European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

EFFICACY OF AROHANAKRAMASNEHAPANA AND SADYO-SNEHANA FOR VIRECHANA KARMA IN EKAKUSHTA WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO PSORIASIS – A COMPARATIVE STUDY

Vd. Rohit Mehta*

ABSTRACT

Eka Kushta is one among the Kshudra Kushta presenting with Aswedanam (absence of sweating), Mahavastu (extensive localization), Matsyashakalopama (resembles the scales of fish) lakshana thereby affecting the somatic make-up, psychological and social aspects of an individual. In modern parlance, it simulates Psoriasis, a chronic, non-infectious skin disease characterized by well defined, slightly raised, dry, silvery erythematous macules of typical extensor distribution with its prevalence ranging from 0.1% to 3% of world population. Virechana Karma (purgation) occupies the prime seat in the management of Eka Kushta as it is dominated mainly by Pitta as well as Rakta. Snehapana (oleation), the purvakarma (pre- procedure) of Virechana plays a pivotal role by its action of dosha utkleshana (excitement of doshas) thereby mobilizing the utklishta doshas (excited doshas) from Shakha (extremities) to Koshta (abdomen) and can be achieved by adopting either Arohanakrama (increasing order of snehapana) or Sadyo-Snehana (1 day of snehapana). Amruta Ghrita is used for Snehapana as it is indicated in Kushta. Hence, a study was planned to evaluate the efficacy of ArohanaKrama Snehapana and Sadyo-Snehana for Virechana Karma in Eka Kushta with special reference to Psoriasis. The present study is a open clinical study with pre - test and post - test design where in 40 patients of either sex diagnosed as Eka Kushta w.s.r. to Psoriasis were randomly assigned into two groups comprising of 20 patients in each. In Group A and B patient were subjected to Pachana–Deepana with Panchakola Churna. In Group A, patients were subjected to ArohanaKrama Snehapana with Amruta Ghrita followed by Virechana with Trivruth Avalehya whereas in Group B, patients were subjected to Sadyo-Snehana for 1 day with Amruta Ghrita followed by Virechana with Trivruth Avalehya. Based on shuddhi (amount of purification), Samsarjana Krama (dietary regimens) was advised in both the Groups. The overall observation in the study revealed that the maximum number of patients were males in the age group of 31 – 40 years belonging to middle class, Hindu Religion, married, graduated, having mixed diet and presenting with all the lakshanas of Eka Kushta for the duration of 1-5 years. The overall result in the study revealed that both the groups showed statistically significant result and there is no statistically significant difference between the two groups since both the groups showed similar improvement in almost all the parameters with p value < 0.001. All the patients in both the groups presented with Samyak Snigdha (proper oleation) and Samyak Virechana (proper purgation) Lakshanas. Hence, the present study reveals that there is no significant difference between Arohana Krama Snehapana and Sadyo-Snehana for VirechanaKarma in Eka Kushta.

Keywords: Eka Kushta, Psoriasis, Arohana Krama, Sadyo-Snehana, Virechana.