Review Article

International Ayurvedic Medical Journal

ISSN:2320 5091

A SHORT REVIEW ON CONCEPT OF KSHUDRAROGA IN AYURVEDA

WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO SKIN DISEASES
SINGH ANJANA
Lecturer, Department of Kayachikitsa
Kayachikitsa, AUAMC Aligarh, UP, India
ABSTRACT
Skin is an important structure of the body. In Ayurveda a number of skin disorders
has been enumerated under the heading of Kshudraroga. Kshudraroga has enlisted in all
Ayurvedic Classics.. The etiology, features and treatment of Kshudraroga has been dede
scribed very briefly. In Kshudraroga most common skin diseases has been described
e.g. Acne, Alopecia, Scabies, Premature grayness or whiteness of scalp hair, Allergic Dermatitis
INTRODUCTION
Skin reflects the internal health of
an individual. Healthy skin depicts the
personality of an individual. Nowa
Nowadays,
skin diseases are very common. Due to
various causes e.g. consumption of unun
healthy food or lifestyle modifica
modification or
environmental pollution or due to stress
skin problems are increasing day by
day and it also affects the quality of
life of an individual. The most common
skin diseases are Acne, Alopecias, Ta
Tania infection, Premature
grayness or
whiteness of the scalp hair(Canities),
Scabies, Chloasma, Urticaria, Atopic &
Contact Dermatitis, Paronychia, KeratoKerato
derma, Corn & callosity and Melano
Melanocytic Nevi. These diseases are encoun
encountered in day to day
ay practice. Now
awareness regarding the skin health bebe
come many fold increased as compare
to past. Unhealthy skin is a major cause
of stress in now days.
In Ayurvedic Classics various skin dis
disorders
have been described under the heading
hea
of
Kushtha.
Kushnati
Kushnati
vapuh
eti
kushthammeans
means any disease which de
deform
the skin is known as Kushtha.. Kush
Kushtha has 2
major division first 7 Mahakushtha
kushtha & second
11 Kshudrakushtha. Out of 7 Mahakushtha

except Sidhma all mimic the leprosy.

Sidhyma resemble the disease Pityriasis
versicolor.In 11 Kshudrakustha, Eka-kush
Eka
tha(Psoriasis),Kudrakushtha(Xeroderma),Kit
ibha(Lichenplanus),Vipadika(Rhages),Alsak(
Infective dermatitis,)Dadru(Ringworm or TaTa
nia),Charmdal(Impetigo,Herpes
simpsimp
lex,Herpeszoster),Pama(Scabies),Sphota(vesi
ma(Scabies),Sphota(vesi
cle &bullous eruption),Shataru(Cellulitis or
periporitis) and Vicharchika(Eczematous
dermatitis) are described. Other skin disdis
eases
e.g.Mukhadushika(Acne
vulgavulga
ris),Khalitya(Alopecias)Palitya(premature
ris),Khalitya(Alopecias)Palitya(prema
grayness
of
hair),Vyangya(
),Kotha,Utkotha(Urticarial diseases) etc. are
enumerated
in
Kshudraroga.Thus
Mahakushtha, Kshudrakushtha & Kshu
Kshudraroga
almost cover the whole derder
matology in Ayurveda.
Kushraroga has been described in a
separate chapter by many Acharyas.
Kshudraroga also play a major role in
understanding various skin disorders in
Ayurveda. Kshudraroga has been dede
scribed in major Samhitas of Ayurveda
i. e.. Charak Samhita, Sushruta
Sushr
Samhita,
Astang Samgrah ,Astang Hridaya, Sha
Sharangdhar Samhita, Madhav Nidan Bhav
Prakash, Yog Ratnakar,Vangsen Samhita

Singh Anjana:Allium Ascalonicum Linn- An Ayurvedic Perspective

and in Bhishajya Ratnavali. The classifiKshudraroga

because
their
Nication of Kshudraroga as given by
dan(etiology), Lakshan(clinical features)
and Chikitsa(treatment) are described in
Acharya Sushruta is basic & standard
kshudra i.e. in short or brief . Kshudra.Many Acharyas have follows the classification of Acharya Sushruta in describing
roga comprises of a major part of the
the Kshudraroga.
skin diseases. As its name indicate Kshudraroga are small and less severe diseases
Definition of Kshudraroga
Kushdraroga is made up of two words i.e.
but it also contains some more severe
kshudra and roga. Kshudra means alpa or
disease like Agnirohini.
Difference between Kshudraroga and
short / small / minor and Roga means
Kshudraroga are small
disease. So
Kshudrakushtha
/short/ minor diseases. They are named
Table: 1 The difference between Kshudraroga and Kshudrakustha are given below.
Kshudraroga

Kshudrakushtha

1.

It is described under the chapter of Kushtha and

it is one of the type of Kushtha.
They have a detail description about Nidan(etiology),Lakshan(features)
&
Chikitsa(treatment).
Saptakodravyasangraha(7 dosha-dushya) are
described in Kshudrakushtha.

2
3.

It is described in separate chapter, not under

the chapter of Kushtha.
Their Nidan(etiology),Lakshan(features) &
Chikitsa(treatment) are described very
briefly.
Saptakodravyasangraha(7 dosha-dushya) are
not described in Kshudraroga.

Description of Kshudraroga in Ayurvedic

Classics
1. Acharya
Sushruta
has explained
Kshudraroga in the 13th chapter of Nidan
Sthan named as Kshudraroganidan and
in the 20th chapter of Chikitsa Sthan
named as Kshudrarogachikitsa.
2. In Astang Hridaya, Acharya Vagbhat
has described Kshudraroga in the 31st &
32nd chapter of Uttar Sthan named as
Kshudrarogavigyaniya & Kshudrarogapratishedha respectively.
3. In Astang Sangraha, Acharya Vagbhat
has described Kshudraroga in the 36th
chapter of Nidan Sthan named as Kshudrarogavigyaniya & in the 37th chapter of
Chikitsa Sthan named as Kshudrarogapratishedha.
4.
Acharya Charak has described
Kshudraroga in the 18th chapter of NiTable :2 Numbers of Kshudraroga
Acharyas
Sushruta
Vagbhatt
Sharagdhar
Madhav Nidan
Bhav Prakash
Yoga Ratnakar

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dan Sthan named as Trishothya and

12th & 26th chapter of Chikitsa Sthan
named as Shavathu & Trimarmiya respectively.
5. Acharya Madhav has illustrated Kshudraroga in the 55th chapter named as
Kshudraroganidan.
6. Acharya Sharangdhar has enumerated
Kshudraroga in the 7th chapter of
Poorvkhand.
7. Acharya Bhav Mishra has described
Kshudraroga in 61st chapter of Madhyam
Khand named as Kshudrarogaadhikar.
8. Yoga Ratnakar also described Kshudraroga in a separate chapter.
9. Bhaishjya Ratnavali
has
described
Kshudraroga in 60th chapter.
10. Vangsen Samhita also explained Kshuin
67th
chapter
draroga

Numbers Of Kshudraroga
44
36
60
42
43
44

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Acharya Charaka has not described the exact number of Kshudraroga but he has
enumerated some Kshudraroga in different chapters as follows:
Charak Samhita Chapter
Kshudraroga
Sutrasthan
18th
Pidika,Vyangya,Nilika
th
Chikitsasthan 12 Masurika,Kaksha,Alji,Vidarika ,26th Khalitya,Palitya.
Classification of Kshudraroga According to Different Acharyas ( Table :3 &Table:4)
Table:3
S. N.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33

CharakSamhita
Alaji
Tilak
Piplu
Vyangya
Nilika
Palit
Khalit
Jalgardabha
Kaksha
Visphot
Pama
Vicharchika
Vidarika

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Sushruta Samhita
Ajagallika
Yavprakhaya
Andhalaji
Vivrita
Kachhapika
Valmik
Indravridhha
Panasika
Pashangardabha
Jalgardabha
Kaksha
Visphotak
Agnirohini
Chippa
Kunakha
Anushayi
Vidarika
Sharkararbud
Pama
Vicharchika
Raksa
Paddarika
Kadar
Alas
Indralupt
Darunak
Arunshika
Palit
Masurika
Yuvanpidika
Padyaminikantak
Jatumani
Mashak

Astang Sangrah
Ajagallika
Yavprakhya
Koth
Vivrita
Kachhapika
Valmik
Utkoth
Panashika
Pashangardabh
Jalgardabh
Kaksha
Visphotak
Agnirohini
Chipp
Kunakha
Rajika
Vidari
Sharkararbud
Erivellika
Lanchhan
Prasupti
Gandhanama
Kadar
Alas
Mukhadushika
Vidhha
Gardabhi
Rudhhagud
Masurika
Vyangya Nilika
Padyamkantak
Jatumani
Mashak

Astang Hridaya
Ajagallika
Yavprakhya
Koth
Viarita
Kachhapika
Valmik
Utkoth
Panashika
Pashangardabh
Jalgardabh
Kaksha
Visphotak
Agnirohini
Chipp
Kunakha
Rajika
Vidari
Sharkararbud
Erivellika
Lanchhan
Prasupti
Gandhanama
Kadar
Alas
Mukhadushika
Vidhha
Gardabhi
Rudhhagud
Masurika
Vyangya Nilika
Padhyamkantak
Jatumani
Mashak

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34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44

Charmkeel
Tilkalak
Nyachhya
Vyangya
Parivartika
Avapatika
Nirudhhaprakash
Sannirudhagud
Ahiputana
Vrishankachhu
Gudbhransha

Charmkeel
Tilkalak
Mandal

Charmkeel
Tilkalak
Mandal

Table:4
S.
N.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27

SharangadharSamhita

Madhav Nidan

Bhav Prakash

Yog Ratnakar

Rajika
Yavprakhya
Andhalji
Vivrita
Kachhpika
Valmik
Indravridhha
Panasika
Tilkalak
Gardabhi
Raksa
Erivellika
Vidarika
Kadar
Mashak
Nilika
Jalgardabh
Sharkararbud
Jatumani
Gudbhransha
Agnirohini
Sanirudhhagud
Koth
Kunakh
Anushayi
Padyaminikantak
Chipp

Ajagallika
Yavprakhya
Andhalji
Vivrita
Kachhapika
Valmik
Indravridhha
Panashika
Pashangardabha
Jalgardabh
Kaksha
Erivellika
Agnirohini
Chipp
Anushayi
Vidarika
Sharkararbud
Paddarika
Kadar
Alas
Indralupt
Darunak
Arunshika
Palit
Mukhadushika
Padhyaminikantak
Jatumani

Ajagallika
Yavprakhya
Andhalji
Vivrita
Kachhapika
Valmik
Indravridhha
Panashika
Pashangardabh
Jalgardabh
Kaksha
Erivellika
Agnirohini
Chipp
Kunakh
Anushayi
Vidarika
Sharkararbud
Dari
Kadar
Alas
Indralupt
Darunak
Arunshika
Padyaminikantak
Jatumani
Mashak

Ajagallika
Yavprakhya
Andhalgi
Vivrita
Kachhapika
Valmik
Indravridhha
Panashika
Jalgardabh
Kaksha
Erivellika
Agnirohini
Chipp
Anushayi
Vidarika
Sharkararbud
Paddari
Kadar
Alas
Indralupt
Darunak
Arunshika
Palit
Mukhadushika
Padhyaminikantak
Jatumani
Mashak

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28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43

Alas
Mukhadushika
Kaksha
Vrishankachhu
Gandh
Pashangardabh
Vrahadamstra
Vyangya
Vishaphot
Masurika

Mashak
Tilkalak
Nyachha
Vyangya Nilika
Parivartika
Avapatika
Nirudhhaprakash
Sannirudhagud
Ahiputana
Vrishankachhu
Gudbhransha
Vrahadamstra
Gardabhi
Gandhanama

Charmkeel
Tilkalak
Nyachha
Vyangya Nilika
Parivartika
Avapatika
Nirudhhaprakash
Sannirudhagud
Ahiputana
Vrishankachhu
Gudbhranha
Shukardamstra
Mukhadushika
Gardabhika
Gandhanama
Palit

Tilkalak
Nyachha
Vyangya Nilika
Parivartika
Avapatika
Nirudhhaprakash
Sannirudhgud
Ahiputana
Vrishankachhu
Gudbransha
Shukardamstra
Gardabhika

described these diseases in Kshudraroga.

Acharya Vagbhat
has described the
diseases of
Acharya Sharangdhar described more
Medra i.e.
Nivrattmani,
Avapatika, Niruddhamani in a separate
Kshudraroga than Acharya Sushruta i.e.
chapter named as Guhyaroga Viganiya in
Varahadamshtra, Kotha, Rajika, 8 types of
Astang Hridaya Uttar Sthan. He has not
Visphota and 14 types of Masurika.
Grouping of Kshudrakustha: All Kshudraroga can be grouped as follows:
1. Unspecified diseases Jaalgardabh (Erysipalas or acute
Ajagallika(Papule)
streptococcal infection)
Yavprakhya(Nodule)
Kaksha (Axillary lymphadenitis or abcess)
Andhalji( pustule without opening)
Visphota(Bullous eruption)
Gardabhika(Erythematous rash)
Agnirohani(Acute
axillary
infec Panasika( Painful cyst near ear)
tion/Axillary abcess)
Vivrita( Pustule with opening )
Vidarika(Inguinal abcess)
Indravridhha/Gardabhika/Vidhha( Cir Anushai(Deep abcess of foot)
cular pustular ulcer)
Masurika(Chikenpox)
Rajika(Papule)
3-Tumors of the skin
Erivellika( Painful papule)
Kachhapika(Benign tumor of the skin)
Kaksha(Blisters )
Pasangardabha(Benign tumor of the
Gandhanama(Blisters)
skin)
Prasupti( Skin
Discoloration with
Sarkararbud(Benign tumor of the skin)
senselessness)
Padhyaminikantak(Papilloma or ma2-Acute inflammatory/infective diseases
lignant tumor of the skin )
of skin
4-Melanocytic Nevi

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Jatumani(Congenital nevi)
Mashak( Elevated Nevi)
Tilkalak(Flat Nevi)
Charmkeel(Skin tags)
Vyangya/Mandal( Hyperpigmentation of
face )
Neelika(Hyperpigmentation present onthe
body parts other than face )
Nyachha/Lanchhan( Congenital hyperpigmentation of the body)
5-Cutaneos infestation
Pama (Scabies)
6-Eczemas
Raksa(Dry Eczema)
Vicharchika(Wet Eczema)
7-Diseases of appendages
Diseases of hair Indralupta/Khalitya/Rujya/Ruhya( Alopecias)
Palit( Premature grayness or whiteness
of the scalp hair/canities)
Darunak(Seborrhic dermatitis/dandruff)
Arunshika(Tinia capitis/Sebirrhic dermatitis)
Diseases of nails Chipp/Anguliveshtika/Upnakha/Akshata(Paronychia)
Kunakha/Kuleen(Onchographosis)
8-Diseases caused by physical agents

Kadar(Corn)

Alas(Chilblain)
Paddari/Dari(Rhadges)
9-Diseases of anal region
Ahiputana/Pristaaru/Gudakutta/Anamika/Matrika dosha(Napkin rash)
Sannirudhagud(Anal strincture)
Gudbhransha(Prolapse of rectum)
10-Genitourinary diseases
Parivartika(Paraphimosis)
Avapatika (Tear in prepuce)

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Nirudhhaprakasha(Phimosis)
Vrishankachhu(Scabies of scrotum)
11-Specific diseases
Mukhadushika/Yuvanpidika(Acne
Vulgaris)
Valmik(Actinomycosis)
12-Urticarial diseases
Koth/Varahtadhranstra/Shukardamstra(
Urticaria)
Utkoth(Urticaria)

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Singh Anjana:Allium Ascalonicum Linn- An Ayurvedic Perspective

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CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Dr. ANJANA SINGH
Lecturer Department of Kayachikitsa,
AUAMC Aligarh, UP, India
Email: dranjanavns@gmail.com

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