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Introduction

 Ayurveda is most ancient system of medicine in the world. Ayurveda advocates a complete promotive, preventive and curative system of medicine. In Ayurveda Twak Sharir holds important place. Ayurvedic literatures have described Twak Sharira with various types of Kushtha according to layers of skin. Skin diseases are common manifestation in present era. Patient of skin disease are additionally prone to experience physical, emotional and socioeconomic embarrassment in society due to disfigured appearance. Normally 10-15% of general practitioner encounter with skin disorder in day to day practice most common among them is fungal infection.

 In Ayurveda there are seven Mahakushta (major skin diseases) and eleven  Kshudra Kushta roga(minor)are explained (1). All Kushta Roga are Tridoshaja in nature but according to dominancy of Dosha they can be classified according to vata,pitta and kapha Dosha. Pama Kushta is one of the ShudraRogas which is Pitta-Kapha predominating (2).

According to Ayurveda Scabies can be correlated to Pama. Pama is a skin disease which harms and deforms the skin. Pama-ku??ha is characterized by extreme itchy eruptions of white, reddish or black colour seen over Sphika (Buttocks), Pani- Pada (Hands - Foot), Kurpara (Forearm or elbow region) (3). In Ayurvedic texts management of Pama includes Shodhana, Shaman and Bahirparimarjan Chikitsa. Among them Shaman measures in Lepa (topical applications) are widely prescribed. Topical applications are more useful in Twak Vikaras as they directly act on the affected parts or lesion and due to its physiological affects of heat on skin. Internal medicine is also necessary to bring homeostasis in vitiated Dosha and Dushyas. This article explains the role of Gandhakadhya Malahara is selected as Topical application as described in Rasatarangini(4)

GANDHAKADHYA MALHAR IN DETAIL(4) –

Gandhakadhya malahara as ayurvedic herbo mineral formulation is indicated in management of Pama (scabies).

Matra- External application

Varna- Raktabha

Properties - Snigdha, Tikshna, Ruksha, Sara, Ushna, Tridoshahar

Indication – Pama, fungal infection, allergic dermities, Twak vikara.

Therapeutic Uses :-

Shuddha gandhaka (sulphur) (10) –

Shuddha gandhaka is very good rejuvenator. It is indicated in kandu (itching), kushta (skin disease), visarpa (herpes zoster). It improves the appetite and is good digestive of ama dosha. It nullifies the influence of gara visha on the body.

Sikta Taila – It is indicated in vrna, visarpa, kandu, kushta, vata rakta.

Shuddha Tankan (Borax) (12) –

Tankan is used in the process of repair that follows injury to the skin and other soft tissues. The objective in wound management is to heal the wound in the shortest time possible, with minimal pain, discomfort, and scarring to the patient.

Other uses are:

 It is good to heart and mitigates Vata dosha, it relives adhmana and is a good appetizer, it nullifies the toxic effect of sthavara visha. It is used in Shwasa and Kasa roga.

Shuddha Girisindura(13) (mercuric oxide) -

Used for external application cures all 13 types of kshudra kushta. This drug is good for skin and is good wound healer. It is indicated in pama, vicarcika, sidhma and visarpa which come under kshudra kushta. It is good germicidal (bhutaghna dravya) and cures all types of rakta dosha.

Karpura (Cinnamomum camphor) –

Main indication of camphor is in skin infections and fungal invasion on the body thus acting as antifungal agent. It is indicated in krimi, trishna, kandu, kushta, vrana.

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Discussion

In this article we can study the concept that by application of Gandhakadhya Malahara pacifies the Doshas and leads to the breaking of Samprapti, which helps in reducing the symptoms like Kandu, Pidika. Rasa and Raktashodhak, Varnya, Lekhan, Shothahara properties of Malahara pacifies Dushyas. The content of Malahara possesss Snigdha, Tikshna, Ruksha, Sara, Ushna, Tridoshahar properties. All the ingredients of Gandhakadhya Malahara have pharmacologically an antifungal, antimicrobial, antimicrobial, antidot, antioxidant action hence can effectively reduce the infection and prevent its recurrence by improving the immunity of skin by its antioxidant property.

Due to this property we can use Gandhakadhya Malahar in Pama .

Conclusion

Pama is most common skin disease for which complete cure till date is not available due to its high recurrence rate and due to development of resistance among the patients for the antibiotics that are being used after sometime. Almost all the Acharyas has mentioned Pama along with its management So it is a need of hour to find effective, permanent and promisable Ayurvedic treatment for Pama or Scabies infection that can prevent their recurrence also. This is my small efforts, on how this medicine will act by their ingredients doshaghnata as well as by their qualities. But there is a need of further preclinical study.