A COMPARATIVE CLINICAL STUDY ON THE ROLE OF GOMUTRASIDDHA HARITAKI INTERNALLY WITH OR WITHOUT EXTERNAL USE OF SARJARASA TAILA IN PAMA (SCABIES)

Background: Pama is described among the Kshudra Kushtha in Ayurvedic literature and is predominantly characterized by Kandu (itching), Pidika (papular eruptions), and Vaivarnya (alteration of skin colour). Its clinical presentation shows considerable similarity with scabies, a contagious ectoparasitic infestation caused by Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis. Objective: To compare the clinical efficacy of oral Gomutrasiddha Haritaki Churna alone with oral Gomutrasiddha Haritaki Churna combined with external application of Sarjarasa Taila in patients with Pama (scabies). Materials and Methods: A prospective, randomized, open-label, two-arm comparative clinical study was conducted in 60 patients clinically diagnosed with Pama (scabies). Participants were allocated into two groups of 30 patients each. Group A received Gomutrasiddha Haritaki Churna 3 g twice daily after meals with warm water for 28 days. Group B received the same internal medication along with external application of Sarjarasa Taila twice daily for 28 days. Clinical outcomes were assessed on Days 0, 7, 14, 21, and 28 using four-point ordinal grading scales for Kandu, Pidika, and Vaivarnya. The trial was registered with the Clinical Trials Registry–India under registration number CTRI/2025/02/080332. Results: Group A demonstrated reductions of 58.5% in Kandu, 52.0% in Pidika, and 44.1% in Vaivarnya by Day 28. Group B demonstrated greater reductions of 86.2%, 82.4%, and 74.6%, respectively. Within-group changes were statistically significant (p<0.001). Inter-group comparison demonstrated significantly greater improvement in Group B for Kandu (t=5.42, p<0.001), Pidika (t=4.88, p<0.001), and Vaivarnya (t=3.95, p<0.001). Conclusion: Both treatment regimens produced significant clinical improvement in Pama (scabies); however, the combination of internal Gomutrasiddha Haritaki Churna and external Sarjarasa Taila produced greater improvement over 28 days. The findings support further adequately powered, objectively assessed randomized controlled studies with longer follow-up.