A CASE-STUDY - AN AYURVEDIC TREATMENT IN DARUNAKA (DANDRUFF)

*Dr. Amit C. Firke and Dr. Sayali S. Waghulde

ABSTRACT

Darunaka is a Kapalagataroga but Acharya Sushruta has described this disease as a Kshudra roga due to the vitiation of Vata and Kapha Doshas with symptoms like Kandu (itching on scalp), Keshachyuti (falling of hair), Swapa (abnormalities of touch sensation on scalp), Rookshata (roughness or dryness of the scalp) and Twak sphutana (breaking or cracking of the scalp skin). Dandruff is a lay term commonly used in the context of mild seborrhoeic dermatitis of the scalp. However, any scalp condition that produces scales could be labelled as dandruff. There is also an infantile variant, commonly affecting the scalp, flexures, and genital area, but this infantile variant seems to have a different pathogenesis from adult seborrhoeic dermatitis. Seborrhoeic Dermatitis, an irritative disease of the scalp in which shedding of dead tissue from the scalp with itching sensation is the cardinal feature which can be correlated with Darunaka. It has been reported that Seborrhoeic Dermatitis affects about 4% of the population, and dandruff (which is mild seborrhoeic dermatitis of the scalp) can affect almost half of all adults. It can start at any time after puberty and is slightly commoner in men. It can result in social or self-esteem problems. A 35 yr old male patient from Vangani, Thane came to OPD, with chief complaint of Shira Kandu (itching on scalp), Rukshata (dryness on scalp), Twak Sphutana (cracks in the skin) with blood mixed watery oozing, Kesha Chyuti (hair fall). In this case Ayurvedic formulation of ArogyavardhiniVati (orally), Triphala Churna (orally), Mahamanjisthadi Kwath (orally), Yashti Churna mixed with coconut hair oil as external application followed by washing the hair with a Kwatha (decoction) of Triphala Yavkut and Shuddha Tankan. The improvement provided by the therapy was assessed on the basis of signs and symptoms before and after the treatment. A special scoring pattern was developed for assessing signs and symptoms. The medication was found safe and effective in controlling signs and symptoms and improving the overall condition of scalp.

Keywords: Darunaka, Arogya Vardhini Rasa, Triphala Churna, Mahamanjisthadi Kwath, Dandruff.