Tuberculosis - Scope of Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment

Tuberculosis is one of the major killer diseases of modern times. Till recently, anti-tuberculosis drug regimes were successful in curing the disease in a majority of affected patients. However, multi-drug resistance is fast becoming a major concern for health providers the world over. Moreover, tuberculosis is no more a disease of only the poor or developing nations. At least a third of the world's population is believed to be harboring latent (hidden) tuberculosis, which can later on give rise to active infection and subsequent transmission to others.

Ayurvedic herbal treatment has a definite and important role to play in the successful management of tuberculosis infection. This role has significance on several fronts. In the last five decades, it has become apparent that all currently available modern drugs for tuberculosis can be potentially toxic to the liver. This may lead to decreased appetite, inflammation of the liver, and in severe cases, irreversible damage and liver failure. There are several Ayurvedic medicines which act favorably on the liver, like Kutki (Picrorrhiza kurroa), Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia), Sharapunkha (Tephrosia purpurea), Kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata), Arogya Vardhini etc. These medicines, when added to the tuberculosis treatment regimes, instantly correct liver problems, and help in a rapid therapeutic response to treatment.

Tuberculosis of the lymph glands, and tuberculosis affecting various organs of the body may be more difficult to treat than tuberculosis of the lungs. Many patients with infected lymph glands continue to have periodical symptoms, in spite of having taken regular, prolonged anti-tubercuosis therapy. Ayurvedic medicines like Kancnnaar (Bauhinia variegata), Kanchnaar Guggulu, Triphala Guggulu prove to be very useful and effective in such situations. Different, specific herbal medicines can be used for the different body organs infected with tuberculosis, so as to give a more rapid and predictable response to treatment.

Multi-drug resistance, re-infection and latent infection have become major causes for worry in the treatment of tuberculosis. Worldwide, the search is on to discover new, more effective drugs and vaccines for tuberculosis. However, for the time being, increasing the immune status of the body appears to be a rational and viable solution to the above mentioned problems. The current focus is, therefore, on immunomodulation, and Immunology is a fast growing field of research.

Ayurvedic herbal medicines are known to significantly improve the immune power of the body, to help it to fight off infections, and prevent recurrence. Some of the important Ayurvedic medicines useful in tuberculosis are: Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Shatavari (Asparagus recemosus), Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia), Yashtimadhuk (Glycerrhiza glabra), Amalaki (Emblica officinalis), Abhrak Bhasma, Laghu Malini Vasant, Madhu Malini Vasant and Suvarna Malini Vasant.

In this way, Ayurvedic herbal medicines, given judiciously as supportive treatment to modern anti-tuberculosis drugs, can help solve some of the major problems currently associated with treating tuberculosis.

 

 Dr. A. A. Mundewadi, B.A.M.S., has clinical experience of 22 years and clinical research experience of 9 years. He has published his findings of herbal treatment of HIV / AIDS in 55 patients in the Bombay Hospital Journal, Mumbai, India, July 2005 issue.

He has also successfully completed a clinical trial of herbal extract medicines in Schizophrenia compared to modern anti-psychotics, in 200 patients. He has also conducted preliminary studies of Ayurvedic herbal extracts in the treatment of Bipolar Disorder, Vascular Dementia, Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Autism, Mental Retardation, Tobacco and Alcohol Addiction, Age Related Macular Degeneration and different types of Cancer.