Have you heard this quote "Health is Wealth" I think you all are aware of this quote because we have been hearing this since our childhood. This quote signifies the importance of health. In today's time due to increased urbanization, our diet has become very sedentary and poor. This poor diet will escort their way towards numerous diseases. Most of the diseases occurring due to this are Autoimmune Disorders. As we are Ayurvedacharya, so let's explain this from the Ayurvedic aspect and get to know about interesting facts!!!
AYURVEDA - ANCIENT MEDICINE SCIENCE
Ayurveda is composed of two words "ayur and veda" i.e. science of life. By the way, it's not only the science of life but it's beyonds that. Ayurveda mainly works on the concept of tridosha and panchmahabhuta (5 elements). Our body is composed of five elements and they are Akash (space), vayu (air), agni (fire), jala (water) and prithvi (earth). Then from these five elements 3 doshas (humors) are formed. Akash (space) and vayu (air) forms vata dosha, agni (fire) forms pitta dosha, jala (water) and prithvi (earth) forms kapha dosha. The balanced state of these three doshas is known as health. In our ancient classical texts, the definition of health is stated in below verse.
"Samdodha samagni samdhatu malkriya prasannatma indreya manns swasthaitiabhideyate"
(Charak Sutrasthana 15/41)
This shloka states that health is sam dosha (balanced vata, pitta, kapha), samagni (balanced digestive fire), samdhatu (balanced body tissues), malkriya (balanced excretion of waste products), prasannatma indriyamann (happy soul, senses and mind).
Acharya charak very elegantly explained about the dincharya (Daily regimen), ritucharya (seasonal regimen), so that we can stay away from diseases and build a good immune system. But if we do not follow the diet and healthy lifestyle as explained by our acharyas then it will lead itself to poor digestive fire i.e. mandagni. As a result, our body forms Aama.
NOW YOU MUST BE WONDERING WHAT AAMA IS?
In common language Aama is basically undigested metabolic waste or a toxin. As per acharya charak,
Dushiyatagnis dustoanna ntatta pachti laghavapi Apachyamanam shuktwam yatayannam visharooptama
(Charak Chikitsa 15/44)
Acharya charak explained that due to low or weak digestive fire, food is not being digested properly and as a result of which undigested amlapadharth is formed which is known as Aama (endotoxins). This aama now acts as poison and causes lots of autoimmune disorders. So the main cause of autoimmune disorders is Ama dosha (endotoxins). It is also known as Aama visha.
SO THE NEXT QUESTION IS HOW THIS AMA IS FORMED? WHAT ARE THE CAUSES?
The two main causes that promote ama formation are mandagni (poor digestion) and Viruddha ahara (Toxic food combinations). Viruddha ahara is defined as Food items which are opposite in action, properties, combinations etc are known as viruddha ahara. It is a very vast term which not only includes toxic combinations but also includes the food items which are opposite to season, time, nature etc.
TYPES OF VIRUDDHA AHARA (TOXIC FOOD COMBINATIONS)
- Guna virudha (opposite in properties)- eg- Combination of Fish with milk
- Sanyoga virudha (Opposite in combination)- eg- Jaggery with maize
- Sanskar virudha (opposite action after cooking)-eg Cooked Haril pakshi with Mustard oil
- Kalvirudha (opposite due to seasons)- eg Intake of cold and dry food items in winters
- Matravirudha (opposite to proportion)- eg Equal quantity of ghee and honey
- Swabhava virudha (Opposite to nature)- eg sarson ka saag and milk of shee
HERE ARE SOME OTHER FACTORS WHICH ALSO CONTRIBUTE IN AMA (ENDOTOXINS) FORMATION
- Abhojana (Skipping meals)
- Ajeernaashana (Intake of food during indigestion)
- Dushita bhojana (Contaminated food)
- Vega dharana (Suppression of natural urges)
- Ojakshya (weak immune system)
- Divashayan (irregular sleeping habits)
SYMPTOMS OF AMA (ENDOTOXINS) FORMATION INCLUDES
- Ajeerna (Indigestion)
- Anilamudhta (Impediment to the flow of Vayu)
- Mandagni (Poor digestive fire)
- Angsada (Malaise)
- Atyapraseka (Excessive salivation)
- Srotosang (Obstruction of channels)
- Balakshaya (Weak strength)
- Gauravata (Heaviness)
- Vegavrodha (Disturbance of the natural urges)
- Klama (Lethargy)
Ayurveda views these autoimmune disorders as a deep-seated deposition of ama (endotoxins) in the body tissues which prevents normal functioning. Then our immune system targets these deposits to get rid of the accumulations in the body, which results in the overactive immune response and development of autoimmune disorders.
WHAT IS THE TREATMENT PROTOCOL FOR AMA (ENDOTOXINS) AND AUTOIMMUNE DISORDERS IN AYURVEDA?
Ayurveda mainly focuses on restoring the Agni (digestive fire) and oja (Immunity) which ultimately assists in managing these conditions and restoring the balance of the body. This can be done by aptarpana chikitsa.
"Leenam pakvashayastham vaapyaamam sravyam sadeepaneh shariranugatae saame rase langhanepachanam"
(Charak Chikitsa 15/75)
As per above shloka, when aam is in the intestines then we should do langhan (intermittent fasting) or use of agni deepak (digestion promoting) and virechak (purgative) medicines or herbs. This aids in managing amadosha (endotoxins).
Aptarpan Chikitsa
In aptarpana chikitsa mainly langhana (intermittent fasting) and deepan-pachana (Appetizing and digestive) play an important role. This can be done done with ayurvedic herbs and herbal formulations After deepana pachana for complete elimination of prakupita dosha (elevated humors), sadhyo virechana (Purgation therapy) can be given followed by samsarjana karma (Dietary regimen along with medication therapy). Doshavsechan (removal of elevated doshas) can be done with detoxification panchakarma procedures.
Apart from all this, nidan parivarjana (Abstinence of the cause) is also important because Acharya sushrut said this as ardha chikitsa (half way of treatment).
NOW LET'S DISCUSS SOME OF THE AUTOIMMUNE DISORDERS!!!
- Ulcerative Colitis - It is the autoimmune inflammatory condition in which there is formation of ulcers in the cecum and colon. As a result of which, the patient may experience increased motion frequency with blood and mucus in stools. Other symptoms may include Weakness, unintentional weight loss etc. In ayurveda we can correlate this with raktatisara , which occurs due to elevation of pitta dosha in the body. This can be managed very well by ayurveda with herbs like kutaj (Holarrhena antidysenterica), Bilva (Aegle marmelos), Lajjalu (Mimosa pudica) and numerous other pitta shamak (pitta pacifying) herbs.
- Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura - ITP is also a pitta disorder which can be correlated with ubhyamarga raktapitta. In this the symptoms may include low platelet count due to which bleeding occurs through mouth or Uterus etc. This is also managed with ayurvedic herbs or minerals like Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia), Gandhak (purified sulphur), Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), papaya leaves (Carica papaya) etc.
Few Other Autoimmune Disorders
CONCLUSION
At last we can conclude that Ama is the prime cause of autoimmune disorders which can be managed very well with ayurvedic herbs and herbal formulations. To prevent the recurrence of the disease one must know about the healthy diet and lifestyle. In the last line I would say Eat healthy not less because it's not a short term diet but a long term lifestyle change.
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