Effect of Sarala-Niryasa Malahara (Pine-resin ointment) on Padadari (cracked feet): A randomized vehicle-controlled trial.

A very common traditional remedy for Padadaari among rural people of Uttarakhand is application of pure Shrivestaka (resin of Pinus roxburghii)or Sarala Niryasa (called “Leesa” in local language), which is very effective in healing the cracked heels. Charaka in the very first chapter of Charaka Samhita has drawn our attention upon the importance of folkloric medicine and has nudged upon using this untapped knowledge.Sushruta advocates Siravyadha followed by Swedana, Abhyanga and Padalepa prepared out of Madhuchishtha (bee wax), Vasa, Majja, Sarjarasa Niryasa (resin of Vateria indica) with Ghrita.Taking a clue from traditional use of Shrivestaka in Padadaari in folklore andrecommendation of Sushrutha for using Niryasa (Sarjarasa ) with Madhuchishtha in Padadaari, a pilot study in 12 patients was done to assess the effectiveness of Sarala Niryasa in Padadaari. Traditional method of applying Sarala Niryasa directly over heels is very inconvenient due to extremely sticky nature of Sarala Niryasa. Hence, Sarala Niryasa  was used as a Malahara Kalpana (ointment), consisting Madhuchishtha (bee wax) and Tila Taila, an easy to prepare and apply preparation*.*

Siktha tailawas used as a vehicle to prepare the malahara hence it was taken as a control. Now this study will be done in a bigger sample size of 30 patients each.