A RANDOMIZED COMPARATIVE CLINICAL STUDY TO ASSESS EFFICACY OF PUNARNAVA MANDURA WITH AND WITHOUT SHATAVARI AVALEHA IN GARBHINI PANDU

Abstract

Background: Anaemia is one of the nutritional disorders in pregnancy. WHO estimates that even among the South Asian countries, India has highest prevalence of anaemia. About 80% of the maternal deaths due to anaemia is contributed by India alone. There is no direct reference of Garbhini Pandu (anaemia in pregnancy), however, many indirect references are available, in Ayurvedic texts,. Acharya Charaka explained about Bala varna hani of Garbhini in 6th month of pregnancy and in symptoms of 7th month Acharya Chakrapani has mentioned Shonita hinta. All these symptoms are present in 2nd trimester of pregnancy and may be due to anaemia and can be considered as reference for Garbhini Pandu. Use of Lauha and Mandura (Iron oxide- Fe2O3) in the treatment of anaemia is evident from ancient times. Mandura Bhasma is excellent Rakta Vardhak (Hematinic), and best to be used in Bala (children) and Garbhini (Pregnant woman) instead of Lauha Bhasma due to its Soumya guna (Gentle).Punarnava Mandura is proved beneficial in Antenatal care by previous research works.and is commonly used for the management of all types of Pandu. In Group B, Shatavari Avaleha is selected with Punarnava Mandura, to evaluate its Rasayana effect in Pregnancy anaemia. Objective: To evaluate efficacy of Punarnava Mandura with and without Shatavari Avaleha in Garbhini Pandu. Material and methods: Pregnant women (n=30), clinically and pathologically diagnosed as anaemic, between 13th – 28th week of pregnancy, were registered for present clinical study from the OPD and IPD department of Prasuti Tantra and Stri Roga, of National Institute of Ayurveda (N.I.A.) Jaipur, after obtaining written voluntary informed consent from the patients and their attendants. Punarnava Mandura was given in the dose of 2 capsules of 500 mg, half an hour before meals with butter milk, twice daily in Group- A and in Group- B Punarnava Mandura was given in the dose of 2 capsules of 500 mg, half an hour before meals with butter milk, twice daily along with Shatavari Avaleha 5 gm twice daily with 1 glass of milk in morning and evening, for 2 months. The assessment was done on objective parameters . Results: On all objective parameters Group - B has shown better results in terms of percentage relief as compared to group- A. Discussion: The results may be attributed to Rasayana (Rejuvenating property), Vata-Pitta Shamaka, Deepana (appetiser), Balya and Garbhaposhaka effects of Shatavari Avaleha.