Autoimmune Diseases – Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment

A human being has inborn immunity to protect from infections to which the body is exposed at every living moment. This immunity is of two types; natural and the acquired type. The natural, innate, or inborn immune system is the more primitive one, and it activates white blood cells to destroy invaders without producing antibodies. The acquired or adaptive immune system is more complex, and is develops over time, as the body is exposed to more and more foreign elements. This system learns to remember invaders, and activates immune cells to produce proteins called antibodies, which attach to invaders so that they can be recognized and destroyed.

            Autoimmune diseases result when the immune system fails to recognize the body parts as its own and starts targeting and destroying them, by creating auto-antibodies.  Almost any body part can be affected, either singly or several together. Symptoms depend upon the affected parts. Morbidity and mortality depend upon the severity of damage and the body systems affected. Inflammation is the hallmark of autoimmune diseases. Currently, more than eighty autoimmune disorders are known and include mainly rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes, SLE, multiple sclerosis, psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease, Addison’s disease, Grave’s disease, Sjogren syndrome, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and myasthenia gravis.

            Currently, it is not clear what exactly causes autoimmune diseases; however, there could be a combination of causative and aggravating factors such as a hereditary predisposition, chronic infection, exposure to toxic chemicals, faulty diet, high and sustained stress, reduced immunity, lack of exposure to exercise and sunlight,  etc.

            Ayurvedic herbal treatment can be judiciously utilized for the comprehensive management and treatment of autoimmune disorders. Accumulation of toxins within the body can be eliminated using general and cellular level detoxifying herbs. Herbal medicines are very efficient in treating chronic infection and residual chronic inflammation. Normalization of the metabolic process and strengthening of weak or damaged organs and body systems is an important part of treatment with the use of herbal medicines.

            Patients need to adopt a healthy diet with a mix of different fruits and vegetables, nuts, healthy oils, ghee (clarified butter) and bone broth. Regular exposure to sunlight, deep breathing, exercises, and relation techniques, in addition to avoiding known trigger factors, help a lot in reducing symptoms, and improving immunity. Rejuvenating herbs are used to improve strength and vitality. Specific treatment is also given for affected body parts and systems.

            Ayurvedic herbal treatment when given on a long term basis using the above mentioned principles gradually helps modulate the body immunity so that it starts helping the body instead of fighting against it. Severity of symptoms and frequent recurrence gradually subside , and the patient is able to lead a normal or near normal life without a fear of relapse. Adopting healthy practices and avoiding harmful factors can go a long way in preventing recurrence. Special Ayurvedic Rasayan medicines can be used at this stage for a short period to further strengthen body systems so as to improve the quality of life.

Ayurvedic herbal medicines can thus provide a successful and comprehensive treatment of autoimmune disorders.

The writer, Dr A A Mundewadi is available as an Ayurvedic Consultant at https://www.mundewadiayurvedicclinic.com and http://www.ayurvedaphysician.com

Successful Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment of Mixed Connective Tissue Disease (MCTD)

Mixed Connective Tissue Disease (MCTD) is an autoimmune disease which includes Reynaud’s phenomenon (discoloration of fingertips and toes in extreme temperatures), arthritis, esophageal dysfunction, myositis (inflammation of muscles), pulmonary hypertension, sclerodactyly (swollen and hardened fingers and toes), skin rash, reduced white blood cell counts, pleuritis (inflamed coverings of lungs), pericarditis (inflamed coverings of heart), along with high levels of ribonucleioprotein antibodies. Women are ten times more affected by this condition than men.

Autoimmune diseases are those clinical conditions in which the immune system of the body becomes dysfunctional and starts targeting body organs and tissues, resulting in long term inflammation and damage. The modern, conservative treatment of MCTD is to suppress the dysfunctional immune system using steroids or immunosuppressant drugs; while this brings about an early relief from symptoms, most patients tend to relapse in the long run. The Ayurvedic treatment protocol for the management of MCTD consists of treating symptoms, treating the damaged tissues and organs, normalizing metabolism, soothing a hyper-reactive immune system, and treating all possible causes of the disease. Causes include chronic allergies, chronic inflammation, chronic infections, nutritional deficiencies, degeneration, and toxic build up in the body.

Detoxification, rejuvenation treatment of tissues and organs, immune modulation and symptomatic treatment need to be done separately or concurrently. Treating and protecting important internal organs like the heart, lungs and kidneys, and bringing about successful immune modulation, need to be accorded top priority in the long run. When it becomes apparent that the immune system is gradually functioning at optimal levels, the herbal medicines can be tapered off gradually. Depending upon the severity of the condition and the treatment response of the patient, treatment time may range anywhere from six to twenty-four months. Educating the patient about a healthy diet and lifestyle becomes important at this stage so as to enjoy optimal health and avoid a relapse of the condition.

Concurrent treatment with modern medicines and Ayurvedic herbal medicines can be safely given on a long term basis; however, adequate monitoring and testing is essential.

The writer, Dr. A. A. Mundewadi, is available as an online Ayurvedic Consultant at https://www.mundewadiayurvedicclinic.com and http://www.ayurvedaphysician.com

Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment for Mixed Connective-Tissue Disease (MCTD)

Mixed connective-tissue Disease is a serious disorder which is a combination of several autoimmune diseases such as Reynaud's phenomenon, arthritis, myositis, skin rash, and involvement of the heart and lungs.  Mixed connective-tissue disease usually results from a decreased or compromised immunity, in which the immune complex of the body works against itself.  This condition is more common in women, and its onset is usually seen in a young age.

Mixed connective-tissue disease is usually treated in the modern system of medicine with steroids and other medicines which suppress the body immunity.  While this gives symptomatic relief initially, the long-term results are not favorable and the side-effects of these medicines can be considerable and quite serious.  Ayurvedic herbal treatment is very effective in the treatment of mixed connective-tissue disease.  The most important aspect of Ayurvedic treatment is that it aims to correct the autoimmune process going on in the body of the affected individual.  Correction of the immune complex is a must in order to treat the condition completely.  Ayurvedic herbal medicines normalize the immune process and treat the inflammatory reaction going on in the body, which results in the manifestation of autoimmune disorders mentioned above.

Ayurvedic herbal medicines are aimed at normalizing and correcting the tissues of the body such as blood, muscle, fat, skin, as well as the imported internal organs.  This process is usually slow and takes around three to six months in order to show significant improvement.  However, treatment in this manner corrects and normalizes the inflammatory process going on in these tissues and in the internal organs and thereby leads to a complete cure of the condition.  Aggressive treatment of this condition in the initial phase of the disease is advisable in order to prevent serious manifestations of the imported internal organs in the long run.  Involvement of the heart, lungs, liver, and kidneys can be serious and possibly fatal; hence early recognition of these conditions and prompt treatment is very important.

Ayurvedic herbal treatment is thus very effective in the management of mixed connective-tissue disease and this treatment should be offered to all individuals affected with this condition, since the viable and effective treatment options for this condition are few in the modern system of medicine.

The writer, Dr. A. A. Mundewadi, is available as an online Ayurvedic Consultant at https://www.mundewadiayurvedicclinic.com and http://www.ayurvedaphysician.com