GOKSHURA - A MULTIFACETED DRUG OF AYURVEDIC GYNECOLOGY & OBSTESTRICS

                                    Gokshura, is given in mutravirechaniya, sotha hara, krimighna gana by charaka where majority of its indications fall. It is given in vidarigandadhi gana by vagbhata, in viratarvadi, vidarigandadi, laghupanchamoola ganas by susrutha. As per classics, its main actions are vata pitta hara, rakta pitta hara, anulomana, vrishya, mootradosha hara, mutra kricha hara, mootrala, sotha hara, garbhasthapaka, Ashmari hara etc. By this we can interpret that the main site of action is at the urogenital system. The less common indication of gokshura is that it is used also for kesa vardhana when used for external application, Arshas, hridroga, Swasa, Kasa.Its root and fruit being the parts used mainly, its theraupetic indications and preventive aspects are multifaceted especially in prasuti and stree roga (gyn obs).Gokshura (Tribulus terristris of zygophyllaceae) as said in the title is a multi faceted drug in gyn obs. The gokshura is of madhura rasa, guru snigdha guna, sheeta virya and madhura vipaka.The gynic indications include infertility, breast complaints, Vesico-vaginal infections etc. The obstetric indications include prevention of Eclampsia, management of mild to moderate hypertension(PIH), management of pedal odema etc.

                                           

Gokshura in Gynic perspective:

• With Gokshura in its gynic perspective, the most practical indications of gokshura include leucorrhoea where the gokshura tackles both gram negative, gram positive and fungal infections which take their origin at urinary track and spread to vagina or vice versa based on vasti sodhaka, mootrala, sotha hara properties.

• The other important thing is it is widely used in infertility practice where it improves the nuero-endocrinal hormonal axis. In this aspect, it has a very good role to play in both anatomical and physiological ways.

• It is also indicated in sexual dysfunction, both in male and female indicating its vrishya property.

• As a rasayana drug, which decreases the oxidative stress in the tissues, it is now widely used as anti carcinogenic drug, with its efficacy to Genito-urinary system.

• Apart from above said, this is used in Dysfunctional uterine bleeding, or bleeding conditions in peri menopausal women with hypertension as it is also rakta pitta hara. This is also a very good herb with good amount of natural calcium, making it a good menopausal drug.

Gokshura in obstetric perspectives:

• In the obs perspective, this is one of the most useful drug used as preventive, and in the management of garbhini sotha(Pedal odema), garbhini rakta chapa(PIH), yoshapasmara(PET).

• Again because of its mootrala property, with potassium sparing effect it is very good choice to prevent PIH in pregnancy and to manage mild to moderate PIH, thus preventing PET.

• Apart from this, because of its garbhasthapaka property it is the routinely prescribed drug in pregnancy from sixth month, without any doubt of contraindication.

• Also the 2^nd trimester complaints in pregnancy i.e PIH( Pregnancy induced HTN), PET pedal odema, false pain, Urinary track infections etc are taken care by gokshura alone.

Conclusion:

As the latest research work on the gokshura is also in support of its classical indications, it is one of the most reliable gyn obs drug from Ayurveda. Also it proves to be a multi faceted drug providing all the above results when given as a whole drug, and not in extract form. Even though the toxicity study and contraindications in usage of gokshura in pregnancy are not studied and published, it is one of the safest drugs which is being regularly and routinely used in ayurvedic prasuti stree roga departments.