A COMPARATIVE CLINICAL STUDY ON THE EFFICACY OF DHATRI LOHA AND AVIPATTIKARA CHURNA IN THE MANAGEMENT OF URDHVAGA AMLAPITTA WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO GASTROESOPHAGEAL REFLUX DISEASE

Amlapitta in Ayurveda is comparable to modern conditions such as Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), gastritis, and acid reflux, and it is a common gastrointestinal disorder that significantly affects individuals’ wellbeing. It is mainly caused by improper diet, stress, anxiety, disturbed sleep patterns, and sedentary lifestyle habits, and if not managed properly it may become chronic and lead to complications.

Ayurvedic classics explain that mental and emotional disturbances can impair digestion.Worry, grief, anger, and lack of rest weaken digestive capacity. Similarly, digestive fire (Mandagni) is the root cause of many diseases.Amlapitta has a high prevalence and is considered a lifestyle-related disorder. Individuals with a Pitta-predominant constitution may develop Amlapitta due to frequent intake of incompatible, excessively sour or spicy foods, smoking, and alcohol, which aggravate Pitta and disturb digestive balance. Although many treatment approaches exist, a definitive cure remains uncertain.

The Ayurvedic formulation Dhatri Loha, described in Ayurveda classical texts, is known for its therapeutic benefits in Amlapitta. Therefore, a comparative clinical study has been planned to evaluate the efficacy of Dhatri Loha and Avipattikara Churna in the management of Urdhvaga Amlapitta with special reference to GERD.

In this study, 40 patients meeting the inclusion criteria will be randomly divided into two groups: Group A (trial group) receiving Dhatri Loha tablets 500 mg twice daily just before food with Ghrita, and Group B (control group) receiving Avipattikara Churna 5 g twice daily just before food with lukewarm water,to compare effectiveness in relieving symptoms and balancing Pitta.

The study intends to generate clinical evidence for safer, cost effective ayurvedic management on Urdhvaga Amlapitta