Abstract

APPLICABILITY OF STERILIZATION: BASIC CONCEPTS OF AYURVEDA IN MORDEN ERA

Dr. Rahul A. Kharat*, Dr. Subhash Y. Raut and Dr. Nita Kedar

Abstract

Background: The process of Sterilization is an essential component of infection control, as it is very necessary for patient’s safety and good health care. For the success of any surgical treatment sterilization has prime importance. Without sterilization it causes complications like infection, impaired wound healing etc. Hence sterilization is a main goal of surgeon. Ayurveda the ancient science is a system of medicine with historic roots. Sushruta Samhita is an ancient Sanskrit text explained many fundamentals regarding medicine and surgery in details. sterilization is one of them. Sushruta during their practice had a clear idea regarding specific methods of sterilization by means of Dhupana karma. In Ayurveda treatment modalities described are Bahirparimarjana (topical), Antahparimarjana (systemic) and Shashtraparidhana (surgical intervention). For the successful surgery Sushruta has mentioned in Poorvakarma, the various methods of sterilization of Vranitagara, Sutikagara with Kashaya, Parisheka, Dhupana, Agnitapana etc. The Dhupana karma i.e. fumigation characterized under topical (Bahirparimarjana) treatment which has been told as a treatment in all classics of Ayurveda. The detailed description is available in Kashyapa Samhita. This medicated smoke (Dhupana) creates aseptic environment which kills the microbes; thus, prevents the infections. Some Dhupana dravya are Guggul, Sarshapa, Ela, Haridra, Jatamansi and Tulsi. These fundamentals are applicable, proven and also found to be very effective till today in context of sterilization.

Keywords: Sterilization, Raksha Karma, Dhupana Karma.