Ayurvedic Treatment For Ascites

Abstract

Ascites is the condition in which there is an accumulation of fluid in the abdomen. This condition occurs often in liver cirrhosis. Liver is the important organ for digestion and excretion of toxins from the body. This organ has more than 500 functions. It is the second largest organ in the body. It helps to digest the food and remove toxins from the body. This is an accessory digestive organ that produces enzymes for digestion and absorption. It is very important to take care of this organ. Any abnormality in this organ can affect the whole body function. So in this article we will discuss ascites and herbal remedies for ascites in detail.

Introduction

Ascites is the symptom in which there is too much fluid buildup in the abdomen. A sheet of tissue which is called peritoneum covers the abdominal organs. This peritoneum has two layers and in ascitic condition this fluid is accumulated between the two layers of this peritoneum. The most common cause of ascites is liver cirrhosis. When more than 25 ml of fluid is accumulated in the abdomen then this is known as ascites. This accumulation of fluid is all because of low albumin levels or high portal vein pressure in the body. This is a very uncomfortable condition and if not treated in time then this can lead to the death of the patient.

Ayurvedic Aspect For Ascites

By seeing the symptoms of ascites, we can correlate this disease with Jalodar. Acharya Charak mentioned that when a fluid is accumulated in the abdominal region between skin and muscles then the condition is known as Jalodar. The causes include mandagni (low digestive fire), Ajeerna (Indigestion), Vibandh (Constipation), intake of excessive hot, salty, alkaline and contaminated food, etc and due to all these causes the patient may experiences Aruchi (Anorexia), udar shoola (Abdominal pain), Shwasa (Dyspnea), kaas (Cough), Dourbalya (Weakness), Udar utsedha (Abdominal distension), jal sanchay (accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity) etc.

Etiology/Causes

The main cause of ascites is cirrhosis of the liver. Other conditions that cause ascites are

• Heart Failure
• Kidney Failure
• Infections
• Cancer
• Kwashiorkor
• Pancreatitis

Clinical Features/Signs and Symptoms

The mild ascites are hard to notice. But in severe condition the possible symptoms of ascites are:

• Increase the size of the abdomen
• Shortness of breath
• Discomfort
• Abdominal Distension
• Back pain
• Fatigue
• Weakness
• Bloating
• Abdominal Pain
• Loss Of Appetite
• Constipation

Risk Factors For Ascites

The risk factor for this condition is:

• Non alcoholic fatty liver disease
• Viral Hepatitis
• Alcohol Abuse
• Autoimmune Hepatitis

Complications

If not treated in time then it may lead to the following complications:

• Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis
• Hepatorenal Syndrome
• Thrombosis
• Hepatic Encephalopathy

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of ascites is made from the physical examination. A doctor will perform the following tests to make a proper diagnosis of this condition. The tests for for this condition are:

• Ultrasonography
• CT Scan
• Paracentesis
• Liver Function Test
• Kidney Function Test
• Lipid Profile
• Electrocardiography

Ayurvedic management for Jalodar (Ascites)

Acharya Charak defined the treatment protocol for Jalodar as:

• The patient should be given Gomutra yukta aushadhi (medicines contains cow’s urine), Deepan aushadhi (Medicines that stimulates the digestive fire), Kaphahar aahar (food that pacifies kapha dosha).
• The patient should given virechan aushadhi (laxative herbs) for the detoxification process because virechana therapy opens the obstructed channels.

Some Classical Herbal Formulations

Ras

• Jalodarari Ras
• Ichabhedi Ras
• Narach Ras
• Hridyarnav Ras
• Loknath Ras
• Yakrit Plihari Loha
• Punarnava Mandoor

Vati

• Kutki Vati
• Abhya Vati
• Arogyavardhini Vati

Churna

• Narayan Churna
• Patolamuladhya Churna
• Punarnavadi Churna

Kwath

• Dashmool Kwath
• Punarnavadi Kwath

Asava/Arishta

• Abhayarishta
• Rohitakarishta
• Kumaryasava

Herbal Remedies For Ascites

Planet Ayurveda is a manufacturing firm which is internationally certified. This is a WHO-GMP certified manufacturing unit based in India. It was founded in 2002 by Dr. Vikram Chauhan and this company came into existence as a subsidiary or as a brand name known as Krishna herbal company. The products of this company are 100% natural and vegetarian. The products are made from the extracts of potential herbs. Planet Ayurveda offers the following herbal remedies for the treatment of ascites:

1. Punarnava Capsules
2. Water-Ex Tablets
3. Rencure Formula
4. Liver Detox Formula
5. Jalodarari Ras

Products Description

1. Punarnava Capsules

This is a single herbal formulation. It is an herbal supplement for water retention and edema. These capsules are prepared from the extracts of Punarnava (Boerhavia diffusa). This is the best natural herb for the maintenance of liver and kidney functions. It naturally helps the body to expel fluids from the body, so best for ascites. It helps to promote healthy liver functioning. This herb is derived from two words Puna and nava. Puna means again and nava means new. This herb means it rejuvenates the cells rather than only eliminating water from the body.

Dosage: 1 capsule twice a day after meals with plain water.

2. Water-Ex Tablets

This is a Planet Ayurveda herbal tablet. It is the best herbal remedy for water retention. This herbal remedy is made from the herbs like Punarnava (Boerhavia diffusa), Varuna (Crataeva nurvala) and Gokshura (Tribulus terrestris). It is useful in ascites due to its diuretic properties. It expels the fluid from the body and provides relief from ascitic fluid.

Dosage: 2 tablets twice a day after meals with plain water.

3. Rencure Formula

This is a natural and effective kidney care supplement. This is the best natural way to clear the toxins from the body. This herbal formulation is made from the effective diuretic herbs such as Punarnava (Boerhavia diffusa), Varun (Crataeva nurvala), Gokshur (Tribulus terrestris), Palaash (Butea monosperma) and Kaasni (Cichorium intybus). These herbs provide relief from ascites as these are best diuretic herbs and also these herbs synergistically to control vata, pitta and kapha. It acts as a cooling agent in the body.

Dosage: 1 capsule twice a day after meals with plain water.

4. Liver Detox Formula

This is the effective supplement for natural liver detoxification. It is made from the herbs like Katuki (Picrorhiza kurroa), Punarnava (Boerhavia diffusa), Kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata), Makoy (Solanum nigrum), Haritaki (Terminalia chebula), etc. This formulation helps in improving a person’s health as well as longevity of the life as it is a great combination to clean and strengthen the liver. It leads to proper digestion and assimilation of nutrients and also this herbal formula helps in filtering the cancer producing toxins from the body. The herbs in this formulation revive the damaged liver cells.

Dosage: 1 capsule twice a day after meals with plain water.

5. Jalodarari Ras

This is a classical Ayurvedic formulation. It is used in the treatment of ascites. This is a herbomineral formulation and contains ingredients like Pippali (Piper longum), Maricha (Piper nigrum), Curcumin (Curcuma longa), Jaiphala (Myristica fragrans), Tamra basma (Copper calx), etc. This formulation is indicated in jalodar (Ascites) and also helps in correcting liver disorders.

Dosage: 1 tablet twice a day after meals with plain water.

Conclusion

We can conclude at last that ascites is a life threatening condition and there is no definite treatment available in modern science for ascites. They treat this disease according to the symptoms. But in Ayurveda we can manage this disease from its root cause. Through Ayurvedic herbs we not only treat ascites but after managing the root cause for this disease. So Planet Ayurveda provides wonderful herbal remedies and also those remedies are safe to use as they do not contain any kind of preservatives and chemicals.