Apatarpana & Santarpana (अपतर्पण & संतर्पण)

These are the two primary categories of treatment. 1. Santarpana is nourishing, building, or oleating therapy, used to t.

Ayurvedic Principles (Siddhanta Kosha) 1 min read
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Sanskrit Verse

द्विविध उपक्रमः- एकः संतर्पणः, द्वितीयः अपतर्पणः।

— (Charaka Samhita, Sutrasthana 22/4)

Explanation

These are the two primary categories of treatment. 1. Santarpana is nourishing, building, or oleating therapy, used to treat conditions of deficiency (Kshaya), emaciation, and Vata disorders. 2. Apatarpana is depleting, lightening, or reducing therapy, used to treat conditions of excess (Vriddhi), obesity, and Kapha disorders. Langhana is a type of Apatarpana.

Clinical Importance

This is the first major decision in treatment planning. The physician must decide whether the underlying pathology is one of deficiency requiring nourishment, or one of excess requiring reduction. Applying the wrong one can be harmful.