Immunodeficiency disorders are usually due to a lack of some components of the immune system such as the B cell or the T cell. This condition can be either inherited, acquired, on drug induced, and is usually caused due to advanced cancer, extensive anti-cancer therapy, viral infections, blood transfusions, surgery, malnutrition, and stress. AIDS is currently the most devastating immunodeficiency disorder which targets the T4 cells. The duration of treatment for immunodeficiency depends upon the nature and severity of the disorder; however, most conditions like congenital immune system defects and AIDS require either like long-term or lifelong therapy.
Ayurvedic herbal treatment for immunodeficiency disorders is aimed at boosting the general immune system of the body, correcting the known deficits, and giving symptomatic treatment for the affected individual. There are many herbs which have a known immunomodulatory action and a combination of such herbs is used in large doses and for prolonged periods in the management of immunodeficiency disorders. In addition, several Ayurvedic medicines and herbs have a specific action on different organs and systems of the body. Such medicines can be used on a case-to-case basis according to the presentation of the immunodeficiency and the symptoms, as well as the disease caused because of the deficiency. Such specific immunomodulation needs to be given in courses of small duration. For example, immunomodulation of the respiratory tract consists of one specific course of 19 days which needs to be repeated several times, especially in the winter season. Yet another course of medicines of the respiratory tract is given regularly for two or three months at a time.
A special form of treatment known as ‘Vardhmaan Rasayan’ is a special feature of Ayurvedic treatment in which immunomodulatory medicines are given in progressively increasing doses so as to help the body assimilate the medicine and benefit from them, without any side-effects. Such treatments can be used for the respiratory tract, the gastrointestinal tract, and for almost any disease as well as generalised immunomodulation of the body. Ayurvedic herbal treatment thus has a specific role to play in the management and treatment of immunodeficiency disorders.
The writer, Dr. A. A. Mundewadi, is available as an online Ayurvedic Consultant at https://www.mundewadiayurvedicclinic.com and http://www.ayurvedaphysician.com
