Chennai
Jaundice is known in Ayurvedic terminology as Kamala.
SYMPTOMS OF JAUNDICE
The typical symptom of jaundice is that the eyes appear yellowish.
There are other symptoms as well.
The tongue also takes that yellowish hue.
The urine of the patient as well becomes dark yellow in colour.
Even the characteristic colour of the patient’s stool undergoes changes depending on the causes of the ailment.
The person’s skin can also become yellow in colour.
Besides, the patient will be unable to digest any form of fatty substances.
Constitutionally, the person becomes generally weak.
CAUSES OF JAUNDICE
Jaundice is caused due to the excessive circulation of the bile pigments (called Pitta in Ayurveda) in the blood stream.
EXCESSIVE ITCHING CAN ALSO BE A JAUNDICE SYMPTOM & CAUSE
In such cases, the tissue cells will not have the adequate amount of oxidation. This happens owing to the destruction of red blood cells. This destruction forces the bile pigments (Pitta) to circulate in the blood stream.
The fallout is defective metabolism. Many other complaints mat\y result due to this syndrome.
LIVER & PITTA
The liver is the organ that produces the bile pigments (Pitta). These bile pigments (Pitta) starts circulating in the blood stream due to three factors, viz., destruction of the red blood cells; impairment in the liver functioning process; and/or obstruction in the bile duct.
STOOL & URINE TESTS: VIABLE CLUES TO JAUNDICE DIAGNOSIS
Those bile pigments which are not required by the body are normally purged through stool and urine. In fact, the natural colours of the human stool and urine are due to the presence of these normally purged bile pigments (Pitta).
Hence, diagnostic tests of the patient’s urine and stool provide the necessary clues to the physician for diagnosis of jaundice.
The person’s urine remains dark yellowish in all forms of jaundice, though. The patient’s stool, for instance, takes on a pale white tinge if the bile duct is having any obstruction.
PREVENTION IS THE GOLDEN MEANS TO KEEP JAUNDICE AT BAY
The liver is affected during this condition. Since it remains weak even though the initial symptoms may have subsided, it is of utmost necessity that the patient keeps on having the same diet for the following 12 months. Even after that the patient should resume his/her normal diet gradually and spread out the normal dietary menu items over the following six months. Over-indulgence will only weaken the liver further. Besides, there is also a possibility in such instances of the ailment returning with a vengeance!
Therefore, be prepared to observe a strict regimen.
One must follow a strict dietary regimen to not just enjoy fast recovery from the ailment but also to obviate any possibility of the disease recurring.
The rule is that for at least a year after recovering from jaundice, the patient must not have many of the items enlisted as forbidden during the condition.
DIETARY REGIMEN
The patient must follow a strict dietary regimen. Violation of this regimen may cause serious health complications. What is more, many associated complaints may arise.
The patient should be frequently given liquid items like water to drink.
They should also be given sweet food items.
Such people should take pomegranate and bitter gourd as well as the bitter variety of drumsticks. In fact, all vegetables having the bitter taste are useful for such patients.
They should further be tendered butter-milk prepared from curd (use only cow’s milk). However, care must be taken to remove the butter from the butter-milk. Also ensure that the butter-milk is not sour in taste.
The patient can also be given vegetable soups at all stages of the ailment.
However, meat soups are allowed only when the patient is not suffering from the acute form of jaundice.
Give the patient lots of the fruit known in India as Kardoi. This fruit can be taken in its raw ripe form. Its juice can be extracted and taken as well.
WHAT NOT TO EAT/DRINK
People having the symptoms of jaundice or those who are already suffering from jaundice must not consume the following items.
Alcohol is totally banned for such patients;
Don’t have any food item that is pungent or sour in taste;
Reduce the quantity of salt in the diet;
Avoid curd;
Say “NO!” to spices as well.
OTHER IMPORTANT POINTS
The patient must be given total bed rest.
He/she should not have any form of physical activity including sex.
Also, keep the patient stay away from situations that compel the person to become angry or anxious.
In short, the patient must not be given any tension – physical as well as emotional and psychic.
AYURVEDIC TREATMENTS
The primary concern is the circulation of the bile pigments in the blood.
THE AYURVEDIC CURING PROCESS
Hence, the Ayurvedic stress is on purging the excessively produced bile pigments through the natural processes of urination and bowel movements.
PRESCRIBED PURGATIVE TYPES
However, the patient cannot be given strong purgatives since the person is already weak constitutionally. So, they are tendered only those purgatives which are cholagogue (mildly therapeutic) by nature.
KUTAKI & TRIVRIT
Such Ayurvedic cholagogue purgatives are Kutaki and Trivrit. Depending on the seriousness and stage of the ailment as well as the patient’s strength, the dosage of these purgatives are increased or decreased.
Either the root (rhizome) of Trivrit or both the root as well as the bark of Kutaki is used separately or combined to make the dry powdery form.
Benefits : These cholagogue purgatives augment the flow of bile pigments through the bile ducts. They also stimulate the liver.
The Dose : Generally, a dose consists of two teaspoonfuls of the powder. It should be mixed with hot water. The patient should have the concoction twice daily.
THE LIQUID THERAPY
The liquid therapy is one of the best ways to ensure quick resolution of the problem.
The technique: The patient should lots of water and natural liquid items.
So, dry grapes, orange juice and sugarcane juice are ideal means to purge the bile pigments (Pitta) through urine.
Daily and frequent consumption of these items propels urination. Thus, the balance in the blood stream is restored. This therapy also helps the body to maintain the bile pigment purging process to a great extent.
OTHER AYURVEDIC MEDICATIONS
Prominent among the other commonly prescribed Ayurvedic medications for patients suffering from jaundice are Bhumyamalaki, Arogya Vardhini Vati and Avipattikara Churna. Some other medicines are Triphala, Kakamachi, and Vasaka.
BHUMYAMALAKI
Bhumyamalaki is recommended for all types of jaundice.
Bhumyamalaki is a small herb. It grows up to just six inches in height. The stalk is soft and slender in shape.
The Dose: Give the patient the juice of this plant. The dose is one teaspoonful thrice daily. The patient should follow it up with either a teaspoonful of honey or a cup of lukewarm water.
AROGYA VARDHINI VATI
The main ingredient of Arogya Vardhini Vati is Katuki. As the term, ‘Vati’ suggests, Arogya Vardhini Vati comes in the tablet form of 0.25 gram each.
The Dose: Two pills thrice daily. Here too, the patient should follow it up with either a cup of lukewarm water or a teaspoonful of honey.
AVIPATTIKARA CHURNA
The primary ingredient of Avipattikara Churna is Trivrit. As the term, ‘Churna’ connotes, Avipattikara Churna is available across the counters in the powdery form.
The Dose: One teaspoonful twice daily with hot water.
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