Abstract

PHYSICO-CHEMICAL EVALUATION OF VATHA KESARI THAILAM - A SIDDHA FORMULATION

Natarajan S.* and Ramaswamy R. S.

Abstract

Pain management in Siddha system of medicine is done by means of internal and external medicines.[1] Siddha Varmam therapy, an external pressure manipulation therapy/ technique, is also gaining popularity among the public in the management of pain.[2] The role of external oil application in the pain management is commendable.[3] Aggravated Vatham manifests as pain in the body and the mode of treatment which mitigates the aggravated vatham will certainly reduce pain.[4] There are a number of internal and external formulations indicated for vatha diseases. Vatha Kesari Thailam (VKT) is one of the external medicines indicated for Rheumatalgia, Hemiplegia, Paraplegia and other Vatha diseases.[5] Therapeutic effect of all the formulations depends upon the quality of raw materials used for preparation. Adulteration in raw materials will affect the therapeutic effect of any formulation.[6] WHO has emphasized the development of standards for raw materials used in formulations of Siddha medicine. Govt. of India has constituted Siddha Pharmacopoeia Committee (SPC) to develop standards for Siddha formulations. Siddha Pharmacopoeia committee is engaged in the publication of Siddha Pharmacopoeia of India indicating quality parameters and standards for herbs and herbal formulations.[7] The aim of this study is to evaluate the physicochemical characters of VKT as per standards mentioned in SPI.

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