Role of Punnagadi Churnapindasweda in Motor Functions of Stroke - A Case Report

Stroke is the most frequent cause of permanent disability in adults worldwide. In 2015, stroke accounted for 6.3 million deaths globally. WHO defines stroke as rapidly developing clinical symptoms and/ or signs of focal (at times global) disturbance of cerebral function, with symptoms lasting more than 24 hours or leading to death with no apparent cause other than that of vascular origin. It is caused due to the sudden interruption of blood flow to a region of brain resulting in weakness or paralysis of one side of body associated with slurred speech, numbness, problems with vision etc., depending on the area affected. Recovery of motor function is associated with stroke severity. Pakshaghata which resembles stroke is having bad prognosis especially in chronic conditions. But Ayurveda treatments like swedana (sudation) found to be much effective in improving motor functions. Here is a case of stroke having MCA infarct of 3 years chronicity. He was treated with Snigdha Chunapindasweda using Punnagadi churnain tilataila for 7 days. Assessment was done with Motor assessment scale for stroke before and after the treatment. Hand movements and advanced hand activities are the domains which got much improvement as per the assessment.