Newsletter - 31st January 2009
In ayurveda Leprosy is termed as kushtha. Leprosy develops when bodily humors or the Tridoshas – Vata (nerve force), Pitta (metabolic processes) and Kapha (Lymph) are not in balance with one another along with dravyas such as Rakta, Twacha, Maus, and Lasika
Concepts of Leprosy in Ancient Indian Medical Treatises are as follows:

Kushtha: meaning all chronic skin diseases. This traditional Hindu term over
the period of time has come to denote Leprosy and can be traced to them.
Vata-Rakta, Vata-Shonita and Kushtha: refer to the humors affected in Leprosy.
Arunakushtha: describes the loss of sensation of touch over a patch, a symptom typical of leprosy.

Causes of Leprosy in ancient medicine
Dietary Errors: Mixing food items that do not assimilate. E.g. milk or curd
and fish together
Hereditary: Transmitted through parents.
Contagion: Communicable by contact, breathing the same air as an affected
person, sharing a seat, clothes, ornaments etc. Segregation of the affected
became a means of preventing spread of the disease.
Social and Popular beliefs: Non observance of spiritual practices or grave sins
committed in a previous life.
 
 
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Modern Knowledge

A bacillus called Mycobacterium Leprae causes Leprosy, if it meets a human body which has a weak immune system. The germs of Leprosy as seen under the microscope, stained red for better visibility. Not everyone can get leprosy, 98%Indians are immune. The disease destroys nerves and skin, leading to loss of sensation and muscle weakness of the face, feet and hands. Deformities are thehallmark of nerve damage due to Leprosy. Leprosy is not hereditary. The diseaseis not as highly infectious as Tuberculosis.

Signs and Symptoms
Pale or reddish skin patches which may appear on any part of the body with loss of sensation to touch, pain or tem perature. The patches are not painful or itchy.
Smooth, oily and shiny skin and nodules
The Nerves are damaged and become thickened. The result is loss of sensation and weakness of the muscles of the face, hands and feet

Ayurvedic Treatment and Home Remedies

Chikitsa: Treatment using tuvaraka seeds or preparation of that seed oil which is called chalmoogra oil (This oil was recommended because of it beneficial effect onleprosy). Ayurvedic treatment has proved to be quite beneficial for the treatment of Leprosy.

Treatments of Leprosy are listed below:
Juice or paste made from rhizomes can be applied either externally or internally, depending how it is made. The paste in particular serves as an aid to inflammatory joints.
Chalmoogra Oil, which is a liniment mixed with lime Juice, is used in a paste format to aid in elimination various inflammations of the skin, and ulcers throughout the body.
Gota Kola(manduk parni thats sanskrit name), also known as Hydrocotyle, (Latin Name Cantella Asiatica) is used in a variety of forms. It comes as an extract that can be added to tea and drank. Also, it can be applied to the body by way of a bandage dipped into the liquid form of the herb. Other forms that it comes in are a powder and ointment, which can both be used externally in a variety of ways. It can be used for the treatment of leprous wounds and inflammations. It also comes in an herbal form that is eaten with rice.
The rind of the Vibhitaki fruit, which is part of the triphala group, is used for the composition of Triphaladi curnam, Triphaladi oil, Dasamularishtam, Parantyadi tailam and Triphaladi ghrtam. Some of these medications are helpful in combating a variety of diseases, including leprosy.
Another treatment for leprosy comes from a plant, of which the common name is Babchi (a.k.a. Bakuchi, Someraji). The English name of this plant is Psoralea. The part that is used is the seed, which is prepared into an extract, powder, tincture, or oil. These can be applied to various parts of the body, usually externally.
Mandukaparni, a medicine created with the herb Gota Kola known also by the Latin name, Cantella Asiatica ,indigenous drug. It is rich in vitamin B and C, and an extract contains necessary forms of glucose is taken from the leaves. In addition, an Ethanol extract from contains necessary amino acids. This all aids in the restoration of one’s body for many diseases, including leprosy.
Dr. Farhana
Ayurvedic Doctor
www.lifecentury.com
 
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