Abstract

AYURVEDIC MANAGEMENT OF GARBHINI PADASHOTHA (PEDAL EDEMA) -A CASE STUDY

Rajkrinti*, Laxmipriya Dei, Ashiya and Jaideep Gothwal

ABSTRACT

Edema is an abnormal accumulation of fluid in the interstitial tissues. The word oedema means swelling, and the vast majority of women suffer from swelling of the ankles and feet at some stage during their pregnancy. It is one of the classic signs of the potentially serious condition known as pre-eclampsia, and therefore all cases of oedema have to be taken seriously in pregnancy. During pregnancy, edema occurs when body fluids increase to nurture both mother and baby. During normal pregnancy total body water increases by 6 to 8 liters, 4 to 6 liters of which are extracellular, of which at least 2 to 3 liters are interstitial. The result of increased blood flow and pressure of growing uterus on the pelvic veins and vena cava that occurs edema. The swelling usually affects the feet and the ankles of pregnant women. As per Ayurveda the treatment of pedal oedema are mentioned in Kashyapa Samhita- in the decoction of roots of Varshabhu, Bhadradaru should be added. In edema the women should take this mixed with honey and Murva or Purva i.e. Aindri. In this case Punarnavadi Ksheera Basti was administered in a 20 year old primi gravida patient of 30-32 weeks of pregnancy with lower abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and fever etc. Per rectal Basti with 400 ml Punarnavadi Ksheera Basti administered for 7 consecutive days was found to be effective in the reducing the pedal edema, abdominal pain etc. The drugs in Punarnavadi Ksheera Basti diuretic, anti-

Keywords: inflammatory & antibacterial property which effectively curtails the pedal eodema and associated symptoms.