Dhoopana-A Concept of Fumigation in Ayurveda

Concept of disinfection or fumigation is very important as every host has not optimum level of immunity to defence himself against pathogens causing diseases and so it is commonly practised in many developed nations to prevent transmission of viral diseases which are airborne in nature such as COVID -19. However various review of modern fumigating physical & chemical agents e.g. Formalin which are expensive, having crumblesome technique & toxic nature are generally used for this purpose.Therefore, current situation of COVID pandemic demands for the replacement in Ayurveda e.g. Dhoopana Karma for such techniques.As it is cost effective, safe, convenient, effective, and lucrative method of sterilizaion. Main aim of this paper is to compile all scattered information regarding Dhoopana Karma from different Ayurvedic sculptures. All information of these karma which is in dispursed form is complied & described under different heads such as history pf Dhoopana Karma, synonyms, classification, indications (general & specific), various drugs useful for Dhoopana, their period for collection, different formulations for Dhoopana, instruments for Dhoopana, different modes of administration / procedure, method of storing and preservation of Dhoopana Dravya & duration of procedure in descriptive manner & tabular form. Extensive review Review Article Sawarkar and Sawarkar; JPRI, 33(36A): 225-248, 2021; Article no.JPRI.70587 226 related with Dhoopana Karma shows that that Dhoopan Karma which is a most common method of sterilization described in an ayurveda & it is categorised under topical (Bahiparimarjana) treatment.Broad spectrum utility of these different formulations of Dhoopana suggests demands for researches in future to study their various pharmacological properties & actions such as bacteriostatic or bactericidal, wormicidal, anti-inflammatory ,antiseptic, antimicrobial, antifungal, antiviral, insecticidal anti –pyretic. Suchpe of vivid research may become helpful to prevent the need for medical intervention in entities such as COVID-19. On the basis of this review, it can be concluded that Dhoopana Karma can be used as a type of fumigation for massive & local sterilization in current dreadful outbreak of COVID-19.


INTRODUCTION
Nowadays, COVID-19 outbreak is a specific type of nosocomial infection which is caused due to Corona Virus & it seems to be associated with serious or highly contagious condition . Transmission of this virus becomes favorable due to poor socioeconomic, crowded and unhygienic conditions. This viral disease is affecting a very bad impact on the health-care sectors as well as global economy. In present situation, neither vaccines nor safe and effective chemotherapeutic agents are yet discovered so main attention hould be primarily focused over preventative aspect of this disease. As this type of virus transmitted very quickly through various leading contaminated environmental vehicles such as inanimate and animate surfaces. Among various inanimate surfaces such as florrailing ,door bell acts as breeding ground for such type of virus which can be transmitted due to poor infection control practices. Highly vulnerable group for this type of infection includes person with old age , children , hin-satva , immunecompromised host, persons having resistance developed for antibiotics. It is necessary to provide optimum protection for such persons along with both patients suffereing from this enitity and hospital staff to decrease its prevalence.
Proper isolation of infected individuals becomes often difficult. By considering the recognition of vital role of various methods of disinfection, fumigation and sanitation in prevennion of corona virus outbreak; high level sterilization or disinfection with certain disinfectant or antisepsic agents becomes necessary to control the spread of this infection [1].
General modern methods of sterilization are fumigation method such as Fogger machine or by using chemicals like Formaline solution, Potassium Permanganate, Hydrogen peroxide and silver nitrate etc. [2] However, all these methods of fumigation or disinfection in modern science are quite expensive & having overhelming & harmful effects such as their carcinogenic nature, nasal irritation, respiratory damage e.g. dyspnoea, hedache, hypersensitivity ,allergic reaction,immune suppression , skin rash, eye irritation,unpleasant neurological signs [3,4]. This list of disadvantages is again upgraded due to cumbersome process of these current fumigation techniques i.e. lengthy process [5], unpleasant smell & emerging resistance. All these scenario demands for cost effective, safe, convenient remidies of sterilization in Ayurveda which can be adopted by common people at home also.
Concept of microbiology are exclusively narrated by our ancient Acharyas as Bhuta , Raksha or Aoupasargic Rogas which suggests its exploring role in management of the various emerging infectious diseases. Dhoopana Karma is the comprehensive approach of sterilization in Ayurveda based on recent advances in technology and biophysics such as Heat, Chemicals or Radiation in contemporary science. It is beneficial in disinfecting environment of certain area [6].

Aim
Considering the above secanrio & current fact as previous research in microbiology shows various researches conducdted on disinfection of bacteria.However, desifection of virus is not much highlighted. Therefore, is is necessary to prove potency of ayurvedic drugs for fumigation purpose & to estimate viral sensitivity of this Ayurvedic technique by encouraging various research.To achive this goal, collection of various dispersed informations related with Dhoopana Karma is first thing which is followed by second thing of arranging this compilation in well concised manner to elaborate the role and efficacy of Dhoopana Karma in present context.This paper is foot step to pursue to these both goal.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
All relevant information with Dhoopana Karma is compiled from various classical text books of Ayurveda such as Bruhatatrayi, Laghutrayi with their commentaries, various peer reviewed Journals, previous research studies including dessertaions conducted on similar subject in Ayurveda as well as in contemopary science from various databases.

Observations
Extensive review search on Dhoopana Karma shows that there are ample references regading this Ayurvedic aspect of fumigation with its broad spectrum utility in clinical field as well as for health maintaince but in scattered form .

 Classification
There are various types of Dhoopana Karma with respect to origin, mode of action, expected site of action,etc. are described through out Ayurvedic literature which are tabulated in Table 1. Its miscellaneous indications consists of its use for a good progeny, prosperity and auspiciousness. It also includes its use for contraception also e. g. Nimba Kastha Dhoopa mentioned by Yogratanakara [26]. In addition to these uses, Dhoopana has also been mentioned for its antimicrobial and growth promoting activities for the healthy production of plants in Vrikshayurved by Bruhattrayi.All these various indications of Dhoopana Karma are tabulated in Table 2.  Table 4.
Various formulations for Dhoopana of specific material or article according to different Acharyas are described in Table 5.
Apart from these, various 40 Dhoopana Yogas are given by Acharya Kashyapa which are mentioned in Table 7.

 Storing and Preservation
Dhoopa made of plant origin drugs, when stored in air tight containers can be used for two years. Dhoopa made of minerals can be used for infinite time. Dhoopa mixture should not lose their original color and aroma.

 Duration
Twice a day for 10 consecutive days or till subsidal of diseases condition.

DISCUSSION
Dhoopana is the procedure nothing but fumigation with Ayurvedic herbs to prevent or reduce contamination of air.  [187] while drugs having animal origin e,g, hairs, nails, horns etc. have sulphur has which has desinfectant property present in keratin i.e. structural component which contains sulphur. In many formulations , excreta of different animals are used to repell mosquitoes, worms, maggots and other insects due to their smell & it was also used as these are inflammable due to combustible gases present in it.Dhoopana Dravyas like ghee, sarjarasa are also highly inflammable which helps for burning of dhoopa. Nimb, Guggul, Sarshapa, Nirgundi are proved for their anti-bacterial and disinfectant properties [188]. Properties of Dhoopanadrvya which are widely used in various Dhoopana Yoga are described in Table 7. is proved by Gund et al. [204]. Antiviral. properties of Manjistha, Katukrohini, Madhooka & Plaksha are proved by Sahu P. et al. [205]. In current scenario of dredful outbreak of COVID-19, drugs having anitiviral properties & Dhoopana Yoga mentioned in Jwara Roga can be used.
Loal effect of Dhoopana in specific disease or its effect in the from of Dhoopmapana can be explained on the basis of its different properties such as anticoagulant, vasodilator, antiinflammatory, thrombolytic and anaesthetizing of drugs used in Yoga. Dhoopana Karma reduces inflammation, itching and eliminates infection by dilating blood vessels and increasing oxidation of blood which ultimately leads to adequate tissue perfusion and oxygenation by virtue of these properties [206,207].
In nutshell, Dhoopana with Ayurvedic drugs fulfill three aspects i.e. Sterilization, Disinfection & Antisepsis by removing or killing microorganisms both in vegetative or spore states by the process of freeing an article or a surface or a medium of them,by the destruction of all