Abstract
Schizophrenia is a chronic and severe mental disorder affecting almost 20 million people worldwide. It is characterized by distortions in thinking, perception, emotions, behavior etc. Etiological factors are not yet fully identified but an interaction between genes and environmental factors operating prenatally and perinatally and also psychosocial factors such as childhood social deprivation contribute to Schizophrenia as per studies. Antipsychotic medications are the mainstay of the treatment for Schizophrenia. Researches shown that 70% of patients treated with any antipsychotic achieves remission along with the expected adverse effects. So treatment modalities have to be implemented so as to improve the quality of life in Schizophrenia. Schizophrenia can be better understood by assessing the condition Unmada explained in the classics. Important treatment strategy for Unmada is Snehapana and previous studies conducted in the area of Snehapana had given significant results. Mahabhutaravaghrta is a medicinal formulation which is practiced clinically for the management of Unmada. The present study was selected to evaluate the efficacy of Mahabhutaravaghrta in reducing the symptoms of Schizophrenia and also in improving the quality of life of Schizophrenia subjects. Methodology: 20 participants satisfying the diagnostic criteria of Schizophrenia were selected and the protocol including Snehapana and Virecana was administered to the participants. Result: By assessing with PANSS Scale, all the domains except the domain grandiosity were statistically significant at p <0.05 and in the WHO QOL BREF questionnaire, all the 4 domains were statistically significant at p<0.001. Conclusion: Sodhananga Snehapana with Mahabhutaravaghrta followed by Virecana has significant effect in the management of Schizophrenia and also in improving the quality of life.

Key words: Schizophrenia, Unmada, Mahabhutaravaghrta, Snehapana, Virechana