Role of Karṇapuraṇa in Vataja Badhirya w.s.r to Sensory Neural Hearing Loss: A Review Study

Abstract

Introduction: Putting medicated lukewarm Swarasa, Taila, Ghrita, Mūtra into the  external auditory canal is known as Karnapūraṇa. It is indicated in many diseases  like Bādhirya, Karṇa Śūla, Karṇa Nāda, Karṇa Srāva, Putikarṇa etc.  Karnapūraṇa can be practised in healthy individuals and disease as well. Snehana is the primary treatment method to control Vāta and Karṇapūraṇa is a kind of  Bāhya Snehana.  Material and Methods: Ᾱcārya Caraka and Ᾱcārya Vāgbhatta advocated that  Karnapūraṇa should be done daily to avoid the diseases of the ear. In Swasthvritīya  Adhyāya, Ᾱcārya Suśruta has mentioned Karnapūraṇa. According to use,  Karnapūraṇa can be categorised into two categories one as daily procedure  (Dincarya) and second in pathological conditions.  Discussion: Effect of Abhyanga can be inferred in two ways: a) Through physical  manipulations, and b) By the drug's action in the medicated oil. Massage, produces  skin and muscle vasodilation by activating sympathetic nervous system receptors.  It improves blood and plasma circulation. Abhyanga relieve acute or chronic  muscle tension by changing the pressure of contact on nerve terminals resulting in  pain relief. Conclusion: The ears are said to be the seat of Vāta Dośa and are responsible for  the hearing mechanism. The disease Bādhirya occurs in ears is mainly due to  vitiation of Vāta Doṣa. Karṇapūraṇa does the Vātaśamana and maintains the  normal hearing capacity.