and pitta mainly) and ama and free and unobstructed movement of vata in the body.

Srotas Benefitted – All.

7. Swede Jate – appearance of sweat.

Indicates – elimination of excessive kleda (unwanted moisture and fluids) through the skin and resultant cleansing of the body.

Srotas Benefitted – Swedavaha Srotas.

8. Ruchau chaiva – appreciation of taste for food.

Ruchihi – good taste perception – Acharya Vagbhata

Indicates – establishment of balance of agni and balance of doshas operating in the digestive system.

Srotas Benefitted – Annavaha, Rasavaha.

9. Kshut Pipasa Sahodayaha – simultaneous manifestation of hunger and thirst.

Kshut Trt Sahodaya – appearance of hunger and thirst together – Acharya Vagbhata

Indicates – agni becoming normal and balance of doshas in the digestive tract.

Srotas Benefitted – Annavaha, Udakavaha, Rasavaha.

10. Nirvyathe cha antaratmani – no discomfort in the soul – contentment.

Vimalendriyatvam – Acharya Vagbhata has explained the same but has used the term indriya in place of antaratma. Vimalendriyatvam means keenness and clarity of sense organs and sensory perception.

Indicates – balance of mind, senses and emotions which were put into a state of imbalance prior to langhana, due to the diseases demanding these therapies.

Srotas Benefitted – Manovaha Srotas, Pranavaha Srotas, Rasavaha Srotas.

11. Vyadhi Mardavam (Acharya Vagbhata) – softening of the diseases or decreased severity of the diseases.

Indicates – that the pathogenesis of the diseases for which Langhana was administered have been aborted, destroyed or reverted to a state of normalcy and establishment of health.

Srotas Benefitted – All the srotas.

12. Utsahaha (Acharya Vagbhata) – the enthusiasm and energy are restored.

Indicates – freedom from diseases at physical, mental, sensual and spiritual levels and establishment of physical and mental balance.

Srotas Benefitted – All the srotas.

Related AIAPGET Questions

1. Which among these is not mentioned among the symptoms of proper Langhana by Charaka?
2. Hridaya Shuddhi
3.   Nirvyathe Cha Antaratmani
4. Vimalendriyata
5.   Kshut Pipasa Sahodaya

Ans – c. Vimalendriyata (mentioned by Acharya Vagbhata). Cha.Su.22/34, 35

2. Shuddhi of ___________ has not been mentioned in the Samyak Langhana Lakshanas of Charaka Samhita?
3. Hridaya
4.   Udgara
5. Shira
6.   Kantha

Ans – c. Shira. Cha.Su.22/34, 35

3. __________- Gate is one of the symptoms mentioned by Acharya Charaka amongst Samyak Langhana Lakshanas
4. Tandra Klame
5.   Tandra Gaurava
6. Shula Stambhau
7.   Klama Gaurava

Ans – a. Tandra Klame. Cha.Su.22/34, 35

4. Vyadhi Mardava and Utsaha are Samyak Langhana Lakshanas mentioned by –
5. Charaka
6.   Sushruta
7. Sharngdhara
8.   Vagbhata

Ans – d. Vagbhata. A.Hr.Su.14/17-18

5. In which chapter has Acharya Charaka described Samyak Langhana Lakshanas?
6. Sutra Sthana Chapter 20
7.   Sutra Sthana Chapter 22
8. Sutra Sthana Chapter 24
9.   Sutra Sthana Chapter 18

Ans – b. Sutra Sthana Chapter 22. Ch.Su.22/34-35 / Langhana Brimhaniya Adhyaya

6. In which chapter has Acharya Vagbhata described Samyak Langhana Lakshanas?
7. Sutra Sthana Chapter 10
8.   Sutra Sthana Chapter 12
9. Sutra Sthana Chapter 14
10.   Sutra Sthana Chapter 8

Ans – c. Sutra Sthana Chapter 14. Dvividhopakramaniyam Adhyayam. A.Hr.Su.14/17-18