How Effective Is Ayurveda Treatment For Ulcerative Colitis?

ABSTRACT

Ulcerative Colitis is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease characterized by inflammation and ulceration of the colon mucosa. It occurs due to abnormal reactions in the immune system. The most common people affected are the age group of 15 to 30. This article provides an overview of the current understanding of UC, including its risk factors, Clinical features, diagnosis, and treatment. According to Ayurveda, this condition manifests imbalance and disharmony within the body. The ancient wisdom of Ayurveda offers a unique perspective in understanding and management of UC according to Ayurvedic principles. 

Ulcerative Colitis

INTRODUCTION

Inflammatory Bowel Disease is an immune-mediated chronic intestinal condition. Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn’s Disease are two major types of inflammatory bowel disease. It is a mucosal disease that usually involves the rectum and extends proximally to involve all parts of the colon. In more severe diseases the mucosa is hemorrhagic, edematous, and ulcerated. The disease can significantly impact an individual quality of life causing emotional distress, social isolation and economic burden.

CAUSE

It is an autoimmune disease so there is no cause. However, research suggests that it is a complex interplay but there are some risk factors such as

  1. Genetics: Family history, Genetic mutation
  2. Environment: Diet, Infections
  3. Immune Factor: Abnormal immune response, Imbalance of gut microbiota

TYPES

Based on severity

  1. Mild  UC: Characterized by fewer than 4 stools per day, minimal blood in stool, and  systemic symptoms
  2. Moderate UC: Characterized by 4-6 stools per moderate blood in the stool some systemic symptoms.
  3. Severe UC: characterized by more than 6 stools per day significant blood in the stool and severe systemic symptoms
  4. Fulminant UC: A life-threatening condition characterized by severe diarrhea, abdominal pain and bleeding.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

Some of the symptoms are as follows

  1. Diarrhea: Frequent, loose of stool
  2. Abdominal Pain: Cramping, tenderness
  3. Rectal Bleeding: Blood in stool
  4. Mucus In Blood
  5. Fatigue
  6. Loos of appetite
  7. Nausea
  8. Weakness

INVESTIGATION

It is typically diagnosed through a combination of medical history, Physical examination, and diagnostic tests including

  1. Coloscopy
  2. Biopsy
  3. Imaging test: CT scan, MRI, Xray
  4. Fecal calprotectin

TREATMENT

  1. Aminosalicylates
  2. Corticosteroids
  3. Immunomodulators
  4. Biologics
  5. Surgery: Colostomy, Colectomy, Ileostomy

AYURVEDIC ASPECT

From an Ayurvedic perspective, UC is considered a disease of the digestive system especially affecting the colon. In Ayurveda, it can be correlated with Rakhta Atisar (Bloody Diarrhea). UC is caused by an imbalance of three doshas. In which the main pitta dosha is affected The pitta dosha, which governs digestion, metabolism, and energy production is particularly implicated in UC.

PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OF UC

  1. Sedentary diet and lifestyle there is formation of Ama (Toxins)
  2. Due to Ama (Toxins) formation, the pitta is vitiated
  3. Then Agni (Digestive fire) gets affected
  4. Pitta goes to Udak (Water channel) and Purishvaha Srotas (Colon channel).
  5. Then the Mala (Waste) breaks down and is involved with Rakht and then causes Rakht atisar.

Symptoms Of UC  According To Ayurveda

  1. Pitta: Inflammation, ulceration, and bleeding in the colon
  2. Vata: Bloating, gastric issues, and abdominal pain.
  3. Kapha: It can cause excess mucus production, leading to diarrhea.
  4. Agni imbalance (Digestive Fire): It can lead to poor digestion, malabsorption, and accumulation of toxins (Ama).
  5. Dhatu (Tissue) Involvement: In UC two dhatu were involved, Rakta dhatu (Blood tissue) and Mamsa Dhatu (Muscle tissue). Rakta dhatu leads to Anemia, Fatigue, and weakness, and Mamsa dhatu leads to muscle wasting.
  6. Srotas (Channels)  Involvement: In Uc, two Srotas are involved Purishvaha (Colon channels) and Annavaha Srotas (Digestive Channels). Purishvaha leads to inflammation, ulceration, and bleeding and Anavaha leads to poor digestion, and accumulation of toxins.

MANAGEMENT ACCORDING TO AYURVEDA

  1. Pitta Pacification: Reducing Pitta dosha through dietary and lifestyle modification.
  2. Line of Treatment for Pitta atisar: Initially Langhana (fasting) and digest ama and advise light food.

MEDICINES

  1. Kul Kandan Ras
  2. Parval Panchamrit Ras
  3. Kutajavleha
  4. Kamdudha Ras
  5. Sutshekhar Ras
  6. Piyushvali Ras  

HERBAL REMEDIES FOR ULCERATIVE COLITIS BY PLANET AYURVEDA

Ayurvedic herbs play an important part in a holistic approach to health and wellness. Planet Ayurveda is a GMP-certified company that follows a holistic approach toward health and recovery from the disease. Planet Ayurveda provides the most effective combination of herbal remedies. These are prepared with the best quality herbs. All these herbs are free from chemicals, and preservatives and these are pure or natural and free from side effects. There are many ayurvedic medicines for Ulcerative Colitis but in this, we use Ulcerative Colitis Care Pack for better results.

  1. Arjuna Capsules
  2. Vatsakadi Churna
  3. Pitta Balance
  4. Kutajghan Vati 
Ulcerative Colitis Care Pack

Product Description

1. Arjuna Capsules

Arjuna capsules are prepared using standardised extract of Arjuna (Terminalia Arjuna). Arjuna helps to clear the ulcers, stops bleeding and diarrhea and also relieves the inflammation in the colon.

Dosage: 2 capsules twice daily with plain water after meal

2. Vatsakadi Churna

Vatsakadi is a powder formulation of pure natural formation that helps to maintain a healthy digestive system. It is made by a blend of pure herbs such as Kutaj (Holarrhena antidysentrica), Bilva (Aegle marmelos), Saunf (Foeniculum vulgare) etc. They all play a major role in reducing the symptoms of diseases like inflammation, removing body toxins, improving digestion, boosting appetite, reducing indigestion and also improving breathing problems, and decreasing colonic inflammation.

Dosage: 1 teaspoonful twice daily with plain wait after meal.

3. Pitta Balance

Pitta Balance is a capsule formulation. This formulation mainly includes Praval pishti (Coral calcium), Akik pishti (Silicon dioxide), Jahar Mohra Pishti (Serpentine) and Mukti pishti (Pearl)etc. All these help to reduce body weakness, gastric issues, diarrhoea, and heartburn. Also play a major role in managing bleeding in UC. So this is a full package to reduce the symptoms of all Pitta-related diseases.

Dosage: 1 capsule twice daily with plain water after meal

4. Kutajghan Vati

It is a tablet formation prepared using Kutaj (Holarrhena Antidysentrica) as the main ingredient. This formulation is commonly used to manage diarrhea and dysentery and help in controlling the frequency of motion.

Dosage:  2 tablets twice daily with plain water after the meal

CONCLUSION

Ulcerative colitis is a disease that can’t be cured completely in all the patients but it can be possible by following the various principles of Ayurvedic treatment which can provide a better quality of health and life for the patients. Various oral medicines and therapies show very great effects in this and have been proven useful in reducing the symptoms and severity of the condition. The present study sheds focus on Ulcerative colitis with the Ayurvedic concept and its treatment according to Ayurvedic Principles.

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Dr. Vikram Chauhan (MD-Ayurvedic Medicine) is an expert Ayurveda consultant in Chandigarh (India). He has vast experience of herbs and their applied uses. He has successfully treated numerous patients suffering from various ailments, throughout the world. He is CEO and Founder of Krishna Herbal Company and Planet Ayurveda in Chandigarh, India. He researched age old formulas from ancient Ayurvedic text books to restore health and save human beings from the worst side-effects of chemical-based treatments.