A study on standardization of Bindu Pramana in Nasya Karma

Abstract

Panchakarma is a unique system of medicine comprising of five specialised purificatory procedures, the action of which is fruitful only if it is administered by giving due importance to Matra and Kala. Matra, the concept of dose fixation is of utmost importance in the practice of Panchakarma in order to get optimum therapeutic effect. Nasya Karma occupies a special place in the domain of Panchakarma as it deals with the organ of high importance, the “Shiras”. In the Classics, there is description regarding Bindu Pramana for the administration of Nasya Karma which varies from individual to individual as it is to be measured for each and every individual by dipping the first two phalanges of index finger in Sneha Dravya. But, the current practice of Nasya Karma is done by administering Nasya Dravya in the form of drops rather than adopting the concept of Bindu Pramana. In this regard, an observational study was conducted on 30 subjects as an attempt to standardize the concept of Bindu Pramana and the results were documented in relation to age, gender, height, weight, BMI, circumference and height of middle and distal phalanx of index finger.