Development and Preliminary Reliability Assessment of a Standardised Tool for Meda Sāra Parīkṣā

Introduction: Daśa Vidha Parīkṣā is an important Ayurvedic diagnostic tool used to assess Āyu Bala, Ātura Bala, and Vyādhi Bala, thereby guiding appropriate treatment planning. Meda Sāra, one of the Aṣṭa Sāra, reflects the excellence of Meda Dhātu and is associated with Snigdhatā, Sthairya, softness, and nourishment; however, its clinical utility is limited due to the lack of standardized assessment criteria. Objectives: To study the parameters of Meda Sāra Puruṣa, develop and standardize assessment criteria based on classical Ayurvedic texts, and clinically evaluate these parameters. Materials and Methods: An observational cross-sectional study was conducted on 50 apparently healthy volunteers aged 18–40 years, of either gender, were recruited by consecutive sampling, using a structured proforma based on the Meda Sāra Lakṣaṇa described by Ācārya Caraka and Ācārya Suśruta. Participants were assessed through history, physical, psychological, and functional evaluations and screened using the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Cronbach's alpha. Results: In the present study, the majority of participants belonged to the Madhyama Meda Sāra category (74%), followed by Pravara Meda Sāra (24%) and Avara Meda Sāra (2%), indicating moderate expression of Meda Sāra Lakṣaṇa among healthy individuals. Conclusion: The developed tool demonstrated preliminary reliability and provides a structured approach for Meda Sāra assessment; however, further studies are required for wider validation and clinical applicability. Keywords: Meda Sāra, Meda Dhātu, Sāra Parīkṣā