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Abstract

Air pollution is a critical environmental and health issue caused by harmful substances in the atmosphere, including gases, particulate matter, and biological molecules. It adversely affects human health, damages ecosystems, and contributes to climate change. Both natural processes and human activities, such as industrial emissions and deforestation, contribute to air pollution. Ancient Ayurvedic texts also discuss the impact of air pollution and its consequences on human health and society. Acharya Charaka in the Janapadodhwamsa chapter of the Charaka Samhita, elaborates on how environmental imbalances, including air pollution, can lead to widespread diseases and societal collapse. He emphasized that impure air mixed with toxins and pollutants can cause severe respiratory disorders, epidemics, and disturbances in the body's natural balance. Similarly, Acharya Sushruta, explains about Vishayukta Anila (toxic air) and highlighted the harmful effects of polluted air on human health, mentioning symptoms such as respiratory distress, Cough, headache, catarrh and severe eye diseases. To counteract these effects of polluted air, Sushruta also described the use of Laaksha Haridradi Dhupa. Laaksha haridradi dhupa is a polyherbal formulation. It has 11 ingriedients ,Laaksha, Haridra, Ativisha, Abhaya, Abda, Harenuka, Ela, Dala , Vakra, Kushta, Priyangu.Acharya Sushruta in Kalpasthana elaborately explains about using ?laaksha haridradi dhupa? to detoxify the air by the process of Dhupana.

Keywords

Laaksha haridradi dhupa, Dhupana, Fumigation

Introduction

Air pollution, defined as the presence of harmful substances in the atmosphere, poses a significant threat to human health, biodiversity, and the built environment. Pollutants such as ammonia, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, methane, and particulate matter contribute to respiratory diseases, climate change, and environmental degradation. Human activities, including industrialization, vehicular emissions, and deforestation, have exacerbated air pollution, necessitating global efforts to resolve its impact. While modern science emphasizes technological and policy driven solutions such as air quality regulations, renewable energy adoption, and pollution control devices. Ayurveda extensively documented the effects of air pollution and developed preventive strategies. Laaksha Haridradi Dhoopa is an Ayurvedic fumigation therapy traditionally used to combat the harmful effects of air pollution and airborne diseases. Laaksha Haridradi Dhoopa offer a natural and holistic approach to air purification. This dhupa consists of Laaksha, Haridra, Ativisha, Haritaki, Musta, Harenuka, Ela, Patra, Kushta and Priyangu. These ingredients are known for their antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and air-cleansing properties. When burned as fumigation, this dhoopa helps to sterilize the air, reducing microbial load, neutralizing harmful airborne toxins, and preventing respiratory disorders caused by polluted air. It is especially effective in managing symptoms like cough, rhinitis, sinusitis, headaches, and eye irritation all of which are commonly triggered or worsened by air pollution. In Ayurvedic practice, it is also used to prevent infections during seasonal changes or epidemic outbreaks. By using Laaksha Haridradi Dhoopa not only benefits from respiratory relief but also promotes a cleaner, healthier indoor environment through natural means, without the side effects of chemical air fresheners or purifiers.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study being a literary review, the sources of data is collected from all Ayurveda textbooks and also from the contemporary textbooks, relevant Journals and websites.

DRUG REVIEW

Table 1: Ingredients of Laaksha Haridradi Dhupa

Sl. No

Sanskrit Name

Latin Name

Family

Part Used

Quantity

1.

Laksha

Lacifera lacca Kerr.

Lacciferidae

Niryasa

1 Part

2.

Haridra

Curcumalonga Linn.

Zingiberaceae

Kanda

1 Part

3.

Ativisha

Aconitum heterophyllum Wall.

Ranunculaceae

Mula

1 Part

4.

Abhaya

Terminalia chebula Retz.

Combretaceae

Phala majja

1 Part

5.

Abda

Cyprus rotundus Linn.

Cyperaceae

Mula

1 Part

6.

Harenuka

Vitex agnus Castus Linn.

Verbenaceae

Beeja

1 Part

7.

Ela

Elettaria cardomomum Maton.

Zingiberaceae

Beeja

1 Part

8.

Dala

Cinnamomumtamala Nees.

Lauraceae

Patra

1 Part

9.

Vakra

Valeriana wallichi DC.

Valerianaceae

Mula

1 Part

10.

Kushta

Saussurea lappa .B.Clarke.

Astraceae

Mula

1 Part

11.

Priyangu

Callicarpa macrophylla Vahl.

Verbenaceae

Phala

1 Part

Table 2: Pharmacological properties of ingredients of Laaksha Haridradi Dhupa

Sl

No

Sanskrit Name

Rasa

Guna

Veerya

Vipaka

1.

Laksha[3]

Tikta, Kashaya, Madhura

Laghu, Snigdha

Sheeta

Katu

2.

Haridra[4]

Tikta, Katu

Ruksha, Laghu

Ushna

Katu

3.

Ativisha[5]

Tikta, Katu

Laghu, Ruksha

Ushna

Katu

4.

Abhaya[6]

All Rasas except Lavana

Laghu, Ruksha

Ushna

Madhura

5.

Abda[7]

Tikta, Katu, Kashaya

Laghu, Ruksha

Sheeta

Katu

6.

Harenuka[8]

Tikta, Katu, Kashaya

Laghu, Ruksha

Ushna

Katu

7.

Ela [9]

Katu, Madhura

Laghu.

Sheeta

Madhura

8.

Dala [10]

Katu, Madhura

Tikshna, Laghu,

Ushna

Katu

9.

Vakra[11]

Tikta, Kashaya, Katu

Laghu, Snigdha

Ushna

Katu

10.

Kushta[12]

Katu, Tikta

Laghu, Ruksha

Ushna

Katu

11.

Priyangu[13]

Tikta, Kashaya

Ruksha

Sheeta

Katu

REVIEW OF INDIVIDUAL DRUG

Laksha

(Lacifera lacca Kerr.)

Kapha- Pitta shamaka (pacifies pitta and kapha dosha), Kushtagna. Antiseptic. [14] Artinuth, Balya, Bhutanashini, Krimighna, Raktadoshahara, Twakdoshahara, Varnya, Vishaprashamani, Vranaropana. [15]

Haridra

Reference

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Photo
Madhusudhana V.
Corresponding author

Department of Agada Tantra Sri Dharmasthala Manjunatheswara College of Ayurveda and Hospital, Hassan

Photo
Chaitra H.
Co-author

Department of Agada Tantra Sri Dharmasthala Manjunatheswara College of Ayurveda and Hospital, Hassan

Photo
Neethu M.
Co-author

Department of Agada Tantra Sri Dharmasthala Manjunatheswara College of Ayurveda and Hospital, Hassan

Photo
Ananya Latha Bhat
Co-author

Department of Agada Tantra Sri Dharmasthala Manjunatheswara College of Ayurveda and Hospital, Hassan

Madhusudhana V.*, Chaitra H., Neethu M., Ananya Latha Bhat, A Review on Laaksha Haridradi Dhupa, Int. J. Sci. R. Tech., 2025, 2 (8), 376-380. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.16919297

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