AN AYURVEDIC “ANTITUSSIVE”
(4 clinical Study)
by P. R. VAKIL, M.B.B.S, T.D.D.
Bombay-4.
COUGH is a protective reflex and is aptly called the “Watch-dog” ‘of the lungs.
However when this “Watch-dog” barks often and continuously investigations lead to some respiratory and chest conditions responsible for it.
In general practice satisfactory treatment of cough is rather a problem especially in whooping cough, chronic and acute (or sub. acute) bronchitis, and in infections of upper respiratory tract. Treatment of cough in Pulmonary tuberculosis and allied conditions is of much practical importance with increasing Fossibilities of domiciliary management of T.B. patients.
A general practitioner has to rely on the usual cough remedies: liquorice lozenges, cough mixtures, inhalations, expectorants, antispasmodics, antihistamines and sedatives and antibiotics of varying degrees and strengths and combinations. But there are coughs which do not respond to the usual drugs. And the selection of a suitable drug for cough becomes a problem particularly for patients who are weak, debilated bed-ridden or restricted in movements and in the children and the aged because of possible side-effects or contra indications of particular drugs.
The object of this study is to give my impressions and observations on the usefulness of an Ayurvedic compound as an antitussive in Pulmonary tuberculosis and allied conditions,
Pharmacology and Therapeutics of the drug:
An Ayurvedic compound (T-tone: Alarsin) was used in these observations. Each tablet of T-tone contains:
- Vasant malini compound (pearl compound) 5 mg.
- Talispatra Co (Taxas baccatea co) 0 mg.
- Suvarna makshikam (An Iron-sulphor co) 0 mg.
- val (Coralium rubrum) bhasma 52.0 mg.
- Abhrak (Mica) bhasma 5 mg.
Combination of these drugs is said to have synergistic action useful for cough in respiratory and chest diseases and particularly in tuberculosis. They also help in conservation. of energy and improving general metabolism,.
It has no side-effects and is considered suitable even for bed-ridden patients.
Material and Methods
The patients were from general practice. In most of these the usual drugs had failed to relieve cough.
Dosage adopted:
2 tablets t.d.s. in adults and 1-2 b d. in children till definite relief in cough is obtained. After that 2 b d. for adults and 1-2 tabs. daily for children for 3-4 weeks.
The drug was tried in 50 patients during one year for these observations. Patients were from 3 years to 84 years age-group.
The criterion of the efficacy of the drug was based on the control of frequency of spasms during day and night. There was complete relief during night and considerajale relief during the day in most of the cases. Results
|
Cough in |
Complete Relief | Moderate Relief | No Relief |
| Pulmonary Tuberculosis | 17 | 9 | 4 |
| Bronchitis | 6 | 3 | 1 |
| Whooping Cough | 3 | 1 | – |
| Upper respirator Tract Infection | 5 | 1 | – |
Observations and Conclusions
1. In most of the patients cough was relieved within one week. In resistant cough it took about 2 weeks. 2. Expectoration of cough was not hindered.
3. Patients felt subjectively better, looked rather relaxed and alert, and had satisfactory sleep.
4. In those patients where there was complete relief and the drug was discontinued there was no recurrence of cough. This observation tends to show that the drug is not likely to lead to tolerance and subsequent add.V-Ion.
5. In the aged patients respiration was satisfactory.
Conclusions
This Ayurvedic drug was used as a last resort and the results tend to show that it has definite antitussive effects without drawbacks of usual drugs for cough. It can be used safely even in children, the aged and bed-ridden patients. Before using more potent drugs with possible side-effects, it deserves a trial in most of the patients where relief of cough is a problem, including Pulmonary tuberculosis patients.