Sri Lanka Journal of Indigenous Medicine (SLJIM)

Management of Thusta viranam (Chronic diabetes mellitus associated venous leg ulcer) by using Traditional treatment regimen: A case study

2025-07-15

Chronic wounds, such as venous leg ulcers, are common and often persist for weeks or months. One type, Thusta viranam, described in Traditional and Siddha literature, is characterized by deep, purulent, foul-smelling wounds with severe pain, swelling, and itching. Traditional and Siddha medicine recommends various topical and oral treatments to promote healing. Punsudar thailam, mentioned in Anuboga Vaithiya Navaneedha Thirattu, is used for wound healing and contains purified Sulphur (Ganthagam) and castor oil. This case study investigates the efficacy of Punsudar thailam in treating a Thusta viranam (Chronic diabetes mellitus associated venous leg ulcer). A 52-year-old female with a three months history of a painful, swollen, foul-smelling wound due to varicose veins, located above the lateral malleolus of her left leg, was admitted to the Siddha Teaching Hospital in Kaithady. The patient also had a history of diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidaemia, and fatty liver disease. She was diagnosed as Thusta viranam (chronic diabetes mellitus associated venous leg ulcer) and treated with wound cleaning using Panjathuvarpi decoction (Kudineer), followed by Punsudar thailam application and oral internal medicines such as Neermulli decoction (Kudineer), Pattolathy peerkku decoction (Kudineer), Sudarsana chooranam, Chandraprabha vati, and Vallarai chooranam. The treatment was evaluated weekly through wound measurements and photographs using the Photographic Wound Assessment Tool (PWAT). Over a period of 29 days, weekly evaluations showed a reduction in wound size from 5cm x 5cm to 3cm x 3.5cm with near complete closure (<0.1 cm). The PWAT score decreased from 17 to 07, indicating partial wound closure. These results suggest that Punsudar thailam, combined with internal medicines, effectively aids in healing Thusta viranam (chronic diabetes mellitus associated venous leg ulcer).

A comparative study of prepared Bhasma using different marine-originated animal materials

2025-07-15

Rasa shastra is a main pharmaceutical branch in Ayurveda and Mercury is the main material in Rasa shastra. Other than mercury, different animal resources, minerals, gems, marine originated materials and some toxic plants are also described under Rasa shastra. Shankha, Shukthi and Kaparda are some of the commonly used marine originated animal materials. These materials contain Calcium and categorized under Sudha varga. The objective of this study is to prepare Shankha, Shukthi and Kaparda bhashmas according to Rasa shastra and to comparatively analyze the physico-chemical parameters and to determine the Calcium content of these Bhashmas. Boiling and steaming method was used for the purification, and incineration was done by using the muffle furnace at 550°C. Bhashma standardization parameters in Rasa Shastra; Rekha purnatva, Varitharathva, Uththama, Gatha rasathva, Avami, Anjana sadrusha sukshma and Dantagra na kacha kacha were performed for all these bhashmas. Calcium percentage in each bhashma was determined by titrating with 0.1M NaOH solution using phenolphthalein as the indicator. Results revealed that all the Bhashmas were within the standard parameters according to classical texts. According to modern physico-chemical analysis, moisture contents of all the samples were relatively low (0.40%, 1.30%, 0.95%). Total ash contents were 99.20%, 98.50% and 98% respectively. Acid insoluble ash values (52%, 77.80%, 57%) were higher than water soluble ash values (3.80%, 2.60%, 1.65%). All the samples were having an alkaline pH value (8.2, 8.0, 8.7). The highest calcium percentage was reported from Shukthi bhashma (99.30%) and lowest from Kaparda bhashma (78.40%). It can be concluded that all the Bhashmas were having the standard quality according to Ayurveda as well as modern physicochemical parameters. Due to the high calcium content, Shukthi bhashma can be highly recommended as a nutritional supplement for Calcium deficiencies among these Bhashmas.

Identifying the type of impairments among children with disabilities: An observational study of the Divulapitiya Divisional Secretariat Area

2025-07-15

Children with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in combination with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis, according to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The demographics of children with impairments are quite different. They include children who were born with an inheritable condition that impacts their physical, mental, or social development; those who had an infection, serious injury, or nutritional shortfall that had long-term functional effects; and those who were exposed to environmental toxins that caused learning disabilities or developmental delays. Children with impairments might also be individuals whose difficult life situations cause them to experience anxiety or sadness. There are about 240 million children worldwide who struggle with disabilities. In Sri Lanka, 1.67% of children aged 5-14 were identified as disabled in 2012. An observational study was conducted in the Divulaptiya divisional Secretariat area to understand the type of impairments among children with disability. The study found that 46% of the 72 children had brain function disorders (Manodaurbalya), 33% had nervous system disorders, 1.4% had muscular dystrophies, 1.4% had visual disorders, 1.4% had mutism disorders, and 2.7% had growth deformities. The study highlights the need for more community knowledge, better resource allocation, and focused interventions to identify and manage these children. The findings emphasize the need for research conducted in all divisional secretariats to increase awareness and support children with disabilities nationwide.