EVALUATION OF THE EFFICACY OF KUSHMANDABEEJADI LEPA AGAINST SIGRUPUNARNAVADI LEPA IN WASP STING - A COMPARATIVE CLINICAL TRIAL

Wasp stings are common especially during the warmer months when people are outside for longer periods of time. They are equipped with a stinger for self-defence. A wasp’s stinger contains venom that is trans-mitted to humans during a sting. Local manifestations following stings are common and usually life-threatening anaphylaxis may occur. Most of the cases involve one or a few stings where only local symp-toms without any serious allergic reactions. In such cases Vishaghna lepas (antitoxic topical applications) can be used as it nullifies the harmful or poisonous effects along with medicinal intake. Here, in this study, the efficacy of Kushmandabeejadi lepa churna, mentioned in Kriyakoumudi (traditional book on toxicolo-gy) for wasp sting is studied by administering it along with another widely practiced classical preparation. Aim and Objectives- The study was conducted to study the efficacy of Kushmandabeejadi lepa against Sigrupunarnavadi lepa along with Dasanga agada in the management of Wasp sting Methods- A clinical study with 20 participants fulfilling the diagnostic and inclusion criteria was selected alternately and as-signed in to two groups. Group 1(trial group) received Kushmanadabeejadi lepa churna and Group 2(control group) received Sigrupunarnavadi lepa churna five times daily for a period of three days, both as external application. Fourth day was observatory period and assessment was done on fifth day. In both groups, Dasanga agada was used as common internal medicine. Results-The outcome variables – pain, itching, erythema and swelling were assessed for the change in mean score values. Data were analysed sta-tistically using Mann-Whitney U Test and Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test. The result obtained was significant in relieving the cardinal symptoms of wasp sting Conclusion- The overall effect shows that both the treat-ments individually were significant in the management of wasp sting and Kushmandabeejadi lepa is equal-ly effective in managing the signs and symptoms produced by wasp sting when compared with Sigru-punarnavadi lepa.