Role of Pakshaghata Chikitsasutra in the Management of Ischemic Heart Disease (IHD) w.s.r to Herbal Antithrombotic Drugs

Myocardial infarction results when a blood clot interrupts or blocks blood flow to the heart, which starves the heart muscle of oxygen and causes heart muscle cells to die; the same process in the brain causes a stroke. Hemiplegia is included under Pakshaghata described in the chapter of Vatavyadhi chikitsa. Antithrombotic is any medication that decreases clots in the body. The concept of Antithrombotic is not as such mentioned in Ayurvedic classics. The paper critically analyses the concept of antithrombotic drugs in Ayurvedic classics and the role of Pakshaghata chikitsasutra in the management of ischemic heart disease. Some of the ayurvedic herbal drugs scientifically validated for antithrombotic activity are also presented.