Treatment of Graves' Disease in Ayurveda

Thyroid gland disorders are growing worldwide. Graves' disease is considered as an auto-immune disorder that causes the thyroid gland to produce too much thyroid hormone and this condition is known as hyperthyroidism. Graves' disease is considered as the underlying cause of hyperthyroidism. It can affect anyone but it is more common among the women before the age of 40 years.

The hormones secreted by thyroid gland affect a number of different body parts and systems.

WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF GRAVES' DISEASE?

Graves' disease is caused by the malfunctioning of the body's immune system. In Graves' disease, the body produces an antibody to one part of the cells in the thyroid gland.

WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF GRAVES' OPHTHALMOPATHY?

The antibody that causes thyroid dysfunction may also have an attraction to the tissues surrounding the eyes. This condition results due to the build-up of certain carbohydrates in the muscles and tissues behind the eyes.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF GRAVES' DISEASE?

Common signs and symptoms of Graves' Disease include:

• Enlarged thyroid
• Irritability
• Anxiety
• Tremors in hands or fingers
• Despite normal eating habits, there is loss in weight.
• Goiter i.e. enlargement of thyroid gland
• Heat sensitivity
• Moist skin
• Changes in menstrual cycle in women
• Fatigue
• Rapid or irregular heart beat
• Graves' ophthalmopathy (bulging eyes). In Graves' ophthalmopathy, there is inflammation and impairment in the immune system that affects the muscles and other tissues around the eyes.

The resulting signs and symptoms due to graves' opthalmopathy include:

• Bulging eyes
• Pressure or pain in the eyes
• Puffy or retracted eye lids
• Gritty sensation in the eyes
• Light sensitivity
• Double vision
• Vision loss

WHAT IS THE AYURVEDIC PERSPECTIVE OF GRAVES' DISEASE?

• In Ayurvedic system of medicine, the emphasis is not given on naming the disease. It rather insists on understanding the constitutional status of the disease and adopting an appropriate treatment principle.
• The pathophysiology of Graves' disease lies in the concept of agni. Agni plays a prominent role in the body as vitiation of doshas depend on the vitiation of Agni.That's why, for bringing doshas in the balanced state, treatment for correcting of agni is done.
• According to Ayurveda, Graves' disease has the symptoms of increased Vata and Pitta dosha. The Vata symptoms include nervousness, anxiety, rapid heartbeat, palpitations, bulging of the eye balls whereas Pitta symptoms include heat intolerance, excessive hunger, sweating, irritability, emotional disturbances, changes in menstrual cycle, fatigue etc.
• The gastro-intestinal symptoms of Graves' disease resemble the features of atyagni (intense digestive fire) as mentioned by Master Charak.
• The state of kayagni (digestive fire), bhutagni (fire of five elements) and dhatwagni (fire of seven tissue elements) are very important.
• Dhatwagni is considered as a part of kayagni and is located in dhatus. Increase of dhatwagni will lead to dhatu vriddhi (increased tissue elements).
• Person will lose weight in hyperthyroidism due to increased dhatwagni which causes Dhatu kshaya.

Reference: Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Chapter 11, Shlok No. 32 & 33

Meaning: According to this shloka, kayagni is present in dhatus also. It's decrease in qualities, functions or quantities give rise to increase or decrease of dhatus. The proceeding dhatu which is either increased or decreased gives rise to the succeeding dhatu of the same condition.

WHAT ARE THE HERBAL REMEDIES OFFERED BY PLANET AYURVEDA FOR GRAVES' DISEASE?

1. Shatavari Capsules
2. Weight Gain Formula
3. Immune Booster Capsules

Hyperthyroid Care Pack

1. Shatavari Capsules

Planet Ayurveda's Shatavari Capsules contain the standardized extract of the herb Asparagus racemosus. Shatavari herb is known for its nutritive properties, it helps in gaining weight, relieves tiredness quickly, helps in regulating menstrual cycle in women, it has cool potency therefore helpful in balancing Pitta dosha in the body.

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

2. Weight Gain Formula

Decrease in weight is the primary symptom of Graves' disease. Planet Ayurveda's Weight Gain Formula contains the standardized extracts of various herbs that are helpful in regulating the body's metabolism.

Ingredients Of Weight Gain Formula Are:

Sr. No.	Botanical Name	Common Name	Quantity
1.	Withania somnifera	Ashwagandha	200 mg
2.	Embelia ribes	Vidang	50 mg
3.	Terminalia chebula	Haritaki	50 mg
4.	Terminalia bellerica	Bhibhitaki	50 mg
5.	Emblica officinalis	Amalaki	50 mg
6.	Foeniculum vulgare	Saunf	50 mg
7.	Piper longum	Pippali	25 mg
8.	Cuminum cyminum	Zeerak	25 mg

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

3. Immune Booster Capsules

Planet Ayurveda's Immune Booster Capsules contain the standardized extracts of herbs that correct the impaired immunity, therefore these capsules are very helpful in auto-immune disorders such as Graves' disease.

Ingredients Of Immune Booster Capsules Are:

Sr. No.	Ingredient Name	Botanical Name	Quantity
1.	Grape Seed	Vitis vinifera extract	200 mg
2.	Go-Piyush	Bovine Colostrums std. ext.	200 mg
3.	Bhumi Amla	Phyllanthusniruri std. ext.	50 mg
4.	Amalaki	Emblica officinalis	50 mg

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

These herbal remedies are quite effective in the treatment of Graves' disease. Timely treatment is required otherwise it can lead to various complications such as heart disorders, brittle bones, problems in pregnancy etc.

SOME OF THE HOME REMEDIES FOR GRAVES' DISEASE ARE

1. Desi Ghee (Clarified Butter): Taking 1 tablespoon of desi ghee twice a day is very beneficial in graves' disease.
2. Turmeric: Take a pinch of turmeric powder and boil it in milk. Taking this milk twice a day is helpful in the treatment of graves' disease.
3. Take decoction prepared from equal quantities of saunf (Foeniculum vulgare), Ajwain (Trachyspermum ammi) and Jeera (Cuminum cyminum). This decoction is helpful in correcting the function of digestive fire.
4. Fenugreek Seeds: Soak some fenugreek seeds overnight in water and take these seeds with water once a day.
5. Dates: Take 2-3 dates and boil them in milk. Take this milk once or twice a day. It helps in gaining weight.