Effect of Ayurveda Treatment Protocol in the Management of Varicose Veins – A Single Case Study

Varicose veins are dilated, elongated and tortuous veins, mainly affecting the lower limbs. Varicosities of veins are not a lifethreatening condition, but over the long run, it turns out to be a nagging situation, that handicaps the patient from performing routine activities. More than 5% of the population have varicose veins in India. It classically results from venous hypertension owing to incompetence of the major communications between the superficial and deep veins of the lower extremity. Genetic predisposition, prolonged standing, obesity, pregnancy, old age and athletes are found to be the major predisposing factors. Varicose veins can be correlated with siragranthi explained in Ayurveda classics. Aggravated vata causes sankocha (compression), sampeedana (squeezing) and vishoshana (drying up) of sira and produce granthi. Contemporary treatments for varicose veins include selfcare measures, ligation with stripping, compression stockings, sclerotherapy etc., in which the recurrence are common and that surgical procedures also have complications like infection, bruising, nerve damage, thromboembolism etc. Hence this necessitates the need for a better option that is devoid of the above limitations. This study intends to explore the Ayurvedic treatment protocol explained in Ashtanga Hrudaya Uttarasthana 30th chapter granthiarbudaslipadapacinadi pratishedha, siragranthi chikitsa; snehapana, upanaha, matravasti, siravyadha, in the management of varicose veins.