Pilot Clinical Study on the Effect of Shunthyadi Kwath in the Management of Grahani Roga: Efficacy and Safety Assessment of Patients

Abstract

Grahani Roga is a chronic gastrointestinal disorder described in Ayurveda, resulting from deranged Agni (digestive fire) and presenting with altered bowel habits, indigestion, and various systemic symptoms. Shunthyadi Kwath, a classical polyherbal decoction prepared from Zingiber officinale (Shunthi), Cyperus rotundus (Musta), Aconitum heterophyllum (Ativisha), and Tinospora cordifolia (Guduchi), is traditionally recognised for its Deepan (digestive stimulant), Pachan (digestive metabolism enhancer), and Grahi (absorption-promoting) properties. To evaluate its efficacy and safety in Grahani Roga, a single-arm, open-label pilot study was conducted at Bharati Ayurved Hospital, Pune, involving 20 OPD/IPD patients diagnosed as per classical Ayurvedic descriptions and protocol-based gradation criteria. Participants received Shunthyadi Kwath in a dose of 40 ml twice daily, post-lunch and post-dinner, with lukewarm water, for 28 days. Symptom gradations and stool microscopy for mucous and ova/cyst were assessed before and after the intervention, with ethical clearance obtained and informed consent taken. The study population had a mean age of 42 years (range 23–62), with females comprising 65% (n = 13). The predominant occupations were jobholders (30%) and housewives (25%). At baseline, all patients had mucous in their stool, which was absent in all cases by Day 28. Symptomatic improvement was observed in loose stools (76%), difficult evacuation (57%), loss of appetite (89%), altered thirst (74%), and excessive salivation (92%). No ova/cysts were detected before or after treatment, and no adverse events were reported during the study. These findings suggest that Shunthyadi Kwath is safe, well-tolerated, and potentially effective in improving both subjective symptoms and objective markers of Grahani Roga, warranting further evaluation in larger, controlled clinical trials.