EFFECT OF DECOCTION OF LEUCAS ZEYLANICA IN WORM INFESTATION WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO ENTEROBIUS VERMICULARIS

Abstract

Background: Enterobius vermicularis is a parasite that lives in human digestive system and is universally
common, especially among school-age children. Krimi roga is a disease described in Ayurveda, which can
be correlated with worm infections. Leucas zeylanica is a herb, 30–60 cm tall, growing widely in Sri
Lanka. L. zeylanica is used effectively in the treatment of worm infections by Sri Lankan Traditional
physicians. Aim: To evaluate the efficacy of L. zeylanica on E. vermicularis infections. Methods: One
hundred patients suffering with E. vermicularis infections were selected and divided randomly into two
groups, namely A and B. Each group consisted of 50 patients. Group A, the treated group, was given 120
ml of decoction of L. zeylanica twice a day for 7 days. Decoction was prepared by boiling 120 g of entire
fresh plant of L. zeylanica in 1920 ml of water, until reduced to 240 ml. Group B, the control group, was
given 120 ml of placebo twice a day for 7 days. The placebo was prepared by adding permitted brown food
coloring to boiled and cooled water. Results: Group A, reported total absence of itching and scratching in
the anal region during night, over 80% reduction of abdominal pain, loss of appetite, bad breath, and
eructation. Ova in stools were absent after treatment. 12% of the patients complained of burning sensation
in the abdomen during the last 2 days of treatment. In group B, the patients reported 14.7% aggravation of
itching and scratching in the anal region during night, 26% aggravation of pain in the abdomen, 11.5%
aggravation of impaired appetite, and 20% aggravation of eructation. Ova of E. vermicularis were present
in their stools. Conclusion: decoction of L. zeylanica is a highly effective, treatment for E. vermicularis
infections in adults.