A CRITICAL REVIEW ON NIDIGDHIKADI LEHA IN THE MANAGEMENT OF RECURRENT UPPER RESPIRATORY TRACT INFECTION IN CHILDREN

Upper respiratory tract infections are the major cause of childhood morbidity leading to limit the day to day activities and school absenteeism. Diseases like tonsillitis, cough, and cold account for the maximum respiratory tract morbidities. Studies document that, in developing countries, on average, every child has five episodes of acute respiratory infections per year accounting for 30%-50% of the total pediatric outpatient visits and 20%-30% of the pediatric admissions. Ayurveda states that in children, the Prana, Dosha, Dhatu, Bala, Ojas are under developed, and therefore, they are the most vulnerable group in terms of illness. Therefore they should be supported externally to potentiate their immune system. Good immunity has a substantial role in sustaining the body and preventing various infections. Although available conventional management provides symptomatic relief, there is no conclusive evidence that they shorten the duration of symptoms. The use of antibiotic is also not empirical. Therefore it is the need of hour to find some alternative to provide relief in symptoms, potentiate the immune system to resist the infections, and as a result, minimize the use of antibiotics. Ayurveda classics explain the upper respiratory tract infections under the heading of Kasa, Shwasa, Pratishyaya, peenasa, Mukha Roga with a comprehensive approach to the treatment. Nidigdhikadi leha is indicated for Kasa, Shwasa, Jwara, and peenasa. The present review provides evidence that the drug Nidighdhikadi leha may be used as a potent drug for the management of recurrent upper respiratory tract infections in children.