European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

SHUNTI ARKA AS DHUMAPANA IN THE MANAGEMENT OF TAMAKA SHWASA W.S.R. TO BRONCHIAL ASTHMA- A CONCEPTUALIZED STUDY

Vd. Rohit Mehta*

ABSTRACT

Tamaka Shwasa is one of the major disease explained in our Ayurvedic classics produced due to vitiation of kapha and vata dosha in pranavaha srotas, is analogous to Bronchial Asthma as explained in modern medical science. India has an estimated 15-20 million asthmatics and mortality due to Bronchial Asthma is not comparable in size to the day-to-day effects of the disease. It is a disease characterized by recurrent attacks of breathlessness and wheezing which vary in severity and frequency from person to person. The nidanas for Tamaka Shwasa are raja, dhuma, vata sevana, residing in sheeta stana, sheeta jala sevana, ati vyayama etc. Asthma is a chronic condition, it usually requires continuous medical care and medication is not the only way to control Asthma. The inhalation route has been developed to administer the drugs by delivering to site of action and to get immediate effects. The drugs used in Allopathic medicines causes side effects like dry or irritated throat, sneezing, stuffy or itchy nose, watery eyes, nose bleed, nausea, frequent urination, dizziness, drowsiness, headache, skin rash, bruising, severe tingling, numbness, pain, muscle weakness, joint pain and general illness but as it is a herbal preparation it minimizes the side effects. Most of our Acharyas explained different treatment modalities in the management of Tamaka Shwasa especially Dhumapana using different drugs but a unique concept ‘Arka’ for dhoomapan is explained by Ravana in Arka Prakasha. Hence efforts are put forth to conceptualize the effect of aqueous extract - Arka for inhalation in Tamaka Shwasa through Nebulization and parallel new perspective to rising trend in cases of treating Asthma.

Keywords: Tamaka Swasa, Bronchial Asthma, Dhumapana, Arka, Shunti.