E-ISSN:2456-3110

Review Article

Vishaghna Gana Dhupana

Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences

2023 Volume 8 Number 3 March
Publisherwww.maharshicharaka.in

Antimicrobial effect of Vishaghna Gana Dhupana

Moharana D.1*, Kar S.2, Das K.3
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.21760/jaims.8.3.23

1* Dibyajyoti Moharana, Assistant Professor, Department of Panchakarma, Shri Krishna Ayurvedic Medical College, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India.

2 Sarbeswar Kar, Professor, Department of Shalakya Tantra, Principal, JSS Ayurvedic Medical College, Mysore, Karnataka, India.

3 K.C. Das, Professor, Department of Kayachikitsa, Principal, SVM Ayurvedic Medical College, Ilkal, Karnataka, India.

Environmental pollution is one of the major causes for death. Among all environmental pollution Indoor air pollution is leading avoidable cause of disease and death in hospital area. Indoor environment of hospital acts as a reservoir of pathogenic microorganisms. Microbial toxins that released into air promote infection and disease. Respiratory secretion from a patient with an infection of the respiratory tract contaminate surrounding surfaces and also become suspended in the air after coughing, sneezing, spitting and other respiratory acts, these are responsible for epidemic spread of many nosocomial infections to nursing people, doctors and other people who visit hospital. Fumigation is a procedure which is used for sterilization from ancient time. Formaldehyde has been used for Fumigation, but use of formaldehyde for long term will cause carcinogen. Safety and efficacy concern have highlighted the need for alternative methods. Dhoopana is one of the procedures which are said in classics for the purification of air and as preventive aspect. The concept of air pollution is clearly mentioned in Ayurveda under the concept of Janapadodhwamsa and Visha Chikitsa. Susruta in Kalpasthana has explained about the Dushita Vayu (vitiated air), and treatment for Vayushudhiprakara (purification of air) through a process of Dhoopana (fumigation).

Keywords: Anti-Microbial, Dhoopana, Sterilization, Vishaghna Gana

Corresponding Author How to Cite this Article To Browse
Dibyajyoti Moharana, Assistant Professor, Department of Panchakarma, Shri Krishna Ayurvedic Medical College, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Email: 		Dibyajyoti Moharana, Sarbeswar Kar, K.C. Das, Antimicrobial effect of Vishaghna Gana Dhupana. J Ayu Int Med Sci. 2023;8(3):125-128.
Available From
https://jaims.in/jaims/article/view/2347

Manuscript Received Review Round 1 Review Round 2 Review Round 3 Accepted
2023-01-31 2023-02-02 2023-02-09 2023-02-16 2023-02-23
Conflict of Interest Funding Ethical Approval Plagiarism X-checker Note
Nil Nil Yes 17%

© 2023by Dibyajyoti Moharana, Sarbeswar Kar, K.C. Dasand 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].

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Introduction

The well-being describes the relation between environment, occupational, spiritual etc. These different dimensions of health will interact together to determine the quality of life. Ayurveda affirms that health is the balanced and dynamic integration between environment, body, mind and spirit.[1] Slight disturbance in these factors leads to disease. Exposure to external environmental pollutants such as toxic gases, fumes, radiation is one area, but exposure in hospitals where virulent organisms are present is more grievous. With every breathe people inhale various microbes enter into the body unknowingly. The air inhaled by people is abundantly populated with microorganisms which are also called bio-aerosols. “Bio-aerosol is a colloidal suspension, formed by liquid droplets and particles of solid matter in the air, whose components contain or have attached to them viruses, fungal spores and conidia, bacterial endospores, plant pollen and fragments of plant tissues. They account for 5–34 % of indoor air pollution”.[2]

4.3 million People die every year prematurely from illness attributable to household air pollution. Deaths are caused due to pneumonia, stroke, ischaemic heart disease, COPD, lung cancer etc. Microbial toxins which are released in air promote infection and disease by directly damaging host tissues and by disabling the immune system. Respiratory secretion from a patient with an infection of the respiratory tract contaminate surrounding surfaces and also become suspended in the air after coughing, sneezing, spitting and other respiratory acts, these are responsible for epidemic spread of many respiratory tract infections to nursing people, doctors and other people who visit hospital. Fumigation with formaldehyde will cause carcinoma.

The concept of air pollution is clearly mentioned in Ayurveda under the concept of Janapadodhwamsa and Visha Chikitsa. Susruta in Kalpa Sthana[4] has explained about the Dushita Vayu (vitiated air), and treatment for Vayushudhiprakara (purification of air) through a process of Dhoopana (fumigation). Concept of Krimi in Ayurveda, has been used in broader sense, it includes all organisms covering wide range of infection. To get ride from these Krimi (microbes), Rakshoghna

Vidhi is mentioned. Dhoopana is one of the procedures which are said in classics for the purification of air and as preventive aspect. The present study was planned to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of Vishaghna Gana Dhoopana in our institute hospital area.

Materials and Methods

In this regard this work is an attempt to understand the utility of herbs of Vishaghna Gana mentioned in Charaka Samhitha.[5] This Vishaghna Gana consists of 10 drugs viz., Haridra, Manjishta, Suvaha (Rasna), Sukshama Elaa, Palindi (Trivrit), Chandan, Kataka, Sirisha, Sinduvara, Sleshmataka. All these drugs have Madhura Tiktha, Katu, Kashaya Rasas, Ruksha, Laghu, Guru, Tikshna, Vishadha, Snigdha, Pichila Gunas; Ushna, Sheeta, and Anushna Virya; Katu, Madhura Vipaka; Vata-Pitta Shamaka, Kapha-Vata Shamaka, Kapha-Pitta Shamaka, Vatahara, Tridosha Shamaka properties. Based on Rasa Panchaka of Vishaghna Gana they act antagonist to Visha and help in treating disease. These are safe, natural and effective when compared to present insecticidal that are hazardous.

Environment includes water, air, land and the interrelationship which exists between water, air, land and human being, other living creatures, plants, microorganisms and property. Environmental factors play a major role in the cause of death; there is a saying that whatever we take or give to nature, nature gives the same to us. Because of increase of urbanisation there is increase of pollutants, which is causing severe diseases and deaths. Environmental pollution includes Air, Water, and Land Pollution.[6] This concept of pollution was clearly mentioned by Acharyas in Janapadodamsa and Visha Chikitsa.

Air is the one of the essential aliments for the maintenance of life. Air is the common passage for spread of disease. When this air gets Dushita (vitiated) that if air is poisoned, animates develop cough, nasal catarrhal, headache and severe eye diseases, birds often fall to the ground due to exhaustion.[7]

“Fumigation is the exposure till the action of smoke or of fumes of any kind as a means of disinfection or eradication. It is derived from the Latin term “Fumus” which means smoke and “ago” means to drive away. The fumigation carried out using fine


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powder of selected dry drugs with the intention of Nirjantukarana (disinfection) is called as Dhoopana.”[8] Medicines which are used in the form of smoke by burning of it are called as Dhoopana. Dhoopana is a method by which drugs of herbal, herbo-mineral or animal origin are used for fumigation. Dhoopana utilizes only natural substances and therefore is absolutely safe for environment as well as human beings. Dhoopana is the part of therapeutics in Ayurvedic system. Dhoopana is one of the measures mentioned for the maintenance of internal and external environment. Good smelling fumigants have psychological effects comparable to modern aromatherapy.[9]

Dhoopana Uses: Dhoopas are widely used in Ayurvedic treatments for various reasons:

  • For sanitization and purification of premises.
  • For sterilizing the pots in which medicines are to be stored.
  • For disinfecting the Kumaragara.
  • For repelling the insects, poisonous animals etc.
  • For facilitating proper development of children.
  • Dhoopana has broad spectrum of psychological and medical significance
  • Fumigation acts as germicide, pesticide, insecticide etc.,
  • Healing Vrana,
  • Yonivyapada,
  • Karna Rogas
  • Disinfecting Bhesajagara, Vranagara,
  • Sterilising Asavas and
  • For treating diseases such as Balagraha (infectious paediatric diseases), skin diseases, cold, fever due to Vatadosha, epilepsy, etc.

Importance of Dhoopana in Agada

  • Toxicology is the specialized area of science that deals specially with animal, plant and microbial toxins.
  • Purity of external environment effect the purity of food, water and air.
  • Thereby the polluted environment i.e., toxic environment affects the health and wellbeing of human as well as plants, animals and properties.
  • In order to reduce microbial effect Ayurveda recommends Dhoopana as method of preventive and curative aspect.

Present Need For Dhoopana[10,11]

  • Antimicrobial resistance is one of the biggest health challenges facing humanity that must be tackled with all seriousness.
  • 37% of house hold dusts are contributing by these microorganisms
  • Chemical liquids and vapours used for the purpose of fumigation have their merits and demerits.
  • Safety and efficacy concern have highlighted the need for alternative methods.
  • Fumigation is used to inactivate biological material that may be capable of causing diseases.
  • The disadvantages of chemical disinfectants include development of drug resistance, toxicity and hypersensitivity reactions.
  • Hence, Dhoopana today can play a major role as a disinfectant as it is eco-friendly and relatively cheaper.

Discussion

Haridra, Manjista, Suvaha, Sukshma Ela, Palindi, Chandana, Kathaka, Shirisha, Sindhuvara, Shleshmataka these are 10 drugs explained under Vishaghna Gana Dravya. These drugs are having Anti-microbial, Anti-oxidant, and Antibacterial etc. properties. Vishaghna Gana drugs have potential property to reduce the level of air microbes which are harmful to health and which are acting as mosquito repellent. Ayurveda recommends Dhoopana as preventive and curative method for cure of toxicity, so this method has to be followed regularly to reduce common illness. This can be practised in rural and hospital area for reducing spread of diseases.

Mode of action

Method of fumigation completely fills the area with gaseous fumigants to suffocate the microbes and pests within. Drugs which are used for Dhoopana have property of disinfectants, anti-microbial, anti-septic properties. Dhoopana acts as Sroto-Shodaka, Kaphaghna.



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Conclusion

Dhoopana Dravyas are effective against air borne microorganisms. It has showed its antimicrobial property against bacterial and fungal species. The procedure can be adapted daily as a healthy practice in college hospital area as a preventive and protective. Dhoopana is less expensive procedure which can be used in hospital area daily as sterilization method in order to reduce nosocomial infections. Fumigation acts as both preventive and curative procedure. As it is said prevention is better than cure.

Reference

1. Sushant Sukumar Baragale, H K Shashireka. Text book of Swasthavritta:1st edition, Chaukhambha publications, New Delhi;2016 pg415

2. Sharma Ravi. Air Born Diseases, Examples of Airborne Diseases and Its Prevention Methods: 2014 Dec 18, <www.importantindia.com> (cited on 8th January, 2023).

3. WHO. Prevention of hospital-acquired infections a practical guide 2nd edition; 2002. http://www.who.int/csr/resources/publications/drugresist/WHO_CDS_CSR_EPH_2002_12/en/- 21k (Cited on 28th January, 2023)

4. Susruta Samhita, kalpaSthana 3/16, translated by Murthy KRS. Varanasi: Chaukhambha Orientalia; 2012 (2ndvol).

5. Agnivesha, Charaka, Dridhabala. Charaka Samhita, Vimana Sthana3/6, Translated by Sharma RK, Vaidya Bhagwan Dash. Varanasi: Chowkambha Sanskrit Series Office; 2005 (2ndvol).

6. WHO. Prevention of hospital-acquired infections a practical guide 2nd edition; 2002. http://www.who.int/csr/resources/ publications/drugresist/WHO_CDS_CSR_EPH_2002_12/en/- 21k (Cited on 28th January, 2018)

7. Hussain Gazala. Dhupana Kalpas: A review. J Biol Sci Opin 2015; 3(3):157159. http://dx.doi.org/10.7897/2321-6328.03333 (Cited on 28th January, 2023)

8. http://www.geschkult.fu-berlin.de/e/babmed/konferenzen /Fumigation/ (Cited on 28th January, 2018)

9. The Importance of Fumigation in Ayurveda. <www.keralaayurveda.biz> (Cited on 13th march, 2016)

10. Sumitha L and Prasad BS: Evaluation of Antimicrobial and Antifungal Property of Dhoopana Karma (Fumigation) – By “Dhup” An AyurvedicDhoopana Product. Int J Pharm Sci Res 2015; 6(7): 2950-54.doi: 10.13040/IJPSR.0975-8232.6 (7).2950-54. http://dx.doi.org/10.13040/IJPSR.0975-8232.6(7).2950-54 (Cited on 28th January, 2023]

11. Shrestha, Sahara & Bedarkar, Prashant & J Patgiri, B &Chaudhari, Swapnil. (2017). Dhoopana Karma: A Review Through Brihatrayi. IAMJ. http://www.iamj.in/posts/images /upload/316 325.pdf (Cited on 28th January, 2023)


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