Talk:Jwara Chikitsa

Jwara is an important disease. The term ‘Jwara’ implies the ability of a disease to cause anguish to body and mind. [SAT-C.7] This suggests suffering or illness. Based on the similarity in clinical features, Jwara is often considered as fever or pyrexia in medical terminologies. However, according to Ayurveda,the classical description of jwara includes variety of other clinical conditions with or without rise in body temperature. Therefore, fever or hyperpyrexia is considered as only one among the many features of jwara.

Jwara is the commonest clinical condition observed in medical practice either as a primary disease or as a secondary sign owing to other morbidities. Hence it is given prime importance among all diseases. [Cha.Sa. Sutra Sthana 25/40] Calor (rise in temperature), rubor (redness), dolor(pain), tumor (swelling) are the cardinal signs of inflammation. Pathogenesis of jwara includes change in body temperature, discoloration, aches. Therefore,jwara is also an indicator of inflammatory changes in body.

As per conventional medical literature,the word fever has its etymological basis in Latin, meaning simply ‘heat’, and pyrexia comes from the Greek ‘pyr’, meaning fire or fever.It is caused by pyrogenic and non-pyrogenic conditions. Micro-organisms like bacteria, viruses etc. cause infection and body temperature is raised as an immune response to fight infection. Inflammatory chemicals like prostaglandins, cytokines play key role in pathophysiology of fever.

Considering conventional literature on fever and ayurvedic perspective of jwara, similarities about involvement of thermoregulatory mechanisms are observed in etiopathogenesis and clinical features. However, the treatment measures are different. The conventional measures focus on reducing body temperature and removing the origin of infection using anti-biotic medicines. Ayurveda medical literature emphasizes on strengthening the host immune response or defense mechanism, correcting the equilibrium of body components and preservation of health.

This article describes general etiology, premonitory features, clinical features, pathogenesis, and management principles of jwara. Classification of the disease is also highlighted. Specific types of jwara like acute stage (navajwara), chronic stage (jeernajwara), irregular pattern (vishamajwara), jwara involving all three dosha (sannipatajajwara), jwara affecting body components (dhatugatajwara) are dealt in separate articles.

National Ayurveda Morbidity Code: EC -3

ICD code for relevant condition/DSM code: R50.9 (ICD)

Keywords:Jwara, fever, roga, rise in body temperature, hyperpyrexia, infectious disease, noninfectious diseases in Ayurveda.

Causes

• Dietary: Unwholesome food habits,taking meals during indigestion, irregular dietary habits
• Lifestyle: Excessive physical activities, exercise, fatigue, not following the seasonal regimens (ritucharya)
• Psychological: Sudden change in emotional status, grief, excess indulgence in any activity
• Others: Sudden change in season or abnormal climatic conditions, improper or excessive administration of purificatory procedures, trauma, degenerative conditions, infectious diseases, suppurations, exposure to poisonous gases, toxins; improper management of pregnancy, prenatal and postnatal care, abnormal changes in spiritual, lunar, planetary and constellation cosmic energies (nakshatra peeda)[Su.Sa.Uttara Sthana. 39/19-22]

Classification

I. Based on origin: 1. Endogenous (nija) and 2. exogenous (agantu)

1. Endogenous

1. Vatadosha dominant
2. Pittadosha dominant
3. Kaphadosha dominant
4. Vata pittadosha dominant
5. Pitta kaphadosha dominant
6. Vata kaphadosha dominant
7. Vata pitta kaphadosha dominant [Cha.Sa.Nidana Sthana 1/17]

2. Exogenous [Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana.3/111]

1. Owing to injury (abhihataja)
2. Owing toemotions like fear, anger (abhishangaja)
3. Owing towrongritualsand religious practices (abhicharaja)
4. Owing to curse or negative energies (abhishapaja)

II. Based on the severity of symptoms

1. Mild/low grade due to dominance of soma (saumya)
2. High grade or severe due to dominance of agni(agneya) [Cha.Sa.Nidana Sthana.1/32]

III. Based on site of origin

1. Physical or somatic
2. Mental or psychic [Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 3/32]

IV. Based on the site of manifestation:

1. Internal feeling (antarvegi)
2. External features (bahirvegi) [Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 3/33]

V. Based on the time of manifestation

1. Seasonal
2. Unseasonal [Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 3/33]

VI. Based on the prognosis 1. Curable 2. Incurable [Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 3/33]

VII. Based on frequency of episodes [Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana.3/34]

It is of 5 types.

1. Continuously present (santata)
2. Episode once in 24 hours (satata)
3. Episode twice in 24 hours (anyedyushka)
4. Episodes on every third day (tritiyaka)
5. Episodes on every fourth day (chaturthaka)

VIII. Based on affected body tissues (dhatugatajwara)

1. Nutritional fluid (rasa)
2. Blood (rakta)
3. Muscle (mamsa)
4. Adipose tissue (meda)
5. Bone (asthi)
6. Bone marrow (majja)
7. Semen/reproductive fluid (shukra)[Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana.3/35]

Clinical features

Premonitory features

General premonitory features

Premonitory features of jwara include abnormal taste in the mouth, heaviness in the body, aversion to food, restless eyes, lacrimation, excessive sleep, restlessness, yawning, bending, shivering, exhaustion (without physical activity), giddiness, delirium, sometimes sleeplessness, horripilation, oversensitive teeth; tolerance and intolerance to sound, cold, wind and heat; anorexia, indigestion, weakness, body-ache, malaise, reduced vitality, mental agitation, lethargy, idleness, lack of natural activities, apathy to daily regimen, disrespect to the words of elders, agitation with children, aversion to doing work, uncomfortable with flowers and perfumes, aversion to sweet edibles, and desirous for sour, salty and pungent things. [Cha.Sa.Nidana Sthana.1/33]

Table 1: Dosha specific premonitory features

Jwara	Specific premonitory feature
Vatadosha	Excessive yawning
Pittadosha	Burning in eyes
Kaphadosha	Dislike for food

[Su.Sa.Uttarasthana.39/27]

Exogenous fever (agantuja jwara) manifests directly without any prodromal symptoms. [Cha.Sa.Nidana Sthana.1/30]

General clinical features

Absence of perspiration, feeling of heat or raised body temperature and generalized body ache.[Su.Sa.Uttarasthana 39/13] Discomfort in body and mind[Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana.3/31], anorexia, morbid thirst and pain in cardiac region. [Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana.3/26-27]

Features of manasajwara (mental origin): Mental instability (vaichitya), dislike for everything (arati) and feeling of weakness in the body (glani) [Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana.3/36]

Features of internal feeling (antarvegi): Excessive burning sensation inside the body, morbid thirst, delirium, dyspnoea, giddiness, pain in bones and joints, absence of sweating, obstruction of dosha and feces.

Features of external manifestation (bahirvegi): Excessive rise in the body temperature and other features of internal feeling in mild form.

Seasonal manifestation:The seasonal changes cause dosha aggravation leading to kapha dominant jwara in spring (vasanta), pitta dominant jwara in autumn (sharada) and vata dominant jwara in rains (varsha). These are natural (prakrit) disequilibrium and do not need any treatment. [Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana.3/42] [A.Hr Nidana Sthana.2/50]

Severe manifestation with deep affliction of body tissues (gambhiradhatugata): Sensation of internal heat, excess thirst, retention of faeces and flatus, severe dyspnoea and cough. [Su.Sa.Uttarasthana.39/92]

Dosha specific clinical features

Vata dominant jwara:

• Abrupt onset and remission
• Irregular pattern of rise in temperature and severity.
• Increase in post digestive phase and during times of vata aggravation like evening, early morning, and rains.
• Rough skin
• Greyish discoloration of nails, eyes, face, urine, stool and skin.
• Reduced urination and defecation
• Excessive tearing of nails, etc.
• Debilitating pain radiating from the toe to upper body, with various sensations felt at various parts as the pain travels – numbness in feet, cramps in the calves, looseness in knee joints (and also in all other joints), weakness in thighs, excruciating pain in the waist region, aching in the sides, pressure sensation in back, churning in shoulder, cutting sensation in arms and scapular region and constricting feeling in chest, inability to move the jaws, tinnitus, and piercing pain in the temple region.
• Astringent taste or lack of taste in the mouth (distaste), dryness of mouth, palate and throat; thirst, catching pain (grabbing pain) in the heart, dry vomiting, dry cough, loss of sneezing and eructation, aversion to the taste, salivation, anorexia, diminished digestive power, malaise, increased yawning, bending, shivering, exhaustion, giddiness, delirium, insomnia, horripilation, sensitivity in teeth, and the desire for hot things. [Cha.Sa.Nidana Sthana.1/21]

Pitta dominant jwara:

• High intensity
• Increase during digestion of meals, midday, mid night or in the autumn season.
• Pungent taste in the mouth, ulceration or inflammation of the nose, mouth, throat, lips and palate, unquenchable thirst,
• Narcosis, giddiness, fainting, vomiting of bile (pitta), diarrhea, aversion to food, malaise, dejection, delirium, appearance of reddish patches in the body, green or yellow coloration in nails, eyes, mouth, urine, faeces and skin, excessive migraine and burning sensation, desire for cold things.[Cha.Sa.Nidana Sthana.1/22-24]

Kapha dominant jwara:

• Mild intensity
• Increase after taking meals, forenoon, early night or spring season.
• Heaviness in the body, less desire to eat, excess secretion of phlegm, sweet taste in the mouth, nausea, wrapped feeling in the heart, wheezing, vomiting, mild appetite, excessive sleep or narcolepsy, stiffness, drowsiness, cough, dyspnea, coryza, coldness, whiteness of nails, eyes, face, urine and skin, urticarial patches, desire of hot things and surroundings. [Cha.Sa. Nidana Sthana 1/27]

Vata pitta dominant jwara:

• Desire of cold things [Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana.3/37]
• Headache, breaking pain in joints, burning sensation, horripilation, dryness of throat and mouth, nausea, thirst, fainting, giddiness, anorexia, sleeplessness, talkativeness.[Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 3/85-86]

Vatakapha dominant jwara:

• Desire of hot things [Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana. 3/37]
• Feeling of cold, heaviness, drowsiness, timidity, pain in joints, feeling of stiffness of head (shirograha), coryza, cough, impaired sweating and moderate rise in temperature. [Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 3/86-87]

Kapha Pitta dominant jwara:

• Inconsistent sensation of hot and cold
• Frequent increased or decreased sweating, delusions, cough, anorexia, thirst, elimination of phlegm (kapha) and bile (pitta), coating and bitterness in the mouth and drowsiness. [Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 3/87-88]

Severe manifestation affecting ojas (hatojasjwara):

Displacement of ojas due to aggravation of vata and pitta dosha • Stiffness or rigors in the body, desire to sleep, loss of consciousness, drowsy, delirium, feeling of horripilation, mild rise in temperature associated with body ache. [Su.Sa.Uttarasthana.39/43-44]

Pathogenesis

• Dosha: Pitta dominance associated with vata and kapha
• Dushya: Nutritive body fluids (Rasa dhatu)
• Agni: Jatharagni
• Srotasa: Channels of transportation of nutrient fluids and sweat ( rasavaha, swedavaha)
• Site of origin: stomach (amashaya)
• Site of manifestation/clinical presentation: Whole body and mind [Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana.3/30]
• Type of pathogenesis: Obstruction (sanga)

*include picture
[Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana.3/ 129-132]   [Su.Sa.Uttarasthana.39/24] [A.Hr NidanaSthana 2/3-5]

• In jwara due to trauma (abhighata), blood (rakta) is the vitiated primarily;
• In jwara due to negative energies (abhishangaja), vata and pitta are vitiated
• In jwara due to fascination (abhichara) and wrath (abhishapaja), all dosha are vitiated. [Cha.Sa.Nidana Sthana.1/30]

Biomarkers for diagnosis and assessment of efficacy

Clinical features are observed to diagnose the condition. Changes in body temperature are recorded.

For diagnosis:

• Body temperature above 36.5 – 37.5 degree celsius (97.7 – 99.5 degree fahrenheit)
• Rectal temperature: 37.5 – 38.3 degree celsius (99.5 – 100.9 degree fahrenheit) and above
• Oral temperature: 37.7 degree celsius (99.9 degree fahrenheit) and above
• Axillary temperature: 37.2 degree celsius (99.0 degree fahrenheit) and above

Investigations:

Complete blood count, Urine culture, Widal test, Mantoux test, PCR test, Viral culture, Sputum examination, Chest X-ray etc. These laboratory and radiological investigations are useful in finding causative microorganism and nature of infective agents. The investigations are done only in severe conditions of disease and weak patients.

Prognosis

Easily curable (sukhasadhya)

• External manifestation (bahirvegi) of jwara [Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana.3/41]
• Seasonal manifestation [Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana.3/42]
• Jwara in a person with good physical and mental strength, or if caused by the vitiation of lesser amount of dosha and without any complications. [Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana.3/50]

Difficult to cure and poor prognosis

• Jwara caused by either greater amount of dosha/ strong etiological factors
• Jwara manifests with multiple clinical features
• Jwara which acutely affects the sense organs.[Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 3/51-52]
• Severe manifestation, associated with delirium, giddiness and breathlessness causes death of the patient
• Jwara in a weak and emaciated person (kshina), associated with edema (shuna), seated in deeper body tissues (gambhira), severe (balvan) and persistent for long durations (dirgharatrika) are incurable. [Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 3/52-53]
• Jwara due to psycho-spiritual factors like allure and wrath is incurable. [Cha.Sa.Nidana Sthana 1/30]
• Jwara caused by vatadosha is difficult to treat in any season [Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 3/49] Pittadominant jwara occurring in seasons other than autumn and kapha dominant jwara occurring in seasons other than spring are difficult to treat. [Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 3/49]

Objectives of treatment or goals of treatment

The treatment of jwara is decided after assessment of sama (afflicted with ama) status of dosha. In case of afflicted with ama status, the treatment is to naturally promote digestive and metabolic processes. This changes the status of ama and pacifies afflicted dosha resulting in their normal functions.

Management

In premonitory or preclinical stage

• Therapeutic fasting and measures to create lightness in body (langhana) is highly effective in early stages of jwara and prevent further progression. [Cha.Sa.Nidana Sthana.1/36]
• If the dosha are not afflicted with ama, then administration of cow ghee in vata dominant jwara, mild purgation in pitta dominant jwara and therapeutic emesis in kapha dominant jwara are prescribed on observation of premonitory features. [Su.Sa.Uttarasthana 39/97-98]

Principles of management on observation of clinical stage

The principles of management of jwara include correcting disequilibrium of dosha and maintaining strength of the host simultaneously. Natural remission through sequential prescription of measures of fasting, fomentation, thin gruel consumption, use of medicines with bitter taste and those promoting digestion is emphasized. [A.Hr Chikitsa Sthana 1/21]

Fasting or lightening therapy (langhana) is the first line of treatment. It promotes digestion of toxins, produces lightness and alleviates raised body heat.[Su.Sa.Uttara sthana.39/103]

Hydration is maintained by advising hot water consumption. Hot water stimulates digestion, disintegrates kapha and ama, helps in the normal functioning of vata and pitta, quenches thirst and produces lightness in body. It is helpful in dominance of kapha and vatadosha. [Su.Sa.Uttarasthana.39/106-107]

These measures are intended to remove obstruction in channels, improve digestion and pacification of vitiated dosha to their normal state. [A.Hr ChikitsaSthana 1/39]

Suitable dietary regimen for 10 days followed by medicated ghee is advised.[A.Hr ChikitsaSthana 1/82] After improvement and correction of digestion, the diet to improve strength of individual such as meat soup, yusha etc. are advised.

After attaining proper strength, purification therapies to remove toxins and prevent recurrence are prescribed.

Precautions

Contraindications of fasting:

Fasting is contraindicated in jwara caused by aggravated vatadosha or by exertion or by traumatic or psychic causes,and in chronic conditions. [Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana.3/272] [Su.Sa.Uttarasthana.39/102]

Contraindications of hot water:

Hot water is contraindicated in conditions occurring due to pitta dosha, , burning sensation of eyes and whole body; delusion and diarrhoea, poisoning and alcoholic intoxication; in summer season, in emaciation and bleeding disorders.[A.Hr.Chikitsa Sthana.1/14]

If the strength of the individual is normal, then the medicines are administered at a suitable stage and only if required. The general period for natural remission is one week. If jwara does not subside and deterioration in condition is observed due to acute aggravation of pitta dosha, then medicines are prescribed. [Su.Sa.Uttara Sthana.39/119]

Clinical features of remission

Following features are observed for remission. Decrease in body temperature and intensity of disease symptoms, lightness in body and proper bowel movements. [Su.Sa.Uttara Sthana.39/115]

Consumption of ghee

• The disease jwara causes excess dryness and increased heat in the body. This further aggravates vata and pitta dosha. Ghee is administered to pacify vata and pitta dosha. It also nourishes dhatu and prevents depletion. [Su.Sa.Uttarasthana.39/133]

Administration of milk

• In chronic stages, if the patient suffers from excessive burning sensation and thirst due to vata and pitta dosha, milk is advised.[Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana.3/167-68]

Indications of pacifying therapy (shamana)

• If dosha is in less amount or if patient is emaciated, then dosha pacifying measures are advised instead of lightning measures. [Su.Sa.Uttara Sthana.39/134]

Indications for meat soup

• Meat soup is advised if digestive capacity is normal in emaciated and vata predominant conditions. [Su.Sa.Uttara Sthana.39/136] If the patient is not habituated to meat, then black gram soup is advised.

• Medicinal herbs used in jwara: Tinospora cordifolia(guduchi), Zingiber officinale (nagara), Terminalia chebula (haritaki), Fumaria parviflora (parpata), Aconitum ferox (vatsanabha), Piper nigrum (maricha)

• Herbal formulations: Amrutotaram decocotion (kwatha), Guduchyadikwatha, samshamanivati, sudarshanam churna, Amritarista, Pathyadikwatha
• Herbo-mineral formulations: Jwaramurari rasa, Tribhuvanakeertirasa, Anandabhairava rasa, Laxmi vilasa rasa

Panchakarma procedures with safety precautions

Generally, panchakarma procedures are indicated when the dosha are free from affliction of ama state. [Su.Sa.Uttara Sthana.39/124-125]

• Fomentation (swedana): Different fomentation techniques are used judiciously in jwara patients. Mild fomentation by covering the body with thick blanket (guru pravarana) is indicated in initial stage. It clears obstruction in sweat channels and normalizes body temperature. If the patient is experiencing excess cold, rhinitis, dyspnoea, pain in calves, joints and bones,fomentation is indicated. After the elimination of dosha, if residual kapha and vatadosha are causing jwara,fomentation and massage is indicated.[Su.Sa.Uttara Sthana.39/319][A.Hr.ChikitsaSthana 1/20]

• Therapeutic emesis (vamana): If kaphadosha is in excess aggravated state, emesis is administered. [Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana.3/227][Su.Sa.Uttara Sthana.39/98] It is also indicated in the initial phase, conditions of nausea, excessive salivation, aversion to food, cough, simultaneous occurrence of vomiting and diarrhoea. It is ideal treatment if jwara manifests immediately after meals. [A.Hr.Chikitsa Sthana.1/5]

• Therapeutic purgation: It is prescribed in case of aggravated pitta dosha conditions. [Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana.3/227] It should be performed only in later stage of of jwara and if jwara does not respond to medicines; provided the patient is having good strength and digestive capacity. [Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana.3/168-69] If dosha are free from ama state and retained in digestive tract (koshtha), purgative medication can be given even in acute stage of fever. [Su.Sa.Uttara Sthana.39/124]

• Medicated enema (basti): If the dosha are lodged in colon (pakwashaya) medicated enemas can be used.[Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana.3/240]

• Intra nasal drug administration (nasya): Purificatory nasal medication is indicated for chronic conditions with heaviness, headache and impaired sensorium. [Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana.1/173-74] If patient feels emptiness of head, have burning sensation, unctuous nasal medication which mitigates pitta should be administered. [A.Hr.Chikitsa Sthana.3/126]

• Bloodletting (raktamokshana): If the jwara is not responding to either cold or hot therapies or to unctuous or ununctuous therapies, bloodletting therapy should be performed. Here the dosha are located in the peripheral tissues, which can be eliminated only through bloodletting. [Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana.3/289-90]

Wholesome diet and lifestyle factors

• Green gram (mudga), lentils (masoora), Bengal gram (chanaka), Trichosanthes cucumerina (patola), Momordica charantia (karavellaka), Moringa oleifera (shigru), Vitis vinifera (draksha), Punica granatum (dadima), hot water, gruel prepared from popped paddy etc. are wholesome in jwara conditions. Physical and mental rest, the seasonal regimen followed in summer is advised.

Unwholesome diet and lifestyle

• Diet items that are heavy to digest, unwholesome, mutually contradictory and cause burning sensation (vidahi) are contraindicated in jwara. Sexual intercourse, excessive physical activities,exhaustive works and head bath should be avoided. [Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana.3/330-32]

Preventive aspects of recurrence

• If Jwara is not managed properly, it may recur due to residual dosha. Therefore, purification or pacification therapy should be done properly to prevent recurrence. A type of decoction enemas like ‘yapana basti’ and mild elimination therapies for the complete evacuation of dosha are advised to prevent recurrence. [Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana.3/339]

Clinical features observed during remission of jwara

• During sudden remission, dosha undergo acute physiological transformation. Vomiting, increased respiration, profuse perspiration, tremors, delirium, altered state of consciousness are observed. The person expels foul smelling liquid feaces. [A.Hr NidanaSthana 2/76-78]

Clinical features after recovery

• Lightness of head and body, perspiration, slightly pale face with boils, sneezing, desire towards food; [Su.Sa.Uttarasthana.39/318] absence of exhaustion and discomfort, ulceration in mouth, itching in head and normal functioning of sense organs are observed after recovery from jwara. [A.Hr NidanaSthana 2/79]

List of research works done

• Mathew Soosan (1983): Latakaranjabeeja ka VishamaJvarameinkriyatmakaanvekshana,Department of Dravyaguna, IPGT&RA, Jamnagar.
• Dal D K (1981): Vishamajvara (malaria) chikitsatmakaadhyayana, Department of Kayachikitsa and Panchakarma, IPGT&RA, Jamnagar.
• Kishan T (1982): Effect of Bhoomyamalaki in Jvara (w.s.r to vishamajvara), Department of Kaumarabhritya, IPGT&RA, Jamnagar.
• Kashaih M (1983): A study on effect of certain indigenous drug in Vishamajvara, Department of Kaumarabhritya, IPGT&RA, Jamnagar.
• Sarvaiya D B (1987): Dravyavigyana of Bhramara-Challika and its therapeutic effect on Vishamajvara,Department of Dravyaguna, IPGT&RA, Jamnagar.
• Varsha Solanki (1998): A comparative study of Clerodendroninermes and Leucas cephalotes on Vishamajvara, Department of Dravyaguna, IPGT&RA, Jamnagar.
• Sudha Menon (2003): Clinical study of aetio-pathogenesis of AIDS and assessment of the efficacy of IndukantaGhrita on its symptoms Jvara (pyrexia), Department of Roganidan&Vikriti Vigyan, IPGT&RA, Jamnagar.
• Rimpal Virsodiya (2006): Effect of Siddharthakadi Agada in the management of Malaria (Jvara), Department of Kayachikitsa, IPGT&RA, Jamnagar.
• Kapil Lathiya (2014): A study on GomutrabhavitaPippaliw.s.r to its antipyretic and analgesic activity, Department of Dravyaguna Vigyan, IPGT&RA, Jamnagar.
• Shweta R Vekariya (2015): Pharmacological evaluation of Mahanimba (Melia Azedarach Linn.) with special reference to analgesic and antipyrectic activities.Department of Dravyaguna Vigyan, IPGT&RA, Jamnagar.

Case reports and research updates

1. In a study, 60 vishamajwara patients were selected. Out of which 24 patients were positive for malarial parasite test. The trial drug, Indrayavadi Vati was given in the dosage of 2-6gm for 7 days. After treatment, complete relief was observed in symptoms like headache, vomiting, nausea and rigors. Malarial parasite test was also negative after the treatment.
2. In another study on vishamajwara, 34 patients were treated with Leucas cephalotes (dronapushpi) in the dosage 3 -6 gm for 20 days. Total 76.47% of patients were completely cured.
3. Powder of Hymenodictyonexcelsum (BhramaraChallika) was given to 25 patients of vishamajwarain a dosage of 2gm thrice a day for 5 – 15 days. This drug is found more effective in anyedyushkajwara than santatajwara.
4. Clerodendroninermes and Leucas cephalotes were given in dosage of 3gm for 10 days. Significant results were obtained on cardinal symptoms of jvara for both these drugs.
5. Total 23 patients with positive peripheral smear test for Plasmodium vivax were selected and treated with Siddharthakadi agada 3gm thrice a day for 1 week. Control group was treated with Chloroquine phosphate and Primaquine. Siddharthakadi agada has provided significant results in reducing the fever, rigor with chill, headache, bodyache, sweating, anorexia, weakness and cough. On comparison the patients treated with Siddharthakadi agada showed better results in controlling anorexia, headache and body ache. Peripheral smear test after seven days of treatment with agada was negative for all patients.
6. Powder of leaves and root of Melia AzedaractaLinn.(mahanimba) were administered to experimental models of induced pyrexia in albino rats. Root powder showed better antipyretic effect than leaf powder.

Mechanism of action of antipyretic medicines

Inflammatory mediators released by peripheral mononuclear phagocytes and other immune cells induces fever. Fever inducing cytokines are transported from blood to brain. Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in the brain is believed to be the principle downstream mediator of fever. Inhibiting the production of PGE2 is a well known mechanism of antipyretics.

Many drugs are reported to be having antipyretic action. A few of them are decoction and alcoholic extract of amlakyadigana (combination of Emblica officinalis Gaertn. (Amalaki), Terminalia chebulaRetz.(Haritaki), Piper longum L. (Pippali), and Plumbago zeylenica L. (Chitraka); Aeginetia indica , Grapevine leaf extract (Vitis vinifera) , Cissampelos pareira Linn. , Cyclea peltata and Guduchi ghrita.

Controlled clinical trials of these medicines are required to establish their efficacy as treatment option to established anti pyretic drugs.

The treatment objective is not only to reduce body temperature, but also to maintain equilibrium of body components and preserve health.