Article by Dr Raghuram Y.S. MD (Ay) & Dr Manasa, B.A.M.S
Yakrit, in response to Ayurveda, is certainly an necessary organ. Yakrit vis-à-vis liver has been virtually at all times defined with one other organ Pliha i.e. spleen. Ayurveda believes that although they’re completely different anatomical constructions, the features they render within the physique are virtually the identical.
The truth is, we are able to see that Pliha has been given extra significance compared to Yakrit. Within the context of Udara Rogas – enlargement of stomach, eight forms of the illness have been defined. The Acharyas clarify Plihodara i.e. enlargement of spleen / Splenomegaly intimately and skip detailing Yakrutodara i.e. enlargement of liver / Hepatomegaly. Later it’s stated that – ‘Identical to the enlargement of the spleen, if the enlargement of the stomach happens on the precise aspect, it ought to be thought of that the liver positioned therein is enlarged’.
Each these organs are –
– the roots of raktavaha srotas – blood carrying channels within the physique
– the abodes of raktadhara kala – layers or membranes chargeable for formation of blood tissue positioned within the liver and spleen
– the raktashayas – abodes or reservoirs of blood
The data of those info are very important for understanding the rules of treating the ‘yakrit rogas’ – the liver issues.
Associated Studying – ‘Yakrit’ – pathological viewpoints and issues – Ayurveda Perspective
Remedy rules of Yakrit Rogas – Liver Issues
Garbhini Paricharya: Antenatal Care
Yakrut is a maternal organ – Matruja Avayava. It’s shaped, enriched and nourished by maternal components. Due to this fact, the antenatal care of the pregnant girl is essential. As such, correct vitamin and life-style practices are important for pregnant ladies for total and correct development and growth of the fetus, which incorporates nourishment and correct growth of the liver. The standard and amount of maternal blood ought to be repeatedly evaluated. Illnesses pertaining to raktavaha srotas, if any, ought to be promptly handled.
Administration of vitiation of Raktavaha Srotas
Yakrit – liver, Pliha – spleen and Raktavahini Dhamanis – arteries carrying blood – are the roots of raktavaha srotas – channels which type and transport blood.
Ideas of treating the illnesses prompted resulting from vitiation of raktavaha srotas
विधि शोणिते अध्याये रक्तजानां भिषक् जितम्॥(च.सू.२८/२५)
The illnesses prompted resulting from vitiation of raktavaha srotas ought to be managed on the traces of remedy and administration defined within the chapter ‘Vidhi shonitiya’ of Charaka Sutra sthana.
कुर्यात् शोणित रोगेषु रक्त पित्त हरीं क्रियाम्।
विरेकं उपवासं च स्रावणं शोणितस्य च॥(च.सू.२४/१८)
The administration contains:
1. Raktapittahara Chikitsa – Remedy on the traces of raktapitta chikitsa (remedy of bleeding issues)
2. Virekam / Virechana – therapeutic purgation
3. Upavasam – therapeutic hunger / fasting
4. Raktamokshana – bloodletting
The identical rules of remedy additionally match into the remedy of Liver and Spleen issues as a result of they’re roots of raktavaha srotas.
Pandu Roga and Kamala Roga Chikitsa
Pandu Roga, which has been in comparison with anemia, additionally encompasses the vast majority of liver illnesses underneath the umbrella time period. Pallor, tiredness and exertional dyspnea / shortness of breath whereas ascending stairs or uphill are the necessary signs among the many lot.
If the signs of Pandu Roga are discovered, a liver or spleen situation shall be handled on the traces of treating Pandu Roga.
Kamala means Jaundice. Once more, the haemopoietic organs – liver and spleen are concerned on this illness. There are two pathways by which kamala happens.
– One, it might happen independently as talked about within the context of Rakta Vriddhi Lakshanas. Kamala is likely one of the signs / illness or complication of pathological enhance of blood tissue.
– Two, it might happen as a complication of uncared for Pandu Roga. Within the pathogenesis of Kamala Roga, it’s stated that if the affected person of pandu roga or the one who has recovered from it consumes in extra, the pitta aggravating causes, inclusive of meals and life-style practices, the pitta will burn the rakta – blood and mamsa – muscular tissues and trigger kamala roga.
If there may be kamala, the features of the liver, similar to in pandu roga, shall be compromised. If the signs of kamala are discovered, the affected person ought to promptly be handled for a similar. On the identical time, the affected person of pandu roga ought to be suggested to take warning within the observe up upkeep and shall be alerted about additional liver injury and prevalence of jaundice and different sophisticated situations of liver and spleen if precautions associated to meals and life-style just isn’t taken and if the etiological components chargeable for causation of pandu and kamala aren’t saved away.
Proper stability of fats tissue
1. Medo Vriddhi – Pathological enhance of fats tissue, weight problems and obese situations trigger a wide selection of well being points and also will have a nasty impression on liver and spleen well being. Within the context of medo roga – illnesses prompted resulting from errors of fats metabolism, it’s stated that when the elevated fats blocks the channels of the physique, all tissues of the physique won’t be nourished. The truth is, solely fats tissue shall be nourished at the price of different tissues. This additionally contains depletion or insufficient formation of blood tissue. This may increasingly finally result in anemia and different situations. Deposit of meda – fats tissue contained in the core of the liver could trigger situations like fatty liver which additionally meddles with features of the liver.
2. Medo Kshaya – Pleeha or Pliha Vriddhi – enlargement of spleen has been talked about among the many signs of depletion of fats tissue within the physique. The time period pliha not directly includes the liver additionally. So, a proportional stability of fats tissue could be very a lot important for the upkeep of optimum liver and spleen well being.
Panchakarma in Liver Issues
Virechana – therapeutic purgation is the perfect remedy for liver issues because the liver is the seat of pitta and agni. Virechana expels morbid pitta and therefore reduces additional burnouts. Virechana additionally detoxifies the liver and spleen and restores their well being.
Vamana – therapeutic emesis ought to be thought of when there may be kapha aggravation and is inflicting blocks within the liver and is disturbing the features of the organ. It must also be administered in pitta predominant hepatomegaly and splenomegaly.
Vasti – enemas with milk processed with decoction of pitta assuaging herbs shall be administered in splenomegaly related to or brought on by vitiated pitta. Likewise bloodletting and emesis additionally shall be administered.
Ama Pachana and Deepana
Medicines which destroy ama and relieve the blocks occurring within the channels of the physique and restores metabolism and features of the organs and tissues ought to be administered. Equally, medicines, meals and herbs which improve the digestive energy / hearth must also be administered when there may be agnimandya – decreased digestive hearth resulting in dysfunctions of the liver.
Yakrutodara / Plihodara Chikitsa
The final line of remedy prescribed for udara roga – stomach enlargement and particular therapies prescribed for treating yakrutodara – hepatomegaly (enlargement of liver) and plihodara – splenomegaly (enlargement of spleen) ought to be thought of in treating liver or spleen enlargement.
The rules of remedy for enlargement of spleen or liver are –
– Snehana – oleation
– Swedana – sudation
– Virechana – purgation
– Niruha – decoction enemas
– Anuvasana – oil / fats enemas
– Siravedha – bloodletting – when the above stated therapies fail
Shatphala Ghrta and Arishtas ought to be used and likewise alkalis or mixture of Haritaki – Terminalia chebula and jaggery.
All therapies, formulations and measures defined for treating
enlargement of spleen shall be administered for treating enlargement of the liver additionally. It is because the causes and signs of each these
situations are comparable.
Siravedha and Agnikarma: Vein part (venesection) and hearth cautery for hepatomegaly
Siravedha – Bloodletting by venesection – If all of the therapies together with snehana, swedana, virechana, niruha and anuvasana fail to yield reduction or remedy for splenomegaly, then bloodletting via venesection of the vein positioned within the left arm ought to be achieved.
Agnikarma – cauterization – is finished in a affected person of spleen enlargement having vata and kapha predominance.
The identical rules of remedy shall be adopted for enlargement of liver additionally.
