Ayurveda has given much importance for preventive medicine and it has described several modes for disinfection purpose. Fumigation (Dhoopana) with various drugs is one such method which is safe, natural and cost effective. Drugs of herbal, herbo-mineral and animal origin containing volatile and antimicrobial constituents are used as single or in combination. Dhoopanavarthi (fumigation sticks) can be made out of drugs for easy administration.
Benefits:
- It is used for disinfection of rooms and environment especially during rainy and winter seasons. It also helps in control of pests, rodents and insects and thus prevents outbreak of epidemics.
- Purifies and sterilises therapeutic rooms, puerperal and neonatal rooms.
- Used as a means of drug administration in disease conditions like wounds, fever, poisoning ENT diseases, gynecological and psychological disordersetc.
- Dhoopana done before storing of rawdrugs and cereals helps to increase their shelflife and preserves potency.
- Disinfects vessels used for medicine preparation.
- Clothes and other household items can be kept disinfected and sterile by fumigation method.
Commonly used drugs for fumigation purposes are: Guggulu resin (Commiphora mukul (Hook. ex Stocks) Engl.), Neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss.), Sarsap/Indian mustard seeds (Brassica nigra (L.) K.Koch), Hingu (Ferula assa-foetida), Agaru (Aquilaria agallocha Roxb.), Kutki (Picrorhiza kurrooa Royle), Jatamansi (Nardostachys jatamansi (D.Don) DC.), Devdaru (Cedrus deodara (Roxb.) G.Don) etc.
Examples for Dhoopana formulations
- Aparajitha dhoopa –in fever –Guggulu resin, Agaru, Neem leaves, Resin of Sal tree etc.
- Dasanga dhoopa- in poisoning- Ghee, Indian mustard seeds, root of Indian Costusplant, Vacha (Sweet flag), Guggulu resin, Bhilava (marking nut) etc.
Dr. S. Asha
(dr.ashas2324@gmail.com)