Treatment of Sarcoidosis in Ayurveda with Herbal Remedies

Abstract

It is a disease that affects the body’s organs in the form of lumps or granulomas. The inflammatory cells are responsible for the formation of lumps. The most commonly affects the lungs and lymph nodes of the body but it can also affect any organ of the body. When the immune system activity of the body increases it is associated with sarcoidosis. When it is left untreated there is permanent scarring of the lungs which is called pulmonary fibrosis. Due to pulmonary fibrosis, the symptoms are present according to the severity of the disease such as difficulty in breathing, inflammation, pain, and redness to the eyes, pulmonary hypertension, and damage to the retina of the eye as a result leads to blindness.

Introduction

Sarcoidosis is made up of a combination of three words that is Sarc means flesh, oid means like, and osis means abnormal condition. As sarcoidosis is a result of inflammatory cells it affects the lungs and lymph nodes. It mostly affects the young adults. The respiratory system severity depends on the stages of sarcoidosis in stage 0 the chest radiographic findings are normal, in stage 1 there is bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy, in stage 2 there is bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy and infiltrates, in stage 3 there are infiltrates alone, and in stage 4 there is fibrosis. The cause is unknown but auto-immune activity affects the system. Chemicals, dust, and infection trigger the immune system to cause the disease.

Causes

The cause is unknown but the auto-immune system is responsible for this. There are some risk factors that predispose the Sarcoidosis. They include the following risk factors-

• Age- occurs at any age but commonly occurs between 20 to 60 years of age
• Sex- Women are more commonly affected
• Race – African and Northern European
• Family history
• Autoimmune disease
• Infectious agents- Chemicals, dust, fungi, mycobacteria

Symptoms

The signs and symptoms depend on which organ is involved. The Sarcoidosis has the following symptoms-

• Swollen lymph nodes
• Fatigue
• Pain and swelling in joints
• Weight loss
• Chest pain
• Cough
• Shortness of breath
• Lesions on the nose, cheeks, or ears
• Tender sores on the shin
• Blurred vision
• Pain and redness in the eye
• Burning, itching, or dry eye
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain
• Irregular heartbeats

Diagnosis

• Chest X-ray – to diagnose the pulmonary infiltrates and lymphadenopathy
• HRCT scan – for looking at the lungs and lymph nodes
• Pulmonary function test- to check lung function
• Bronchoscopy

Treatment

• There is no such cure for sarcoidosis in modern treatment
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
• Use of corticosteroids
• Use of cytotoxic drugs, anti-malarial drugs

Complications

• Lungs- scarring of lungs
• Eyes – damage to retina, cataract, and glaucoma
• Heart – disturbance in heart rhythm
• Kidney- reduces kidney function, kidney stones
• Nervous system – facial paralysis

Prevention

• Eat a balanced diet
• Proper sleep
• Reduce stress
• Drink enough water
• Quit smoking
• Regular exercise
• Maintain a balanced weight

Ayurveda Aspect For Sarcoidosis

In Ayurveda, there is no direct correlation for sarcoidosis but according to the signs, symptoms, and severity of the disease, it is correlated with the involvement of all three doshas, especially kapha dosha, involvement of all seven dhatus that is rasa,rakta, mamsa,meda, asthi, majja,shukra of the body, and presence of toxins within the body which all leads to low digestive fire and immunity of the body. In sarcoidosis, there is the involvement of lymph nodes and lymph nodes are associated with the kapha dosha of the body and the vitiated kapha dosha involves the pitta dosha and shows the various symptoms in the body. As Kshaya in the body and with the involvement of environmental factors all lead to symptoms of sarcoidosis within the body. So the aim of treatment is first to improve the digestive power and improve the immunity of the body.

Ayurvedic Management

In Ayurveda, mainly Panchkarma procedures are involved which include the

1. Swedana (Sudation therapy)- it helps to remove the toxins from the body
2. Vamana (induce vomiting)- removes the toxins mainly in the upper part of the body. It is mainly used to treat kapha disorders like sarcoidosis.
3. Virechana (Purgation therapy)- it helps to remove the pitta dosha of the body as there is involvement of pitta dosha in sarcoidosis
4. Nasya (Administration of medicated oil or ghee in the nasal cavity)- it prevents skin dryness

Other Methods Of Treatment-

5. Abhyanga (massage with the medicated oil)- pacifies the vata dosha, helps in the removal of toxins from the body, and improves the skin complexion
6. Avoid kapha dominating ahar vihar
7. Intake of Katu, Tikta, and Kshaya rasa
8. Avoid excessive exposure to cold weather

Single Herbs Used In Sarcoidosis

1. Haridra(Curcuma longa)- it is a natural anti-inflammatory compound that helps to reduce inflammation
2. Cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum)- contains anti-inflammatory and expectorant properties that help in clearing the congested airways.
3. Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)- acts as an immunomodulator which improves the activity of the immune system.
4. Punarnava (Boerhavia diffusa)- It removes harmful toxins from the body which helps to improve the immune system.
5. Kali Maricha (Piper nigrum)- helps to reduce inflammation and improve the healing properties of the body.
6. Vasa (Adhatoda vasica)- acts as an expectorant that removes excess mucus from air passage and chest which helps in breathing and reduces chest pain.

Classical Formulations For Sarcoidosis

1. Vati- Sanjeevani vati, Lavangadi vati, Tulsi ghan vati
2. Guggulu- Kaishore guggulu, Kanchnaa rguggulu, Triphala guggulu
3. Churna– Ajmodadi churna
4. Kshaya- Guluchyadi kshaya

Herbal Remedies By Planet Ayurveda For Sarcoidosis

Planet Ayurveda provides a safe and effective drug without any side effects to the body. It is GMP-certified and all the products are made under the guidance of M.D. Ayurveda experts. Products are free from adulterants, fungi, fillers, preservatives, binders, and chemicals. All the herbs are described in the ancient text of Ayurveda. The formulations offered by Planet Ayurveda to cure sarcoidosis are–

Product list-

1. CURCUMIN CAPSULES
2. KANCHNAAR GUGGUL
3. ALLER-G CARE
4. PUNARNAVA CAPSULES
5. CHITRAK HARITAKI
6. VASASAV

Sarco Care Pack

Product Description For Sarcoidosis

1. Curcumin Capsules

The curcumin capsules are made up of extracts of Haridra (Curcuma longa). As it is a natural anti-inflammatory compound it helps to reduce the inflammation. It also reduces the inflammation of the airways which improves breathing and reduces the chest pain. It fights against free radicals and reduces the inflammation of the eye which helps to keep eyes healthy.

Dosage- 1 capsule twice daily, with plain water, after meals

2. Kanchnaar Guggul

The kanchnaar guggul tablets are made of a combination of drugs such as Haritaki (Terminalia chebula), Ginger (Zingiber officinale), Bibhitaki (Terminalia billerica), Cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum), Varuna bark (Crataeva religiosa), and many more herbs. Amalaki fights against free radicals that prevent eye damage and it also contains antioxidant properties that improve visual activity. Cinnamon contains anti-inflammatory and expectorant properties which help in clearing the congested airways. Cardamom reduces the mucus amount from the lungs and provides relief from chest pain.

Dosage- 2 tablets twice daily

3. Aller-g Care

The capsules are made of a combination of various herbs Azadirachta indica (Neem), Curcuma longa (Haridra), Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha), and Albezzia lebbock (Shirish). As the name suggests it helps to fight against the various types of allergies in the body. Removes toxins from the body which makes the immune system healthy and gives healthy functioning of the system. Neem helps to reduce blood pressure and reduces the level of bad cholesterol which helps in irregular heartbeats. Haridra contains anti-inflammatory properties that help to reduce inflammation and pain. Ashwagandha acts as an immunomodulator which improves the activity of the immune system.

Dosage- 1 capsule twice daily, with plain water, after meals

4. Punarnava Capsules

The capsules are made of single herb extraction of Boerhavia diffusa (Punarnava). It helps to reduce swelling and inflammation. Punarnava helps to improve breathing problems. Remove the itching, and swelling from the eyes. It removes harmful toxins from the body which helps to improve the immune system.

Dosage- 1 capsule twice daily, with plain water, after meals

5. Chitrak Haritaki

It is made up of Plumbago zeylanica (Chitraka), Emblica officinalis (Amla), Terminalia chebula (Haritaki), Tinospora cordifolia (Guduchi), and many other herbs. Chitraka helps to manage respiratory system function as it improves breathing. Amla helps to increase vision and reduce the itching and swelling of the eyes. Guduchi contains anti-inflammatory properties which help to reduce cough and chest pain. Cardamom expels cough and decreases chest pain. Cinnamon helps to reduce congested airways. Tejpatra helps to reduce inflammation and swelling it helps to reduce mucus amount which helps in breathing.

Dosage- 1 teaspoon twice daily with milk after meal

6. Vasasav

It is made up of Elettaria cardamomum (Choti elaichi), Zingiber officinale (Sonth), Cubebae fructus (Shital chini), Woodfordia fruticosa (Dhatki pushpa), Piper nigrum (Kali maricha), and more herbs. It helps to reduce toxins from the body and clear the body which helps to improve the immune system. Kali Maricha helps to reduce inflammation and improve the healing properties of the body. Pippali releases mucus which helps to clear the passage of airways and reduces breathing problems. Vasa acts as an expectorant which removes excess mucus from air passage and chest which helps in breathing and reduces chest pain.

Dosage- 2 teaspoons twice daily

Conclusion

Sarcoidosis is a result of inflammatory granuloma which commonly affects the lungs and lymph nodes of the body. In modern science there is no cure for this and systemic interventions are done to reduce the symptoms. Planet Ayurveda provides an herbal remedy to cure sarcoidosis with natural herbs which are made up of 100% natural herbs devoid of any type of adulterants, chemicals, fillers, agents, and preservatives without any side effects to the body. The herbal remedies include the following CURCUMIN CAPSULES, KANCHNAAR GUGGUL, ALLER-G CARE, PUNARNAVA CAPSULES, CHITRAK HARITAKI, and VASASAV.