Role of Vidarikandadi Kala Basti in a Patient with Vitamin B12 Deficiency: A Case Report

Background: Modern dietary patterns have led to a global rise in nutritional deficiencies. Vitamin B12 deficiency, common among vegetarians and those with malabsorption issues, presents with symptoms like paraesthesia, fatigue, and macrocytic anaemia. If left untreated, vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to anemia, as well as nerve and brain damage, which may eventually become irreversible. Pandu Vyadhi described in Ayurvedic classical texts can be compared to Anemia

Aim: To illustrate the role of Panchakarma in managing Vitamin B12 deficiency.

Materials and Methods: A 22-year-old male presented with tingling sensations, fatigue, hair loss, and calf pain for five months. His initial Vitamin B12 level was 12 pg/mL. After injectable supplementation, levels rose to 1233 pg/mL but dropped to 143 pg/mL after discontinuation. Vidarikandadi Kala Basti, a classical Panchakarma procedure, was given in two sittings.

Results: An increase in Vitamin B12 levels to 266 pg/mL was observed following Basti therapy.

Conclusion: In this patient, Vidarikandadi Kala Basti was associated with improvement in clinical symptoms and a modest increase in serum Vitamin B12 levels during follow-up. As a single case report, causality cannot be established, and larger controlled studies are required to evaluate its potential role in the supportive management of Vitamin B12 deficiency.