COMMENTARY
Infectious Diseases – An Ayurvedic Perspective
R. B. Hosamani, MD (SW)
Department of Swasthavritta Yoga & Naturopathy
Ahalia Ayurveda Medical College Hospital,
Elipara, Palakkad – 678557, Kerala, India
Email : ayush.dr.ravi@gmail.com
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5. Krumi (Micro-organisms / parasites)
A number of ecto-parasites and endo-parasites, minute and large ones which live in various parts of the body and cause diseases are explained in Ayurveda. According to Vagbhat, some of these parasites are found in blood are very minute so that can’t visible by naked eye & produces various skin diseases like kushta (leprosy etc). Sushruta also says that all the skin diseases are associated with parasites. He also gives a description of the signs and symptoms found in a patient when infestation occur in wound etc are fever, pallor, pain, heart diseases, weakness, vertigo, anorexia & diarrhea shall be found when infestation by parasite occur. These are found even when a secondary infection with micro-organism takes place.
Management of Infectious Diseases
Preventive and Promotive Aspects
- Nidana Parivarjana (avoid the etiology)
- Sadvritta and Achara Rasayana:
- Adoption of preventive measures
- Protection of the self by mantra etc
- Residence in auspicious localities
- Observance of brahmacharya
- Discussion of religious scriptures
- Compassion for living beings, prayer to the Gods
- Search for things as are good for the self and society
- Constant association with religious-satwika, learned persons etc.
- Proper administration of rasayana therapy (rejuvenative measures) to enhance immunity or immunization to preventdiseases.
- Environmental preventive measures such as Homa-Yajna-Japa-Mantra etc, and purification of the Jala-Vayu-Bhumi-Kala by using krumighna, vishaghna and rakshoghna drugs to maintain hygienic condition.
- Fallowing Charyatrayees and Pathyapathya.
- Use of rakshoghna drugs to maintain personal and social health.
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Curative Aspects
- Atyayika Chikitsa - emergency treatment
- Isolation, hospitalization, immediate treatment
- Disinfection
- Shodhana Chikitsa - panchakarma treatment
- Vamana, Virechana, Niruha Basti, Anuvasa Basti, Nasya
- Disinfect the infected environment by taila-kshara-udaka-paayana; washing, sprinkling, fumigation, ointment etc with anti-microbial drugs.
- Shamana Chikitsa - medical treatment
- Drugs such as Doshaghna, Krumighna, Vishahara etc effect for internal usage.
- Symptomatic approach
- Rasayana Chikitsa - rejuvenation therapy
- Bruhmana & Jeevaneya Drugs which increases Bala-Oja-vyadhi Kshamatwa.
- Purification of nature by using krumighna, vishaghna and rakshoghna drugs to maintain healthy environment.
- Usage of hamsodaka.
- Back
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