What is Arsha (Hemorrhoids/Piles) and Its Ayurvedic Management
Abstract
Arsh, is the Sanskrit name for piles or hemorrhoids. Piles have become quite common and are affecting people at almost every age. Children and adults are equally suffering from this condition. Whether male or female both of the genders are getting affected and “why is this happening” is a very big question. The main credit for the occurrence of this condition goes to the lifestyle and diet style people are following these days. People nowadays are putting their bodies at risk by themselves to get prone for such conditions. In this article we discuss Arsh or piles in detail along with its best To best Ayurvedic management.
Introduction
So, let’s start with the definition of Piles. What are piles?
Arsh/ Piles/ Hemorrhoids are the swollen and inflamed veins which are present around the anus or inside your lower rectum. The veins in the anorectal region often get torturous when there is presence of extreme pressure like in case of difficult defecation, prolonged straining while sitting on the toilet or due to prolonged sitting hours. There are two types of the piles according to modern: External Piles and internal Piles. External piles are the ones which generally develop thrombosis and become too painful. On the other hand the internal piles are the ones which are above the dentate line and can prolapse. Their prolapse is understood in degrees and these types of piles are painless but can bleed.
If understood from the Ayurvedic view point then piles/ Haemorrhoids is termed as Arsh. Arsh is mentioned in ayurveda by various Aacharayas along with its types and symptoms. AYurveda also explains deep management of this condition. Now, Moving forward let us discuss details about arsh or piles according to both modern and Ayurveda.
Causes of Arsh or Piles
Modern science suggests some typical causes of piles. They are as listed below
- The first one is constipation. Constipation is responsible for putting or enhancing the pressure on rectum and finally results in the torturous rectal veins. That’s how internal and external piles develop in an individual.
- Secondly, The naturally increasing pressure on rectum is due to pregnancy. With the increasing fetus size, the uterus puts pressure on the rectum and thus can result in development of piles.
- Thirdly, recurrent or severe diarrhea can also result in the same. This is most common with patients of Ulcerative colitis, Irritable bowel disease and Crohn’s.
- Straining for a long time, lifting weights, sitting for long times, having excessive spicy food, intake of alcohol and too much refined grains are also the reasons for this.
On the other hand Ayurveda suggests following as the causes for developing piles. Referring Charak Samhita Chikitsa sthana chapter 14 verse 9, Following are considered to be the causes
गुरु मधुर शीताभिष्यन्दि विदाहि विरुद्धाजीर्ण प्रमिताशना सात्म्य भोजनाद्गव्य
Take of heavy, sweet, cold, abhishyandi aahar (food which is heavy and slimy) , vidahi aahar (Results in burning sensation in stomach) along with mutually contraindicated food, having food before the digestion of previous meals, eating small meals along with unwholesome food articles
मात्स्य वाराह माहिषा जाविक पिशित भक्षणात् कृश शुष्क पूतिमांस
Intake of excessive meat of cattle, fish, pig, buffalo, goat and sheep along with dried and putrefied meat
पैष्टिक परमान्न क्षीर दधि मण्ड तिलगुड विकृति –
Excessive intake of milk, rice and sugar preparations, along with milk and whey, preparations of sesame seed and jaggery products
सेवनान्माषयूषेक्षुरस पिण्याक पिण्डालुक शुष्क शाक- शुक्तल शुन किलाट तक्र पिण्डक बिस मृणाल शालूक क्रौञ्चादन कशेरुक शृङ्गाटकतरूट विरूढ नव शूक शमी- धान्याममूलकोपयोगाद्गुरु फल शाक राग हरितक मर्दक वसा शिरस्पद पर्युषित पूति शीत सङ्कीर्णान्नाभ्यवहारान्मन्द – कातिक्रान्त मद्यपानाद्व्यापन्न
Excessive intake of masha, sugarcane juice, pindaluka (oil cake), dry vegetables, vinegar, garlic, milk cream, cream of curd, thin lotus stalk, legumes of mucuna pruriens, keshruk, shringataka, target, germinated corms and pulses, freshly harvested corns, cereals and tender radish
Along with this intake of heavy fruits, vegetables, pickles, uncooked vegetables , muscle fat, meat of head and legs of animals, food prepared with the mixture of different items like rice and meat. In addition, intake of wrongly fermented wines.
Above mentioned along with intake of heavy and polluted water, excess of oleation therapy, never performing panchkarma that is elimination therapies and improper enema therapy. Plus lack of exercise, lack of sexual activity and sl;eeping during day time can also cause it.
Symptoms of Piles/Arsh/Haemorrhoids
Both of the sciences have explained almost similar symptoms for this condition. These are as following
- Constipation (Mal badhta)
- Pain and burning in anal region (daha/ shoola in gudda)
- Diarrhea (atisaar/ excessive , mala pravruti)
- Sometimes even bleeding per anus is also observed (rakta sarava from gudda dawara)
- Flatulence (aatop and aadhmaan)
Types of Piles/Arsh/ Haemorrhoids
In Ayurveda, the types of arsh are explained according to the predominance of dosha. Types are as following
- Vataj Arsh (having predominance of vata dosha)
- Piitaj Arsh (having predominance of pitta dosha)
- Kaphaj Arsh (having predominance of kapha dosha)
- Raktaj Arsh (bleeding piles)
In modern Science there are two types of piles. The modern types are as below
- Internal Piles
- External piles
Internal Piles
They are having a typical feature of protrusion through anal opening while defecation. If prolapsed, then can not be retired to their position even manually. Otherwise manual reduction is possible. This type causes bleeding during bowel movements sometimes. Blood is bright red in color and comes drop by drop. It is mostly due to excessive pressure in the rectal area due to constipation or hard stools.
External Piles
They cause itching and irritation in anal region. Also result in discomfort along with pain, bleeding and swelling around anus region. Likely to get thrombosed and become extremely painful. Thrombosed pile is a hard lump near the anus.
Criteria for treating piles/ Arsha in Ayurveda
Krich Sadhya (treatable with difficulty)
- Has dominance of two doshas.
- Located above the dentate line.
- One year or older pilous mass.
Asadhya pile (non treatable piles)
- The patient experiences swelling over feet, face, mouth, umbilicus, anus and heart. Pain in ribs can also be observed.
- Patients suffering from vomiting, pain in body, fever, thirst and pus in anal region.
- Sejah arsh (present from birth)
- Arsh with dominance of tridosha
- Present above the dentate line.
Diagnosis of Piles/Arsha
The diagnosis of piles is done by the following ways in modern science
Digital examination
This is done by inserting a lubricated finger into the rectum for inspecting the location of overgrowth Like on 3 o’clock position or 7 o’clock position etc.
Visual examination
It is done by using a proctoscope. Proctoscope is inserted as internal piles are soft to feel. It only visualizes lower portion of rectum
Treatment of Arsha/Piles, According to Modern and Ayurveda
Modern science suggests many procedures which can be done in Arsha or piles. They are as below
- Rubber ligation: Done for Bleeding piles or prolapsed internal piles
- Coagulation: Helps in the treatment of internal bleeding piles
- Sclerotherapy: For internal piles
- Hemorrhoidectomy: In both types of piles and is a surgical procedure performed by expert surgeon
- Hemorrhoid stapling: Only in the internal piles
Ayurvedic treatment for Piles
Ayurveda has many ways which can be used in the treatment of piles. Aacharya Charak and Acharya Sushruta have mentioned various things especially for the treatment of piles. So, let’s move forward to know about the Chikitsa as described by Acharyas
According to Acharya Charak
He has mentioned shodhan and san shaman chikitsa. Shodhan chikitsa includes various panchakarma procedures. Panchkarma procedures includes the following
- Vaman karma (vomiting induced by administration of emetic drugs)
- Virechan karma (Purgation induced by administration of laxative drugs)
- Basti (Asthappan and anuvasana basti): Medicated enema using unctuous decoction and non unctuous decoction.
- Picha basti (Enema prepared using milk and effective herbs)
On the other hand san shaman Chikitsa includes effective formulations which includes various rasa aushadhiya like arsh kuthar ras, some tablet preparations like chandra prabha vati, jatiphaladi vati, powdered formulation such as vijay churna, decoctions like takraisht, drakshasava, chirbilvadi kasahaya and some ghrit preprations like chavya and pippalyadi ghrita
According to Accharya Sushruta
Acharya sushruta has mentioned a total of four sidhanta according to which treatment of arsha can be done. These siddhanta are as follows
- Bheshaj (Internal medicine): In Arsha with less aggravation of dosha and least complications
- Kshar karma (In soft or bleeding Arsha or in pittaj Arsha)
- Agni karma (Vataj Arsha/Kaphaj arsha)
- Shstra karma (In Arsha having soft root and presence of all three dosha)
Sidhant 1- Bheshaj (Internal medication)
Generally done in recently developed arsha, which are internally located in the lowermost part of the rectum. The medication given in this case mostly involves the ones with constipation, control of bleeding, Treatment of diarrhea, improvement of digestion, appetite and irregular bowel habits
Sidhant 2- Kshar karma (Application of high potency Alkali)
Internal piles masses are cauterized by application of Tikshana kshara (High potency alkali).
Sidhant 3- Agni karma (Cauterization)
It is indicated in chronic piles, which protrudes at anal orifice. Such piles are large in size and do not have regular surfaces. They are hard due to the chronic inflammation and fibrosis.
Sidhant 4 – Shstra karma
This includes surgical removal of hemorrhoids. It is indicated in the ones which have mucoid discharge and then cauterization is done.
According to Acharya Sushruta there is one more thing which is mentioned under the treatment of Arsha and that is using Kshar sutra in piles.
Kshar sutra is a medicated thread which is coated or smeared in latex of snuhi (Euphorbia neriifolia) and powder of haridra (Curcuma longa). The thread is coated or smeared repeatedly, then is dried and collected in a sterile glass tube.
Herbal Remedies By Planet Ayurveda for Piles
Planet Ayurveda is a manufacturing company which has its outlets in many parts of the world. In India, Planet Ayurveda is working with an agenda to enlighten every Indian about Ayurveda and how it can work better with hybrid technology. In addition, The products and formulations Manufactured by Planet Ayurveda are completely herbal and do not have any type of side effects. The products manufactured by Planet Ayurveda are having various certifications and are free from any type of adulterants or additives.
The formulation which is mentioned below regarding the Piles or haemorrhoids gave great results in their management. These formulations have an impact on digestion thus results in enhancement of digestive functions and also helps in reduction of the Haemorrhoidal mass present. The formulations are as below
Products List
- Vara Churna
- Pile-Off Capsules
- Suran Vatak
- Arshkuthar Ras
- Triphala Guggul
- Nirgundi Oil
Product Description
1. VARA CHURNA
Vara churna is an Ayurvedic Preparation which is manufactured by Planet Ayurveda but the composition of this formulation is according to the triphala Churna mentioned in Ayurvedic classics. The vara churna has ingredients like Haritaki (Terminelia chebula), Amalaki (Emblica officinalis) and Bhibhitaki (Terminalia bellerica). All these three ingredients work really better in making a patient’s digestion better and also makes it easy to pass stools. A person with piles mostly has chronic incomplete evacuation and sometimes has constipation as well. That’s why Vara churna is suggested in this case because it is having purgative or laxative properties.
Dosages: One tsp twice a day after meals with lukewarm water
2. PILE-OFF CAPSULES
Pile off capsules is also a patent formulation by Planet Ayurveda especially manufactured to be suggested for patients of piles or haemorrhoids. The formulation has ingredients like Haridra (Curcuma longa), Pippali (Piper longum), Maricha (Piper nigrum), Shunthi (Zingiber officinale), Sajjikshar (Soda bi carb powder), etc. Pile-off capsules help with many symptoms which are present in this condition like pricking pain, bleeding, irritation, itching feeling of discomfort and many others. This formulation also has its effect on stool evacuation and hence facilitates easy bowel emptying. These capsules also help in vitiation of doshas involved and also help in reducing pressure in the Pile mass.
Dosages: One Cap twice a day after meals with lukewarm water
3. SURAN VATAK
Suran vatak is an excellent formulation which is mentioned in the classics and has an impressive effect in pIles. The formulation ahs ingredients like Surana (Amorphophallus campanulatus), Vriddhadaru (Argyrea speciosa), Mushali (Curculigo orchioides), Chitraka (Plumbago zeylanica), Shiva haritaki (Chebulic myrobalan), Vibhitaki (Belleric myrobalan), Dhatri (Emblica officinalis), Vidanga (Embelia ribes), Nagara (Zingiber officinalis), Pippali (Piper longum), Bhallataka (Semecarpus anacardium) and many others. Along with other ingredients in this formulation, suran, which is commonly called as elephant yam or jimikand shows impressive effect in controlling and managing symptoms which are related to piles. It works by supporting digestion and also helps in reducing the swelling present in the hemorrhoidal veins.
Dosages: Two tab twice a day after meals with lukewarm water
4. ARSHKUTHAR RAS
Arshkuthar ras is a classical preparation which is mentioned in the Ayurveda Sara Sangraha. Arsh as mentioned above is the Ayurvedic term for the Piles or haemorrhoids. The arshkuthar ras is having ingredients like purified form of mercury, Shuddha gandhak (Purified Gandhak), Loha bhasma (Calx of iron), tamra Bhasma (Calx of copper), Sonth (Zingiber officinalis), shuddh vatsnabh (Purified Aconitum ferox) and many others. The Arshkuthar ras is a formulation that works by correcting the digestion process and also helps in reducing the inflammation in the piles. It can be given in bleeding piles as well. This formulation also helps in shrinking the pile mass.
Dosages: One tab twice a day after meals with lukewarm water
5. TRIPHALA GUGGUL
Tripahla guggul is also an Classical Ayurvedic preparation which has been manufactured by Planet Ayurveda. Tripahla Guggul has ingredients like Haritaki (Terminalia chebula), Bibhitaki (Terminalia bellerica), Amalaki (Emblica officinalis) and Shuddh Guggulu (Commiphora mukul). The reference of this formulation is in Sharangdhar samhita. Due to the presence of triphala (Three mylobans) along with guggul (Commiphora mukul) the formulation has impressive effects in alleviation of doshas. The formulation does not have any type of side effects and gives very impressive results after ingestion. The ingredients it is having makes it a very great carminative agent, renal function enhancer and also has its brilliant impact on this case.
Dosages: Two tab twice a day after meals with lukewarm water
6. NIRGUNDI OIL
Nirgundi oil is also a classical preparation which is being guided in the classics especially in case of piles. The Nirgundi oil has ingredients like Tila Oil (Sesamum indicum), Manjistha (Rubia cordifolia), Haridra (Curcuma longa), Nirgundi (Vitex negundo) and Kalihari (Gloriosa superba). The formulation has impressive effects in case of painful piles or excessive swollen internal prolapsed piles. In case of external piles it works in the same way. Nirgundi is also called sarva roga nivarini which means it is a remedy for all types of diseases. The nirgundi oil is really effective as an analgesic, its impact on haemorrhoids is fantastic if applied locally.
How to Apply: Apply nirgundi oil locally over anal area
Conclusion
The Arsh or piles or Haemorrhoids, as mentioned above is a lifestyle disorder. Many people in the world have this condition but are ashamed to speak about it. But there is nothing to be ashamed about. For keeping yourself away from such conditions it’s better to take care of your digestion and also about what you eat. Such conditions are the result of excessive digestion system disturbances and conditions like piles occur. Even if it occurs its best to opt for Ayurveda as with Ayurveda herbs such disorders can be managed very excellently without causing any side effects. But with the Ayurvedic herbs or formulations it is really important to look after what you are eating. That is more important. Because if you do not change your diet habits and lifestyle then it becomes really difficult to see improvements or to sustain improvements. In case of any queries kindly visit www.planetayurveda.com
