Antibacterial effect of Karna Dhoopana Yoga against Staphylococcus aureus in the management of Puti Karna (CSOM)

Pūti Karna is a Chronic Disease caused by vitiated Kapha and Pitta dosha with its characteristic features of profuse thick Pūti (foul odor), pūya (pus) discharge from the ear with or without pain. This entity can be correlated with the disease specified in modern ENT (ear, nose and throat) known as Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media (CSOM). This disease entity in turn leads to severe complications as facial paralysis, lateral sinus thrombosis, labyrinthitis, meningitis and brain abscess. According to the Ayurveda system of medicine Pūti Karna can be effectively managed by a very effective local modality known as a Karna Dhoopana. This study was carried out at the central laboratory of Gampaha Wickramarachchi University of Indigenous Medicine, Sri Lanka, using specially prepared fumigation instrument. This Karna Dhoopna Churna has mentioned in “Hasthasara Aushada Yoga Samgraha“. According to the observation, results of the study confirmed the fumigation for 30 minutes has a bactericidal effect on Staphylococcus aureus in vitro. This could be due to the bactericidal components present in the fumes of dhupana yoga. Further, this study confirmed that duration of Karna Dhoopana is an important factor. Its clinical effectiveness was confirmed without any reported complications after Karna Dhoopana treatment. Further, the study proved that the temperature of the fumes does not produce any side effects in the ear. Therefore, this study endeavored to validate the clinical data scientifically.