Ayurveda, the ancient system of medicine, has always given importance to improving and maintaining health in a holistic way and also treating the disease from its root. The sum total of the internal process of the body as well as the environment results in health. Ayurveda has given prime importance to preventive medicine.
We are surrounded by millions of microorganisms. Among them, 20-25% are disease-causing pathogens. The influence of vitiated water, season, land, etc., and the purification measures have been well explained in Ayurveda classics.
Dhoopana or fumigation is one of the main measures recommended in the healthy maintenance of the internal and external environment of a man. In dhoopana, herbal, Herbo-mineral, or animal-origin drugs are used for air purification purposes.
Dhoopana is an example of drug delivery through inhalation. The drugs mentioned for dhoopana karma lower the microbes present in the air and have been effectively used in the management of wound healing and infections. The components present in the dhoopana drugs would help in blood vessel dilation, and thereby improve the passage of oxygen to the body tissues. This would reduce inflammation, itching, and infection in the body. Herbal components like Guggulu, Vacha, neem, etc have been used for fumigation due to their antimicrobial properties. Some minerals like haritala and manashila as well as some animal products like hair, nails, etc. have been used for dhoopana. They contain sulphur that has antimicrobial properties. Dry animal excreta, ghee, sarjarasa, and Guggulu have been used as fuel as it contains combustible gases. They help in the sustaining of flame and also enhance the dispersion of the main ingredients used for dhoopana. The addition of fragrant substances like Chandana, ela, etc not only masks the weird smell of other pungent drugs but also soothes the brain and helps in restoring spiritual and mental balance.
Churnas available in the market like Aparajitha dhoopa churna, manashiladi dhooma varti and dasanga dhoopa churna can be used for fumigation purposes. Commonly used drugs are Guggulu, agaru, hingu, katuki, jatamamsi, devadaru, sarjarasa and neem. Some of the easily available ingredients at home also can be used for effective fumigation. Either any one or combination of drugs could be used for the same.
- Neem- Neem possesses insect repellent property. The polyphenols in it impart anti-microbial properties.
- Sesame seeds or Tila- The volatile components have anti-bacterial and antifungal properties.
- Cardamom / Ela – The volatile components in it have anti-bacterial and anti-fungal activities.
- Tulasi – Eugenol in tulasi has antimicrobial properties.
- Garlic peel, carom seeds or ajwain, Indian olibanum or shallaki , and turmeric have been traditionally used during afterdelivery care in order to avoid infections and to enhance the healing process. The sulphur content in garlic exhibits antibacterial activity. The fumigation using the combination of these ingredients significantly reduces the airborne bacteria and is effective in treating throat or respiratory tract infections. Carom seeds have active ingredients like thymol and carvacrol to inhibit bacterial and fungal growth. The essential oils in shallaki are attributed to their antimicrobial property.
- Onion Peel – Quercetin present in onion peel act as an antimicrobial agent.
- Mustard Seeds / Sarshapa – The glucosinolates and isothiocyanate in mustard seeds exhibit antimicrobial activity.
- Asafoetida / Hingu – The essential oils from asafoetida have a broad spectrum of antimicrobial properties.
