A novel Ayurvedic medical fumigant powder Bhootastgandha and its effect in Combating Airborne pathogens - A detailed pharmacological activity review

Abstract

Infectious diseases are becoming popular with every passing day and viral infections among them are the cause for a large number of fatalities since last two decades. All the factors including the lifestyle pave the way to reduced immunity making the human population susceptible to infections. Management of diseases is not only important; prevention of further diseases should also be of prime concern. Infectious diseases that spread through a variety of mediums like air, water etc. requires preventive measures that controls the spread of the microorganisms and keep the preventive aspect intact. Ayurveda treatment has succeeded in achieving both treatment aspect as well as preventative aspect of diseases. Dhoopana Karma is an important modality & primitive method of sterilization which can be used in preventive and curative aspect. The yoga “Bhootastagandha” is taken from the Ayurvedic compilation Sarvaroga Chikitsa Ratnam”. Learning about the practical application of the formulation, the formulation is mentioned among a group of formulations used as fumigating agents. The formulation consists of a group of 8 drugs and all the drugs on pharmacological screening is found to possess Antimicrobial, Antibacterial, Antiviral, Antifungal properties among other pharmacological actions. The details about the pharmacological activity of the drugs are collected from various research articles published. This review article mainly focuses on the phytochemical properties of the ingredient drugs as per Ayurveda classics and the utility of the formulation as an effective fumigant keeping in mind the Antimicrobial, Anti-viral, Anti –Fungal and Anti- Bacterial action of the plants.