Abstract

“DASHĀNGALĒPAYA” (AN AYURVEDIC MEDICINAL PASTE) FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF OSTEOARTHRITIS: A CASE STUDY

Dr. S. N. L. Narathota* and Dr. Y. S. G. Wimalasiri

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Abstract

Sandhigatha vātha which can be correlated with Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common disease in adult population. Pain, swelling, stiffness, reduced range of movement are the main signs and symptoms of OA and accumulation of fluids around joints cause swelling. Nowadays people seek relief from alternative medical systems like Ayurveda which uses herbal medicines in treating diseases. Dashāngalēpaya (DL) is a poly-herbal Ayurveda paste (Lēpa) which is used as a poultice externally. DL contains ten drugs including Albizia lebbeck L., Glycyrrhiza glabra L., Pterocarpus santalinus L., Valeriana wallichii L., Cinnamomum verum L., Nardostachys jatamansi DC., Curcuma longa L., Berberis aristata DC., Saussurea lappa Falc. and Vetiveria zizanioides L. TLC was performed to identify the chemical nature of Dashāngalēpaya and case study was conducted to analyze therapeutic effect of DL in management of OA. Vruhath Nigantu Rathnākara mentions Shōthahara property (reduction of swelling) of DL in skin diseases when applied with ghee. Ushna veerya (hot potency) helps in reducing pain by alleviating Vātha dōsha. Thiktha rasa (bitter taste), Laghu, Rūksha guna (light, rough qualities) help in reducing swelling by pacifying Kapha dōsha. DL is practically used as Upanāha svēda (poultice) for swollen joints by mixing with juice of Tamarindus indica L. leaves and heating in moderate heat. Patient was advised to apply DL on affected right ankle joint for a month twice a day and examined weekly. At the end of one month, patient showed reduced pain and swelling of the affected joint area. Randomized control trials and analysis of active metabolites of DL can be conducted in future.

Keywords: Dash?ngal?paya, Osteoarthritis, Poultice, Swelling, TLC.