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Ayurveda
Jantu Pradurbhav
Chikitsa (Treatment of Infections)
Dr. Satish Kulkarni
In the era of ayurved,
sciences such as pathology and
bacteriology were not developed and
those such as virology had not even
been imagined. The microscope had not
been invented either and thus,
infections were described in terms of
pitta-dushti (pitta=one
of the basic body constituents, dushti=aggravation)
or rakta-dushti (rakta=blood
tissue). Antibiotics were
unknown to ayurved but the
principles behind them had been
thought of by ayurvedic scholars.
In this article we will
deal with some common infectious
conditions like vrana (ulcers),
pitika (acnes and boils), and arbuda
(abscesses, carbuncles and
furuncles). All these conditions are
characterized by pain, tenderness and
swelling, with or without pus
formation. They are observed on any
part of the tvacha (skin) or shleshmal
tvacha (mucous membrane.)
According to western
medicine, these conditions occur as a
result of external factors like
bacteria. However, ayurved
believes that they occur as a result
of internal imbalance or impurity
which in turn occurs due to
aggravation of the basic body
constituents, especially that of the pitta
constituent. This is the reason
why ayurved mainly suggests
performing panchkarma
(cleansing procedures) for treating
these conditions. They may not be as
effective as antibiotics in acute
conditions, but are found effective
in chronic conditions or recurrences.
One more advantage to following the ayurvedic
regime is that it has no side
effects and does not produce any
resistance to drugs. It never hampers
our immunity and on the contrary
reinforces our immune system. We have
seen that antibiotics develop drug
resistant bacteria and although we
are constantly searching for newer
and higher antibiotics, they are not
sufficient for human needs. Also, we
are unaware of infections that we may
discover only in the future and of
possible cures for them. Changing our
life styles, opting for the right
diet and taking the support of the ayurvedic
regime may help us in finding
some ways through this difficult
situation.
As stated earlier, ayurved
suggests detoxifying processes like virechan
(purgation) and raktamoksha
(blood letting) for infections.
Treatment is both internal as well as
external. In internal treatment, an
anti-pitta diet is suggested.
Avoiding excessive consumption of tea
and coffee, avoiding oily and spicy
food, stopping alcohol consumption,
etc. are all an essential part of
this treatment. Plenty of salads,
sprouts, juice from bitter leaves
(e.g. neem juice) and some
astringents are recommended. Applying
herbal packs externally helps in
dissolving local infection or in
processing suppuration.
Important ayurvedic
herbs recommended in this treatment
are manjistha (rubia
cordifolium), katuka
(picrorrhiza kurroa), neem (azadiracta
indica) haridra (curcuma
longa, commonly known as turmeric), daruharidra
(berberis spp., commonly known as
barberry), etc. Most of them are
bitter in taste, because ayurved
states that sweet and spicy foods
lead to rakta dushti. Kumari
(aloe vera) in the form of medicinal
wine (asava) is a good
medicine which helps in improving
liver function and thus in
detoxification. These are all ayurvedic
blood purifiers and help to establish
a pitta balance in the body. Ghee
(clear butter), especially that which
is prepared from cow milk is used
internally as well as externally. The
older the ghee, the better the
effect, according to ayurved. Ghee
which is ten to fifteen years old is
best only for external application
because it has a bitter taste.
Laxatives like triphala churna
{a powder consisting of haritaki (termilania
chebula), bibhitak (terminalia
bellerica) and amalaki
(emblica officinalis)}, gandharvaharitaki
{a powdered form of haritaki (termilania
chebula) prepared in castor oil} or eranda
tel (castor oil) are recommended
because they help in cleaning the
bowels. In general, ayurved
thinks in terms of cleansing the body
system and thus curing infection.
If we integrate the ayurvedic
regime with modern medicine, treating
infections with antibiotics in acute
conditions and giving ayurvedic treatment
as a follow up, we may achieve better
and long term results.
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