COMBINED EFFECT OF LOCAL APPLICATION OF FLAXSEED OIL AND AAMRAHARIDRA POWDER IN AGANTUJA SHOTHA (TRAUMATIC INFLAMMATION): A CASE STUDY

Shotha is one of the commonly encountered clinical manifestations in both modern medicine and Ayurveda.[1] Trauma-induced inflammation is frequently associated with pain, tenderness, restriction of movement, and difficulty in performing day-to-day activities.[2] In Ayurveda, traumatic swelling is described under Agantuja Shotha, where external injury leads to vitiation of Dosha, especially Vata and Rakta.[3] Local therapeutic measures such as Lepa are described for reducing inflammation, pain, and restoring normal tissue function.[4] The present case study evaluates the combined effect of local application of flaxseed oil (Atasi Taila) and Aamraharidra powder in traumatic Shotha of the dorsal aspect of the palm. A 38-year-old male patient presented with swelling, pain, tenderness, and restricted movement over the dorsal aspect of the right palm following blunt trauma. Clinical examination revealed diffuse inflammatory swelling with mild local rise of temperature and tenderness. The patient was treated with local application of paste prepared from flaxseed oil and Aamraharidra powder twice daily for seven days. Assessment was done based on pain, swelling, tenderness, and range of movement. Significant improvement was observed in all clinical parameters. Swelling reduced markedly by the seventh day along with reduction in tenderness and pain. Hand movements improved without any adverse effects. The anti-inflammatory, Vatahara, Vedanasthapana, and Shothahara properties of Atasi Taila and Aamraharidra may have contributed to the observed clinical improvement. This case study suggests that local application of flaxseed oil and Aamraharidra powder may provide an effective, economical, and safe Ayurvedic management approach in traumatic Shotha.