Panduroga - A Classical and Evidence Based Review

Panduroga is a classic illness entity references to which can be traced back to the Vedic period, with mentions in the Rigveda and Atharvaveda under the names Vilohita, Haribha, and Halima. The distinguishing symptom of the disease is Panduta, which is described as a Shweta-Peeta Varna similar to Ketaki pollen. Anaemia affects approximately 1.62 billion individuals worldwide (24.8% of the population), with a higher frequency in preschool children and women of reproductive age. In India, it is a major cause of maternal morbidity and mortality. Anaemia is defined in modern medicine as a decrease in red blood cell or hemoglobin concentration, which causes pallor and weakness throughout the body. Panduroga develops as a result of an unhealthy food and lifestyle, which causes Agni Dushti and Ama production. Impaired digestion impedes Rasa Dhatu production, resulting in Rakta Kshaya and widespread debility. Acharya Charaka classifies Pandu as Rasapradoshaja and Santarpanajanya Vyadhi, while Acharya Sushruta classifies it as Raktapradoshaja and Apatarpanajanya Vyadhi. The condition is caused by multi-Srotas Dushti, which first affects the Rasavaha and Raktavaha Srotas before spreading to other Dhatus and Srotas, resulting in systemic signs. Thus, Panduroga is a systemic metabolic condition similar to Anaemia that requires holistic therapy using Nidana Parivarjana, Samshodhana, and Samshamana therapies.