Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 26, 2025
Acupoint Catgut Embedding Therapy in Traditional Chinese Medicine for Managing Allergic Rhinitis
Published on: December 20, 2024
Evaluation of Comparative Efficacy of Polyherbal Steam Inhalation Versus Polyherbal Nasal Fumigation (Dhoopana) in
Monika Kakar1, Renu Rathi1, Deepthi Balakrishnan2
1Deptartment of Kaumarbhritya, Mahatma Gandhi Ayurveda College Hospital & Research Centre, Wardha, Maharashtra, India.
Insights
This study compares Ayurvedic nasal fumigation (dhoopana) with steam inhalation for treating childhood rhinitis (pratishyaya). Both herbal treatments are anticipated to be equally effective, offering a safe, cost-effective option for managing nasal inflammation in children.
Area of Science:
- Integrative Medicine
- Pediatric Respiratory Health
- Ayurvedic Treatments
Background:
- Rhinitis, or pratishyaya in Ayurveda, involves nasal inflammation and congestion, commonly affecting children.
- Conventional treatments like antibiotics and decongestants show limited efficacy for rhinitis.
- Ayurvedic texts mention dhoopana (nasal fumigation) for pratishyaya, but its efficacy is unstudied.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of polyherbal nasal fumigation (dhoopana) compared to polyherbal steam inhalation in children aged 7-14 with pratishyaya.
- To assess the association between body constitution (prakriti) and pratishyaya prevalence as a secondary outcome.
Main Methods:
- Seventy children with pratishyaya were randomized into two groups: dhoopana (intervention) and steam inhalation (control).
- Both treatments, using a polyherbal formulation of tulsi, vasa, nirgundi, and nilgiri, were administered twice daily for 7 days.
- Primary outcomes included changes in Total Nasal Symptom Score and a modified cold spatula test; assessments were conducted on days 3, 5, and 7.
Main Results:
- Enrollment of 70 patients (35 per group) is complete as of November 2024.
- Data analysis is scheduled for completion by February 2025.
- Anticipated publication of results in March 2025.
Conclusions:
- Polyherbal nasal fumigation (dhoopana) is expected to demonstrate comparable efficacy to polyherbal steam inhalation for acute rhinitis in children.
- This study may establish dhoopana as a standardized, safe, and cost-effective herbal treatment for pediatric rhinitis.
Background:
Rhinitis is a condition characterized by inflammation of the nasal mucosa. It causes obstruction and congestion in the nasal cavity. Clinically, it resembles pratishyaya (rhinitis) in Ayurveda, which is caused by accumulation and downward movement of the tridoshas (3 elements, named vata, pitta, and kapha) in the nasal cavity. Rhinitis is one of the most common diseases among children. There is no role for antibiotics in rhinitis, and nasal decongestants have also not been found to be effective in its management. In Ayurveda, dhoopana (nasal fumigation) is mentioned in the pratishyaya treatment protocol. However, we have found no previous study regarding its efficacy. The efficacy of tulsi, vasa, nirgundi, and nilgiri is already proven when they are used for steam inhalation in respiratory tract infections. Therefore, in this study, a dhoopana of a polyherbal formulation containing tulsi, vasa, nirgundi, and nilgiri will be compared with the inhalation of steam containing arka (a liquid obtained by distillation) of tulsi, vasa, nirgundi, and nilgiri leaves in children with pratishyaya.
Objective:
We aim to evaluate the efficacy of polyherbal steam inhalation as a standard control against dhoopana in children aged 7 to 14 years with pratishyaya.
Methods:
A total of 70 participants fulfilling the inclusion criteria were selected and distributed into 2 groups of 35 each. The intervention group received dhoopana and the control group received polyherbal steam inhalation, both twice daily for 7 days. The primary outcome measure was the change in Total Nasal Symptom Score and a modified cold spatula test. At the same time, the association between prakriti (body constitution) and the prevalence of pratishyaya in children was analyzed as a secondary outcome. Assessments were performed on days 3, 5, and 7, with a follow-up time of 28 days. Appropriate descriptive and inferential statistics will be used for data analysis.
Results:
As of November 2024, we have completed our enrollment of 70 patients, with 35 patients in each group. Data analysis will be completed by February 2025, and we expect results to be published in March 2025.
Conclusions:
We anticipate that polyherbal nasal fumigation will be found to be equally as effective as polyherbal steam inhalation in the management of acute rhinitis in the pediatric population. This study may provide a standardized, herbal, safe, and cost-effective treatment for rhinitis in children in the form of dhoopana.
International Registered Report Identifier (Irrid):
DERR1-10.2196/58197.
