A SINGLE CASE STUDY ON THE EFFICACY OF VISHALA MOOLA LEPA FOR LOCAL APPLICATION ON BREAST ENGORGEMENT IN SUTIKA AVASTHA

Background: Breast engorgement (Stana Shotha) is a prevalent and distressing condition in the puerperium (Sutika Avastha), characterized by painful swelling, tension, and warmth of the breasts. It poses a significant barrier to successful lactation. Classical Ayurvedic texts recommend Saptaparni (Alstonia scholaris) for Stana Pida (breast pain). Case Presentation: A 26-year-old primigravida presented on her 3rd postpartum day with severe, bilateral breast engorgement. Symptoms included agonizing pain (Grade ++++), severe hardness (Grade III), marked warmth, and visible venous engorgement, causing significant distress and difficulty in breastfeeding. Intervention: The intervention was local application of Vishala Moola Lepa (Citrullus colocynthis a paste made from the root powder of Vishala moola and lukewarm water) applied over both breasts three times a day for three days. Outcomes: The patient reported substantial relief within 24 hours. By the third day, breast hardness had resolved to a soft consistency (Grade I), pain had completely subsided (Grade 0), and local temperature normalized. No adverse effects were observed. The patient resumed comfortable breastfeeding. Conclusion: This case demonstrates that Vishala Moola Lepa is a rapid, highly effective, and safe therapeutic modality for severe postpartum breast engorgement. Vishala Moola Lepa (a paste made from the root of Citrullus colocynthis) is mentioned in classical texts for its Shothahara (anti-inflammatory) and Shoolahara (analgesic) properties, making it a potential therapeutic agent for this condition. This promising result warrants further controlled clinical trials to validate these findings on a larger scale.