Effect of Gas Bulathadi Nasya, Suwandakottamadi Kashaya and Iramusuadi Lepa in the form of Thalam on Ardhavabhedaka (Migraine) - A case study

Abstract

Ardhavabhedaka is a type of Shiro Roga described in Ayurveda and clinical features are severe tearing and pricking pain in one half of the head and giddiness. Pain tends to appear fortnightly, every ten days or suddenly. Ardhavabhedaka can be related with migraine. In migraine, headaches often come with nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light. It can last hours or days. Nasya Karma is the best treatment for diseases above clavicle (Urdhavajatrugata Roga) including Ardhavabhedaka. Thalam is a treatment procedure practice in Kerala by applying herbal paste on head. Hisagallum, application of herbal  paste on head is a Sri Lankan traditional method of treatment has some similarities with Thalam. Gas Bulathadi Nasya, Iramusuadi Lepa and Suwadakottamadi Kashaya are mentioned in traditional medicinal texts as treatment for Ardhavabhedaka. So far, no known scientific study has been conducted to evaluate the effect of these treatments. Therefore, it was decided to study the effect of these treatments in Ardhavabhedaka. The selected patient was treated for total of 10 days by performing Nasya Karma with Gas Bulathadi Nasya for a period of three days followed by Iramusuadi Lepa in the form of Thalam and Suwandakottamadi Kashaya orally for 7 days. After conducting Gas Bulathadi Nasya, complete (100%) relief was observed in vertigo (Bhrama). Partial relief between 33.3 % to 75% was observed in other symptoms of the patient. Complete relief (100%) was observed in all the symptoms such as headache, nausea, vomiting, vertigo, anorexia and photophobia in the patient after completion of entire treatment. Based on the results, it was decided that the selected treatment regimen is effective in treatment of Ardhavabhedaka (migraine).