Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura: Ayurvedic Solutions

November 17, 2025 · by · in

ABSTRACT

In today’s time we all have heard of Autoimmune diseases, so what exactly are autoimmune diseases. Autoimmune diseases are health conditions that happen when your immune system attacks your body instead of defending it. There are different types of autoimmune diseases affecting various parts of the body and symptoms can range from fatigue and joint pain to skin problems and organ damage. One such disease is ITP that is idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura also called idiopathic thrombocytopenia. It is a bleeding disorder in which our immune system mistakes the healthy platelet cells (responsible for clotting) as foreign cells and attacks them leading to a significant  reduction in its count. Now we’ll discuss this and its Ayurvedic aspect in detail.

What is Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP)

Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is a type of platelet disorder that develops when your blood doesn’t clot as it should because of a low platelet count. Normally during any injury, platelets along with some other factors form a plug to stop bleeding. So when platelet count is low, proper clotting of blood is not possible leading to this disorder. It usually results in excessive bleeding even from a small injury or wound.  It is a rare autoimmune disease which can occur to both children and adults.

There are 2 forms of ITP:

  1. Acute thrombocytopenic purpura:  This is the most common type of ITP and mainly affects younger children. Less commonly, it may occur in older children and adults. Symptoms often appear after a virus infection. Acute ITP often starts suddenly. Symptoms may go away in less than 6 months usually within a few weeks. Treatment is often not needed. The disorder usually does not reoccur.
  2. Chronic thrombocytopenic purpura:  This disorder can happen at any age. Symptoms can last from 6 months to several years. Or they may last for your whole life. Adults have this type more often than children do. Women are mainly more affected than men.

Causes of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura

ITP is an auto-immune disease whose cause is unknown but it may be triggered by the following conditions :-

  • Viral infections like chickenpox, hepatitis C, AIDS, etc
  • Immune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, SLE, etc
  • Side effects of some medications
  • Low grade lymphoma and leukemia

Symptoms of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura

  • Purpura
  • Petechiae
  • Bleeding from body orifices
  • Extreme tiredness and dizziness
  • Pale skin color
  • Heavy menstrual bleeding
  • ITP in pregnancy may cause excessive bleeding during delivery

Diagnosing ITP: Essential Steps for Accurate Results

Diagnosis is usually done based on physical examination, family and medical history.

Some of the tests for ITP are:

  • Complete blood count (CBC)
  • Peripheral blood smear
  • Bone marrow tests
  • Bleeding time and clotting time

ITP: Effective Treatment Strategies

Treatment will depend on your symptoms, age, and general health. It will also depend on severity.

  • Corticosteroids such as prednisone, dexamethasone
  • IVIG (intravenous immunoglobulin)
  • Anti-D immunoglobulin
  • Platelet transfusions

Ayurvedic Overview of ITP (Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura)

In Ayurveda, ITP can be correlated with Tiryakgata Raktapitta (Bleeding disorder). When due to excessive consumption of Ushna (hot potency), Tikshna (strong), Katu (bitter), and Lavana (salty) Rasa Ahara (food) the Pitta gets vitiated. Then this pitta along with vata and kapha causes the imbalance of the rakta dhatu (blood). Aggravated pitta and rakta dhatu (blood) together cause raktapitta (bleeding disorder). Further vitiated Rakta (blood) flows out from all orifices including Romakupa (hair follicles). It is called Tiryak Gata Rakthapitta (a type of bleeding disorder).

It leads to symptoms like Sarvanga Dahatva (burning sensation in body),  Nasagata Raktastrava (bleeding from nose), Jwara (fever), Shuka Purna Galasyata(sore throat), Chardi (vomiting),Klama (weakness), Aruchi(loss of appetite).  

As per treatment of raktapitta (bleeding disorder), shamana (pacifying) and shodhana(purifying) therapies are done to manage it.

In Shodhana (purifying) therapies, raktamokshana (bloodletting) is done. As it helps in pacifying both rakta and pitta. It can be done by leech therapy or siravyada (vein puncture). Virechana (purgation), basti karma (enema therapy) are also very helpful.

For Shamana (Pacifying) purposes, various herbal drugs that pacify rakta and pitta and do not cause further imbalance among other dosha and dhatus (tissues) are taken. Herbal drugs like Yashtimadhu (Glycyrrhiza glabra), Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia), Vasa (Adhatoda vasica), Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Punarnava (Boerhavia diffusa)  and many others are used. Classical formulations like Manjishthadi kashayam, Guduchi Ghana Vati, Swarna Vasant Malti Ras, Kumar Kalyan Ras,  Sarivadyasava, Drakshasava,etc are used.

ITP Care Guide: Key Do’s and Don’ts for Patients

  • Taking cooling foods like milk, ghee, sugarcane juice, coconut water, amla (Indian gooseberry), pomegranate, grapes, lotus stem, and cucumber is beneficial.
  • Avoid excessive heat, direct sun, anger and stress and stay hydrated and stay in cool shaded places.
  • Practicing mild Yogasana & Pranayama like Sheetali, Sheetkari Pranayama.
  • Avoid hot, spicy, sour, salty, fried, fermented food.

HERBAL REMEDIES FOR ITP BY PLANET AYURVEDA

Herbal remedies recommended by Planet Ayurveda are pure, natural, and free of side effects. Such a product that is recommended by Planet Ayurveda for the treatment of ITP is ITP LEVEL-1 (BASIC PACK). It is formulated by expert MD Ayurveda Doctors and is free from chemicals, preservatives, additives, colors. The pack includes 5 products namely Plato Plan Syrup, Ashwagandha Capsules, Punarnava Mandoor, Hemoplan Syrup, Swarn Vasant Malti Rasa.

1. Plato Plan Syrup

This is a syrup formulation of Planet Ayurveda that is made up using Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia), Erand karkati  (Carica papaya), Wheat grass (Triticum aestivum), Amalaki (Embelica officinalis), and many more. Its active compounds like papain and flavonoid stimulate bone marrow megakaryocytes to enhance platelet production. It is designed to naturally enhance platelet count and boost immunity.

Dosage: 1-2 teaspoons twice a day after meals with plain water.

2. Ashwagandha Capsules

This is a capsule formulation of Planet Ayurveda formed using standardised extract of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera). It has constituents like withanolides, flavonoids, somniferine, etc. that suppress abnormal immune activation and promote regulatory T-cell function and  reduce platelet destruction. It protects platelet membranes from oxidative injury and rejuvenates the hematopoietic system. 

Dosage: 1-2 capsules twice a day with plain water after meals.

3. Punarnava Mandur

This is a tablet formulation of Planet Ayurveda that is formed using herbs like Punarnava (Boerhavia diffusa), Shunthi (Zingiber officinale), Maricha (Piper nigrum), Mandur bhasma (Ferric oxide calx), Pippali (Piper longum), Haridra (Curcuma longa), etc. Mandur bhasma provides bioavailable Ferric Oxide that nourishes rakta dhatu (Blood tissue). It acts as rakta vardhak ( blood enriching), yakrit uttejaka (stimulates liver cells), and ojo vardhak (enhances immunity) thus helpful in ITP.

Dosage: 1-2 tablets twice or thrice a day with lukewarm water after meals.

4. Hemo plan Syrup

This is a syrup formulation of Planet Ayurveda which is prepared using herbs like Manjistha (Rubia cordifolia), Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus), Draksha (Vitis vinifera), Sariva (Hemidesmus indicus), etc. It acts as a blood purifier and supports hemoglobin levels, enhances iron absorption and strengthens general blood quality.

Dosage: 1-2 teaspoons twice a day with plain water after meals.

5. Swaran Vasant Malti Rasa

This is a tablet formulation described in classical texts  which includes Swarna bhasma (Gold calx), Mukta bhasma (Pearl clax), Kharpara (Zinc), Shuddha Parad (Purified Mercury), Shuddha Gandhak (Purified Sulphur), etc. It  regulates immune responses, reduces autoantibody formation and enhances Ojas. It stabilizes platelet membranes and stimulates bone marrow for platelet regeneration. It also helps to strengthen blood capillaries and improve clotting ability.

Dosage: 1 tablet once or twice a day with honey or butter after meals.

CONCLUSION

Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP) is a bleeding disorder marked by low platelet count, which can be correlated with Tiryakgata Raktapitta (type of bleeding disorder) and Tridosha imbalance in Ayurveda, primarily involving vitiation of Pitta and Rakta Dhatu (blood). Allopathic treatment is majorly corticosteroid-based but has several side effects and IVIG and anti-D immunoglobulin are available but are less effective and less acceptable. Whereas in Ayurveda herbs like Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Punarnava (Boerhavia diffusa), Amalaki (Embelica officinalis), Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia), and Swarna Bhasma (Gold calx) are used for immune modulation, Rasayana (rejuvenation) and hemostatic effects. Therapies aim to purify blood (Raktashodhana), balance Doshas, and strengthen immunity with Rasayana Chikitsa (Rejuvenating treatment) and thus eradicating the root cause and treating the disease.

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Dr. Vikram Chauhan

MD-Ayurveda at Planet Ayurveda
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.
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