Effect of Nimbaneelyadi Taila in Darunaka A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

Dandruff is a non-inflammatory disease of the scalp with symptoms like itching, visible flakes, and hair fall. Post pubertal population (aged 18 to 60) is the most vulnerable age group to this issue. It has been noted that all population across the globe eventually develops Dandruff at least once in their lifetime.The prevalence of Dandruff in South Asia is 60.1%, whereas in the world it is 50%. Worldwide and particularly in Indian cities, pollution levels are rising.Dandruff, redness, itching, irritation of the scalp, excessive sebum production, soreness in the hair roots, and hair loss can all be caused by air pollution, the exponential rise in air pollution leads to a rise in gases like Sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ammonia (NH3), and other gases that can cause hair damage and Dandruff. The scenario will be worsen during winter, smog etc which can even be three to five times higher. Over the past decade, the hair cosmetics sector has seen a revolutionary upheaval. Nowadays, not only Simple cleansing is the focus, but also mending, increasing tensile strength, and promoting attractiveness are also prioritized. Wax, gel, hair dyes, and hair spray, hair oils, shampoos are used widely as hair cosmetics. These items contain chemicals like Parabens, Sulphates, PEG, Phthalates, Fragrance, and Heavy Metals like Lead, Mercury, Titanium, etc., which are hazardous to the hair, scalp as well as human body  . These hair care products will increase the incidence of hair cosmetic toxicity and eventually can be absorbed by the scalp and lead to scalp build up adding to dandruff. Many hair shampoos that have higher alkaline pH may increase the negative electrical charge of the hair fiber surface and, therefore, increase friction between the hair fibers. This may lead to cuticle damage and hair fiber breakage. Lower pH of shampoos may cause less frizzing for generating less negative static electricity on the hair fiber surface. Only 38% of the popular brand shampoos against 75% of the salon’s shampoos presented a pH ≤ 5.0.  and imbalance in pH levels can cause dandruff, oily scalp and dull hair. In agada tantra, these all causative factors are included under Gara Visha which is the main cause of Darunaka. In the classics, Darunaka is explained as one of the Kshudra roga  and kapalagata roga having vata-kapha predominant doshas. The clinical features of Dandruff are closely similar to Darunaka. Due to a sedentary lifestyle, people hardly have time for Nidana Parivarjana. Hence a remedy that acts on vitiated kapha and vata doshas, and at the same time strengthening of hair is needed to counter Darunaka. Nimbaneelyadi yoga is one simple Vishaghna yoga that is not much explored and used for managing visa conditions. Nimbaneelyadi yoga is mentioned in Prayoga Samuchaya  & in Vishavaidya jyotsnika  . This yoga can be prepared in lepa, Kashaya, taila, etc. different forms and is said to be used in different visha conditions. The ingredients of Nimbaneelyadi yoga are Nimba mula (Azadirachta indica A. Juss), Nili mula (Indigofera tinctoria Linn), and Karanja mula (Pongamia pinnata Linn). They have kapha vatahara, kushtagna, krimigna, kandugna, keshya, and vishagna properties. All ingredients are effective in Darunaka individually and scientific research data showed effect in Darunaka. But its effect in combination is need of hour and is currently not available in the market. Hence, the present study has been planned to evaluate the clinical effect of Nimbaneelyadi yoga in taila form against Darunaka.