Effect of Bhaskarlavan Churna in Patients with Allergic Rhinitis with a history of Habitual Suppression of Urges of Elimination: An Exploratory Single-Arm Open labelled Trial

Abstract

Context: Allergic rhinitis (AR) represents one of the most prevalent inflammatory disorders in clinical practice, frequently correlated with Vataj Pratishyay (VP) in Ayurvedic medicine. Aim: This single-arm interventional study investigated the therapeutic effect of Bhaskarlavan Churna (BLC) in the management of AR precipitated by suppression of natural physiological urges of flatulence, micturition and defecation. Settings and Design: Sixty subjects (aged 20-50 years) with established AR diagnoses and documented history of habitual suppression of micturition, defecation, and flatus evacuation for a minimum duration of six months were enrolled. Material and Methods: Therapeutic intervention consisted of oral administration of BLC for seven consecutive days. Clinical assessment utilized the Total Nasal Symptom Score (TNSS) to quantify rhinorrhea, nasal obstruction, and paroxysmal sneezing. Statistical Analysis: Statistical evaluation employed Wilcoxon signed rank testing and percentage improvement calculations. Results: Pre-intervention mean symptom scores for rhinorrhea, nasal obstruction, and paroxysmal sneezing were 2.12, 0.40, and 1.05, respectively, with post-intervention values demonstrating significant reduction to 0.65, 0.08, and 0.25 (p<0.05). Among participants with histories of flatulence suppression, the highest prevalence of symptomatology was observed for rhinorrhea (91.23%), followed by paroxysmal sneezing (73.68%), and nasal obstruction (21.05%). Following BLC administration, these symptoms demonstrated marked amelioration of 69.29%, 76.19%, and 79.17%, respectively. Conclusion: The findings suggest an association between voluntary suppression of natural physiological urges and the pathogenesis of AR. Furthermore, BLC demonstrates promising therapeutic potential for symptomatic management of AR associated with such suppressions.