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  2. Volume 2 I Issue 4 [October To December] (October, 1, 2025)
  3. VRANA ROPANA HERBS AND FORMULATIONS IN CHRONIC WOUND HEALING: CLASSICAL PRINCIPLES AND MODERN EVIDENCE
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Dr. Jalpa Gandhi

VRANA ROPANA HERBS AND FORMULATIONS IN CHRONIC WOUND HEALING: CLASSICAL PRINCIPLES AND MODERN EVIDENCE

Background: Chronic wounds, including venous, diabetic and pressure ulcers, are a growing burden on health systems. Sushruta described a comprehensive system of wound management (Vrana Chikitsa), including 60 therapeutic measures (Shashti Upakrama) and numerous herbs and formulations for cleansing (Shodhana) and healing (Ropana) of wounds. Objective: To review the classical principles of Vrana Chikitsa and the experimental and clinical evidence for commonly used Vrana Ropana agents, including honey, ghee, turmeric, Aloe vera, Centella asiatica, Jatyadi Taila and Panchavalkala. Methods: Narrative review of Sushruta Samhita and of Cochrane reviews, clinical trials, experimental studies and reviews on wound healing. Results: Sushruta classifies wounds by cause, Dosha, appearance and stage, and prescribes a sequence of measures from management of inflammation to cleansing, healing and restoration of normal skin colour. A Cochrane review found high-quality evidence that honey heals partial-thickness burns faster than conventional dressings, and moderate-quality evidence for infected postoperative wounds, but unclear effects in venous and diabetic ulcers. Aloe vera has limited clinical evidence. Curcumin and Centella asiatica promote wound healing in experimental studies through anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and collagen-stimulating effects. Jatyadi Taila improved wound strength and collagen deposition in normal and steroid-suppressed healing in rats. Panchavalkala decoction showed antibacterial activity against common wound pathogens. Conclusion: Classical Vrana Chikitsa principles align closely with modern wound bed preparation. Several Vrana Ropana agents have experimental support and honey has clinical evidence in specific wounds. Rigorous clinical trials of classical formulations in chronic ulcers are needed.

 

KEYWORDS: Vrana; Vrana Ropana; wound healing; chronic ulcer; honey; Jatyadi Taila; Panchavalkala; Sushruta; Shashti Upakrama