Abstract

AYURVEDIC MANAGEMENT OF GARBHINI SHOTHA- A CASE SERIES

Veena Jawale and Sonam Raosaheb Patil*

ABSTRACT

Pregnancy is a unique, exciting and often joyous time in a woman's life. The word oedema means swelling, and the vast majority of women suffer from swelling over feet, face and abdomen at some stage during their pregnancy. It is caused mainly due to sub-cutaneous fluid retention and by the pressure of the expanding uterus on the vessels supplying the lower extremities. In Ayurveda, Shotha (edema) in pregnancy is described in the context of Garbhini upadravas (disorders of pregnancy). Harita explained 8 Garbhini upadravas, among which Garbhini Shotha is common. Gokshuradi Kwatha having the Shothahara property is therefore been taken up in this case and is administered in kwatha form. In this case series, 20 to 40 year old pregnant lady with 6 months and above pregnancy, complaining of edema in the extremities and face, are treated with gokshuradi kwatha, administered for 15 days twice in the day in the dose of 100 ml per day. Patient got complete relief from the edema, pain and urinary complaints within the course of treatment period. Pregnancy related physiological edema, and urinary discomforts can be treated by Gokshuradi Kwata alone. It prevents further complications like eclampsia, pre-eclampsia.

Keywords: Garbhini shotha, Gokshuradi kwath, Ayurvedic management.