An Open Label, Randomized, Parallel Efficacy, Active Controlled Clinical Study to Compare the Efficacy of Nirgundi Patra and Erandamuladi Niruha Basti in Yoga Basti Pattern in Gridhrasi (Sciatica)

It is estimated that Low back pain afflicts nearly two thirds of the Indian population at some point in their life. Erandamuladi Niruha Basti is a widely practiced and proven formulation that is used in Gridhrasi (Sciatica). It contains more than 20 ingredients, which can be a daunting task for an ayurvedic practitioner in a clinic to procure. Hence the literary search was done with a view to find out other effective formulations which were preferably single drug formulations. Nirgundi patra Kashaya was mentioned by acharya Chakrapanidatta in Vatavyadhi Adhikarana of Chakradatta. Nirgundi itself has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, so this Kashaya was selected as a Basti to be compared with Erandamuladi Niruha Basti in Yoga Basti pattern. 30 patients were randomized into two groups, Group A and Group B based on a set of inclusion and exclusion criteria. Group A was given Nirgundi Patra Kashaya Niruha and Murchita Tila Taila Anuvasana and Group B patients were given Erandamuladi Niruha and Murchita Tila Taila Anuvasana. Objective and Subjective parameters were evaluated before the start of the treatment and at the end of the treatment. The parameters were evaluated using relevant statistical tests. The result showed that even though all the patients had relief after the treatment, he percentage of relief was more across all parameters in case of Group B. This showed that, Nirgundi patra Kashaya was effective in the treatment of Gridhrasi in Basti formulation, but, Erandamuladi Niruha Basti produced much significant relief.