A Clinical Trial to evaluate the effect of Matra Basti with Karaskara Ghritha in Vataja Gridhrasi (Sciatica)

Basti is one of the Panchakarma procedures where medicated oils or decoctions are administered through anal route. It acts directly at the site of Vata Dosha i.e., Pakvashaya and thereby indicated in all Vatavyadhi. Matra Basti is one of the types where medicated Sneha is administered at least dosage. It can be administered to all patients in all seasons and has no complications. It is very convenient in present day life. Gridhrasi, one of the 80 Nanatmaja Vata Vyadhis is of 2 types – Vataja Gridhrasi and Vatakaphaja Gridhrasi. The cardinal features of Vataja Gridhrasi are pain initially in Sphik radiating to Kati, Prushta, Uru, Janu, Jangha and Pada along with Stambha, Toda, Spandanam, difficulty in lifting the leg (Sakthi Utkshepa Nigraha), bending of body, numbness of the knee, waist and thigh joints. Basti Karma, Agni Karma and Siravyadhana are considered as the choices of treatment in Vataja Gridhrasi. Matra Basti which is Vatahara, Balya and Brumhana administered for 9 days reaches till Majja Dhatu and thereby pacifies Vata Dosha at the site of cause. Sciatica which is a debilitating condition in which pain radiates from the low back into the buttock and along the posterior or lower aspect of the lower limb. About 80-90% of the people get affected by low back pain and 5% of those become victims of sciatica. The most common cause of sciatica is a herniated or bulging lumbar intervertebral disc. Karaskara Ghritha consists of Shodhita Karaskara Beeja, Kadaliphala, Yashtimadhu, Draksha, Ikshurasa, Balamoola, Goksheera processed in Goghritha. It is indicated in Sandhi Roga and Vatarakta. In the Samprapti of Vataja Gridhrasi, Sira, Kandara and Snayu are involved which infers the involvement of Rakta dhatu. Karaskara Ghritha possesses Madhura rasa, Guru, Snigdha Guna, Sheeta Virya and Vatapittahara properties predominantly may be potentially beneficial in Vataja Gridhrasi. It has been administered clinically through anal route and found effective in Gridhrasi because of its Vedhana Shamaka Karma and nervine tonic property. So here a study is attempted to assess the effect of Matra Basti with Karaskara Ghritha in Vataja Gridhrasi (Sciatica).