Category: Ayurveda

August 12, 2019

Ayurvedic Management of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)

Introduction

The Liver is the second largest organ of the human body whose weight is approximately 1.6 kg.

Some of the main functions of liver are

  • It metabolizes important proteins, fats, and carbohydrates.
  • It helps in producing and clearing cholesterol in the body.
  • The liver secretes blood clotting factors which help in stopping the excessive blood flow during a cut or any injury.
  • It also secretes bile. Bile helps in the digestion of fats and fat-soluble vitamins such as A, D, E and K.
  • It stores iron, copper, and Vitamins such as A, D, E, K and B12.
  • The liver cleanses the blood by eliminating harmful wastes, drugs, and toxic substances from it.

causes of liver diseases

What are the common disorders that affect the liver?

Disorders that affect the liver are Hepatitis (Inflammation of the liver), Cirrhosis (scarring), fatty liver and cancer. Common causes of liver disorders are metabolism, hereditary, virus infection such as Hepatitis A, B, C, D and E, intake of alcohol and drugs.

What is fatty liver?

The normal liver has 5% fat only. When the amount of fat increases by 10%, then healthy liver tissues gets converted into fatty tissues. This disorder is known as fatty liver or steatosis. In other words, this condition can be described as a liver that sucks fat.

What are the causes of fatty liver?

  • Excessive intake of alcohol
  • Overweight
  • High blood cholesterol
  • Diabetes Mellitus

causes of fatty liver

What is Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)?

Fatty liver has two basic types:

  • Persons who have more alcohol intake, the fatty liver reaches the first stage of the disease, which gradually leads to cirrhosis if the alcohol intake is continued.
  • Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) is a term used to describe the fat deposition in those patients who take alcohol in smaller quantities or do not consume alcohol at all.

What is NASH?

Due to the deposition of fats in the Patients Suffering from NAFLD, there is an inflammation and necrosis (death of tissues of the liver). The presence of dead tissues and inflammation lead to a chronic disorder known as Non-Alcoholic Steato Hepatitis (NASH). The word Steato means fat and Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver. Patients who are suffering from NASH are at the risk of developing cirrhosis.

NAFLD and NASH — Facts and Figures

  • In India, the incidence of NAFLD is commonly seen in obese, diabetes or prediabetic people.
  • 80% of patients suffering from NAFLD are obese.
  • It affects 40-70% of the patients suffering from diabetes.
  • In normal children, NAFLD disease has increased up to 3-10% in the last 10 years and increases up to 8-80% in overweight/obese children.
  • Nearly 2-3% thin and 15-20% obese people have NASH.

What are the risk factors associated with NAFLD?

The risk factors associated with NAFLD are:

  • Obesity
  • Type 2 diabetes
  • Age: It mostly occurs in the persons above the age of 50 years. It is most commonly seen in men.
  • Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
  • High levels of cholesterol or triglycerides in the blood.

What are the symptoms of NAFLD?

There are no specific Signs and Symptoms of NAFLD. But, when the disease develops, it causes pain and discomfort in the upper part of the abdomen and fatigue.

How NAFLD is diagnosed?

Following are the tests that are used for the diagnosis of NAFLD:

  • LFT: It is a blood test which measures the concentrations of various enzymes and proteins in the blood which are produced by the liver. Patients suffering from NAFLD have elevated levels of liver enzymes.
  • Imaging tests: Imaging tests such as ultrasound, Computed Tomography (CT) scan or Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).
  • Biopsy: A liver biopsy is a procedure in which a small needle is inserted into the liver to collect a tissue sample. Liver biopsy is done to differentiate between NASH and fatty liver.

What are the disorders and complications associated with NASH?

Patients suffering from NASH have higher risks of developing Type 2 diabetes, heart disorders or stroke.

What are the steps to prevent NAFLD?

The change in lifestyle is the first step towards the prevention of NAFLD.

  • Maintain a healthy weight.
  • Choose a healthy diet.
  • Be regular with your physical exercises.
  • Don’t take any medicine without a physician’s consultation.
  • Intake of alcohol should be under control.
  • Quit smoking.

Modern treatment for liver disorders include the prescription of drugs but currently available drugs have more systemic toxicity therefore, physicians hesitate to administer these drugs for long term use.

According to modern medicine, liver transplantation is one of the options for chronic liver disorders but this treatment option bears several risks and is unaffordable for most of the patients in many countries, particularly in India. Further, liver transplant is a complex procedure as it requires sophisticated infrastructure, expensive drugs and prolonged stays in ICUs.

What is the Ayurvedic perspective on liver disorders?

In Ayurveda, the liver is considered as a well-known organ. It is known as”Yakrit”. The word “Yakrit” is made from two words: Yat + Krit. “Yat” means conversion and “Krit” means to do. Yakrit is a site of Raktdhatu where blood is stored. In Ayurveda, there are many herbs and their extracts that have been shown to possess hepatoprotective activities.

These herbs have biochemical active components that protect the liver from oxidative stress, promote virus elimination, block fibrogenesis, anti-inflammatory, immune-modulating, liver generating properties. Traditional Indian Medicinal system known as Ayurveda has generated extensive empirical knowledge and treated various complicated disorders since ages.

NAFLD can be successfully treated with the help of herbs and herbal remedies.

Ayurvedic Treatment of Fatty LIver

Natural Treatment of Fatty LIver

What is the treatment of NAFLD by Planet Ayurveda?

Planet Ayurveda offers effective herbal remedies for the treatment of NAFLD. These remedies are:

  1. Indian Echinacea Capsules
  2. Yakrit Plihantak Churna
  3. Phyllanthus Niruri Capsules
  4. Liver Detox Formula

1. Indian Echinacea Capsules

Planet Ayurveda’s Echinacea Capsules contain the standardized extract of the herb Andographis paniculata. This herb is known as “King of Bitters”. In Sanskrit, this herb is known by the name “Kalmegh”. This herb has been used for liver disorders, lack of appetite, purification of blood since ages. It reduces vitiated Kapha and Pitta dosha. It is useful for the treatment of liver disorders as it stimulates liver, expels out excess Pitta from the body.

Dose: 2 capsules twice daily with plain water after meals.

2.Yakrit Plihantak Churna

Planet Ayurveda’s Yakrit Plihantak Churna is a wonderful combination of unique herbs that are known to improve the functioning of the liver. The herbs used in this formulation influence the functioning of the liver by regenerating liver cells, relieving inflammation, eliminating toxins, etc.

Ingredients used in the preparation of Yakrit Plihantak Churna are:

Sr. No. Ingredient Name Common Name Parts Used Quantity (200 gm)
1. Phyllanthus niruri Bhumi Amla Whole 60 gm
2. Andrographis paniculata Kalmegh Whole 20 gm
3. Eclipta alba Bhringraj Whole 20 gm
4. Tephrosia purpurea Sharpunkha Roots 20 gm
5. Cichorium intybus Kaasni Roots 20 gm
6. Picrorrhiza kurrao Katuki Stem 20 gm
7. Solanum indicum Makoy Whole 20 gm
8. Boerhavia diffusa Punarnava Roots 20 gm

Dose: 1/2-1 teaspoonful of herbal powder with plain water after meals should be taken.

3.Phyllanthus Niruri Capsules

Phyllanthus Niruri Capsules contain the standardized extract of the herb Bhumyamalaki. This herb is considered as hepatoprotective. This herb reduces vitiated Kapha and Pitta dosha. It is a coolant by nature. Therefore, these capsules are very useful in enhancing the functioning of the diseased liver. Its root, leaves and the whole plant is used as an herbal supplement. This plant has also been used for centuries as an herbal remedy for urinary calculi.

Dose: 2 capsules twice daily with plain water after meals.

4.Liver Detox Formula

Liver Detox Formula by Planet Ayurveda is obtained from the mixture of different herbs that are helpful in the cleansing liver and keeps it healthy and strong. This formulation is designed to revive the damaged liver cells and gives strength to the body.

Ingredients of Liver Detox Formula are:

Sr. No. Ingredient Name Common Name Quantity
1. Picrorrhiza kurrao Kutki 200 mg
2. Boerrhavia diffusa Punarnava 100 mg
3. Andographis paniculata Kalmegh 50 mg
4. Solanum indicum Makoy 25 mg
5. Chicorum intybus Kaasni 25 mg
6. Achillea millefolium Biranjasipha 25 mg
7. Tamarix galluca Jhavuka 25 mg
8. Capparis spinosa Himsra 25 mg
9. Terminalia chebula Haritaki 25 mg

Dose: 2 capsules twice daily with plain water after meals.

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August 9, 2019

How Migraine Can Be Managed At Home

Introduction

People are facing so many problems in their day to day life. Due to their stressful working life and personal problems, they are becoming more prone to several diseases. Migraine is also one of them. If they feel pain in the head, they often take it as simple headache, but it can be Migraine.

So now the question arises

  1. Do you know the difference between simple Headache and Migraine?
  2. Do you know that you are suffering from simple Headache or Migraine?

Natural Treatment for Migraine

WHAT IS DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HEADACHE AND MIGRAINE

Here I am going to tell you the difference between usual headache and Migraine. Headache mainly involves pain in head, but can involve face and neck muscles also, pain is not of severe type but Migraine mainly involves pain on the front of the head and one side of the head and it is characterized by severe, throbbing pain. Sometimes Migraine can be associated with nausea, vomiting, pain and burning in the eyes. People often do not take medicine for it and they avoid it.

CAUSES FOR MIGRAINE

What causes Migraine, this is very necessary to know.

Migraine mainly arisen when there is excessive stimulation of brain and blood vessels. It can occur due to a single factor or due to a combination of various factors.

ACCORDING TO AYURVEDA (SOORYAVARTA)

Sooryavarta means throbbing pain on one side of the head. It can arise due to a variety of causes which can –

  1. Stressful life
  2. Disturbed emotional life
  3. Unhygienic food
  4. Long time exposure to sunlight
  5. Too much salty and spicy food
  6. Any digestion problem
  7. Aggravates Pitta doshas
  8. Obstructs the vata doshas in brain
  9. Leads to pain on one side of the head (Sooryavarta)

AYURVEDIC PERSPECTIVE OF MIGRAINE

Ayurvedic treatment of migraine

Reference – Bhavprakash Chikitsaprakranam/ Chapter 62/Shlok no. 17 and 18

Meaning – It states that having dry food, again and again taking food, , excessive sex, walking and excessive weight lifting, affects our head and results in vitiated kapha which leads to pain on half side of head, eye brows, temporal region of head, ear, eye and half side of the forehead. This condition in Ayurveda is called Ardhavibhedhak. When this condition aggravates, it can lead to eye and ear damage.

TRIGGERING FACTORS FOR MIGRAINE

Migraine treatment in ayurveda

Triggering factors are those factors which initiate the condition, means the presence of those conditions, progresses the symptoms.

Triggering factors for migraine can be as follow

CLINICAL FEATURES FOR MIGRAINE

Migraine can sometimes be present with signs and symptoms and they can vary from person to person.

Migraine symptoms can be

1. Pain– Pain is mainly felt  in the front side of the head and on one side of the head. Pain mainly occurs on the half side of the head. Pain is very severe, throbbing and aggravates on exposure to light.

2. Other symptoms – Pain can be sometimes associated with nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, mild confusion and sensitivity to light.

TYPES OF MIGRAINE

TYPES OF MIGRAINE

Migraine can be of various types, depending upon its symptoms. It can be –

  1. Migraine Without Aura
  2. MIGRAINE WITH AURA                  
  3. ABDOMINAL MIGRAINE
  4. HEMIPLEGIC

WHAT IS AURA – Aura are mainly sensory disturbances which are felt  during or before the Migraine attack.

1. MIGRAINE WITHOUT AURA – In this type of migraine,attack comes without any sensory disturbance.

2. MIGRAINE WITH AURA – In this type of migraine the person feels warning signals before the attack of migraine which tell him that soon he is going to get a migraine attack.

These warning signs can be

  • Confusion
  • Zig-zag lines in front of eyes
  • Difficulty in speaking
  • Blind spots in the vision

3. ABDOMINAL MIGRAINE – In this type of Migraine, Migraine attacks occur along with bowel disturbances. It is mainly seen in children.

4. HEMIPLEGIC MIGRAINE – Hemi stands for half and Plegic stands for weakness. In this type of Migraine weakness is felt on one side of the body. It is for short duration.

DIAGNOSIS  OF THE MIGRAINE

Diagnosis mainly depends upon the Signs and Symptoms of Migraine patient. Accurate diagnosis is must for the treatment which mainly depends upon the clinical features of the patient. Along with that some other tests can be done to confirm the diagnosis.

These tests can be

  1. Blood tests
  2. C.T Scan
  3. M.R.I scan

HOW MIGRAINE CAN BE MANAGED AT HOME

Migraine can be very serious if not treated on time. If we take pain killers, it can result in various complications due to its side effects. So to manage it, first of all, try to remove all those factors which trigger the attack, some preventive measures can be taken and some Home Remedies for Migraine can also be followed to decrease its signs and symptoms.

Management includes

  • Remove the trigger factors
  • Non medication measures
  • Home remedies

1. Remove the trigger factors

Following trigger factors should be avoided

  • Avoid citrus fruits, plum, spicy food, pickle, fast-food and cheese in your diet because it can aggravate the condition.
  • Avoid excessive exposure to light
  • Avoid alcohol, tea and coffee
  • Avoid stress, depression and anxiety
  • Avoid excessive noisy places

2. Non medication measures

Some lifestyle changes can be adapted.

They can be

  • Drink plenty of water, you can also take tea
  • During a Migraine attack sit in the room alone and try to sleep
  • Regular exercising, Yoga or Aasanas can be followed
  • Meditation can be done
  • Follow stress management techniques
  • Take diet excluding triggering factors

3. HOME REMEDIES

Certain home remedies can be followed which can be very helpful in migraine.

These home remedies can be

A. Asafetida – Take water and add asafetida powder in it, mix it well, Either inhale it or you can apply this paste over your head. It will help in relieving its symptoms.

B. Garlic – Make a paste of garlic and apply it over your head or you can instil the garlic juice in your both nostrils.

C. Lemon – Make a paste of the lemon peel and apply it over your head. It will be very helpful.

D. Cabbage – Make a paste of cabbage leaves and apply it over your head. It will be beneficial.

E. Saffron – Saffron has been proved to be very useful in Migraine. It gives very good results in treating Migraine. Take one pinch of Saffron powder and mix it with one teaspoon of Ghee, the resultant mixture should be instilled in both the nostrils. This gives good results.

F. Sesame oil/ Maha Narayana tail- Facial massage should be done with plain sesame oil. After that soak a towel in a little hot water and apply it on your face. This herbal remedy is also very useful.

G. Coriander – Take one cup of water and add one spoon coriander powder in it. Keep it for the whole night and take this mixture on the next morning. This mixture gives good results.

H.  Raisins and Almonds – Soak some raisins and almonds in the night and take it in the morning.

I. Jasmine and Pomegranate juice – Take tender leaves of jasmine and pomegranate, add a little salt to it and prepare fresh juices after crushing it. This mixture can be instilled in both the nostrils. This helps in relieving migraine.

J. Doorva grass (Cynodan dactylon) – Prepare the fresh juice using Doorva grass and add little licorice water to it and consume this solution regularly. It helps in reducing the severity of the disease.

CONCLUSION

Although Migraine is a Benign condition and you no need to worry about it due to its rare chances to leading to death, but its proper treatment is needed and taking painkillers in routine can lead to severe complications, because excessive consumption of painkillers may damage our body organs. So avoid to take painkillers and try to follow these home remedies.

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