ETIOPATHOLOGICAL STUDY OF VᾹTAJA AND VᾹTA KAPHAJA GŖDHRASI AND ITS MANAGEMENT WITH ṠEPHᾹLIPATRA KWᾹTHA W.S.R TO LUMBAGO SCIATICA SYNDROME

Background: Gṛdhrasi, classified as Vātavyādhi in Ayurveda, closely resembles modern sciatica, presenting with radiating pain from the lumbar region to the lower limb and causing functional disability. Contemporary management often offers limited relief, while Ayurveda emphasises Doṣa-based, pathogenesis-oriented therapy. Śephālipatra Kwātha (Nyctanthes arbor-tristis Linn.) is traditionally indicated for Gṛdhrasi. Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of Śephālipatra Kwātha in Vātaja and Vāta Kaphaja Gṛdhrasi and correlate classical eti-opathology with modern clinical features. Methods: An open-label, randomised clinical trial was conducted on 40 patients diagnosed with Gṛdhrasi, randomly allo-cated into two groups: Group A (Vātaja, n=20) and Group B (Vāta Kaphaja, n=20). Both groups received Śephālipatra Kwātha 50 ml twice daily on an empty stomach for 30 days. Subjective parameters and objective assessments were recorded. Severity was graded on a 0–3 scale and assessed on days 15 and 30. Results: Sig-nificant improvement was observed in both groups across all subjective and objective parameters. Vāta Kaphaja patients showed superior relief in Kapha-related symptoms such as drowsiness, heaviness, and anorexia. No adverse effects were reported. The therapeutic benefits correspond with the drug’s Vāta Kaphahara, Āma Pāca-na, and Srotoshodhana properties, supported by anti-inflammatory, analgesic, neuroprotective, and antioxidant phytoconstituents. Conclusion: Śephālipatra Kwātha is a safe, effective, and pathogenesis-oriented intervention for Gṛdhrasi, particularly beneficial in Kapha-dominant presentations. This study validates Ayurvedic Doṣa-based therapeutics as a holistic approach for sciatica-like conditions, warranting further large-scale trials.