How Ayurveda can help in treating sclerosing cholangitis?

Sclerosing cholangitis is a disorder characterized by the inflammation which causes scars within the bile ducts. Due to scars, the bile ducts become hard and narrow and gradually serious liver damage occurs such as liver failure, repeated infections and tumors of the bile duct. The function of bile duct is that they carry the digestive liquid bile from the liver to the small intestine.

This disease progresses slowly and according to modern medicine, a liver transplant is the only solution but the disease may recur in the transplanted liver as well.

WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF SCLEROSING CHOLANGITIS?

There is no known reason for sclerosing cholangitis. According to some researchers, the reaction of immune system to an infection or a toxin may trigger the disease in some people.

Patients suffering from inflammatory bowel disease may also develop sclerosing cholangitis and if sclerosing cholangitis is diagnosed, it is important to look for inflammatory bowel disease because there is a greater risk of developing colon cancer.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF SCLEROSING CHOLANGITIS?

Early symptoms include:-

• Itching
• Fatigue

As the disease progresses, signs and symptoms that may appear are:-

• Pain in the upper right part of the abdomen
• Fever
• Chills
• Yellow colour of the skin
• Enlarged spleen and liver
• Weight loss
• Night sweats

DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT

Certain tests and procedures that are used to diagnose sclerosing cholangitis are:

• Liver function blood tests: A blood test showing functions of liver and liver enzymes is done.
• Liver Biopsy: It is a procedure that includes removing a piece of liver tissue and sent for laboratory testing. It can help to determine the extent of liver damage.
• MRI of bile ducts: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a test of choice to diagnose this condition and it makes images of the liver and bile ducts.

In modern medicine, the treatment of sclerosing cholangitis focuses on the management of complications as well as monitoring the liver damage but there are no medications available that can slow or reverse the liver damage. A liver transplant is the only option available for sclerosing cholangitis.

HOW AYURVEDA CAN HELP IN TREATING SCLEROSING CHOLANGITIS?

Liver transplantation is largely unavailable and unaffordable for most of the patients. It is a complex procedure as it requires sophisticated infrastructure, expert medical team, expensive drugs, preservation of the transplanted organ, prolonged stay in the ICU and a lifelong commitment to immunosuppressants. Therefore there is a need for safe and alternative treatment.

Indian system of medicine known as Ayurveda has generated an extensive empirical knowledge in the treatment over several centuries.

According to Ayurveda, the liver is the engine of the body and which is the seat of Pitta dosha and is composed of five bhutagnis (digestive fire) that transform Rasa dhatu (clear part of the plasma) into blood tissue. If the flame of digestive fire or agni is too high or too low, then Rasa dhatu will not properly enter into the blood stream and toxins will enter into the blood. The toxins getting stored in the liver may lead to the allergic conditions, digestive problems, fatigue etc. If this imbalance continues for a longer duration then it will lead to serious disorders of the liver.

So, according to Ayurveda, the best way to prevent liver disorders is to keep Pitta dosha balanced. Pitta pacifying diet should be included.

Reference: Astang Hridyam Sutrasthanam, Chapter No. 12, Shlok No. 12

Meaning: In this shloka, the function of Ranjak Pitta is explained. The pitta which is located in Amashya (stomach) is known as Ranjak Pitta which converts the useful part of the digestion into the blood. Hence, it converts rasa dhatu (the clear part of the plasma) into rakt dhatu (blood tissue).

HOW PLANET AYURVEDA CAN HELP IN THE TREATMENT OF SCLEROSING CHOLANGITIS?

Planet Ayurveda offers Liver Care Pack which is hepatoprotective and has rasayana (tissue-regenerating effect).

Liver Care Pack of Planet Ayurveda includes:-

1. Yakritplihantak Churna
2. Phyllanthus  Niruri Capsules
3. Echinacea Capsules
4. Liver Detox Capsules

Liver Care Pack

1. Yakritplihantak Churna

Planet Ayurveda's Yakritplihantak Churna is a wonderful combination of herbs that are hepato-protective in nature. These herbs improve the functioning of the liver and help the liver to eliminate toxins. This churna is useful in chronic liver disorders as it helps in the regeneration of liver cells and helps the liver in clearing away the toxins. There are no side effects of this churna and can be taken for a long time. It is a useful herbal remedy for all kinds of liver problems such as liver cirrhosis, liver damage due to alcohol, accumulation of toxins, liver infection etc.

Herbs used in the preparation of Yakritplihantak Churna are:

Sr. No.	Botanical Name	Common Name	Parts Used	Quantity (200 gm)
1.	Phyllanthus niruri	Bhumiamla	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: Take ½ -1 teaspoonful twice daily with plain water after meals.

2. Phyllanthus Niruri Capsules

Phyllanthus niruri commonly known as Bhumyamalaki is a considered as a liver protecting herb in Ayurveda. Planet Ayurveda's Phyllanthus niruri Capsules are prepared using the standardized extract of this herb. This herb is considered as a liver cleanser. It improves taste, useful in anorexia, toxic conditions etc. and has astringent, anti-viral, biliary, carminative, analgesic etc. pharmacological properties. These capsules are very useful in chronic liver disorders such as liver carcinoma, sclerosing cholangitis, liver cirrhosis etc.

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

3. Echinacea Capsules

Echinacea Capsules of Planet Ayurveda are prepared from the standardized extract of the herb Andrographis paniculata. It is commonly known as Kalmegh and this plant is native to India. These capsules help in stimulating the liver and useful in expelling vitiated Pitta from the body. This herb has been traditionally used in the treatment of liver disorders and purification of blood. This herb is commonly known as 'king of bitters' due to its pungent and bitter taste but it is nourishing in nature.

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

4. Liver Detox Capsules

Planet Ayurveda's Liver Detox Capsules are prepared using the best combination of herbs that act on the liver in a natural way. These herbs are useful in keeping the liver healthy and these capsules are useful in sclerosing cholangitis, all types of liver cancers, fatty liver, liver cirrhosis, alcoholic liver disease etc.

Herbs used in the preparation of Liver Detox Capsules are:

Sr. No.	Botanical Name	Common Name	Quantity
1.	Picrorrhiza kurrao	Kutki	200 mg
2.	Boerhavia diffusa	Punarnava	100 mg
3.	Andrographis 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 taking meals.

DIET AND LIFESTYLE

• Don’t take alcohol as alcohol is a cause of almost all the liver problems and need to be avoided even in small quantities.
• Eat freshly-cooked foods
• Avoid preserved and canned foods as they will burden the liver with toxins.
• Avoid cigarette smoking as it aggravates Pitta dosha.
• Include foods that are cooling in nature such as fresh coconut water, fresh juicy fruits etc.
• Avoid the intake of sour and fermented foods like vinegar, pungent foods such as red chilies and salty foods.