Article by Dr Raghuram Y.S. MD (Ay) & Dr Manasa, B.A.M.S
Yakrit, in keeping with Ayurveda, is unquestionably an vital organ. Yakrit vis-à-vis liver has been virtually all the time defined with one other organ Pliha i.e. spleen. Ayurveda believes that although they’re completely different anatomical constructions, the capabilities they render within the physique are virtually the identical.
In reality, we are able to see that Pliha has been given extra significance compared to Yakrit. Within the context of Udara Rogas – enlargement of stomach, eight forms of the illness have been defined. The Acharyas clarify Plihodara i.e. enlargement of spleen / Splenomegaly intimately and skip detailing Yakrutodara i.e. enlargement of liver / Hepatomegaly. Later it’s mentioned that – ‘Similar to the enlargement of the spleen, if the enlargement of the stomach happens on the proper aspect, it needs to be thought-about that the liver situated therein is enlarged’.
Each these organs are –
– the roots of raktavaha srotas – blood carrying channels within the physique
– the abodes of raktadhara kala – layers or membranes accountable for formation of blood tissue situated within the liver and spleen
– the raktashayas – abodes or reservoirs of blood
The data of those information are very important for understanding the ideas of treating the ‘yakrit rogas’ – the liver problems.
Associated Studying – ‘Yakrit’ – pathological viewpoints and concerns – Ayurveda Perspective
Therapy ideas of Yakrit Rogas – Liver Problems
Garbhini Paricharya: Antenatal Care
Yakrut is a maternal organ – Matruja Avayava. It’s shaped, enriched and nourished by maternal elements. Subsequently, the antenatal care of the pregnant lady is essential. As such, correct vitamin and way of life practices are important for pregnant ladies for general and correct progress and growth of the fetus, which incorporates nourishment and correct growth of the liver. The standard and amount of maternal blood needs to be usually evaluated. Illnesses pertaining to raktavaha srotas, if any, needs to be promptly handled.
Administration of vitiation of Raktavaha Srotas
Yakrit – liver, Pliha – spleen and Raktavahini Dhamanis – arteries carrying blood – are the roots of raktavaha srotas – channels which kind and transport blood.
Ideas of treating the illnesses precipitated attributable to vitiation of raktavaha srotas
विधि शोणिते अध्याये रक्तजानां भिषक् जितम्॥(च.सू.२८/२५)
The illnesses precipitated attributable to vitiation of raktavaha srotas needs to be managed on the traces of remedy and administration defined within the chapter ‘Vidhi shonitiya’ of Charaka Sutra sthana.
कुर्यात् शोणित रोगेषु रक्त पित्त हरीं क्रियाम्।
विरेकं उपवासं च स्रावणं शोणितस्य च॥(च.सू.२४/१८)
The administration contains:
1. Raktapittahara Chikitsa – Therapy on the traces of raktapitta chikitsa (remedy of bleeding problems)
2. Virekam / Virechana – therapeutic purgation
3. Upavasam – therapeutic hunger / fasting
4. Raktamokshana – bloodletting
The identical ideas of remedy additionally match into the remedy of Liver and Spleen problems as a result of they’re roots of raktavaha srotas.
Pandu Roga and Kamala Roga Chikitsa
Pandu Roga, which has been in comparison with anemia, additionally encompasses nearly all of liver illnesses underneath the umbrella time period. Pallor, tiredness and exertional dyspnea / shortness of breath whereas ascending stairs or uphill are the vital signs among the many lot.
If the signs of Pandu Roga are discovered, a liver or spleen situation shall be handled on the traces of treating Pandu Roga.
Kamala means Jaundice. Once more, the haemopoietic organs – liver and spleen are concerned on this illness. There are two pathways during which kamala happens.
– One, it could happen independently as talked about within the context of Rakta Vriddhi Lakshanas. Kamala is without doubt one of the signs / illness or complication of pathological enhance of blood tissue.
– Two, it could happen as a complication of uncared for Pandu Roga. Within the pathogenesis of Kamala Roga, it’s mentioned that if the affected person of pandu roga or the one who has recovered from it consumes in extra, the pitta aggravating causes, inclusive of meals and way of life practices, the pitta will burn the rakta – blood and mamsa – muscle mass and trigger kamala roga.
If there’s kamala, the capabilities of the liver, identical to in pandu roga, can be compromised. If the signs of kamala are discovered, the affected person ought to promptly be handled for a similar. On the identical time, the affected person of pandu roga needs to be suggested to take warning within the observe up upkeep and shall be alerted about additional liver harm and prevalence of jaundice and different difficult circumstances of liver and spleen if precautions associated to meals and way of life shouldn’t be taken and if the etiological elements accountable for causation of pandu and kamala will not be stored away.
Proper steadiness of fats tissue
1. Medo Vriddhi – Pathological enhance of fats tissue, weight problems and chubby circumstances trigger a big selection of well being points and also will have a nasty affect on liver and spleen well being. Within the context of medo roga – illnesses precipitated attributable to errors of fats metabolism, it’s mentioned that when the elevated fats blocks the channels of the physique, all tissues of the physique is not going to be nourished. In reality, solely fats tissue can be nourished at the price of different tissues. This additionally contains depletion or insufficient formation of blood tissue. This will finally result in anemia and different circumstances. Deposit of meda – fats tissue contained in the core of the liver could trigger circumstances like fatty liver which additionally meddles with capabilities of the liver.
2. Medo Kshaya – Pleeha or Pliha Vriddhi – enlargement of spleen has been talked about among the many signs of depletion of fats tissue within the physique. The time period pliha not directly entails the liver additionally. So, a proportional steadiness of fats tissue may be very a lot important for the upkeep of optimum liver and spleen well being.
Panchakarma in Liver Problems
Virechana – therapeutic purgation is the very best remedy for liver problems for the reason that liver is the seat of pitta and agni. Virechana expels morbid pitta and therefore reduces additional burnouts. Virechana additionally detoxifies the liver and spleen and restores their well being.
Vamana – therapeutic emesis needs to be thought-about when there’s kapha aggravation and is inflicting blocks within the liver and is disturbing the capabilities of the organ. It also needs to be administered in pitta predominant hepatomegaly and splenomegaly.
Vasti – enemas with milk processed with decoction of pitta assuaging herbs shall be administered in splenomegaly related to or attributable to vitiated pitta. Likewise bloodletting and emesis additionally shall be administered.
Ama Pachana and Deepana
Medicines which destroy ama and relieve the blocks occurring within the channels of the physique and restores metabolism and capabilities of the organs and tissues needs to be administered. Equally, medicines, meals and herbs which improve the digestive energy / fireplace also needs to be administered when there’s agnimandya – lowered digestive fireplace resulting in dysfunctions of the liver.
Yakrutodara / Plihodara Chikitsa
The overall line of remedy prescribed for udara roga – belly enlargement and particular remedies prescribed for treating yakrutodara – hepatomegaly (enlargement of liver) and plihodara – splenomegaly (enlargement of spleen) needs to be thought-about in treating liver or spleen enlargement.
The ideas of remedy for enlargement of spleen or liver are –
– Snehana – oleation
– Swedana – sudation
– Virechana – purgation
– Niruha – decoction enemas
– Anuvasana – oil / fats enemas
– Siravedha – bloodletting – when the above mentioned remedies fail
Shatphala Ghrta and Arishtas needs to be used and in addition alkalis or mixture of Haritaki – Terminalia chebula and jaggery.
All therapies, formulations and measures defined for treating
enlargement of spleen shall be administered for treating enlargement of the liver additionally. It is because the causes and signs of each these
circumstances are comparable.
Siravedha and Agnikarma: Vein part (venesection) and fireplace cautery for hepatomegaly
Siravedha – Bloodletting by venesection – If all of the remedies together with snehana, swedana, virechana, niruha and anuvasana fail to yield aid or remedy for splenomegaly, then bloodletting by venesection of the vein situated within the left arm needs to be finished.
Agnikarma – cauterization – is finished in a affected person of spleen enlargement having vata and kapha predominance.
The identical ideas of remedy shall be adopted for enlargement of liver additionally.
