E-ISSN:2456-3110

Review Article

Dhoomvarti

Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences

2022 Volume 7 Number 7 August
Publisherwww.maharshicharaka.in

Review of method of preparation of Dhoomvarti

Chaturvedi P.1, Majhi R.2*, Gupta H.3
DOI:

1 Preeti Chaturvedi, Reader, PG Department of Panchakarma, Pt Khushilal Sharma Government (Autonomous) Ayurveda College and Institute, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India.

2* Rajeswary Majhi, Post Graduate Scholar, PG Department of Panchakarma, Pt Khushilal Sharma Government (Autonomous) Ayurveda College and Institute, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India.

3 Harsha Gupta, Post Graduate Scholar, PG Department of Panchakarma, Pt Khushilal Sharma Government (Autonomous) Ayurveda College and Institute, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India.

The Importance of Ayurveda in global scenario is because of its holistic approach towards positive life style. It consists of internal as well as external medicine. Dhoompana has significant role in Urdhwa Jatrugat Rogas, respiratory conditions and post-operative procedure (Paschat Karma of Samsodhana).[1] Acharya’s have described various types of internal medications in the form of Kashaya, Choorna etc; along with various Nasya and Dhoompana Yoga. Classics explain the different types of Dhoomvarti and their method of preparation. Sirovairechanik Dhoomvarti is one type of Dhoomvarti which have preventive, promotive and curative aspect, frequently given in the form of Post operative procedure (Vamana and Nasya Karma) of Panchakarma. Shirovirechanadi Dravyas mentioned in Charak Samhita Sutrasthana was used for the preparation of Dhoomvarti with bamboo as base.[2] Observations were noted during preparation and burning of the Dhoomvarti.

Keywords: Dhoompana, Shirovairechanik Dhoomvarti

Corresponding Author How to Cite this Article To Browse
Rajeswary Majhi, Post Graduate Scholar, PG Department of Panchakarma, Pt Khushilal Sharma Government (Autonomous) Ayurveda College and Institute, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India.
Email: 		Preeti Chaturvedi, Rajeswary Majhi, Harsha Gupta, Review of method of preparation of Dhoomvarti. J Ayu Int Med Sci. 2022;7(7):101-104.
Available From
https://jaims.in/jaims/article/view/1992

Manuscript Received Review Round 1 Review Round 2 Review Round 3 Accepted
2022-07-01 2022-07-02 2022-07-09 2022-07-16 2022-07-23
Conflict of Interest Funding Ethical Approval Plagiarism X-checker Note
Nil Nil Yes 16%

© 2022by Preeti Chaturvedi, Rajeswary Majhi, Harsha Guptaand Published by Maharshi Charaka Ayurveda Organization. This is an Open Access article licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ unported [CC BY 4.0].

Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences 2022;7(7)101
Chaturvedi P et al: Review of method of preparation of Dhoomvarti

Introduction

Dhoompana is a procedure which can be used as not only to prevent disease but also to cure different types of disease.

Different types of Dhoompana are mentioned in Ayurvedic classics, Dhoomvarti made with specific drugs according to the need of action. The systemic disease, Swasa, Arochaka and disease of Kapha-Vata dominancy, Dhoompana is an effective procedure in this regard Shirovirachanik Dravyas mentioned by Acharya Charak on Sutrasthana has been selected for the preparation of Dhoomavarti.

The classification of Dhoompana according to different Acharya’s is as follows:

Table 1: Classification

Charak[3] Sushruta[4] Astanga Hrudaya[5] Astanga Sangraha[6]
Prayogika Prayogika Snigdha Samanam
Vairechanika Vairechanika Madhyamam Brimhanam
Snaihika Snaihika Teekshanam Sodhanam
  Kaasaghna   Vamaka
  Vaamaniya   Vranagna

Shirovairechanik Dhoompana can be used as a part of Dincharya or as a Paschat Karma of Panchakarma procedure.[7] Acharya’s explains Shirovairechanika. Dhoompana is used in Gaurava (heaviness in head), Shirashula (headache), Pinasa and Ardhawvedhak (hemicrania), Krumi, Apasmara (epilepsy), Ghrananasa, Murcha (syncope).[8]

It is advised to use maximum 3 to 4 times in a day. As per Ayurveda Shirovirachanika Dhoompana has much importance in one’s life. Shirovairechanik Dhoomvarti can be promoted for general practice but it is not widely practiced by the clinicians. Hence, we considered a Shirovirachanika Dhoom Yoga for the preparation. Astang Sangrah and Sushruta Samhita gives detailed explanation of method of preparation of Dhoomvarti, still there is difference of opinion between them considering all these aspects an attempt is made to standardize the preparation of Sirovairechanik Dhoomvarti.

Materials and Methods

Shirovirachana Dravya except Kustha, Shigru, Ajgandha, Harenu mentioned in Charak Samhita Sutrasthana was selected. Powder of all these drugs were taken and these were made into paste.

Detailed method of preparation of Dhoomvarti is explained in Astang Sangraha and Sushruta Samhita. Sushruta Samhita clearly narrates Dwadasangula Sarkandam (12A length) for the preparation.

Comparing this with other books this Sarkandam was decided as bamboo stick. Thickness of Dhoomvarti is said as Anguli Parinaham (thumb circumference) by all Acharyas.

Acharya Videha explains Sarkandam should be covered with 6 Angula length of medicine paste.

Method of preparation

Selected bamboo sticks with smooth surface average thickness and less number of nodes were kept overnight in water and Goghrita is to be applied all over on all the sticks. Then the medicine was pasted over bamboo stick like Yava Akara (elongated with tapering ends) and dried in shadow and was repeated for five times. After drying of 5th layer, Bamboo stick was carefully removed. Each sample were labelled separately.

Based on their site of application and action. They are of different types, like Yoni Varti, Guda Varti, Netra Varti, and Vrana Varti. These are mainly meant for external use and designed to soft end at body temperature.

Table 2: Details of drugs for Dhoomvarti

SN Sanskrit Name Botanical Name Family Part use
1. Apamarga Achyranthes aspera Amaranthaceae Tandula
2. Pipali Piper longum Piperaceae Phala
3. Maricha Piper nigrum Piperaceae Phala
4. Sunthi Zingiber officinale Zingiberaceae Rhizome
5. Sarsapa Brassica juncea Cruciferae Seed
6. Haridra Curcuma longa zingiberaceae Rhizome
7. Haritaki Terminalia chebula Combretaceae Phala
8. Jyotishmati Celastrus panneculatus Celastraceae Beeja
9. Vacha Acorus calamus Araceae Moola
10. Jatamansi Nardostachys jatamansi Valerianaceae Moola
11. Saindhava Lavana Rock salt - -
12. Nimba Azadirechta indica Meliaceae Patra
13. Twak Cinnamomum verum Lauraceae Stem bark
14. Madanaphala Randia spinosa Rubiaceae Phala
15. Sarkara Saccharum officinarum Poaceae -
16. Souvarchala Lavana Black salt - -
17. Ela Elettaria cardamomum Zingiberaceae Beeja
18. Ajaji Cuminum cyminum Umbelliferae Beeja

Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences 2022;7(7)102
Chaturvedi P et al: Review of method of preparation of Dhoomvarti

jaims_1992_01.JPGFig. 1: Collected drugs.
jaims_1992_02.JPGFig. 2: Bamboo sticks kept overnight in water
jaims_1992_03.JPGFig. 3: Preparation of Varti.
jaims_1992_04.JPGFig. 4: Varti kept in shade.

jaims_1992_05.JPGFig. 5: Varti after removal of bamboo stick.

Observation

In Samhita so many Varti preparation has been told by Acharyas. During the preparation, same methods were followed. After coating Dhoomvarti we observed that breakdown of Dhoomvarti occurred, so we mixed the Sarkara (Powder form) as binding agent, mentioned under Prayogika Dhoompana by Charak Samhita Sutrasthana. No major difference/ difficulty were noted to remove the Bamboo stick after drying in any of the samples.

Table 3: Organoleptic characters

SN Organoleptic test Results
1. Appearance Hollow pipe
2. Colour Greenish brown
3. Touch Rough
4. Smell Aromatic

Discussion

Varti Kalpana was in vogue since prehistoric period. Contemporary suppositories are a slight modification of this ancient formulation. During ancient times, the drugs from which the Varti was to be composed were powdered. For making Dhoomavarti cleaned and dried medicine in the form of powder is collected in the vessel. Added water is small quantity as per need for proper binding of the varti, added Sarkara Churna in little amount. Selected bamboo sticks were kept overnight into the water. Removed them in the morning and applied paste of medicines on those bamboo sticks keeping the thickness thick in the middle and thin at the edges, about 6 Angula of the length. Then dried in the shades, after drying carefully take out those bamboo stick.



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Chaturvedi P et al: Review of method of preparation of Dhoomvarti

These thumb sized Vartis which the bamboo stick has been removed, when ignited with Ghrita, were seen smell of Ghrita at the beginning after that these was a trend of white smoke without interruption.

Conclusion

In current scenario even though there are many Dhoomavartis, the choice of preparation is only Shiravairechanik Dhoomavarti. So, it can be concluded that Ayurveda has wide information of Varti regarding it’s type, use, size, action and method of preparation. This review can be developed to follow common form for the preparation and use of Shirovirachanika Dhoomvarti. It also reveals that there is wide area of application of Shirovirachanika Dhoomvarti in clinical field.

Reference

1. Tripathi Brahmananda. Astanga hrridayam. Vanarasi. Chaukhamba Sanskrit pratishthan publication:Edition 2017.Ch. 21 Vol.1.P.251.

2. Pt Shastri Kashinath, Charak Samhita. Vanarasi, Chaukhamba publication, Edition 2015.Ch 2 Vol. 1. P.51.

3. Agnivesa. Caraka Samhita revised by Caraka and Drdhabala with the Ayurveda Dipika Commentary of Chakrapanidatta. In: Vaidya Jadavji Trikamji Acharya, (Editor). Matraseetiyam. Varanasi: Chowkhamba Krishnadas Academy; reprint 2015.p.39.

4. Susruta.SusrutaSamhita, Nibandhasangraha commentary of Dalhana Acharya. In: Vaidya Jadavji Trikamji Acharya, (Editor). Dhumanasyakavalagraha chikitsitam. Varanasi: Chowkhamba Krishnadas Academy; Reprint 2004.p.552.

5. Vagbhata. Astanga Hrdaya, Sarvangasundara commentary of Arunadutta and Ayurveda rasayana commentary of Hemadri. In: Pt. Hari Sadasiva Sastri Paradakara Bhisagacarya, (Editor). Dhumapaanavidhimadhyayam. Varanasi: Chaukhamba Surbharati Prakashan; Reprint 2010.p.294.

6. Vrddha Vagbhata. Astanga Sangraha, Sasilekha Sanskrit Commentary by Indu. In: Dr. Shivprasad Sharma, (Editor). Dhumapaanavidhi. Varanasi: Chowkhamba Sanskrit Series Office; Reprint 2006.p.228.

7. Tripathi Brahmananda. Astanga hridayam. Vanarasi. Chaukhamba Sanskrit pratishthan publication:Edition 2017.Ch. 2 Vol.1.P.28.

8. Pt Shastri Kashinath, Charak Samhita. Vanarasi, Chaukhamba Publication, Edition 2015.Ch 2 Vol. 1. P.51.


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