Devendra Ayurved Ashram — authentic Ayurvedic medicines since 1971

Dadruna

Ayurvedic ointment for ringworm and itchy skin

Ringworm itches and spreads. Dadruna is Ayurveda's classic counter-attack.

10 g: ₹50

Dadruna is a traditional Ayurvedic ointment for Dadru (ringworm) and itchy skin conditions. Its active ingredients are Bakuchi and Chakramard seeds — Ayurveda's two great 'ringworm destroyers' — with purified sulphur, borax, alum and camphor and small amounts of classical mineral antifungals, in a petroleum-jelly base.

The booklet lists it for itching (Kandu), itchy eruptions (Pama), ringworm, eczema and other skin disorders.

Used for

  • Ringworm (Dadru)
  • Itching (Kandu)
  • Itchy eruptions (Pama)
  • Fungal skin infections

Why ringworm spreads

Ringworm is not a worm but a fungal infection (dermatophytes) that lives in the outer skin. It spreads in heat, sweat and tight clothing, and from person to person or towels; the classic sign is an itchy, scaly ring that grows outward. Scratching spreads it further.

Ayurveda calls it Dadru, a Kushtha (skin disease) of Kapha and Pitta, and treats it with bitter, pungent and antimicrobial applications (Lepa) alongside internal blood purifiers.

Dadruna works in 3 ways

  • Antifungal (Dadrughna) — Chakramard's anthraquinones and Bakuchi's psoralens are antifungal in experimental studies, and sulphur is a long-established keratolytic and antifungal for skin.
  • Drying & Astringent (Kandughna) — Alum, borax and the classical minerals dry weeping skin and calm itching; camphor soothes.
  • Protective Base — A petroleum-jelly base keeps the actives on the skin and protects it.

Key ingredients

  • Chakramard (Sickle senna) (Cassia tora, seed) — 1 g. Its very name means 'destroyer of ringworm' (Dadrughna). Its anthraquinones (chrysophanol, emodin) are antifungal and anti-inflammatory, and a Cassia tora cream reduced psoriasis-like skin changes in a rat study.
  • Bakuchi (Babchi) (Psoralea corylifolia, seed) — 1 g. Ayurveda's classic seed for Shvitra (white patches). Its psoralen and isopsoralen are furanocoumarins that, with sunlight, stimulate pigment cells — the basis of PUVA therapy — but can also burn the skin; rare liver injury has been reported.
  • Gandhak (purified sulphur) — 1 g. Sulphur purified by melting in ghee and milk. Ayurveda uses it inside and out for itching, eczema and other skin disease and as a mild laxative; topical sulphur is a long-established keratolytic and antimicrobial for skin.
  • Sphatika bhasma (calcined alum) — 0.1 g. Potash alum, purified or heat-dried. It is a strong astringent: it tightens mucous membranes and checks bleeding and secretions, and is antimicrobial. Ayurveda uses it for cough with phlegm, bleeding and, externally, for wounds and eyes.
  • Kapoor (Camphor) — 0.1 g. Applied to skin, camphor activates the warmth and cold receptors TRPV1 and TRPM8 and then desensitises them — a counter-irritant effect that eases muscle and joint pain and itching. Toxic if swallowed.
  • Murdasang (litharge) — 1 g. Litharge (lead monoxide), a traditional drying, astringent ingredient of ointments for ulcers, eczema and burns. Lead compounds are toxic and can be absorbed through damaged skin.
  • Mansheela (realgar) — 0.1 g. Realgar (arsenic disulphide), used externally in classical preparations for ringworm and other fungal skin infections. Arsenic compounds are toxic, so it must never be swallowed or used on broken skin.
  • Tutthya (copper sulphate) — 0.05 g. Blue vitriol (copper sulphate), a potent astringent and fungicide used in classical external preparations for ringworm and weeping skin lesions. It is toxic if swallowed.

Full ingredient list

  • Bakuchi (Psoralea corylifolia, seed) — 1 g
  • Chakramard (Cassia tora, seed) — 1 g
  • Gandhak (purified sulphur) — 1 g
  • Murdasang (lead monoxide) — 1 g
  • Tankan (purified borax) — 0.5 g
  • Vaseline (white soft paraffin) — 20 g
  • Mansheela (arsenic sulphide) — 0.1 g
  • Tutthya (copper sulphate) — 0.05 g
  • Sphatik (calcined alum) — 0.1 g
  • Rohini — 14 g
  • Karpur (camphor) — 0.1 g

How to use

Dose: Massage gently onto the affected skin with a finger two to three times a day, or apply and cover with a bandage.

  • Clean & dry — Wash the area, dry it well — fungus loves damp skin.
  • Apply thinly — Apply a thin layer over the patch and a little beyond its edge — on unbroken skin only.
  • Keep going — Use two to three times a day and continue for a week after it clears; wash your hands with soap after each use.

Safety & suitability

  • Who it's for: Adults only
  • Pregnancy & nursing: Not advised — see the cautions
  • Other medicines: Tell your physician what else you take
  • Sensitive skin: Patch test first
  • Storage: Cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight
  • Ingredients: See the full list below

Cautions

  • For external use only — never swallow. Use only on small areas of unbroken skin, not on the face, genitals or near the eyes, and not on children or during pregnancy.
  • Keep towels and clothes separate. See a doctor if the rash spreads, involves the scalp or nails, or hasn't cleared in 2–4 weeks.
  • Contains purified borax (Tankan). Do not exceed the dose, especially in infants and young children.
  • Contains lead compounds: Murdasang (lead oxide). Lead can be absorbed through broken skin and burns: use on small areas only, for short periods, and not on children, during pregnancy, or on large or deep burns — see a doctor for those.
  • Contains arsenic and copper minerals, which are toxic if swallowed: Mansheela (arsenic sulphide) and Tutthya (copper sulphate). For external use on small areas only; wash hands after use and keep away from children.
  • Contains camphor — never swallow, and keep away from children's nose and mouth.
  • Contains Bakuchi (Psoralea seed), which makes skin more sensitive to sunlight: avoid strong sun on treated or exposed skin, and stop if the skin turns red or blisters. Rarely it has been linked to liver injury — stop and see a doctor if you develop yellow eyes or dark urine.

More information

  • Net content: 10 g
  • Storage: Store below 30 °C, away from direct sunlight. Keep the cap tightly closed.
  • Country of origin: India
  • Manufacturer: Devendra Ayurved Ashram Pvt. Ltd., A-12, Industrial Estate, Sujroo, Muzaffarnagar (U.P.) – 251003. Mfg. Lic. No. A-50/77/94 · GMP-certified company.

References