CLINICAL STUDY ON THE EFFICACY OF RASAYANA IN THE MANAGEMENT OF MARGAVARANAJANYA PAKSHAGHATA (ISCHAEMIC STROKE)

Abstract

Background: Ayurvedic literature highlights the symptoms of Pakshaghata as chesta nivritti either in vama or dakshina
parshwa along with ruja and vakstambha. Pakshaghata (Hemiplegia) being one of the 80 nanatmaja vata vyadhi can occur
either due to dhatukshaya or margavarana. General vatavyadhi chikitsa is best achieved through snigdha sweda and
mridu shodhana. But the specific treatment for margavarana is achieved through anabhishyand isnigdha dravya and
srotoshuddi kara chikitsa. Untreated margavarana in due course can result in other diseases like hridroga, vidradhi, pleeha
etc. WHO defines Stroke, as rapidly developing clinical signs of focal disturbance of cerebral function lasting more than 24
hours. Here patients with Pakshaghata due to margavarana/ ischaemic stroke were selected for the study. Materials and
methods: This study is a single group with pre and post test design wherein 50 patients fulfilling the diagnostic criteria of
Pakshaghata/ Ischaemic stroke was selected and were subjected to nitya virechana and Shasthi shali pinda sweda for 7
days followed by Shilajathu-loharasayana in a dose of 6 g. OD with milk before food was administered for a period of 28
days. Results: Statistically highly significant results were found in muscle strength, finger and toe movements, hand grip
and foot pressure (p= <0.001). Discussion: It was found that the response of the therapy was statistically significant with P
value < 0.001 in terms of symptoms of Pakshaghata.