Article: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW ON VETTUMARAN GULIKA: PHARMACOLOGICAL AND CLINICAL PERSPECTIVES

Article Category: Review articles

DOI: 10.7897/2277-4343.165200

Pages: 203-206

Author: Abhijith Sharma VR *, Reetesh Ramnani, Sakhitha KS, Sanjay Kumar, Neha Upadhyay

Abstract: Vettumaran Gulika is a classical Ayurvedic formulation cited in Sahasrayogam, widely used in Southern India for the treatment of Jwara (fever) and various Vata-Kapha disorders. It contains potent ingredients like Vatsanabha and Hingula which demand careful preparation due to their inherent toxicity. This review compiles information from classical Ayurvedic texts, modern pharmacological studies, and recent clinical and toxicological evaluations. The pharmacodynamics, therapeutic indications, and the role of adjuvants in modulating the action of the formulation are analysed. Ayurvedic analysis highlights the formulation’s Amahara, Deepana, and Jwarahara properties, with most ingredients exhibiting Ushnavirya and Tikshna guna. Modern pharmacology identifies active compounds such as piperine, aconitine, and gingerol with antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. Subacute toxicity studies conducted on Wistar rats have shown no adverse effects at varying doses, supporting the safety of the formulation. Clinical case studies, including its use in rare neurological disorders like Saturday Night Palsy, demonstrate its broader therapeutic potential. Vettumaran Gulika acts by enhancing Agni, clearing Ama, and facilitating Srotoshodhana(clearing channels), making it effective not only in Jwara but also in conditions like Gulma (Lumps or growth) and Shula (Abdominal colic) The intelligent combination of ingredients reflects the depth of classical Ayurvedic pharmaceutics. The formulation exemplifies how synergistic and antagonistic principles are balanced within a single polyherbo-mineral preparation. With a strong foundation in both traditional logic and modern pharmacological validation, Vettumaran Gulika stands out as a safe, versatile, and clinically effective Ayurvedic formulation. Its adaptability through appropriate anupana makes it a promising candidate for wider therapeutic application and future research.

Keyword: Vettumaran Gulika, Clinical Perspectives, Jwara, Anupana