How to Cure ITP(Idiopathic thrombocytopenic Purpura) in Ayurveda

Idiopathic thrombocytopenic Purpura is condition in which our own immune system is responsible for making excessive antibodies mistakenly that is responsible for the destruction of platelets in blood stream that are essential for the process of blood clotting. Platelets are made in the bone marrow and are also called thrombocytes. These platelets sticks together and seal the small cuts and breaks the channels of blood vessel walls and helps to stop bleeding.

Platelets are the small, tiny and irregularly shaped sell fragments. Average life span of platelets is 4 to 9 days and they are the major component present in our blood stream that is very helpful agent for blood clotting. The healthy and normal range of platelets in our blood stream is 150,000 to 450,000 per micro litres of blood. Both the increased and decreased amount of platelets are harmful for our body.

Word idiopathic means cause of condition is unknown, word thrombocytopenia means self-destruction of platelets or very less count of platelets. Purpura means dark purple bruises under the skin caused by bleeding.

There are two types of thrombocytopenia one is acute and other is chronic thrombocytopenia. Ideally acute type last for 6 months and mostly small children, both boys and girls are affected with this type. Acute ITP is caused due to the infections caused by bacteria and viruses. While with chronic type ITP adults are mostly affected and it last for 6 months or more than 6 months. Women are more affected than men due to this problem.

Major symptoms of idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura may include

• Tiny or large bumps on the skin
• Bruise or petechial formation
• Bleeding in gums
• Very frequent nose bleeds
• Heavy menstrual flow
• Blood passes with urine and stool
• Hematoma
• Excessive weakness and fatigue

Main cause of this disease is not known but our own immune system is responsible for the production of excessive antibodies mistakenly that results in the destruction of platelets in the blood stream. In small children this condition arise after the infection of bacteria and viruses.

Ayurvedic Overview

According to Ayurveda ITP is Pitta dosha and Rakta dhatu related disorder. In this condition contaminated rakta dhatu and aggravated Pitta dosha is responsible for the self-destruction of blood cells and this impure blood flows in both upward and downward directions in body. It also penetrate under the skin and blood vessels and results in the formation of dark patches.

Excessive intake of pungent, acid, saline, alkaline foods and indulgence in fear, grief, anger, exposure to sun and excessive exercise and work out are the major reason that lowers the digestive fire and responsible for irritating the channels of rasa dhatu. As a result pitta dosha is vitiated in body. This aggravated pitta dosha is further mixed with rakta dhatu (blood) in amashaya. From the amashaya both the affected pitta dosha and rakta dhatu finds outlet to flow in both upward and downward directions even this infected factors penetrates the skin and from patches formation that is called ITP. From the amashya (stomach) both finds outlet in upward directions and in pakvashya (intestine) both rakhta dhatu and pitta dosha founds outlet in downward directions.

Diet in Ayurveda for ITP

• Shaka- green lefay vegetables and boiled food prepared from these vegetables.
• Yavagu – it is form of medicated gruels.
• Dhanya– food prepared from gains and millets
• Anna- cooked rice
• Yusha supa– juices and drinks

Natural herbs in Ayurveda used to cure ITP

1. Giloy

Giloy is universal and miraculous herb that helps to boost our immune system. It is a rich power house of antioxidants that helps to fight against free radicals and toxins and protect our body against bacterial and viral infections. It purifies our blood and fight against urinary tract infections. This herb is also good for treating chronic fevers and also helps in the process of production of platelets in blood stream. This herb is good promoting health of both Amashaya (stomach) and Pakvashya (intestine). It is also beneficial for the sufferers of diabetes.

2. Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha is very ancient herb used in Ayurveda to treating diseases and also famous for its healing properties. Roots of this herb possess a unique smell that is like smell of horse. It is good for treating blood related disorders and also beneficial for reducing high glucose level in body. It is a stress buster and also good to boost nervous system.

3. Amla

Ideally Amla is richest source of anti-oxidants which helps to protect body from cell damage. It helps to increase the both frequency and volume of urination and good for patients of ITP that are suffering with urination related problems. It contains vitamins and tannins that helps to boost our immune system and improves our body’s disease fighting ability. Because this fruit is packed with anti-oxidants it helps to purify our blood and promotes the process of new red blood cell production. Because in ITP Pitta dosha is aggravated, vitamin C present in this herb is a good cooling agent. It is used to control the extra vitiation of Pitta dosha in body.

4. Wheat Grass

Wheat grass is again very beneficial herb for the sufferers of ITP because it helps to increase the production of red blood cells and raise the volume of haemoglobin in body. Wheat grass fresh juice is very popular health drink that can be taken empty stomach after extraction at early morning. It boost of immune system and give energy to body cells to fight against damage and destruction. Wheat grass also have anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties. It is good for digestive health and contains chemical that fight against bacterial infections.

5. Aloe Vera

Fresh juice of Aloe Vera is again very beneficial for the patients of ITP because it helps to stop the bleeding from gums and also controls internal bleeding that comes out with both urine and stool. It is very quick way to boost the platelet count in body and provides an energetic boost to our body. It is also good for skin nourishment and used to improve the skin patches and pigmentation.

6. Papaya Leaf Juice

Fresh juice of papaya leaf is very effective home remedy to increase the production of platelets in blood stream. Chemicals present in this plant is very helpful in production of new blood cells.