Anti-inflammatory drugs in Ayurveda

by **Admin** Sat 06 Nov 2010, 11:46 pm

Anti-inflammatory drugs in Ayurveda

The anti-inflammatory drugs are used to reduceinflammation. The process of inflammation is anatural phenomenon of combating the exertion dueto mechanical and traumatic impact. There arecertain conditions that are responsible forinflammatory conditions. In the process ofinflammation the white blood cells of body combatthe foreign particles so as to protect the body.This aggregation of chemicals and increased bloodsupply make that particular area swollen andtemperature rise is noticed. This process resultsin inflammation and also causes pain..Generally inflammation is taken as the symptom ofany other disease. These conditions are arthritis,tendonitis, nephritic syndrome, hepaticcomplications, traumatic conditions and some timesit may be caused due to fever, fatigue, stress andmuscular stiffness. Many times the inflammatoryconditions may present a sign of a severe systemicaliment like in nephritis, renal failure orhypertension. In myocarditis therebe mayswelling in legs, in the same way the colitis maycause diarrhea and cramps.

In modern system of medicines, the method to treat inflammation are drug based, physiotherapeutic procedures, as well as removing the cause by means of surgery. The basic treatment is decided as per the condition of the patient and causes of the inflammation.. Generally the line of treatment is symptomatic, so as to reduce the pain, and remove the cause of disease. The following are the signs of inflammation

Pain (dolor)
Heat (calor)
Redness (rubor)
Swelling (tumor)
Loss of function (functio laesa).

Pain may not be a primary symptom of theinflammatory disease, since many organs do nothave many pain-sensitive nerves. Treatment oforgan inflammation is directed at the cause ofinflammation whenever possible.The inflammatory conditions can be divided intofollowing types-Acute inflammation, is the sudden onset, marked bythe classical signs in which vascular andexudative processes predominate.Catarrhal inflammation is a form affecting mainlya mucous surface, marked by a copious discharge ofmucus and epithelial tissues. For this type ofinflammation, nasya (inhalation) in case of common cold and flu based inflammatory conditions is very effective. Chronic inflammation is prolonged and persistent, marked chiefly by new connective tissue formation; it may be a continuation of an acute form or a prolonged low-grade form. Exudative inflammation is that type of inflammation, which has severe exudation. For this type of condition the cold procedures like Parisheka are very useful. Granulomatous inflammation a form, usually
chronic, marked by granuloma formation. Interstitial inflammation is that type of inflammation, which is affecting the stroma of an organ. Parenchymatous inflammation is that one affecting chiefly the essential tissue elements of an organ.

Proliferous inflammation are that types of inflammation that has got severe proliferation in the affected organ or tissue system. There are various ways in Ayurveda to treat it as per the condition of patient like dhoopan (fumigation) up to raktavisravan (draining of contaminated blood)Pseudomembranous inflammation is an acute inflammatory response to a powerful necrotizing toxin, e.g., diphtheria toxin, with formation, on a mucosal surface, of a false membrane composed of precipitated fibrin, necrotic epithelium, and inflammatory white cells. Doing medication for theroot cause treats this type of inflammation. Purulent inflammation is superlative in nature. For this type of inflammation Ayurveda suggests the use of Shoshanna drugs. Serous inflammation is that type of inflammation, which produces a serous exudate. Sub acute inflammation is a condition intermediate between chronic and acute inflammation, exhibiting some of the characteristics of each. Superlative inflammation is that type of inflammation that is marked by pus formation. For this type of inflammation the Upnaah preparations along with the Shoshanna drugs is used according to Ayurveda. Ulcerative inflammation is that type of inflammation in which necrosis on or near the surface leads to loss of tissue and creation of a local defect (ulcer). There are vartis (long shaped pills) and swab of ghrita (jatidyatadi)used to treat such ulcers and reduce inflammation.Following categories of drugs are used as anti-inflammatory medicines in modern system of medicines. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) –such as aspirin, ibuprofen or naproxen), Corticosteroids (such as prednisone) Anti-malarial medications (such ashydroxychloroquine). There are certain other medicines that are used for treating inflammation like methotrexate, sulfasalazine, leflunomide, anti-TNF medications, cyclophosphamide and mycophenolate .

In Ayurveda the process of inflammation is known as “shopha”. This is generally because of the contaminated Vata entity. And Kapha and Pitta are engaged in this. The sign and symptoms are differentiated upon the acuteness of signs relating to Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. The basic line of treatment for shopha is of shanshamana and Shodhanam. The patient is treated by local application of medicines as well as parental therapy of Vata and vednashamaka (painkillers) drugs. All type of inflammations described above aredescribed as sign and symptoms of shopha and its divisions. Different medicaments and drugs depending upon the patient conditions treat the shopha. For this purpose the Pralepa, Swedan, Pind swedan, Upnaah, varieties of diet preparations areused along with medicines. The procedures followed by Ayurveda are as per the need of patient and the degree of inflammation with the sign and symptoms. Vimlpana, Abhyanga, Swedan, Parishechan, Tadan, and lepan, are physiotherapeutic measures followedfor the treatment of pain /inflammation in Ayurveda. Apart from this the use of hot treatment is also prevailing from ages in Ayurveda to treat inflammation. The Ushnasweda, Pradeha, Avagahan, and Parisheka are used to treat the pain and inflammation. Apart from this old treatment is also used that is Parisheka, Pradeha, Avagahan, and Lepa are used to treat inflammation and pain.

The drugs and medicines used for treating inflammation in Ayurveda are generally containing Vata shamak property. There are certain diuretics like Gokshur, Punarnava, Pahsnabheda, which are used to control the localized swelling due to nephritic syndrome. These are called as shopha hara drugs in Ayurveda. The following medicines are used as anti-inflammatory drugs.

Agnimanth,
Bilba,
Brihti,
Gokshur.
Kant Kari,
Kashmarya,
Nirgundi,
Patala,
Prishnaparni,
Shalparni, and
Shyonaka,

Apart from these certain medicinal herbs that are containing volatile oils are also used as anti-inflammatory drugs. Normally Rasna -erandadi Kwath, Shigru Varun Kwath, Gomutrarka, Kansa Haritaki, Shoth Kalanal Ras, Grihdhoomadi Lepa, Kokilakshak kashaya, sandhi shool har gugglu, ahiphena, Kokilakshak kashaya are used as medicines for inflammation along with the diet preparations as per symptomatic need of the patient.