Ayurveda and chronic diseases Part I

Ayurveda has been found very effective in treating chronic diseases.Below mentioned are few chronic diseases and their treatment by Ayurveda.

ALLERGY:Allergy is a disorder of the immune system. Allergic reactions occur to environmental substances known as allergens. It is characterized by excessive activation of certain cells resulting in an extreme inflammatory response. Common allergic reactions include eczema, hives, hay fever, asthma, food allergies, and reactions to the venom of stinging insects such as wasps and bees.
Mild allergies like hay fever, is quite common these days and cause symptoms such as allergic conjunctivitis and runny nose. Similarly, conditions such as asthma are common, in which allergy plays a major role. some people develop allergy to certain food articles, environmental allergens or medications resulting in anaphylactic reactions which can be life threatening and eventually leading to death.
According to Ayurveda, the cause of this disease can be explained by the following concept:
Any imbalance in the equilibrium of the five basic elements of the body which includes Prithvi(earth),Jal(water), Agni(fire), Vayu(air) and Akash(space), leads to the disease.

Certain ayurvedic formulations which help in such conditions include Arogyavardhini, Laxmivilas,Manjisthadi kwath or powder, Chawanprash, Gandhak rasayan.
herbs such as Guduchi, Haritaki, Bhibhitaki, Amlaki which makes the trio 'Triphala', Turmeric can also be used as single drug therapy or in combination.
For allergic rhinitis 'anu taila' can be used as nasal drops along with oral medication.




*ASTHMA:Asthma is a chronic condition involving the respiratory system in which the airway constricts, undergoes inflammation and gets filled with infected mucus.the condition gets triggered by certain things which include environmental allergens(cold air, moist air,certain strong smell), stress or exertion, and,or emotional factors. the disease is characterised by symptoms such as breathlessness, wheezing,coughing, perspiration and attacks of the similar symptoms in severe state. after immediate treatment the person feels well, but may remain with milder degree of the above mentioned symptoms for a long time.

Severe attacks of asthma can be life threatening if immediate medical attention is not given.As the diseases progresses, it also shows the following symptoms: anorexia, excessive weakness, oedema of hands and feet, excessive sweating and tachycardia. The patients immune power and functionong of the heart are also weakened.

Some medicinal herbs, useful in the treatment of asthma are: Adulsa(adhatoda vasica), Tulsi(holy basil), Yastimadhu(glycyrrhiza glabra), Arjuna(terminalia arjuna), kantakari(solanum xanthocarpum) and Bhibhitaki(terminalia beterica). These should be mixed together in equal quantity and half a teaspoonshould be taken twice a day either with honey or warm water.

Ayurvedic formulations such as Shwaskuthar ras, Chyawanprash, Sitopaladi churna, Kantakasav, Dashmoolarista have proven to be effective in treating asthma.
Also hot fermentation, with til oil and rock salt massage, on chest relieves breathlessness and relaxes the patient.


*TUBERCULOSIS:Tuberculosis is a disease caused by an infection with the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
It is a disease of the lungs. However, the infection can spread via blood from the lungs to all organs in the body. hence you can develop tuberculosis in the pleura (the covering of the lungs), in the bones, the urinary tract and sexual organs, the intestines, skin and even lumph nodes in the lung root and on the throat can get infected.
In Ayurveda, this disease is called 'rajyakshma' because in past, mainly kings and rich persons used to be affected by this disease due to their excessive indulgence in wine and women. This led to the vitiation of the vital components of the body, especially the shukra dhatu(semen), and made the affected person weaker day by day. so it was called as rajyakshma or kshaya rog.
Commonly used ayurvedic medicines are:Sitopaladi churna with honey is beneficial for cough expectoration. Ashtangawaleha and chyawanprash is also beneficial.
For blood in mucus, bol parpati with pomegrante juice and drakshasava twice daily after meals can be given.
For overall debility, powder of Shatavari, Ashwagandha, and White musali with milk is useful.

certain formulations include Arogyavardhini, Shwaskuthar ras,Lagumalini vasant, Laxmivilas, and Suvarna kalpas are helpful.

CAUTION: The medicines should be taken under strict medical supervision.