Sastrakarma. Due to these properties Agnikarma is accepted as superior than other procedures. Cauterization was used to stop heavy bleeding, especially during amputations. The procedure is simple: a piece of metal will be heated over fire and applied to the wound

Agnikarma as Tau-Dam

Tau-dam is a basically a traditional Himalayan therapy practiced by the rural Himalayan people for liver troubles, stomach troubles, backache, etc. Tau therapy is generally practiced by the older people of village and is compulsory for 6 month to 1-year old children. A 45- 60 cm long iron rod is called the tau, which is sharply curved at one end and has one or two holes depending upon the diseases. In this therapy, tau device is placed on burning fire till it gets red-hot. And after branding it, they massage the affected area with the mustard or olive oil. In the dam technique, fresh seeds of Terminalia chebula or Anaphalis araneosa are burned on fire and touched on the required part of the body for only few seconds. After this, like tau, the effective area is massaged with the mustard or olive oil.[1]

Dahana Upkarana: (Yantra for Agnikarma)

Dahanupakarana are the instrument to produce therapeutic burns (Samyak Dagdha) during Agnikarma Chikitsa. These dahanupkarana are distributed in 3 categories.[2]

• 1.Useful in Agnikarma Chikitsa of Twak dhatu (skin). Pippali, Ajashakrut, Gaudanta, Shara, Shalaka.
• 2.Useful in Agnikarma Chikitsa of Mamsa dhatu. Jambaustha, Loha
• 3.Useful in Agnikarma Chikitsa of Sira, Snayu, Sandhi, Asthi dhatu. Madhu, Guda, Sneha

Burn Marks

Dahana Vishesha is the mark of figure produced on the skin after Agnikarma Chikitsa are as follow.[3]

• 1.Valaya (Circle): Agnikarma done at the site of disease in circular manner.
• 2.Bindu (Dot): In this the tip of Shalaka Yantra is heated till red hot and applied at the site of Vikṛuti in the shape of dot.
• 3.Vilekha (Parallel line): In this line in zig zag manner are produce with red hot Shalaka at the site of application of Agnikarma.

Pratisarana (Rubbing) :

In this affected part is rubbed with red hot Shalaka Ardhchandra These four types of marks are suggested by Sushruta in the context of Agnikarma Vidhi Adhyaya. On the other hand, Vagbhatta mentioned three more Dahana Vishesha with addition of Sushruta Dahana Vishesha i.e.[4]

• 1.Ardhchandra (Semi Lunar): In this Shalaka of semicircular tip is red hot and applied to affected area.
• 2.Swastika (Four Tailed Mark) : In this swastika shaped Yantra is used for Agnikarma
• 3.Ashtapada (Eigh Tailed Mark): In this making eight line with red hot Shalaka crossing each other at a single point.

Classification of Agnikarma[5]

• 1.According to Dravya
• a) Snigdha Agnikarma: Madhu, Ghrita, Taila etc. Are used for Sira, Snayu, Sandhi, Asthi type of Agnikarma.
• b) Ruksha Agnikarma: Pippali, Shalaka, Godanta are used for Twak and Mamsa Dagdha.
• 2.According to Site
• a) Sthanika (local) : Kadara, Arsha, Vicharchika
• b) Sthanantariya (systemic) : Apachi, Gridhrasi
• 3.According to Disease
• a) In the disease like Arsha, Kadara etc. it should be done after surgical excision (Chhedan).
• b) In the disease like fistula, sinus etc. it should ben done after surgical incision (Bhedana).
• c) In the disease like Krimidanta, it should be done after filling by the Guda.
• 4.According to Akriti As described earlier in Dahana Vishesha.
• Itratha Dagdha
• According to Sushruta, all Dagdha are included under four types of Dagdha Vrana.[6]
• 1. Plushtha Dagdha
• Plushtha is that which has pigmented area on the skin has associated with severe burning sensation.
• 2. Durdagdha
• Durdagdha is that in which Sphota (blebs, vesicles)appear, accompanied with severe pain such as sucking,burning, redness, Paka (exudation or ulceration) and pain, these subsiding after a long time.
• 3. Samyaka Dagdha
• There are Samanya Lakshana (common symptoms) produced in any type of Dhatu (tissue) and special symptoms are only related to the Dhatu concerned.
• 4. Ati Dagdha: (Deep burn)
• Mamsa-avalambana (Hanging of burnt tissue), Gatravishlesha (Parts become loose and useless), Destruction of Sira, Snayu, Sandhi (Tendons in joints), Jwara (Fever), Daha (Burning), Pipasa (Thirst), Murchhan(Unconsciousness), Wound heals after a long time and healed ulcers have discoloration.
• Samanya Lakshana
• Samyaka Dagdha Vrana
• Ana-awagadha Vranata (Wound which is not deep), Talphala Varnata (Fruit of Tala tree-blue-black in color), Susamshita Vrana (Without elevation or depression).
• Samyaka Dagdha Vrana of Twak
• Shabdapradurbhao (Production of sound), Durgandhata (Bed odor), Twak Sankocha (Contraction of the skin).
• Samyaka Dagdha Vrana of Mamsa Dhatu
• Kapotvarnata (Color like that of pigeon i.e. ashy, dark grey), Alpa Swayathu (Mild swelling), Alpa Vedana (Less pain), Shuska Sankuchit Vranata (Dry, contracted wound).
• Samyaka Dagdha Vrana of Sira
• Krishna Vranata (Black coloraltion), Unnata Vranata (Elevated), Srava – Sannirodha (Stoppage of discharge).
• Samyaka Dagdha Vrana of Sandhi, Asthi
• Rukshata (Dryness), Arunata (Dark red coloration), Karkashata (Roughness), Sthirata (Stability).
• Suitable Time for agnikarma
• Agnikarma can be done in all seasons, except Sharad (autumn) and Grishma (Summer); because, in Sharad there is a Prakopa of Pitta and Agnikarma also aggravates.[6]
• Indication of Agnikarma
• Vatakanṭaka, Shiroroga, Ardhavabhedaka, VratmaRoga, Pakshmakopa, Shlista Vratma, Vishavratma, Alaji, Arbuda, Puyalasa, Abhiṣyanda, Adhimantha, LaganaMedoj Oshtha roga, Danta Nadi, Krimidanta,Adhidanta, Shitadanta, Dantavruddhi, Jalarbuda, Arsha,Nasa Arsha Karnarsha, Lingarsha, Yoniarsha, Bhagandara, Nadivrana, Upadvansha, Gulma,Vilambika, Sanyasa, Unmada, Yakruta & Plihodara,Shonita Atipravrutti, Shira Sandhi Cheda, Visarpa
• Contraindications of Agnikarma
• Pitta Prakruti, Bhinna Kostha, Daurbalya, Vruddha,Antah Shonita, Anuddhrata Shalya, Bala, Bhiru,suffering from – Pandu, Atisara, Kshaya, GudaBhrumsha, Udararoga, Nasa Sanga, Chhardi, ShoshitaWho Has Taken Alcohol Oja Kshaya, Vigagdha, RaktaPitta, Sthula, Ajirna, Kroddha, Trushna, Adhya Rogi,Garbhini Prameha, Ruksha, Daurbalya, Visha, Kshudha,Timira, Kshata, According to Charaka Agnikarma should not be done in the Vrana of Snayu, Marma, Netra, Kushtha and Vrana with Visha and shalya.[7]
• Agnikarma Vidhi (Procedure)
• The Agnikarma room should be well prepared with allrequired Agropaharaniyani described by AcharyaSushruta. Prepare Triphala Kashaya for Prakshalana ofthe local part of patient. Yashtimadhu Churna, smallpieces of Kumari Patra, swab holding forceps, Plota (gauze piece), Pichu (cotton), and gas stove, Shalakasetc. are kept ready for use. The Shalaka is heated upto becomes red hot on fire.
• Pradhana Karma

Aasana for Agnikarma: In Sandhigata Vata, it is easy todo Agnikarma in prone position as it is good andcomfortable to the patient. After carefully consideringthe symptoms of the disease, vitals and the strength ofthe patient as well as disease and seasons, physician should undertake the patient for Agnikarma. On thediseased skin of the patient, the Samyak Dagdha Vranashould be produced by red hot Shalaka. The number ofthe Samyak Dagdha Vrana should be 15 – 30 oraccording to the extent of the diseased area. Applyimmediate cooling agents: After making Samyak DagdhaVrana apply cooling agent immediately to subsideburning pain.

• Inspection of defective Agnikarma and management
• 1) Plushtha Dagdha
• If the Shalaka is not properly heated then it will produce this type of Dagdha.
If the Shalaka is not properly heated then it will produce this type of Dagdha.
• Management
• For Plushtha Dagdha (burns of the first degree),warming of the body (increasing the body temperature)and administration of drugs / medicines of hot propertiesshould be given; when the temperature of the body becomes increased, the blood becomes liquefied; water by nature is cold in potency and hence makes the blood thick to coagulate, so that, only heat gives comfort.
For Plushtha Dagdha (burns of the first degree),warming of the body (increasing the body temperature)and administration of drugs / medicines of hot propertiesshould be given; when the temperature of the body becomes increased, the blood becomes liquefied; water by nature is cold in potency and hence makes the blood thick to coagulate, so that, only heat gives comfort.
• 2) Durdagdha
• When the physicians are unskilled hand or patient is shaking his body parts due to fear of burn then Durdagdha can occur.
• Management
• In Durgagdha (burns of the second degree) the physician should resort to both warm and cold therapies, application of Ghee, poultices and bathing the body should be done in cold state only.
• 3)Ati-Dagdha (burn of the fourth degree)
• This complication is produced due to more heat which is transferred from the red hot Shalaka to the diseased part. In Ati Dagdha the torn (hanging loose) muscles should be removed followed by cold therapies, then the physician should apply the paste of rice, bark of Tinduki mixed with ghee or cover the wound with leaves of Guduchi or aquatic plant (like lotus etc.). All the treatments which are similar to that of Visarpa of Pitta origin should be done. Madhuchhisthadi Ghrita contains Madhuchhistha, Madhuka, Lodhra, Sarjarasa, Manjishtha, Chandana and Murva, should be macerated together and then cooked with Ghee, is best for healing of wound in all kinds of burns.
• 4)Daha (Burning pain)
• More or less burning pain is experienced by each andevery patient who uses to take Agnikarma Chikitsa. Thismay be treated by Ghrutakumari Patra Swarasa.
• Dushtha Vranata (Sepsis of wound)
• After Agnikarma, it should be observed for anycomplications. If there is any sign of sepsis, treat the patient accordingly.
• Pashchat Karma
• Pathya Apathya
• In Agnikarma procedure, it is necessary that it should be healed without any complications. So, all the Pathya- Apathyas which have been described by Acharya Sushruta are advised here. It is utmost advisable to the patient that “Do not allow water to touch the SamyakDagdha Vrana site for one Ahoratra (24 hours)”. The complete Ropana (healing) of theVrana should be observed. Agnikarma Chikitsa can be repeated after 7 days.
• Agnikarma In Moden Era
• In modern medicine era, there is no use of therapeutical burn i.e. Samyak Dagdha vrana. But on the other hand, use of Agnikarma for other way around is used nowdays. There are procedures as mimic to Agnikarma aren practiced in modern era.
• Electrocautery
• It is a most useful instrument in surgical procedure which consists of platinum wire can be heated to red hot by using an electric current. Use of this electric cautery to cut the tissue or to coagulate the bleeding points, so this application of electro cautery is ideal for removing small skin tags, papiloma and also to control the bleedingduring surgical procedures.
• Diathermy
• The basic principle is to deliver high frequency current to the human body by means of active electrode and this after passing through the tissue to be diathermied returns via a return electrode. The intense heat produced by thepassage of current destroys it in different ways depending on the type of current used cutting current is undamped and produce cutting effect secondary to intense heat generation within the tissue. It is hemostatic and no bleeding can occur. Blended current is a combination of two types of waves introducing both cutting and coagulating effects. Most new surgical units deliver low voltage cutting or blended current from a solid state generating unit through an isolated bipolar system which is considered the safest.