Abstract

Background
Dashmul Kwath (DK) is a common ingredient of Nadi Swedana (NS) used in Ayurveda hospitals across India. No placebo controlled study however has yet been conducted to see its real clinical benefits. This seems important as many components of Dashmula are listed under endangered category and therefore are required to be used very cautiously.
Study Objective
It is to see if nadi swedana with Dashamula Kwath steam is having a better clinical outcome comparing to the plane water steam?
Material and Method
30 Patients of Knee osteoarthritis randomly divided in two groups were given Nadi swedana with Dasmula Kwatha and Plane water steam respectively for two weeks. Outcome observations were made on the basis of knee joint pain, swelling and stiffness. A pre and post comparison of outcomes was done and an intergroup comparison was also done to see any outcome difference between two groups.
Results
The patients treated either with Dasmula Kwath steam or with plane water steam responded similarly to all outcome parameters with no statistically significant difference in two groups.
Conclusion
In a short term trial of two weeks, Dashmula Kwath Nadi Swedana did not offer any additional clinical advantage upon plane water steam nadi swedana in cases of knee osteoarthritis. Based on this observation, its regular use in Ayurveda hospitals for the purpose of nadi swedana in knee osteoarthritis requires stronger evidences generated through robust clinical trials.

Key words: Nadi Swedana,Knee Osteo arthritis , Sandhi Vata, Placebo, Dashamula Kwath Steam