Cracked heels or Padadari is important cosmetically and it affects the quality of life of a person when it starts showing its symptoms. In modern science many treatments are there for treating cracked heels like using Kleenex tissue to the affected area and then painting over it with tincture benzoin compound. Many lotions, moisturizers, healing and soothing creams are there in the market for the same. Many pre-clinical studies has advised to wear cotton socks or liquid socks for the same. In ayurvedic sciences various different modalities of treatment are mentioned for Padadari like shodhan as well as shaman chikitsa.

In Sushruta Samhita treatment consists of snehana, swedana, siravedha, and application of various lepas like ghrita, taila, vasa, majja, madhuchishti, and raal (6).

Sthulapushpa (Calendula officinalis) has known effects of skin soothing, anti-inflammatory effects, skin moisturizing effects which are importance causes for cracked heels (7). Along with sthulapushpa other contents like kumari, haridra, nimba, narikel, tuttha, manjishtha will be used in the formulation. Hence sthulapushpadi ointment will be used in the research for its healing properties in padadari.

Two fundamental tenets of Ayurvedic medicine are Shodhana and Shaman chikitsa. Shodhan chikitsa is the one where there is direct elimination of vitiated doshas. Amongst different shodhan treatments Raktamokshana is considered as best for Pitta and Rakta dushtijanya vyadhis. Siravedhan is initial line of treatment in managing shopha, vedana, ruja etc.

Siravedha can improve local microcirculation, eradicate algesic materials from the blood, and encourage the restoration of harmed tissues and hence manage padadari (8).

It is mentioned in Sushruta Sharirsthan regarding the site of Siravedha in Padadari as vein situated two angula above the Kshipra marma should be punctured.