Abstract

AYURVEDIC FUMIGATION AND MODERN INDOOR PLANTS FOR AIR PURIFICATION: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW BASED ON PRISMA GUIDELINES

Dr. Ilsa Thakur*, Dr. Chandni Gupta

Abstract

Indoor air pollution is a growing public health concern linked to respiratory diseases, allergic conditions, and microbial infections. Traditional systems, such as Ayurveda, offer timetested interventions like Dhoopana (medicinal fumigation) and the use of air-purifying herbal plants, which are now gaining renewed attention for their potential in environmental detoxification. Objective: To evaluate Ayurvedic practices of Dhoopana (medicinal fumigation) and the use of herbal indoor air-purifying plants by correlating references from classical texts with modern scientific evidence, and to establish their role in mitigating indoor air pollution and promoting health. Data Sources: Primary references were drawn from classical Ayurvedic texts, including Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita, and Kashyapa Samhita for descriptions of fumigation practices and therapeutic uses. Secondary data were obtained from modern scientific databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar, screening publications from 2000 to 2025. Review Methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. Extracted data included pharmacognostical identity, phytochemical constituents, antimicrobial efficacy, and pollutant-removal capacity of the selected medicinal substances and plants. Conclusion: Ayurvedic fumigation formulations generally comprised Agni and Vayu-dominant substances such as Guggulu, Nimba, Vacha, and Agaru. A total of 40 classical Dhoopana Yogas were identified with specific disease indications in the Kashyapa Samhita. Complementary findings from modern research validated 15 herbal plants, including Sansevieria trifasciata, Chlorophytum comosum, and Aloe vera, which showed measurable reductions in PM2.5, VOCs (benzene, formaldehyde, xylene), and microbial loads, thereby bridging traditional wisdom with environmental health science. The integration of Ayurvedic fumigation and herbal indoor purification strategies provides a holistic, low-cost, and sustainable solution for controlling indoor air pollution. The convergence of traditional Ayurvedic knowledge with modern evidence underscores its dual benefit in health protection and ecological well-being.

Keywords: Dhoopana, Indoor Air Quality, Ayurvedic Fumigation, VOCs, Air-purifying Plants, Phytoremediation, Classical Formulations, PM2.5.