Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP), also known as anaphylactoid purpura, is a medical condition more frequently seen in children and results usually from a disturbed immune reaction to an infection or some medication. The symptoms of HSP include skin rash at the back of the lower extremities, pain and swelling in joints, and cramping pain in the abdomen. The main pathology of this medical condition is inflammation of blood vessels, also known as vasculitis, in which small blood vessels in the capillaries get inflamed and start bleeding. This reaction can thus be seen in the skin, kidneys, joints, as well as the abdomen.
Ayurvedic herbal treatment for HSP is aimed at reversing the pathology of the disease as well as giving symptomatic treatment for the presenting symptoms in the affected individual. Ayurvedic herbal medicines which have a specific action on the blood as well as on blood vessels are used in high doses in order to reverse the pathology quickly and easily. These herbal medicines have a soothing and anti-inflammatory action not only on the blood vessels but on other inflamed tissue within the body. Because of this action of the medicines, pain, swelling, and bleeding are controlled very easily. Ayurvedic herbal medicines are also given which give strength to the connective tissue in the damaged parts of the body.
In addition, herbal medicines are also given to boost the immunity of the body so as to control rash, swelling, itching as well as the other symptoms seen from this disease. Immunomodulation helps in the control of the disease as well as in preventing a recurrence of the condition. It is also equally important to preserve vital organs such as the kidneys. Medicines are given which flush the inflammatory debris and toxins from the blood and the damaged organs and expel these through the gastrointestinal tract as well as the kidneys and the urinary system. Medicines which act specifically on the kidneys are used in order to prevent long-term damage to the kidneys.
Most patients affected with HSP usually require Ayurvedic herbal treatment for a period of 2 to 4 months. Almost all patients recover completely from this disease without any long-term complications. This demonstrates the utility and effectivity of Ayurvedic herbal medicines in the treatment of HSP.
The writer, Dr. A. A. Mundewadi, is available as an online Ayurvedic Consultant at www.ayurvedaphysician.com
