Article by Dr Raghuram Y.S. MD (Ay) & Dr Manasa, B.A.M.S
Yakrit, based on Ayurveda, is unquestionably an essential organ. Yakrit vis-à-vis liver has been nearly all the time defined with one other organ Pliha i.e. spleen. Ayurveda believes that although they’re totally different anatomical buildings, the features they render within the physique are nearly the identical.
Actually, 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 kinds 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 mentioned that – ‘Similar to the enlargement of the spleen, if the enlargement of the stomach happens on the precise facet, it must 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 details are very important for understanding the ideas of treating the ‘yakrit rogas’ – the liver problems.
Associated Studying – ‘Yakrit’ – pathological viewpoints and concerns – Ayurveda Perspective
Therapy ideas of Yakrit Rogas – Liver Issues
Garbhini Paricharya: Antenatal Care
Yakrut is a maternal organ – Matruja Avayava. It’s fashioned, enriched and nourished by maternal elements. Subsequently, the antenatal care of the pregnant lady is essential. As such, correct diet and life-style practices are important for pregnant ladies for total and correct progress and improvement of the fetus, which incorporates nourishment and correct improvement of the liver. The standard and amount of maternal blood must be often evaluated. Illnesses pertaining to raktavaha srotas, if any, must 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 brought about because of vitiation of raktavaha srotas
विधि शोणिते अध्याये रक्तजानां भिषक् जितम्॥(च.सू.२८/२५)
The illnesses brought about because of vitiation of raktavaha srotas must be managed on the traces of therapy 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 – Therapy on the traces of raktapitta chikitsa (therapy of bleeding problems)
2. Virekam / Virechana – therapeutic purgation
3. Upavasam – therapeutic hunger / fasting
4. Raktamokshana – bloodletting
The identical ideas of therapy additionally match into the therapy of Liver and Spleen problems 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 nearly all of liver illnesses beneath the umbrella time period. Pallor, tiredness and exertional dyspnea / shortness of breath whereas ascending stairs or uphill are the essential 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 through which kamala happens.
– One, it might happen independently as talked about within the context of Rakta Vriddhi Lakshanas. Kamala is among the signs / illness or complication of pathological improve of blood tissue.
– Two, it might happen as a complication of uncared for Pandu Roga. Within the pathogenesis of Kamala Roga, it’s mentioned 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, will likely 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 must be suggested to take warning within the observe up upkeep and shall be alerted about additional liver harm and prevalence of jaundice and different sophisticated circumstances of liver and spleen if precautions associated to meals and life-style is just not taken and if the etiological elements chargeable for causation of pandu and kamala usually are not stored away.
Proper steadiness of fats tissue
1. Medo Vriddhi – Pathological improve of fats tissue, weight problems and obese circumstances trigger a wide selection of well being points and also will have a foul affect on liver and spleen well being. Within the context of medo roga – illnesses brought about because of errors of fats metabolism, it’s mentioned that when the elevated fats blocks the channels of the physique, all tissues of the physique won’t be nourished. Actually, solely fats tissue will likely be nourished at the price of different tissues. This additionally contains depletion or insufficient formation of blood tissue. This will ultimately result in anemia and different circumstances. Deposit of meda – fats tissue contained in the core of the liver might trigger circumstances 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 steadiness of fats tissue may 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 therapy for liver problems for the reason that 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 must 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 must be administered. Equally, medicines, meals and herbs which improve the digestive energy / hearth must also be administered when there may be agnimandya – diminished digestive hearth resulting in dysfunctions of the liver.
Yakrutodara / Plihodara Chikitsa
The final line of therapy prescribed for udara roga – stomach enlargement and particular remedies prescribed for treating yakrutodara – hepatomegaly (enlargement of liver) and plihodara – splenomegaly (enlargement of spleen) must be thought of in treating liver or spleen enlargement.
The ideas of therapy 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 mentioned remedies fail
Shatphala Ghrta and Arishtas must 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’s because the causes and signs of each these
circumstances are related.
Siravedha and Agnikarma: Vein part (venesection) and hearth cautery for hepatomegaly
Siravedha – Bloodletting by venesection – If all of the remedies together with snehana, swedana, virechana, niruha and anuvasana fail to yield aid or treatment for splenomegaly, then bloodletting by venesection of the vein positioned within the left arm must be accomplished.
Agnikarma – cauterization – is finished in a affected person of spleen enlargement having vata and kapha predominance.
The identical ideas of therapy shall be adopted for enlargement of liver additionally.
