Clinical study on the efficacy of amritadi ghrita and kutaja sooryapaka taila in the management of vicharchika vis-à-vis eczema

Abstract

Vicharchika is explained as one among Ekadasha Kshudra Kustha. The clinical features of vicharchika like Kandu, Pidaka, Shyavavarnata, Srava, Rookshata, Daha, Raji, and Vedana are very much similar with the features of Eczema. This is an inflammatory response produced by various internal and external factors. To manage such inflammatory condition of the skin, shamana chikitsa, in the form of bahya and abhyantara sneha prayoga was planned in order to have a safe and effective result in treating Vicharchika vis-à-vis Eczema. The objective of this study was, to evaluate the efficacy of Amritadi Ghrita as Shamana sneha along with the external application of Kutaja Sooryapaka Taila in the management of Vicharchika vis-à-vis Eczema. It is an observational clinical study with pre, mid and post test design where 30 patients of Vicharchika vis-à-vis Eczema were randomly selected and subjected to deepana and pachana with Trikatu choorna administered in a dose of 2 g thrice daily before food with ushnodaka, until nirama lakshanas were observed. Shamana snehapana by Amritadi Ghritha was advised in the dose of 30 ml, in empty stomach at annakala for 30 days along with external application of Kutajasooryapaka Taila twice a day after thoroughly cleaning the affected area of the skin with lukewarm water. Pathya ahara and Vihara were advised throughout the course of the study. In the present study, results obtained with respect to all the parameters were statistically highly significant with 'P' value of 0.000. Overall assessment showed marked relief in 20 patients, moderate relief in 6 patients followed by complete relief in 4 patients. Significant results in reduction of all the parameters i.e. Kandu (87.5 %), Pidaka (85.8 %), Srava (60.83 %), Rookshata (60.83 %) and Vaivarnyata (89.16 %) were found. Hence Amritadi Ghrita as Shamana sneha along with the external application of Kutaja Sooryapaka Taila was found to be very effective in the management of Vicharchika vis-à-vis Eczema.