How to Treat Hepatitis in Ayurveda and Its Types

Ayurveda, an indigenous system of medicine in India, has a long tradition of treating liver disorders with plant drugs. The leads that are available from folklore usage and experimental studies have shown that extracts of the herbs Cyperus rotundus and Cyperus scariosus) was very useful for hepatoprotective activity.

Hepatitis is a liver manifestation caused due to inflammation of the liver tissue. Ayurveda considers liver disorders primarily as a consequence of aggravated pitta (Toxin accumulation). Toxins are accumulated due to the indiscriminate use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers, high levels of stress associated with suburban and urban lifestyle. Accumulation of those toxins may also be the result of infection from hepatitis viruses and the consumption of substances (e.g. alcohol, certain drugs), and autoimmune disease. Now let's discuss how to treat Hepatitis in Ayurveda and its various types.

According to Ayurveda, we are all made up of 3 elements known as doshas. These are

Air and space (Vata dosha), which permits movement

Fire and water (Pitta dosha), which allows transformation and is accountable for digestion and metabolism

Water and earth (Kapha dosha), which provides structure or cohesion

These doshas allow all the organs of the body to work together in synchronization. In Ayurveda, any imbalance in the body system is caused by the overexpression or under-expression of one or more of the Doshas. Hence, a dosha imbalance can lead to disease.

 According to the following basic stages, the doshas are identified as such:

Accumulation ? where the effect of one or more of Doshas has increased.

Aggravation ? as the level of one Dosha increases, this causes the remaining Doshas to become imbalanced

Overflow ? the accumulated Dosha spreads into the body carrying Aama, or toxic waste products.

Localization ? the Dosha settles at a weak site in the body.

Manifestation? symptoms

Disease? This would be the point where a conventional doctor would make a diagnosis of dis-ease.

How do we treat hepatitis?

"We halt the deadly hepatitis virus by targeting the immunomodulation aspect"

In Hepatitis Treatment in Ayurveda, we not only focus on the aspect of liver protection but also on the immunomodulation of the entire immune system. We help stave off disease by using immunomodulator herbs in amalgamation with hepatoprotective herbs. Generally, when a patient approaches a doctor during the stage when the virus has only gained access in his/her body and has not done liver damage, the majority of doctors start giving patients liver tonics. But in that stage, we treat the patient with immunomodulator herbs which can constantly bring down the level of the virus. On the contrary, the majority of the doctors do not pay importance to the immunomodulation aspect, they focus more on liver-protecting herbs. As a result, they are not able to bring down the virus to the negative.

How Ayurveda Reduces Hepatitis Viral Load...

"Bringing you closer to the inherent power present in the herbs."

In Ayurveda, we make use of herbs found in nature and formulate herbal remedies using the inherent power present in them. These amalgamations help ameliorate immunity and fortitude. With the assistance of herbs, the patient's vitality is restored, infections caused by viruses and bacteria are relieved and the liver is strengthened naturally. According to Ayurveda, the night is divided into three periods, each dominated by the characteristics of a separate dosha. Arising early in the morning yields more energy and going to bed past midnight causes less sound sleep. People with pitta imbalance should abstain themselves from daytime naps to assure more unflustered nighttime sleep. Avoiding anger and stress is important in taking the edge off pitta, which can be mollified by relaxation techniques such as yoga and meditation. People with hepatitis are also strictly advised to avoid smoking and not to spend too much time in the direct sun, as both activities increase pitta.

Types Of Hepatitis Viruses

Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver. The condition can be self-limiting or can progress to fibrosis (scarring), cirrhosis, or liver cancer. Hepatitis viruses are the most common cause of hepatitis in the world.

Acute infection may occur with limited or no symptoms or may include symptoms such as jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), dark urine, extreme fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.

Scientists have identified 5 unique hepatitis viruses, identified by the letters A, B, C, D, and E. While all cause liver disease, they vary in important ways.

The hepatitis A, hepatitis D, and hepatitis E are severe and could be life-threatening. Safe and effective vaccines are available against those viruses. Hepatitis B also poses a great threat and risk to the life of an infected person. Once the person gets infected with this virus, the virus multiplies very quickly and it sometimes produces irreversible damage to the liver unless its progression is stopped or checked. A safe and effective vaccine is also available against this virus. Hepatitis C Virus is not so common and it often leads to liver disease and occasionally cirrhosis. In some cases, those with cirrhosis will develop serious complications such as liver failure, liver cancer, or dilated blood vessels in the oesophagus and stomach. If proper treatment is not started in time, the disease could prove to be fatal. There is no vaccine available for HCV.