Treatment of Kunakha (deformed nails) and Foot disease

Kunakha disease is mentioned in the Atharvaveda. Kunakha means ugly or deformed nails. In a mantra, Kunakha is associated with śyābadat, meaning black teeth and Baṇḍa means Apaṅga, Lūlā is mentioned. A mantra is said to forbid sitting next to those who have these three diseases i.e., it is known as a contagious disease. It is mentioned in Mādhava Nidāna, Caraka-Saṃhitā and Suśruta-Saṃhitā as Leprosy or Mahākuṣṭha. In this disease the nails become deformed. That means the nails melt. Nowadays this disease is called onychogryphosis. In the Atharvaveda, Apāmārga (Circiṭā) is mentioned as a medicine for the treatment of this disease^[1]. In the case of rupture of arms and legs, it is beneficial to apply milk extracted from Nyagrodha or Vaṭa tree. This medicine is known in Yajurveda and Atharvaveda.

The Atharvaveda mentions foot disease. The mantra says, the pain in my eyes, two knees, two legs, etc. Water is considered to be the best medicine. In this disease, water should be poured on the affected part of the infected person^[2]. Dip your feet in cold water in a bucket and sit for five to ten minutes. The heat heals various wounds and aches. Bathing in cold water is also beneficial.