ROLE OF MEDICINAL HERBS IN THE MANAGEMENT OF GRIDHRASI (SCIATICA): AN AYURVEDIC APPROACH
*Dr. Jaya Kachchhwaha, Dr. Ayush Garg, Dr. Meenakshi Kumawat, Dilip Gehlot, Dr. Chandan Singh and Dr. Manoj Kumar Adlakha
ABSTRACT
In this hectic life sciatic pain is a very common disorder that hampers
people from doing their routine activities. Gridhrasi (sciatica) is one
among vata vyradhi caused by aggravated vata Doshas. It is
characterized by burning, stinging or numbing pain that is felt in the
buttock; thigh, leg or foot. It may or may not be associated with low
back pain. The main cause of sciatica can be a horizontal or slipped
disc, piriformis syndrome, spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, in the
starting stage people neglect this, but later this becomes a major issue
when the pain becomes unbearable. At this stage they might search for
a better cure. There are wide ranges of treatment for which includes
internal medications for pain and inflammation, Physical therapy &
spinal injections. And lastly surgery is advised for those who do not respond for conservative
treatments. But, these are not much successful and therefore those who are suffering from this
are always in search of result oriented remedy. Classics of Ayurveda have references related
to sciatica, according to Ayurveda signs and symptoms of sciatica are much similar to
"Gridhrasi vaata Roga."Gridhrasi can be treated remarkably with procedures of
panchakarma like of abhyanga, swedana and internal medications. Sciatica pain treated with
help of Nirgundi (Vitex negundo),Guggulu (Commiphora wightii) Eranda roots (Ricinus communis), Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera),Long Pepper (Piper longum), Jaiphal
(Nutmeg/Myristica fragrans). This Review paper provides an overview of the effect of
medicinal herbs on sciatica.
Keywords: Sciatica, Gridhrasi, Medicinal Herbs, Ayurvedic, Nirgundi, Guggulu.
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