A clinical study of Bharangyadi Avleha & Vasadi Kashaya in management of Vatika Kasa w.s.r. Tropical pulmonary Eosinophilia

Ayurveda, the science of life, is one of the ancient scienceof the world. It is believed that Ayurveda came into existence along with theexistence of the human race. 21st century although looking like a developedera, in fact is a disease epidemic worldwide. The evolution of human being fromthe primitive life to this civilized modern world took millions of years.During this course of evolution, the human race has seen a great change intheir lifestyle with great social and cultural evolution. Though human beinghave been able to achieve a lot through the development of new technologies anddiscovery of new things, the most and universally encountered challenge hasalways been related to health, one that has affected the society since timeimmemorial. This desire for long and healthy life has been the driving forcefor the curious and anxious human mind. This quest led the human race to tryand test many things ranging from medicinal plants, animal products, mineralsand also many rituals and practices. As mentioned by Charaka, desire for lifeis the most important of all the three quests and desire. This desire ledto thediscovery of the healing properties of nature. The shift of the human race fromthe vanasprastha jeevan to gramya jeevana led into the increment in suffering.The change in their lifestyle was one of the most important cause. This drasticchange and shift in their lifestyle was a challenge to the seers too. With thepassage of time, the human civilization became afflicted with many sharirika (Physically)and manasika vikruti(Mentally disease). These afflictions caused the human tosuffer more. Thus the cure them was not the only solution. Prevention of thediseases to appear again was one important challenge. Unlike other medicalpractices, where major emphasis is given in the curative aspect, Ayurveda hasemphasized on the preventive aspect of diseases with the main goal ofmaintenance of health  one of the twoobjectives. Health, according to Ayurveda, is the homeostasis of the dosha,dhatu and mala. These three entities are considered the moola of the sharira

  At thepresent time, disorders related to respiratory system has increased greatly andKASA (Dry) is also one of these disorders.  According to Ayurveda, itappears as an independent disease and sometimes as a symptom of other diseases.The characterization of Kasa is that it is an attempt to remove foreign matterin the respiratory tract and inflammation in the respiratory tract.  Itturns out that this is Kasa.  In the meaning of the word Kas, the sign ofnot neglecting it is hidden.  Acharya Charaka has said this in the end byinstructing the five distinctions of Kaas. That is, Kasa disease is going tocause the decay of the body if it is neglected.

Indiais a tropical and developing country.  With the increase of modernizationand industrialization, the environment is also becoming polluted due to whichthere is a continuous increase in air pollution.  And the best quality ofair is being decreasing day by day .  And due to this, respiratory diseasesare also increasing.  Kasa is also one of these.  Which arises fromthe entry of heterogeneous substances into the respiratory system. According to Ayurveda opinion, we can call it Vatika kasa .  According tomodern belief, the symptoms of this  disease are similar to those of TropicalPulmonary Eosinophilia (TPE).

   Basis of topic selection

In this way of modern relaxed lifestyle, mental stress andcompetition, humans have invited many kinds of sufferings themselves.  Thegood quality of food, water, air determines human health.  But in this eraof modernization and industrialization, the environment is becoming polluted,dust, smoke, vapor are constantly coming out of these industries.  Bywhich the atmosphere contains Co, CO2, SO, etc. gases.  Due to which, dueto air pollution, its quality is being destroyed.  The respiratory rate ofa healthy human is 16 - 18 breaths per minute.  This action makes therespiratory system (pranavam strotas) more susceptible to disease.  Kasais generated by irritation  in therespiratory system by dust ,fumes, vapours etc. Vatika kasa which we can callDry cough  is very similar to Tropical pulmonaryEosinophilia.  In modern medical science, diethylcarbamazine is used forits treatment, which suppresses disease till taking the drug.  But afterstopping the drug, the disease reoccur.  Therefore, according to modernreflection, the best medicine is needed for this disease, because theprevalence of this disease is also increasing due to increasing environmentalpollution.

 Basis of Medicine selection

For the treatment of Tropical pulmonary eosinophiliaas a medicine  Bharngyadi avalehmentioned in the fifth  chapter of theGad Nigraha ( in avleha form) &  VasadiKashaya described in Sharangadhar Samhita 9 (in decoction form )  are being used . these medicines are preparedfrom herbal medicinal ingredients. No any complications and harmful effect aredescribed in ayurveda Samhita’s about above medicinal herbal formulations .Hence this medicines are used to treat Tropical pulmonary eosinophilia (VatikaKasa ) safely & effectively.