Abstract

CLINICAL STUDY OF THE EFFICACY OF WOODFORDIA FRUTICOSA FOR THE PREVENTION OF DENTITION DISORDERS IN INFANTS

Dr. Yasmeen Khondu* and Dr. Rahul H. Gujarathi

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Abstract

Dentition (Dantodbhed) is believed to disturb the equilibrium of all Dhatus (body tissues), leading to dentition disorders (Dantodbhedjanya Vyadhi). This condition encompasses various symptoms, including Jwara (fever), Atisara (diarrhea), Kasa (cough), Chardi (vomiting), Shira Shoola (headache), and Netra Abhishyanda (conjunctivitis). These symptoms effectively are essential for the infant's overall health and comfort during teething. This study aimed to explore the efficacy of Woodfordia fruticosa Churna in managing these teething symptoms. The Churna was mixed with pasteurized honey and applied to the gums of 40 infants, though 5 dropped out. Parents were trained to perform this application thrice daily for six months, with follow-ups every 15 days for the first three months and monthly for the next three. The study assessed six parameters: diarrhea, cough, vomiting, conjunctivitis, skin lesions, and fever. Observations showed a significant reduction in teething-related disorders with the use of Woodfordia fruticosa Churna. Correlation analysis indicated that while weight was somewhat affected by illness during teething, the relationship between age and weight remained significant, suggesting that the Churna helped prevent significant weight loss. Woodfordia fruticosa Churna proved effective in reducing teething-related symptoms and maintaining weight during tooth eruption. The mean age of tooth eruption stages (central incisor, upper central incisor, upper lateral incisor, and lower lateral incisor) matched typical developmental timelines. This study supports the use of Woodfordia fruticosa Churna as a safe and effective therapy for managing teething symptoms in infants and encourages further research to enhance its efficacy.

Keywords: Dantodbhed, Dantodbhedjanya Vyadhi, Dentition, Dentition disorders, Woodfordia fruticosa, Teething, Ayurvedic Medicine, Pediatric Health.