Encephalitis is a medical condition in which the brain gets infected usually due to a virus or occasionally due to bacteria, fungi, or other parasites. Other causes for encephalitis include inflammation of the brain, bleeding, tumor, collagen disorders, toxins, drugs and vaccines. The symptoms of encephalitis include fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, neck pain and rigidity, altered consciousness, tremor, convulsions, and later on, respiratory arrest, coma and death. The modern management of encephalitis includes intensive hospital care, antibiotics and steroids.
Ayurvedic herbal treatment can be given as an additional and supportive treatment for patients of encephalitis who are being managed in hospital. Ayurvedic treatment is aimed at treating the inflammation and damage to the brain so as to control the infection, minimise damage and help in reducing morbidity and mortality resulting from this condition. Ayurvedic herbal medicines which have a strengthening action on the nervous system are used in high doses in order to bring about an early remission for encephalitis. After treating and controlling inflammation, the toxins generated due to this condition are removed from the circulation either through the gastrointestinal system or through the kidneys.
Ayurvedic medicines can also be given to help maintain and stabilise the general condition of the affected individual so as to tide over the crisis. In order to achieve this, Ayurvedic medicines which maintain blood perfusion to important organs are used, in combination with other herbal medicines which have a strong immunomodulatory effect. The combined action of all these medicines is to help treat encephalitis, control symptoms, and bring about an early recovery, with minimum chances of acute and long-term complications.
Ayurvedic herbal treatment needs to be instituted as early as possible in individuals having confirmed encephalitis, in order to maximise the therapeutic benefit which can be obtained from treatment. In addition, Ayurvedic herbal treatment may also need to be continued for several months in order to prevent long-term complications and neurological damage.
Ayurvedic herbal treatment thus has a significant role to play in the management and treatment of encephalitis.
The writer, Dr. A. A. Mundewadi, is available as an online Ayurvedic Consultant at www.ayurvedaphysician.com
