Abstract

MANAGEMENT OF VISARPA THROUGH SHAMAN YOGA ALONG WITH RAKTAMOKSHAN-A CASE STUDY

Niranjan Sharma*, Yogesh Wane and Prakash Joshi

ABSTRACT

Skin is the first organ of the body interacting with environmental agents like chemical and biological agents. The disease Herpes Zoster closely resembles to a condition called as Visarpa which is described in our ancient classics of Ayurveda. Visarpa is one of the commonest skin disorder which is widely explained in Ayurveda and is one of the most common skin ailments suffered by large population worldwide. The clinical features contemplates with Herpes Zoster which is an active transmitting viral disease causing painful skin rashes with blisters in localized areas. This skin diseases is of a particular type and its spreads very fast like snake, hence it is called Visarpa. Visarpa is characterized by clinical features such as, Aashu - anunnatashopha, Daha, Jwara, Vedana and Sphotas/Pidikas are so specific that it is described as Agnidagdavat. Acharya Sushruta, father of Shalya Tantra was well aware of importance of Visarpa and their management. The description of management of Visarpa with different treatment modalities is available. Among the different treatment options Virechana is one which is not only mentioned in the text books but also practiced out by Ayurvedic physicians through the ages. Among the different Shaman Aushadhis described for Visarpa, Daha Prashamana Kashaya is one which is cheaper. Hence it was considered to explore the utility of combined therapy consisting of a Raktamokshan sand a topical application, in the management of Visarpa.

Keywords: Visarpa, Herpes zoster, Sphota, Raktamokshan.