Jaundice and Ayurvedic Treatment

Jaundice or icterus, is yellowing of the white portion of the eyes, skin, and mucous membranes that is caused by excessive amounts of bile pigments in blood tissues. These pigments, normally present in the blood because of the breakdown of haemoglobin, are filtered through the liver and excreted in faeces. The excessive accumulation of bile pigments is usually due to liver disease or hepatitis, in which case, the yellowing is referred to as Koshtaasrita kaamalaa in Ayurveda.

Saakhaasrita kaamalaa (surgical jaundice) on the other hand, refers to yellowing caused by an obstruction. Any thing from gallstones to a cancerous growth can cause the blockage and surgery is often required to remove it.

There are various types of hepatitis such as haemolytic jaundice, in which there is an increased production of bile pigment because of damage to red blood cells. Antibodies created by a mismatched blood transfusion can also cause damage.

Newborns can also have jaundice because of a condition known as hyperbilirubinemia. In these cases, there is a temporary defect in synthesis of the enzyme that breaks down bile to an excretal form.

Obstructive jaundice follows physical obstruction of the ducts that transport pigment from the liver to the intestine. Blockage can be due to gallstones, tumour, or inflammation.

Hepatocellular jaundice occurs when liver cells are damaged either by viruses or by excessive intake of alcohol.

The disease is common during the rainy season. Poor sanitation and overcrowding favour the spread of infection, giving rise to water-borne and food-borne epidemics.

Symptoms

Symptoms of hepatitis vary depending on the specific cause of illness (virus, bacteria, toxin, etc.) and flu-like symptoms, which may include—fever, a generally tired or ill feeling, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, diarrhoea, and muscle aches. There may be itching all over the body.

With significant liver inflammation, lever chemicals may build up in the blood and urine, causing the following symptoms: jaundice (a yellow tint to the skin and whites of the eyes). Bad breath, a bitter taste in the mouth, dark tea, coloured urine, and light clay-coloured stools. There is also pain or tenderness around the liver.

Guidelines

Maintain personal hygiene and public hygiene.
Wash your hands before eating and after going to toilet.
Follow sanitary methods while disposing the excreta.
Purify your drinking water by filtration, adequate boiling, and chlorination.
Avoid raw milk and shell fish such as oysters especially from unreliable sources.
When you are away from home, you can take coconut water. Fruits will also help quench thirst. But all fruits should be washed and peeled personally with clean hands. Avoid having ready-made fruit juices or fruit salads, which are handled by others.
You may take tea or coffee because water is boiled before their preparation.
When eating out, only fresh food served steaming hot, should be taken. All foods served cold should be avoided.
If you have a past history of jaundice, then you should not donate blood unless tested. Blood for transfusion and blood products must be checked for infection to prevent post-transfusion hepatitis.
Choose safe sex. Practise monogamy with an uninfected partner, or use condoms.
Avoid injecting illegal drugs.
If you are about to undergo a surgery, ask your doctor about donating some of your own blood beforehand. If necessary, this blood can be transfused back to you during surgery.

Ayurvedic Remedies

In Ayurveda, during the initial stages of jaundice, usually mild purgatives are given. This is to stimulate the function of the lever and to increase the flow of bile in the bile duct. Trivrit, Kutaki and Triphala are used for the purpose. You can use the root bark of trivrit and rhizome of kutaki, either separately or mixed together in a powder form. Daily take one to two teaspoonfuls with hot water. If you prefer to use triphala choorna, you can take one teaspoonful of the same with warm water, twice daily. Two compound preparations, that are commonly used to treat jaundice, are Avipattikara choorna and Aarogyavardhini vati. However, take them after consulting a physician.
Bhoomyaamalaki (Phyllanthus niruri), a small herb with numerous leaves, is commonly used in the treatment of all types of jaundice. One teaspoonful of the juice of the plant or fresh root in the form of paste can be taken thrice daily mixed with honey.
Punarnava mandoor 1 tab thrice daily should be taken for 2 to 3 weeks. Navaayas Loha taken in the dose of 125 mg thrice daily is an effective remedy for Jaundice. Other useful medicines are Kumaaryaasava, Lohaasava and Punarnavaasava.

Note

As we all are genetically different with different constitutions and patterns, we respond to treatments in many different ways. Hence Standard Ayurvedic Treatments are always individually formulated. This article is intended only for information. It is not a substitute to the standard medical diagnosis, personalized Ayurvedic treatment or qualified Ayurvedic physician. For specific treatment, always consult with a qualified Ayurvedic physician.

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