Int J Ayu Pharm Chem REVIEW ARTICLE www.ijapc.com e-ISSN 2350-0204 An Appraisal on Mamsa in Ayurveda Ajantha1*, Vinay Kumar H S2, Sangita Maharjan3 and Anjana4 1-3Department of Roga Nidana Evam Vikruti Vigyana, Sri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara College of Ayurveda and Hospital, Hassan, Karnataka, India 4 Department of Swastha Vrutta, Sri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara College of Ayurveda and Hospital Hassan, Karnataka, India ABSTRACT Mamsa literally means flesh or meat. Mamsa Dhatu refers to muscles and its Upadhatus are Twacha and Snayu. Mamsa Dhatu is formed from Sarabhaga of Rakta Dhatu. It is predominant of Pruthvi Mahabhuta. MamsaDhatu is ascribed with functions like Shareera Pushti and Lepana Karma. The best quality of Mamsa is expressed by evaluating Mamsa Sara Purusha Lakshanas. Dusti of Mamsa Dhatu results from Ahitakara-Ahara-Vihara leading to Mamsa Vrudhhi, Kshaya or Mamsa-Pradoshaja Vyadhis. Mamsa is considered as one among the Ahara Dravya and possess Brumhaniya property. Different source, qualities and utility of Mamsa is explained in Samhitas with their benefits. Samhitas clearly explains Sevya and Tyajya Mamsa and qualities of Mamsa derived from different part of the animal body. Sushruta mentions some key point like Shareera Avayava, Desha, Kala, Matra, Linga etc of animal while selecting Mamsa for purpose of consumption. Kukkuta is considered as Shresta for Balya. Aja Mamsa possesses similar qualities to Mamsa of human beings, hence acts as Bruhmhaniya. Mamsa possesses therapeutic value, hence it is used in different therapeutic procedures, preparation of Oushadhi and in Panchakarma procedure etc. KEYWORDS Mamsa, Classification, Utility Greentree Group Publishers Received 21/06/18 Accepted 12/07/18 Published 10/09/18 ________________________________________________________________ Ajantha et al. 2018 Greentree Group Publishers© IJAPC Int J Ayu Pharm Chem 2018 Vol. 9 Issue 2 www.ijapc.com 1 [e ISSN 2350-0204] INTRODUCTION mamsa covers) Shankha (temporal region), The term Mamsa is commonly used to Lalata (forehead), Krikatika (nape), Akshi denote muscle, flesh or meat. In Ayurveda (eyes), Ganda (cheeks), Hanu (jaw), literature synonyms of Mamsa includes Greeva (neck), Skandha (region from neck Pishita, Taras, Palala, Rakta-Teja, to shoulder joint), Udara (abdomen), Medaskruta, Kravyam, Aamisha etc1. Kaksha (armpit), Vaksha (chest region), According to Acharya Charaka Pani (hand), Pada (foot) and Sandhi (joint). quantitative measure of Vasa (Mamsa Mamsa dhatu also contributes to Sneha) in human body is three Anjali Samhanana by bestowing compactness to Pramana2. Mamsa is nourished and the body. Mamsa Rasa is mentioned under 9 maintained by Sara Bhaga of Rasa and Dasha Vidha Pareeksha attribute Satmya Rakta Dhatu3. Mamsa Dhatu possesses along with Ghruta, Ksheera, Taila, Rakta Varna and is predominant of Pruthvi Shadrasa etc. Mahabhuta4. During metabolic The factors attributed to transformation, Rakta Dhatuis converted MamsadhatuDushti include excessive into Mamsa Dhatu. In the indulgence in Abhishyandhi (oozing), processUpadhatu, Vasa andTwacha with Sthula (bulky), Guru (heavy) Ahara and 10 Kha-Mala is formed5. Twacha being Vihara like Diwaswapna (day sleep) . Upadhatu of MamsaDhatucovers the whole Mamsa Dhatu Dushti manifests as Vrudhi body. Lepana (covering) and Meda Pushti and Kshaya.Vrudhi Lakshana comprises, (nourishment of Medodhatu) are primary Vrudhi of Ganda (enlargement of cheeks), importantfunctions ascribed to Mamsa Granthi (glandular swelling), Adhimamsa Dhatu. Sira(veins), Snayu(ligaments), (excess muscular growth) in Uru (thigh,) Asthi(bones), Asthi Parva(small bones), Udara (abdomen) and Kantadishu (neck etc 11 Sandhi (joints) are covered in the body by region) . Mamsa KshayaLakshana Mamsa6. Therefore it supports and comprises of Akshaglani (Weakness of maintains Bala (strength) of the body7. sense organs), Sushkata of Ganda, Sphik According to Charaka immaculate state of (dryness of cheeks, buttocks), Sandhi 12 Mamsa Dhatu is assessed and expressed Vedana (pain in the joint) . Acharya through Mamsa Sara Lakshanas8 like Charaka mentions following Mamsa Sthira ( firm), Guru (heavy), Shubha Pradoshaja Vikara like Adhimamsa (excess (splendor), Mamsopachita (well-nourished muscular growth), Arbuda (Tumor), Kila (a kind of tumor), Galashaluka (uvulitis), ________________________________________________________________ Ajantha et al. 2018 Greentree Group Publishers© IJAPC Int J Ayu Pharm Chem 2018 Vol. 9 Issue 2 www.ijapc.com 2 [e ISSN 2350-0204] Galashundika (tonsilities), Putimamsa having food by snatching), Bhumishaya (putrefied flesh), Alaji (furuncle) etc13. (residing in burrow in earth), Anupa Mamsa Sevana as Ahara is also identified (residing in marshy land), Varishya as Nidana for few disorders like Vatarakta (residing in water), Jalachara (birds 14, Sthoulya 15, Kushta16, Arsha17, moving on water), Jangala (residing in dry Galaganda18, Rakta Pitta19 and Shoola20in land forest), Vishkira (gallinaceous or susceptible person. animals disperse food before eating), Pratuda (peckers or those striking at the AIMS AND OBJECTIVES food before eating)21. Sushruta enumerates A review on literature connected to Mamsa 6 different sources of Mamsa namely in Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita, Jaleshaya, Anupa, Gramya, Kravyabhuja AstangaSangraha and AstangaHrudaya in (meat eating animals), Ekashapha (animals the light of commentaries and dictionary for having bifurcated hoops) and Jangala. specific understanding and practical Mamsa of these sources are considered to clinical utility. be superior in ascending order. He broadly categorizes Mamsa into 2 main categories MATERIALS AND METHODS as Jangala and Anupa. Further Jangala is divided into 8 types as Jangala, Vishkira, This article is a review on different aspects Pratuda, Guhashaya, Prasaha, Mriga, connected to Mamsa including, source, Bileshaya and Gramya. Among these classification, qualities of Mamsa of Jangala and Vishkira are considered as different parts of body and uses etc Pradhana22. Astanga Sangraha, Astanga compiled from Ayurveda classics such as – Hrudaya classify Mamsa Varga into 8 Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita, groups as follows; Mriga, Vishkira, Astanga Hridaya and Astanga Sangraha Pratuda, Bileshaya, Prasaha, Mahamriga, along with commentaries. Ayurveda Ap (Jala)-Chara and Matsya.Among these dictionaries like Amarakosha, Monier Mriga, Vishkira, Pratuda are Jangala. Williams have also been referred. Mahamriga, Ap (Jala)-Chara and Matsya are Anupa. Bileshaya and Prasaha are DISCUSSION Sadharana23,24. Charaka classifies animals into 8 different Animals included under each source of groups based on their habitat, character and classification are as follows; Mriga nature, as Prasaha (Animals or birds (animals) were hunted for the purpose of ________________________________________________________________ Ajantha et al. 2018 Greentree Group Publishers© IJAPC Int J Ayu Pharm Chem 2018 Vol. 9 Issue 2 www.ijapc.com 3 [e ISSN 2350-0204] Mamsa (meat) consumed as food. They Gokshvedaka (kind of bird), include Harina (Antelope), Ena (Black Dindimanaavaka (flying reiteratedly), deer), Kuranga (Roe deer), Rksa (Musk Shuka (parrot), Sarikaa (turdus salica), bear), Gokarna (mule deer), Mrgamatruka Valguli (kind of bat), Latvaa (kind of bird), (hog deer), Shasha (hare), Sambara (indian Lattusaka (kind of bird), Sugruha (taylor sambar), Charukska (gahelle) and bird), Khanjarita (species of wagtail), Sharabha (wapiti), Kaalapucchaka (black Haarita (pigeon), Daatyuha (cuculus tailed deer), Varapota (antelope), Karaala melanolecucus)31,32,33. (species of Musk deer), Krtamaala (spotted Bileshayas are those animals living in antelope), Svadamstra (mouse deer)25,26,27. burrows, they include Bheka (Frog), Godha Viskira includes birds that collect food by (Iguana), Svaavid (Porcupine), Gandaka scratching the ground with beaks or claws. (Gecko), Cillata (Musk Shrew), Nakula They include Lava (common quail), (mongoose), Salyaka (porcuoines), Shasha Vartika (grey partridge), Varttira (rain (rabbit), Vrusadamsha (kind of animal quail), Raktavartmaka (red jungle fowl), living in a burrow), Lopaaka (kind of Kukkuba (crow-pheasant), Kapinjala jackal), Lomasakarna (kind of animal (jungle bush quail), Upachakra (Sushi living in burrow), Kaadali (deer), Ajagara chukor), Chakora (chukor), Kottakaaraka (python), Sarpa (snake), Mushika (Mouse), (barking deer), Tittitri (partridge), Vartaka Mahaababhru (cat)34,35,36. (male bustard), Naptrika (species of bird), Prasaha are animals and birds that catch Kalavinka (white caamara), Mayura their food by mouth and teeth, tear and (peacock), Krakara (crane), Kukkutta swallow. They include Go (cow), Khara (cock), Sarangi (species of antelope), (ass), Asvatara (mule), Ustra (camel), Vavaalaka (species of bird)28,29,30. Ashva (Horse), Dvipi (panther), Simha Pratuda are birds that use their beaks to (lion), Rksa (bear), Vanara (monkey), Vrka collect food like insects and worms. They (Wolf), Vyagra (Tiger), Marjara (cat), include Jivajivaka (common mynah), Mushika (mouse), Kaaka (crow), Kurara Bhrnga (king bird of paradise), Sarika (species of eagle), Caasa (blue jay), (shama thrush), Latta (Scarel minivet), Shashaghati (hawk), Uluka (owl), Chilli Kokila (koel), Jati (hea pie), Kapota (dove), (bird of prey), Syena (species of eagle), Chataka (sparrow), Vataha (true pie), grudhra (vulture)37,38,39. Paravata (pigeon), Parabhruta(cuckoo), Mahamriga includes Varaha (hog), Koyastika (packer bird), Kulinga (sparrow), Mahisha (buffalo), Nyanku