A randomized comparative clinical study to evaluate efficacy of Nistushayawadi Kwatha and Kantakaryadi Kwatha in management of Urdhwaga Amlapitta (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease)

Amlapitta is a disease of Annavahasrotas. It is Pitta-kapha pradhana Tridoshaja vyadhi. The term amlapitta itself states, increased Amlatva of Pitta dosha.Acharya Sushruta has mentioned Katu rasa as predominant rasa of pitta and when pitta becomes vidagdha it changes into amla rasa.Udrikta stands for increased or excessive, which means that there is quantitative increase in amla guna of pitta which leads to Amlapitta. Also Vitiated Agni leads to increased Amlaguna (sour taste) of Pachak pitta, resulting in Samata.Various The signs & symptoms of Urdhwaga Amlapitta mostly resemble with the symptoms of Gastro Oesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) such as dyspepsia, heartburn, indigestion, nausea, sour belching, food regurgitation, chest pain, gastric discomfort, abdominal distension, reduced appetite. Taking this in consideration correlation is drawn between Urdhwaga Amlapitta and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).GERD is the most common esophageal disorder, accounting for nearly 75% of all patients with esophageal disorders.Also Gastroesophageal reflux resulting in heartburn affects approximately 30% of the general population. In the Indian population, the combined prevalence of Gastro oesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) stands at 15.6%.In modern medicine science treatment of GERD focus on lifestyle modification and pharmacologic approach i.e inhibitors of gastric acid secretion. The drugs H2 blockers and proton pump inhibitors (PPI) are commonly used for this purpose. Recurrence of symptoms is common when therapy is stopped and some patients require life-long treatment at lowest acceptable dose.

To overcome this limitations, Ayurveda’s treatment principles, that believe in treating the root cause of disease may give promising treatment options. Nistushayawadi kwatha and Kantakaryadi kwatha mentioned in Bhaishajyaratnali and Yogratnakar respectively are two among those different formulations. Separate individual studies has been carried out in order to know efficacy of these formulations in Amlapitta. The goal of this current study is to compare effectiveness of Nistushayawadi kwatha and Kantakaryadi kwatha in treating Urdhwaga Amlapitta.