title: A pilot study on Ayurvedic management of oral submucous fibrosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) is a chronic debilitating disease and a well-recognized potentially premalignant condition of the oral cavity. Various medical and surgical treatment modalities have been used in modern science, but results are not satisfactory owing to recurrence, adverse effects, and sometimes worsening the condition. On analyzing the disease condition with Ayurvedic approach, it seems to be nearer to Vata-Pitta dominant chronic Sarvasara Mukharoga and needs to be treated at local as well as systemic level.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effect of proposed Ayurvedic treatment protocol in the patients of OSMF.
  
  
  METHODS
  It was an open-label nonrandomized clinical trial with black box design comprising of holistic Ayurvedic approach in which 22 patients of OSMF completed the treatment. In all of them after Koshthashuddhi (mild purgation) and Shodhana Nasya (errhine therapy); Pratisarana (external application) with Madhupippalyadi Yoga, Kavala (gargling) with Ksheerabala Taila and internally Rasayana Yoga were given for 2 months and followed for 1 month.
  
  
  RESULTS
  It revealed statistically highly significant relief in almost all signs and symptoms as well in inter incisal distance improvement. Furthermore, sustained relief was found in follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ayurvedic treatment protocol is effective in the management of OSMF.
authors.affiliation: Department of Shalakya Tantra, Institute for Post Graduate Teaching and Research in Ayurveda, Gujarat Ayurved University, Jamnagar, Gujarat, India.
authors.forename: Kundan R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.affiliation: Department of Shalakya Tantra, Institute for Post Graduate Teaching and Research in Ayurveda, Gujarat Ayurved University, Jamnagar, Gujarat, India.
authors.forename: Manjusha
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rajagopala
authors.affiliation: Department of Shalakya Tantra, Institute for Post Graduate Teaching and Research in Ayurveda, Gujarat Ayurved University, Jamnagar, Gujarat, India.
authors.forename: Dharmendrasinh B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Vaghela
authors.affiliation: Amardeep ENT Hospital, Jamnagar, Gujarat, India.
authors.forename: Ashok
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shah
keywords: Kavala; Mukharoga; Pratisarana; Rasayana Yoga; oral submucous fibrosis; premalignant condition