Introduction
First anemia then hepatitis (Jaundice) is the general theory of Ayurveda. In an anemic condition, whatever may be the cause of it, the liver becomes overactive to filter the by-products of the dead red blood cells. Then, being overactive, the weak liver can not function properly. The liver has to filter and excrete the by-products such as bile etc. The weak liver can not excrete bile through the biliary duct system in a proper way and the accumulated bile turns back to the blood circulation. In the process of circulation, the blood, which contains an abnormal amount of bile coming back to the liver, again causes sickness to the liver. This sickness, in general, is identified with the symptoms of jaundice. This kind of sickness or jaundice is called “Pandu-Kamala”. It is not considered as an infectious jaundice. Infectious jaundice or infectious hepatitis is called “Aupradravika Kamala”. It is contagious. In general, an anemic person having contact with a person who is sick with hepatitis can have infectious hepatitis. Infectious diseases, in certain unhygienic conditions, can break in an epidemic way. The epidemic condition of hepatitis has been seen from time to time in a community.
Concerning the cause of hepatitis or jaundice, the morbid condition of the liver is identified with inflammation, swelling, and reversed function.
The inflammation of the liver is the result of the overactive hepatic veins (Pittadosa), which contain an abnormal amount of bile. Ayurveda considers that the inflammation of any organ is the significance of the overactive function of the veins, which dilate and create abnormal heat. In the case of hepatitis, fever with chills, nausea, and vomiting is the significance of the inflammation of the liver.
The swelling of the liver is the overactive hepatic arteries, which cause exudation. The pathogenic condition of exudative arteries is called “Kaphadosa”. In this physical condition, the enlarged liver and blockage in the biliary duct system results in white or light brown stool, because the yellow bile can not flow down through the biliary duct system. Ayurveda points out that the overactive function of the arteries, which contains more water-like fluid, dilates and causes exudation which is the morbid stage of swelling.
The reversed function of the liver is the result of the overactive hepatic nerves (Vatadosa). The liver, in general, has two functions: upper function and lower function. The upper function is concerned with the absorption of the essence of food through the portal veins and the circulation of blood towards the heart. The lower function is concerned with the filtration of the by-products of the dead red blood cells and the excretion of bile through the biliary ducts. In the condition of the reversed function of the hepatic nerves, the upper function of the liver becomes more active and the lower function is inactive. These physical disorders result in dark urine and a yellow body. Ayurveda indicates that the overactive nerves, in general, function in the opposite way and that causes pain. In the case of hepatitis, the characteristic pain in the liver area is the significance of the reversed function.
The principle of Ayurveda is based on the theory of balance of the three major bodily systems: the nervous system, the vein system and the artery system. They have mutual coordination to control and regulate their normal functions. The function of the nervous system controls and regulates the function of the artery system and the function of the artery system controls and regulates the function of the nervous system. In the same way the functions of the nervous system and the artery system both combinely control and regulate the function of the vein system and their functions are controlled and regulated by the vein system respectively. This is the balance of the bodily systems, which is the significance of health. The imbalance or overbalance of any of them causes morbid anatomy to be sick to the affected organ.
Regarding this theory, hepatitis is regarded to have overbalanced hepatic nerves, veins, and arteries, which result in reversed function, inflammation, and swelling. The cure for hepatitis is based on medical practices, which restore the balance of them. Ayurveda has no idea of the virus. Modern medical science considers that the virus is the cause of hepatitis. Ayurveda is not against it but, there is a cure for hepatitis without understanding the idea of the virus.
The general treatment of hepatitis is based on drugs, which clean the bowel movement (laxative), flush the kidneys for proper urination (diuretic), stop the quick breaking of the red blood cells (medicine for anemia), and subdue the inflammation of the liver. The use of these drugs restores the balance of the hepatic nerves, veins, and arteries. That, in fact, results in no more inflammation, swelling, and reversed function of the liver.
Causes of Hepatitis and Jaundice
Hepatitis is an infectious disease. By contact with the person who has hepatitis, it can be transferred. It is especially true for anemic persons whatever may be the cause of anemia.
A person who has diarrhea or dysentery, if treated with strong astringent drugs to stop diarrhea can cause anemia. Drinking clay-mixed water without filtering can be the cause of anemia. In these particular conditions, someone can have hepatitis with contact. This is very common for tourists traveling in Asia, Africa, and South America.
Some women traveling in different countries miss their regular menstruation. In this situation, they are susceptible to having hepatitis with contact.
Excessive or daily indulgence in foods and conditions such as oily food preparations; peanut butter; walnuts; soybean products; greasy yogurt; alcohol; vinegar; strong alkaline drugs; sun baths; sleeping during the day, especially after meals, etc. can be the aggravating agents of hepatitis or jaundice.
The blockage of the biliary ducts caused by gallstones; cholecystitis; hepatomegaly; cancer of the liver; peritonitis; parasites etc. results in jaundice.
Transmission of infectious blood, plasma, or blood products; use of inadequately sterilized syringes and needles can be the cause of hepatitis. These are the new problems, which are not mentioned in any ancient Ayurvedic texts.
Symptoms of Hepatitis
Sudden high fever with chill and sweating, normally for two or three days; bad nausea and vomiting, at the beginning; then the body gradually turns yellow (jaundice noticeable first in the eyes and back of the tongue); dark yellow urine; white stool (sometimes very dark stool, depending upon the foods eaten); constipation (or diarrhea, if there are parasites); much weakness; dizziness; loss of appetite; loss of weight; pain in the liver (right side under the ribs); uneasiness; depression are the general symptoms of common hepatitis.
In a mild case of hepatitis, the fever will not be high and there may be little or no nausea or vomiting.
In general, the fever of hepatitis disappears after two or three days. At that time, the patient feels better and the nausea and vomiting disappear.
In the case of strong hepatitis, the fever can last for several days and causes acute constipation and quick bile accumulation in the body.
In a mild case of hepatitis, the swelling of the liver subdues within a week and opens the biliary ducts. In this stage, the stool turns to be brown or yellow. But the inflammation and the reversed function of the liver can stay for a long time with the symptoms of jaundice.
The abnormal amount of bile accumulated in the body, if the kidney is weak enough to filter the bile, can be the cause of itching. This is especially true for such a patient who does not care for a proper diet.
Symptoms of the Advanced State of Hepatitis
The advanced stage of hepatitis is called “Kumbha-Kamala”. Greenish-dark-yellow body, stool and urine; terrible itching; constant fever; much weakness; loss of appetite; dizziness, and possibly coma are the symptoms of it. Having hepatitis if it is not treated well with proper diet, can damage the liver forever.
Deadly Symptoms of Hepatitis
Yellowish-black stool and urine or blood in the stool and urine, edema, red eyes; tympanitis; hot sensation; delusion; complete loss of appetite; thirst, and senselessness are the deadly symptoms of hepatitis.
Prevention from Hepatitis
Regular tests of anemia should be carried out. Anemia should be treated as soon as possible. Someone who has problems with weak liver and pancreas, diarrhea, indigestion, and general debility has to be careful not to have contact with a person who has hepatitis.
Sleeping together, kissing each other, sexual intercourse; using the same cup, plate or towel, etc; defilement of stool and urine, etc. are the prohibited contacts.
Some iron ore oxide compounds just as “Manduravataka” can be used as a prophylactic drug. It is more practical to use such a drug while traveling in Asia, South America, and Africa.
Traveling in Asia, South America, and Africa, milk products, especially yogurt; oil or oily food preparations; soybean products; sesame products; alcoholic drinks; meat, etc. should be moderate in diet. Drinking water should be boiled and filtered. Foods sold on open market should not be taken.
NOTE:
Someone, who inhabits a neat and clean hygienic country, can not adjust the effect of an unclean country’s atmosphere. In this situation, he has to be careful traveling here and there.
General Treatment of Hepatitis
The general treatment of hepatitis is based on four medical approaches; laxatives, diuretics, medicine for anemia, and medicine for inflammation of the liver.
In the case of hepatitis due to blockage in the biliary duct, there is no bile flow in the intestine; without bile, the foods especially greasy or fatty foods rotten very quickly in the intestine and cause poisonous gas, which is very bad for the health and results in more aggravation of the hepatic nerves. Undigested fat also accumulates under the skin and causes itching, boils, and pimples.
Therefore, in the treatment of hepatitis, it is essential to clean the bowels with laxative medicine that removes the undigested foods preventing them from rotting in the intestine. The laxative medicine also helps to subdue the inflammation of the liver and opens the blockage of the biliary duct caused by swelling.
In hepatitis, if the person has diarrhea from active parasites (rather than constipation, without parasites), the laxative medicine should be mild and combined with a medicine for parasites.
Lolimbaraja, a compound of senna leaf with other herbs, is a strong laxative medicine prescribed in hepatitis. To have a mild effect, only half of the normal dose should be prescribed. Senna leaf compound is not only a laxative drug; some ingredients of it also have medicinal value to clean the duct system of the liver resulting in a proper flow of bile into the intestine.
In normal body functioning, the bile, which has accumulated in the blood, must come out through the urine and to a lesser amount through perspiration. In the case of hepatitis, an extraordinary amount of bile accumulates in the blood and the kidneys become unable to excrete it. But, it is essential that all the bile should be filtered and excreted as rapidly as possible. Therefore, diuretic medicine is prescribed as well as large quantities of water to drink (water itself has a harmless diuretic effect).
As a diuretic medicine, oyster shell ash (Shukti Bhasma) is most beneficial in hepatitis. It is a kind of calcium, which helps to control the temperature and subdues the negative effects of bile. Also, its diuretic effect is not very strong. A strong diuretic medicine such as alkali of barley plants (Yavakshara) combined with Tinospora cordifolia (Guduchi) is prescribed.
Because, hepatitis is considered a disordered stage of anemia, medicine for anemia is essential. Purified iron ore ash (Mandura Bhasma) or purified Bitumen (Shilajatu) proves most useful in this case. As a valuable source of iron, they strengthen the existing red blood cells and stimulate the growth of new red blood cells, but do not cause constipation. In general, when bile starts to flow into the intestine, iron tonic becomes even more effective as a medicine for anemia.
The inflammation of the liver is the main problem of hepatitis. Therefore, medicine for inflammation plays a major role in curing hepatitis. Among the various drugs prescribed for inflammation of the liver, Vasadi, a compound of Adhatoda vasica, is the most valuable. Within three to five days, it shows a positive effect. This compound has a strong constrictory effect in the blood capillaries, which causes slow circulation in the inflamed area of the liver causing low heat and dryness. That, in fact, subdues the inflammation and swelling resulting in no more blockage of the biliary duct. As a consequence, bile again starts to flow into the intestine, the stool turns back to normal again i.e. yellow or brown in the stool color and the patient feels better.
This method of treatment combining laxatives, diuretics, medicine for anemia, and medicine for inflammation is prescribed for 2-3 weeks. Then to repair the injuries of the damaged liver cells caused by inflammation, at least, for one month, liver tonic (Shilajaturasayana) should be prescribed. Liver tonic purifies the blood, makes the kidney healthy, helps to promote the digestion of sugar, which is the main source of body energy, and stimulates the growth of new red blood cells.
Thus, after taking the liver tonic there will be none of the lingering effects (such as prolonged weakness liver pain, persistent anemia, blood defects, and constipation). These problems are common when hepatitis is not treated well or left untreated.
Treatment of Advanced Hepatitis
Advanced hepatitis should be treated with the same general treatment of hepatitis for 5-6 weeks along with symptomatic treatment, which includes medicine for fever, strong diuretic drugs, general tonic, and medicine for terrible itching.
The Swertia chirata compound (Sudarsana Churna) is a very effective drug for controlling hepatic fever. It is prescribed at least, for two weeks with cold water.
Among the diuretic drugs, the potassium chloride (Soraka) or the alkali of barley plants (Yavakshara) with Tinospora cordifolia (Guduchi) is the most beneficial to prescribe.
To restore the balance of the overactive hepatic nerves, which cause reversed function, the general tonic is essential to prescribe in the advanced stage of hepatitis. The pomegranate compound (Dadimadi Churna) is one of the best tonics. It is prescribed to be taken together with a moderate amount of ghee or milk. In the case of hepatitis, if the color of stool is turned brown or yellow-brown, milk or ghee has to be prescribed to counteract the drying effect caused by the overactive hepatic nerves. Otherwise, the aggravated functions of the hepatic nerves can be a cause of prolonged jaundice without blockage in the biliary duct.
The bitter compound, Nimbadi Churna, is one of the best remedies for itching. It is prescribed for one week.
NOTE:
If the hepatitis patient is very weak, laxative medicine should not be prescribed.
Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis
Chronic hepatitis should be treated with the same principle as general treatment of hepatitis, however, the doses of laxatives, diuretics, and medicine for inflammation should be moderate. Also, the liver tonic is essential to prescribe together with general medicines. The treatment of chronic hepatitis should be continued, at least for two months, avoiding alcoholic drinks, yogurt, and too much greasy foods and sleeping during the day.
Recommended Diet for Hepatitis
At the beginning of a strong case of hepatitis, when the fever is high, nausea and vomiting are the major problems. The patient will not be able to digest anything; he can not even keep the medicine. In this stage, it is beneficial for the patient to suck on a piece of fresh lemon or ginger with little salt, especially before taking a meal or the medicine, this will stop the nausea.
As soon as the fever subdues, the patient will develop some appetite, then the recommended diet must be strictly followed:
Rice, barley, wheat, corn, millet; bread; well-cooked or boiled vegetable, vegetable soup; bean soup; sweet fruits, sweet fruit juice or cold drinks including water with glucose or natural raw brown sugar; honey; boiled egg is recommended diet.
Prohibited Foods for Hepatitis
- Completely avoid milk, cheese, butter, ghee, yogurt (curd), cream, ice cream;
- Oil;
- Oily nuts;
- Soybean products;
- Sesame seed products;
- All greasy foods or food preparations;
- Fried, roasted, or burnt food preparations;
- Hot drinks;
- Hot foods;
- Alcoholic drinks;
- Chili, acid fruits;
- Meat including chicken, fish, etc.
If the recommended diet is not strictly followed and the prohibited foods are eaten, the effectiveness of the medicine will be reduced; the obvious symptoms of jaundice and itching all over the body will be prolonged.
During the period of treatment, this diet must be strictly followed.
NOTE:
At the beginning stage of hepatitis, for 3-4 days, acid fruits such as orange, lemon, pineapple, tomato, etc. are allowed in the diet because they promote appetite, aid digestion, and help to stop nausea.
Author
Dr. Mana Bajra Bajracharya
PIYUSHAVARSHI AUSHADHALAYA
Ayurvedic Clinic
Mahabouddha, Kathmandu, Nepal
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References
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