The healing potential of Draksha-guduchyadi kavala in radiotherapy induced oral mucositis in non-metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck: A comparative case study

• Published in: Journal of ayurveda and integrative medicine Vol. 13; no. 2; p. 100524
• Main Authors: C K, Saniya, Rao, Mangalagowri V., Choudhary, Sunil, Singh, Om Prakash
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier B.V 01.04.2022; Elsevier
• Subjects: Case Report; Draksha-guduchyadi; Kavala; Mouth wash; Oral mucositis; Radiotherapy; Draksha-guduchyadi; Mouth wash; Oral mucositis; Radiotherapy; Kavala
• ISSN: 0975-9476; 0976-2809
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jaim.2021.09.002

Patients undergoing Radiotherapy (RT) for Head and Neck carcinoma often suffer from side effects such as mucositis, xerostomia, pharyngitis, laryngitis and pain which are being managed symptomatically by mouthwashes of soda-salt, chlorhexidine or betadine. Among the side effects, oral mucositis is the most debilitating one. This comparative case study comprises of 4 patients undergoing RT. Here, 2 patients each are randomly allocated into two groups. One group received the existing prophylactic management i.e., Sodium bicarbonate-salt solution mouth wash and the other group received, Draksha-guduchyadi yoga for kavala (gargling). Both the sets of patients were asked to perform gargling, from the first day of radiation to 15 days thereafter. The effectiveness of both mouthwashes was compared for their healing potential on oral mucositis by RTOG grading. The reduction in mucositis was significant in the group which received Ayurvedic mouthwash compared to the other group. This study positively highlights the contribution of Ayurveda in cancer treatment especially in the field of quality of life. •Plant-based mouthwashes or gargles mentioned in Ayurvedic classics are effective in curbing the side effects of Radiotherapy.•It can alleviate the sufferings of lakhs of cancer patients, and even reduce the dropouts from radiation course.•Ayurveda can play key role in the multidisciplinary approach to cancer treatment with special emphasis in the aspect of quality of life.