Comparative efficacy of Shatavari Ghrita eye drops with Shatavari Ksheerapaka versus Triphala Ghrita eye drops with Shatavari Ksheerapaka in postmenopausal ocular surface disease: a randomized, single-blind trial
In brief
Shatavari eye drops boost tear production by about 7 mm versus Triphala in postmenopausal dry eye
In a 30-day randomized trial of 120 postmenopausal women with mild-to-moderate dry eye, Shatavari Ghrita eye drops plus oral Shatavari Ksheerapaka raised Schirmer test results by roughly 7 mm and lengthened tear-film break-up time by five seconds, outperforming Triphala Ghrita. Symptom scores improved similarly, while quality-of-life measures were unchanged, suggesting a specific benefit for tear quantity and stability.
- Journal
- Frontiers in medicine (Q1)
- Published
- 22 July 2026
- Study design
- Randomized controlled trial
- Evidence level
- Level 1, High (CEBM 1b)
- Authors
- B N Ashwini, K Sivabalaji, Roshna Bhutada, Ramya Shruthi Janardhanan
- PMID
- 42559284
- DOI
- 10.3389/fmed.2026.1824324
Why clinicians should know about it
- Picked for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (top studies of the week, 9 August 2026).
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Dry eye disease (DED) commonly affects postmenopausal women due to hormonal changes that disrupt tear film homeostasis. In Ayurveda, this stage corresponds to Vardhakya (aging), characterized by Vata predominance and Dhatu Kshaya (tissue depletion), making DED comparable to Shushkakshipaka, a Vata-dominant ocular disorder explained in Netra Roga. This study compared the efficacy of Shatavari Ghrita eye drops and Triphala Ghrita eye drops, each administered with systemic Shatavari Ksheerapaka for mild-to-moderate postmenopausal DED. METHODS: The study was a randomized, single-blind, active-controlled superiority trial that included 120 postmenopausal women aged 45-65 years with clinically diagnosed mild-to-moderate DED. Participants were randomly allocated (1:1) into two groups (n = 60 each). Group A received Shatavari Ghrita eye drops (10 drops in both eyes) with oral Shatavari Ksheerapaka (100 mL twice daily before meals), while Group B received Triphala Ghrita (10 drops in both eyes) eye drops with the same systemic regimen. Treatment was administered for 30 days, followed by evaluations at the end of treatment and on days 45 and 60. Primary outcome measures included the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI), Schirmer's test I, and tear film break-up time (TBUT). Menopause-related quality of life was assessed using the Utian Quality of Life (UQOL) questionnaire. Statistical significance was set at a p-value of < 0.05, and between-group treatment effects were reported with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: Both groups exhibited significant improvements from baseline in subjective symptoms and objective tear film parameters. Compared with Triphala Ghrita, Shatavari Ghrita produced significantly greater improvement in the OSDI (between-group p < 0.001), Schirmer's test 1 (between-group mean difference 7.25 mm; 95% CI 6.39-8.11; p < 0.001), and TBUT (between-group mean difference 5.10 s; 95% CI 4.49-5.71; p < 0.001). No statistically significant between-group difference was observed in UQOL scores (p = 1.000). CONCLUSION: Shatavari Ghrita eye drops, administered with systemic Shatavari Ksheerapaka, were more effective than Triphala Ghrita eye drops in improving dry eye symptoms, tear secretion, and tear film stability in postmenopausal women with mild-to-moderate DED. These findings support Shatavari Ghrita as a promising Ayurvedic therapeutic option for the management of postmenopausal dry eye disease. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: CTRI/2023/06/054213.
Abstract as published, via PubMed.
For healthcare professionals. The summary is generated by AI from the published abstract, and the evidence level is assigned automatically from the study design on the Oxford CEBM hierarchy. Neither is medical advice. Read the full paper before changing practice.