Evaluating the Efficacy of Vamana Karma with Shatapushpa Churna in Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome: A Quasi-experimental Study

Introduction: Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is clinically characterised by irregular menstruation, obesity, and the presence of ovarian cysts. In Ayurvedic literature, this condition is described as Vyadhi San˙ kara, denoting a complex disorder arising from the overlap of multiple disease entities. Contemporary management in modern medicine primarily relies on the use of oral contraceptive pills; however, these agents are frequently associated with adverse effects, underscoring the need for safer and more holistic therapeutic approaches. Aim: To evaluate the therapeutic effectiveness of Vamana Karma with oral administration of Shatapushpa Churna in the management of PCOS. Materials and Methods: The present quasi-experimental study was conducted at PD Patel Ayurveda Hospital, Kheda, Gujarat, India. between January 2023 and September 2024, enrolling 68 patients with PCOS. The diagnosis was established through a combination of clinical history, physical examination, laboratory investigations, and radiological imaging. The intervention comprised Vamana Karma (therapeutic emesis) with a 7-day preparatory and post-treatment regimen, followed by oral administration of Shatapushpa Churna (dill seed powder) at a dose of 3 g twice daily for 54 days. Treatment outcomes were evaluated using symptom relief, pelvic ultrasonography, and Body Mass Index (BMI), with statistical analysis performed using the Wilcoxon Signed-rank Test. A p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 68 patients were enrolled in the study, of whom 60 completed the treatment. Among the total participants, 49 (82%) participants were aged 20-30 years, predominantly urban 58 (97%), 55 (92%) Hindu, 42 (70%) unmarried, and 37 (62%) from the upper middle class. Post-intervention, significant improvements in menstrual cycle regularity (p<0.001) reduction in ovarian volume (p<0.001), and BMI (p<0.001). No Serious Adverse Events (SAE) were reported. Conclusion: The combination of Vamana Panchakarma (Therapeutic emesis) therapy and the vata-kapha balancing properties of Shatapushpa Churna (dill seed powder) shows promising results in the management of PCOS. These findings highlight the potential role of Ayurvedic interventions in addressing this multifactorial condition. Larger, long-term studies are warranted to validate these outcomes and assess broader clinical applicability