Panchavalkal for Treatment of Wound Healing and Infections - a Weapon Against Antimicrobial Resistance

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance is going to be a giant killer globally in the coming years. India, because of its huge population, and high susceptibility to infections because of poor hygiene and under-nutrition is going to one of the worst hit countries. Irresponsible prescriptions, and self-medications, both, are contributing factors. In this scenario Panchavalkal, a time tested Ayurvedic formulation, used through generations of Traditional practice, and now made more user friendly with new evidence based research including proven antimicrobial activity in recent years, offers new hope in antimicrobial treatment and wound healing. The re-evaluation of this formulation and reformulation has confirmed its tremendous potential for prevention of drug-resistance and for treatment of drug-resistant infections. In this article we will briefly review the recent preclinical and clinical studies on Panchavalkal which establish its place in the treatment of wounds, burns and infections.