Utility of Dhooma preparations in the treatment of Nāsa Roga in indigenous medicine in Sri Lanka.

Abstract

There are medicinal preparations used as Dhooma in the treatment of Nāsa Roga according to classical texts. The aim of this study was to analyze the availability of herbal and mineral ingredients used to prepare Dhooma and to evaluate their usages for Nāsa Roga. This was a literature based study and the primary data were collected through indigenous classical texts such as Sārārtha Sangraha, Yogārnava, Yogarathnākara, Varayogasāra, Sārasankshepa and Bhaisajamanjusha. Collected data were comparatively analyzed and demonstrated to identify the availability of different types of ingredients and commonest ingredients in selected formulas. According to data, 16 Dhooma formulas were identied. 07 formulas have been mentioned in Sārartha Sangraha, 05 in Yogarathnakara, 03 in Yogārnava and 01 in Varayogasāra. These formulas are used as Choorna, Pottali and Veti preparations. (13 formulas are Choornas) 48 ingredients were identied in Dhooma. Inguru, Gammiris, Tippili, Walangasahal, Gugul, Perunkayam, Wadakaha, Kaluduru, Sudulunu, Manosheela, Hingula, Gendagam and Sīnakkaram are the commonest ingredients found in these formulas. These preparations can be categorized according to different types of Nāsa Roga. 06 preparations are used for Prathishya, 05 for Pinasa and 02 for Nāsa Srāwa; Puyarakkta, Kshawathu, Bransha, Deepthanasikya 01 for each. Considering the Panchapadārtha of mostly used ingredients, 100% of dravya contain Katurasa and 61% contain Tiktarasa. Katu and Tikta perform Vatavruddhi and Kaphakshaya. The properties are 92% Laghu and 69% Tikshna. Laghu increases Vāta, reduces the thickness of Kapha. Tikshna helps in excreting vitiated Kapha. Ushna Veerya contains 92% of ingredients that help in Vātānulomana and Kaphanissarana. It also helps in reducing the thickness of Kapha. 84% of ingredients contain Katuvipaka and helps in increasing Vāta. According to the available data, Rasa, Guna, Veerya, Vipaka of the ingredients used in Dhooma help to reduce the thickness of vitiated Kapha and they are excreted by the increased Vātadosha.