Herbal Remedies for Primary Biliary Cholangitis(autoimmune disorders)

Abstract

The topic of autoimmune disorders has been in limelight from very long duration Prevalence rates of autoimmune disorders have been raised to great extent. Autoimmune disease occurs when our own body system starts attacking and   destroying healthy tissues of the body. It is very important for every individual to have good knowledge of such disorders and one such familiar ailment is primary biliary cholangitis, it has been immersing very rapidly. Ayurveda deals with such disorders by going into the root level of the pathology thus providing very good relief to the patient suffering from this disorder. So let’s start discussing this in detail.

Introduction

Primary biliary cholangitis is a disorder of the biliary system of our body. Biliary system constitutes the liver, gallbladder and bile ducts. The complete system works together to form, store and secrete bile. Bile is the major digestive fluid produced by the liver and is stored in gallbladder. The major composition of bile comprises bile acids, bile salts, phospholipids, cholesterol and other important chemicals. It plays a prime role in breakdown of fat into fatty acids, which is then taken into circulation for absorption. It helps in digestion, absorption and excretion of various important substances. So when a person suffers from primary biliary cholangitis his bile functioning got altered that makes the body prone toward various associated ailments.

Definition of primary biliary cholangitis

Primary biliary cholangitis is defined as the presence of inflammatory conditions in the bile duct that results in obstruction of bile flow, causing bile and other toxins to build up in the liver.This disease predominantly affects women of the middle age group.

According to ayurveda we can correlate this disease with “yakrit udarroga”

Liver is known as yakrit in ayurveda and when there is presence of any pathology in normal functioning of liver we can correlate it with ‘yakriudar’. Udar roga arises due to presence of low digestive fire (mandagni). The agni depends upon normalcy of bodily functions when secretion of digestive juices got hampered it will leads to vitiation of digestive fire that further generate “yakrit udar roga”

Etiological Factors

These are the main causes (nidan as per ayurveda) that results in formation of an ailment.

The cause of primary biliary cholangitis is generally unknown and it is considered as an autoimmune disease of the liver. Autoantibodies and immune complexes are found in the blood and cellular immunity also seems to be impaired.

Sometimes it is also seen as underlying disease in various other autoimmune disease such as

• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Systemic sclerosis
• Coeliac disorders
• Systemic lupus erythematosus

As per Ayurveda

The main reason of such inflammatory processes is due to elevated pitta dosha within the body and it gets vitiated due to following causes

• Intake of amla (sour), lavan (salt) and katu (spicy) rich food articles
• Krodh ( anger)
• Over consumption of vidhai anna( acidity causing food)
• Excessive exposure to sunlight and fire.

Clinical Feature

It includes the signs and symptoms. A symptom means the general complaints along with patients present in front of the physician.

• Tiredness
• Generalised body weakness
• Fatigue and malaise
• Abdominal discomfort
• Drowsiness(lethargic)
• Indigestion
• Polydipsia (excessive thirst)
• Anorexia( loss of hunger)
• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhoea
• Pain and tingling sensation in the hands and feet
• Bone pain
• Weight loss

Signs: It means what a physician notices himself by observing the patient’s condition. In patient of primary biliary cholangitis following below listed signs are seen

• Pruritus
• Jaundice
• Edema ( fluid accumulation)
• Fever
• Hepatomegaly
• Splenomegaly
• Clubbing of fingers( abnormal shape of nail bed)
• Xanthomatous deposits are seen around the eyes or over the elbows, knees etc.

According to Ayurveda

• Udarshool (abdominal pain)
• Agnimandya (indigestion)
• Kandu (itching)
• Daurbalyata (generalized body weakness)
• Murcha (fainting)
• Anah (flatulence)
• Pandu (anaemia)
• Trishnaadhikya (excessive thirst)
• Angmarad (bodyache)
• Manda javar (low grade fever)
• Aruchi (anorexia)

Diagnosis

It includes diagnostic approaches we use to identify the disease. There are various methods we can use

1. Detailed general physical examination of the patient- It includes:

• Inspection
• Palpation
• Percussion
• Auscultation.

2. Laboratory findings

• Complete blood count
• Abdominal Ultrasound.
• Liver function test- It includes serum bilirubin, SGOT, SGPT etc.

Liver enzyme test shows some abnormalities such as elevation of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) or gamma glutamyl transferase is seen.

• Toxicology screening of urine.
• Percutaneous Liver biopsy.
• Fine needle aspiration cytology.
• Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)
• CT scan
• MRI

Management

In primary biliary cholangitis there is initiation of formation of degenerative changes inside the liver. A person with early stage of primary biliary cholangitis has a good life expectancy and is treated properly as early as possible. But if this disease reaches its advanced stages it can cause serious health problems that includes liver scarring (cirrhosis). So it is very important to initiate treatment as early as possible. Ayurveda uses the principle of tridosha theory (three principle energies in our body – vata, pitta and kapha) and in this particular disease there is vitiation of pitta dosha so we use “pitta shamak” (pitta dosha lowering procedures) treatment protocol in this and they are as follow

1. Agni deepan (stimulation of digestive fire) – In this procedure the power of digestive fire (Agni) is increased by using deepan herbs such as fennel.
2. Nitya virechna (use of purgative measures on daily basis) – it means using purgative herbs to release out the elevated pita dosha from the body through the anal route.
3. Basti (Enema) – It is the best procedure for balancing the vata dosha within the body. In this herbal kwath (decoction) is inserted into the anal route of the patient and it will take out the pacified vata dosha with the faecal matter.
4. Sanshaman chikitsa (alleviating treatment) in this treatment modality we use the herbal medicines by oral route to balance vitiated doshas within the body itself. Under a this we can use below listed herbal remedies of planet ayurveda, they are as follow

Herbal Remedies of Planet Ayurveda for Primary Biliary Cholangitis

Planet Ayurveda is a leading herbal manufacturing unit, serving people worldwide with their authentic approach of healing by using Ayurvedic treatment protocol; they have an eminent team of Ayurveda experts. They offer various herbal formulations that works really well in problem of primary biliary cholangitis, some of them are as follow

(A). Liver care pack

This pack contains combination of four herbal formulations such as

1. Phyllanthus niruri
2. Liver detox formula
3. Indian Echinacea
4. Yakritplihantak churna

Products Description

1. Phyllanthus niruri

This herbal capsule contains standardized extract of bhumi amla (Phyllanthus niruri). This herb possesses sheet virya (cold potency) so it is a best suited option for lowering the vitiated pitta dosha level. It also contains hepatoprotective (good for restoring biliary functions) and hypotensive (lowers the blood pressure) properties. Thus this herbal formulation works really well in restoring the normal functions of bile duct in patients of primary biliary cholangitis.

Dosage: 1-2 capsules twice daily with plain water after meals.

2. Liver detox formula

This herbal formulation contains classical herbs such as katuki (Picrorhiza kurroa), kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata), kasni (Cichorium intybus) etc. All above mentioned herbs contain ‘pitta shamak’ property and are natural appetizers that will help in enhancing hunger as patients of primary biliary cholangitis suffer from anorexia and other digestion related problems.

Dosage: 1- 2 capsules two times a day with plain water after meals.

3. Indian Echinacea

This herbal capsule contains pure extract of kalmegh, also known as bhunimba (Andrographis paniculata). This herb is mentioned as the best natural herb in enhancing the liver functions. It also contains other properties such as pitta sarak (excrete out pitta dosha from the body). It also possesses natural krimighnaproperty (destroy internal worms) so helps in reducing the inflammatory condition of primary biliary cholangitis.

Dosage: 1-2 capsules twice daily with lukewarm water after meals.

4. Yakritplihantak churna

It is a powdered formulation that contains herbs like

• like bhumiamla (Phyllanthus niruri)
• bhringraj (Eclipta Alba)
• kutaki (Picrorhiza kurroa)
• kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata) etc.

All these herbs work as herbal analgesics (relieves pain), appetizer (enhance hunger) & hypotensive (lower blood pressure) thus manifest really well in patients suffering from primary biliary cholangitis.

Dosage: You can boil the churna 1 teaspoonful in 400 ml water; place it on boiling until it remains 50 ml in quantity. Strain it and drink the lukewarm water and leave the residue. Do it twice daily. Make fresh every time.

Conclusion

Despite having huge advancement in medical technologies, there are many medical illnesses that have no medical cure other than using symptomatic prophylactic treatment when the disease has progressed into advanced stages and need organ transplantation. Ayurveda, the ancient science of indian system of medicines, works on managing primary biliary cholangitis by using a holistic approach of healing. If you are considering opting for ayurvedic treatment make Plant ayurveda as your prime choice as their expert doctors are serving people worldwide from the last 2O years and have great experience. You can directly visit us at our clinic in mohali punjab or can send your queries on our official email id herbalremedies123 @yahoo.com.