Celiac disease is also known as sprue, non tropical sprue, gluten enteropathy, and adult celiac disease. This is a disease of the small intestine in which the inner lining gets inflamed and destroyed due to an immunological reaction to gluten protein, which is present in wheat, rye, barley, and oats. This damage causes a reduction in the absorption of dietary nutrients and therefore causes nutritional, vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Symptoms of this condition include diarrhoea, malodorous flatulence, abdominal bloating, increased amounts of fat in the stool, weight loss, fluid retention, anemia, osteoporosis, easy bruising, peripheral neuropathy, infertility and muscle weakness. Therefore, individuals affected with this condition required vitamin and mineral supplements and should follow a gluten-free diet.
Ayurvedic herbal treatment for celiac disease is aimed at treating the root cause of the condition as well as giving symptomatic treatment. Herbal medicines which have a digestive action and improve absorption and assimilation of food are important in the management of this condition. These medicines can only be useful if these are combined with other medicines which can help improve and regenerate the inner lining of the small intestines. In addition, immunomodulatory herbal medicines are also used in order to prevent or cure the immunological reaction present within the small intestines.
Individuals suffering from celiac disease for prolonged periods need an aggressive therapy in the form of progressively increasing doses of Ayurvedic medicines in order to bring about a regeneration of the inner lining of the small intestine, and a remission of all associated symptoms. These treatments are known as ‘Vardhmaan Rasayan’ in the Ayurvedic system of medicines. Treatment is generally required for about four to six months in order to bring about a complete remission of all symptoms. Individuals taking Ayurvedic treatment usually need to adopt a diet of yogurt, buttermilk, and juices and solutions of cereals, pulses and fruits.
The writer, Dr. A. A. Mundewadi, is available as an online Ayurvedic Consultant at www.ayurvedaphysician.com
