Efficacy of triphaladi avaleha on beejadushtijanya pandu (thalassemia).

BACKGROUND: Hemoglobinopathies constitute a major public health problem internationally, particularly in the developing world as it has the least resources for coping with the problem. Thalassemia is an inherited single-gene autosomal recessive disorder of the Red Blood Corpuscles (RBCs). Life becomes miserable due to blood transfusion every fortnight, recurrent infections, stunted growth, problems of iron overload, splenectomy, and decreased school performance. Nearly Rs. 1000 Crore is being spent in the treatment of thalassemia per annum. AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of Triphaladi Avaleha in Beejadushtijanya Pandu (thalassemia). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Total 32 patients of age group 1-15 years were registered and randomly divided into two groups. Group A (test drug treated group) and Group B (control group). In Group A, Triphaladi Avaleha was given with Godugdha, and in Group B, Deferiprone was administered. Assessment was done based on the subjective and objective parameters after 12 weeks of treatment, with a follow-up of 8 weeks. RESULTS: The trial drug proved better than the standard control in Paandutaa and Sandhishoola at a highly significant level and in Jwara, Akshikootashotha and Pindikodweshtana at a significant level. In Group A, five patients (38.46%) showed maximum improvement, five patients (38.46%) showed moderate improvement, two patients (15.38%) had mild improvement. CONCLUSION: Triphaladi Avaleha has various properties which help to relieve the signs and symptoms of the disease, as well as decrease the iron overload.

Management of spastic cerebral palsy through multiple Ayurveda treatment modalities.

BACKGROUND: Cerebral palsy (CP) is a leading cause of childhood disability affecting function and development. The global incidence of CP is 2:1000. It has been reported that children with CP and their caretaker have impaired health-related quality of life (QOL). Of the many types and subtypes of CP, none has any known cure. For a detailed description of the disease CP, though, there is no one to one correlation in Ayurvedic classics; it can be taken as Vata Vyadhi as far as its etiology and symptomatology are concerned. AIM: To assess the effect of certain Panchakarma procedures in the management of CP. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Total 8 patients were registered and treated with 5 days of Udvartana, 5 days of Abhyanga followed by Sarvanga Swedana and then 8 days of Yoga Basti. The same course of treatment has been repeated for 3 times with an interval of 14 days. Ashtanga Ghrita was given during whole procedures as internal medication. Results of treatment were assessed with anthropometrical measurement, developmental milestone, Modified Ashworth Scale, spasm scale, reflex scale, and muscle power grading. RESULT: This Ayurvedic management shows good result in CP patients, especially by improving growth (height, weight, chest circumference) and development (head holding and sitting), reducing spasticity of left upper limb and muscle spasm. CONCLUSION: Multisystem approach is needed to improve the condition of the patient. Panchakarma along with internal medication should be given to improve all the facets of spastic CP. Yoga Basti acts by their own mode of action and can be used freely for such disease conditions.

Etiopathological study on cerebral palsy and its management by Shashtika Shali Pinda Sweda and Samvardhana Ghrita.

According to World Health Organization (WHO) estimation, 10% of the global population has some form of disability due to different causes; in India, it is 3.8% of the population. Nearly 15-20% of the total physically handicapped children suffer from Cerebral Palsy (CP). For India, the estimated incidence is around 3/1000 live births; however, being a developing country, the expected actual figure may be much higher. Despite the advancement in modern technology and improved neonatal care, stagnant or increasing incidence of CP has been observed, which is of great concern. As far as management or preventive aspect is concerned, no satisfactory criteria have been developed to date. The present study is based on a positive hypothesis for the efficacy of Ayurvedic treatment. The study was carried out in 16 patients, 8 in each group, namely group A (Shashtika Shali Pinda Sweda externally and Samvardhana Ghrita internally) and group B (Samvardhana Ghrita internally) for 35 days duration. In group A, moderate improvement, mild improvement, and no improvement were observed in 50%, 37.5% and 12.5% of patients respectively. In group B, moderate improvement and mild improvement were observed in 75% and 25% of the patients respectively. Statistical significance of results on selected criteria showed the efficacy of the selected Ayurvedic treatment modality in relieving the signs and symptoms of CP. Although it is incurable, Ayurvedic science can provide a better direction by improving the quality of life of children with CP with better life expectancy.

Role of Kasahara Dashemani Vati in Kasa and Vyadhikshamatva in children with special reference to recurrent respiratory tract infections.

The present single-centered randomized control trial (RCT) was carried out with the prime aim of assessing the effect of Kasahara Dashemani Vati (trial drug) on Kasa and Vyadhikshamatva in the children suffering from recurrent respiratory tract infections and comparing it with the efficacy of Indukanta Vati. The clinical trial included 40 patients belonging to age group of 3-12 years. The drugs were administered in a daily dose fixed as per "Clark's Rule" along with honey for duration of 60 days. The effect of treatment on the signs and symptoms of Kasa was assessed on the 15(th) day, whereas the effect on Vyadhikshamatva was assessed on the 60(th) day. The patients were under follow-up for a period of 60 days after completing the treatment course for evaluation of any recurrence. Effect of the therapy on the individual signs and symptoms of Kasa, laboratory parameters, immunoglobulin (Ig) biomarkers, status of Atura Bala, and prevention of recurrence during follow-up period were the parameters used to assess the overall effect of therapy. The observed data were subjected to appropriate statistical analysis for testing the statistical significance. Kasahara Dashemani provided relief in all symptoms of Kasa irrespective of Doshic involvement and on the parameters of Atura Bala. All the changes were statistically highly significant. The control group also showed similar effects which were statistically highly significant. The trial group was found to have a direct influence on serum Ig status. No patient has reported any adverse drug reactions during the treatment and follow-up periods.