A standard controlled clinical study on Virechana Karma and Lekhana Basti in the management of dyslipidemia (Medoroga)

BACKGROUND: Dyslipidemia, a major risk factor of coronary heart disease, is the leading single cause of death in the world. Currently available hypolipidemic agents have been associated with a large number of side effects. The radical Ayurveda Samshodhana Chikitsa as a treatment protocol can provide better effect. Therefore, the present study was designed to evaluate the effect of Virechana Karma and Lekhana Basti in dyslipidemia. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of Virechana Karma and Lekhana Basti in the management of dyslipidemia (Medoroga). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety patients of either sex in the age group of 20–60 years, fulfilling the study criteria were included in the study. The patients were randomly divided into three groups (thirty patients each). Virechana Karma was administered to patients in group A, Lekhana Basti was administered in group B and tablet Atorvastatin in group C. The effect of treatment was assessed by analyzing the complete lipid profile after completion of treatment and after the follow up in comparison to base line score. RESULTS: All the three groups showed statistically highly significant result in the lipid profile after the treatment and after the follow up. CONCLUSION: Virechana Karma is effective in reducing triglycerides level, where as Lekhana Basti is effective in reducing the cholesterol level in particular.