There is nothing like healthy hair to make an individual feel confident and beautiful. Unhealthy hair is always a reason of concern not just for females but also for males. Damaged hair and scalp are always frustrating factor for youth. Hair is associated with youthfulness and beauty in women and muscularity in men; so, it is no surprise that hair loss can make any men and women feel self-conscious. Pollution. unhygienic conditions and many more factors can cause hair problem.

Darunaka is classified as one among kapalagataroga by Acharya Vagbhatta & Sharangdhara and one among kshudraroga by Acharya Sushruta & others. Darunaka is characterized by kandu(itching), keshbhoomiprapatyate(scaling of the scalp), rukshata (dryness and roughness of scalp) etc and all these symptoms are due to vitiation of Kapha and Vata doshas^[1].

दारुणाकण्डुरारूक्षाकेशभूमिःप्रपाट्यते॥

कफवातप्रकोपेणविद्याद्दारुणकंतुतम्॥ [सु०नि०१३/३४]

Darunaka can be correlated to dandruff in contemporary science. Dandruff is a common disorder affecting half of the population at the pre pubertal age and of any gender and ethnicity.^[2] Dandruff is affecting the scalp and can be an embarrassing condition. Dandruff is restricted to the scalp and involves itchy flaking skin without visible inflammation. Seborrheic dermatitis affects the scalp as well as face, retro- auricular area and the upper chest, causing flaking, scaling, inflammation and pruritis and can have marked erythema.^[3]

The word dandruff (dandruff, dandriffe) is of Anglo-Saxon origin, a combination of ‘tan’ meaning ‘tetter’ and ‘drof’ meaning ‘dirty’. Dandruff affects aesthetic value and often causes itching. It has been well established that keratinocytes play a key role in the expression and generation of immunological reactions during dandruff formation^.[4]

There are several microbial and nonmicrobial causes of dandruff like over shampooing, frequent combing, dust, dirt, dry skin, Seborrheic dermatitis sensitivity to hair care products or yeast. Among the several etiopathology pathway’s role of lipophilic yeast belongs to genus Malassezia was widely accepted. Seven species of Malassezia (i.e., M. globose, M. restricta, M. obtuse, M. sloofiae, M.sympodialis, M.furfur and M. pachydermatis) have been recognized in dandruff formation.⁽⁵⁾ Among these, Malassezia globose and Malassezia restricta are recognized as the most important pathogenic organisms in the development of dandruff.^[6]

In the current scenario many chemical substances are in use for treating dandruff and these agents have certain limitation such as recurrence of dandruff and their harmful effects on skin after using it for long period are common. Gunjaadi Taila and Bhringarajaadi Taila are medicinal preparations mentioned in Yogaratanakara which are small and simple preparations being used in Darunaka. All ingredients of both Taila are easily available and cheaper in cost so every patient can afford easily. Comparison of Gunjaadi Taila, Kantkari Taila and Tila Taila has been done in our department previously in which GunjadiTaila found more effective in comparison to Kantkari Taila and Tila Taila.So we are comparing here Bhringarajaadi Taila with Gunjaadi Taila. Therefore, this study is planned to evaluate and compare the efficacy of Bhringarajaadi Taila and Gunjaadi Taila in the patients of darunaka (dandruff).