AN OPEN LABLE, RETROSPECTIVE, CONTROLLED STUDY TO EVALUATE EFFICACY OF DARUHARIDRA KASHAYA (AN HERBAL PREPARATION) IN MANAGEMENT OF BAHUPITTA KAMALA WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO NEONATAL JAUNDICE

Kaumarbhritya a branch of Ayurveda highlights the child rearing as the foremost feature. Hence Ayurvedic paediatrics aimed at treatment of disease and method of the bringing up the child to a healthy individual. Rigveda and Atharvaveda suggested treating Kamala (Neonatal Jaundice) with rays of rising sun. Based on similar symptoms Bahupitta Kamala mentioned in Ayurvedic classics is considered as Neonatal Jaundice in modern science. Nearly all texts mentioned use of Daruharidra (Berberis aristata DC) in management of Neonatal jaundice. In present study two groups containing 30 newborns each suffering from Neonatal jaundice were selected randomly irrespective to sex, gestational age. Daruharidra Kashaya and honey combination was used as a trial drug. Phototherapy was also given as supportive treatment along with trial drug. Parameters such as Serum bilirubin, alertness and activity, duration of jaundice, icterus with relative to serum bilirubin level were taken in to consideration for assessing results. At the end of study it was found that trial drug was very effective in the treatment of Neonatal Jaundice. It decreases serum bilirubin level, icterus, increases alertness & activity, decreases duration of jaundice.