The Materia Medica of the Hindus, compiled from Sanskrit Medical Works c4.s1.17

c4.s1.17

विरेचक *Virechaka* or purgatives are described under three heads, namely, स्रंसन *Sransana*, भेदन *Bhedana*, and रेचक *Rechaka*. Those medicines which hurry the chyle or materials for digestion, without allowing them to be properly digested, are called *Sransana*, as for example the pulp of *Cassia fistula*. Those medicines which set free scybala and other contents of the intestines, and discharge them from the bowels, without producing watery stools, are called *Bhedana*, as for example *Katuki* (*Pricorrhiza Kurroa*). Those medicines which cause the discharge of the digested or undigested contents of the intestines in a liquid form, are called *Rechaka*, as for example, *Trivrit* (*Ipomœa Turpethum*). These last again are subdivided into three orders, namely, *mridu* or mild, *madhyama* or intermediate, and *krura* or drastic.