E-ISSN:2456-3110

Review Article

Auto Immune Disease

Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences

2022 Volume 7 Number 11 December
Publisherwww.maharshicharaka.in

An Ayurvedic approach to Auto Immune Disease

Muddapur K.1*
DOI:

1* K G Muddapur, Assistant Professor, Department of Kayachikitsa, SMVVS RKM AMC and Hospital, Vijayapur, Karnataka, India.

Immune system is meant for fighting against foreign pathogens such as bacteria and viruses when they enter your body. The white blood cells will identify the foreign cells, attack and wipe them off your body. But, if a person has an autoimmune disease, then the immunity cells stop differentiating the foreign cells from the body cells. As a result, the immune system releases auto-antibodies that attack the healthy cells of the body tissues instead of just fighting the infection.

Keywords: Agni, Ama, Langhana

Corresponding Author How to Cite this Article To Browse
K G Muddapur, Assistant Professor, Department of Kayachikitsa, SMVVS RKM AMC and Hospital, Vijayapur, Karnataka, India.
Email: 		K G Muddapur, An Ayurvedic approach to Auto Immune Disease. J Ayu Int Med Sci. 2022;7(11):132-135.
Available From
https://www.jaims.in/jaims/article/view/2174

Manuscript Received Review Round 1 Review Round 2 Review Round 3 Accepted
2022-10-31 2022-11-01 2022-11-08 2022-11-15 2022-11-22
Conflict of Interest Funding Ethical Approval Plagiarism X-checker Note
Nil Nil Yes 16%

© 2022by K G Muddapurand Published by Maharshi Charaka Ayurveda Organization. This is an Open Access article licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ unported [CC BY 4.0].

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Muddapur K: An Ayurvedic approach to Auto Immune Disease

Introduction

Ayurveda treatment includes various remedies and medicines that can be helpful to treat these autoimmune diseases.

This is a natural treatment and include detoxification of the body, improving metabolic activities, and increase Ojus production important for autoimmune disorders in Ayurveda. The Ayurvedic line of treatment for autoimmune disorder focuses on restoring balance and strengthening the natural immunity.

In addition to that, a customized combination of remedy, medicines, diets and lifestyle recommendations work on the overall problem. Though we don’t know the exact triggering factors for this over-activity of the immune system, researchers suspect that genetics, infections, exposure to chemicals and solvents in the environment, and western diets which contain high-sugars, high fats, and processed foods are the risk factors of autoimmune diseases.

Causes of Autoimmune Disorders[1]

Causes of Auto Immune Disorder are unknown but some prominent triggers are enumerated as under:

1. Bacteria

2. Toxins

3. Virus

4. Germs and parasites

5. Fungi

6. Drugs

7. Chemical irritants

8. Environmental irritants

9. Hereditary

Types of Autoimmune Diseases

Based on the location of the attack, autoimmune diseases can be classified into the following two types

1. Organ-Specific Autoimmune Disorders (Affects One Main Organ)

In these conditions, the immune system usually targets a particular tissue or organ in the body.


Examples:

  • The thyroid gland is targeted in Graves disease,
  • The endocrine pancreas is targeted in type 1 diabetes
  • Skin cells are targeted in vitiligo

2. Systemic Autoimmune Disorders (Affects Multiple Organs)

In these conditions, the immune system produces auto-antibodies in almost any kind of tissue or body cells. This results in the damage of multiple tissues and organs in the body.

Examples:

  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Scleroderma
  • Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
  • Dermatomyositis

Common Symptoms of Autoimmune Diseases

The following are the most common early symptoms for various autoimmune diseases:

  • Low-grade fever
  • Rashes on skin
  • Tingling and numbness in the arms and feet
  • Fatigue
  • Swelling and redness
  • Hair loss
  • Muscles-ache
  • Difficulty in concentrating

Ayurvedic Approach

Nirukti: The word ‘Ama’ is, the combination of ‘Am’ Dhatu with ‘Nich’ Pratyaya forms the word Ama, which is subjected to digestion i.e., undigested or unprocessed matter.[2]

Ama is undigested, properly unprocessed consisting of heavy, unctous liquid, sticky, fibrous material which has foul smell. It is formed due to hypo-functioning of Agni, the first Dhatu ‘Rasa’ is not properly digested, instead the Anna Rasa undergoes fermentation being retained in the Amashaya. This Rasa is called as Ama.[2] Thus Ama is formed due to Agnimandhya and Aama production cause Agnimandhya & vice versa.


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Muddapur K: An Ayurvedic approach to Auto Immune Disease

General characteristic of Ama are, Srotorodha (obstruction of channels), Balabhransha (loss of strength), Gaurava (felling of heaviness), Anilmudhata (obstruction of Vayu), Alasya (laziness), Apakti (indigestion), Nisthiva (excessive salivation), Malasanga (constipation), Aruchi (anorexia), and Klama (fatigueness).[3]

Jatahragni: Jatharagni is the Agni or bioenergy present in the Jathara (stomach and duodenum). Grahani is the site of Agni which is responsible for the digestion of the ingested food. Importance of Agni When the Agni stops functioning, the individual dies; if the Agni functions normally, the individual can lead a healthy and long life. Similarly, if the Agni becomes abnormal, the individual suffers from various diseases; and hence, the Agni is said to be the root cause of health and longevity.[4] Bala, Arogya, Ayu and Prana are dependent on the state of Agni that burns when fed by the fuel of food and drink or dwindles when deprived of them. Grahani is seat of Agni and it is so called since it holds the food for proper digestion and assimilation. It holds the food just above the umbilical region and it is supported and nourished by the Agni.[5]

The relationship of Agni and Ama

Jatharagni is the digestive fire that controls the various digestive processes within the body. When there is disfunctioning of Agni proper digestion is hampered resulting in the formation of Ama. Then Bhutagni have been enumerated, Bhuta means the physicomaterial classification of food and body elements. Thereafter Dhatvagni have been expounded, Dhatu here means the basic elements of the body. The functions of Dhatvagni refer to tissue metabolism.

In Sum, Jatharagni, Bhutagni and Dhatvagni constitute the thirteen types of Agni or metabolic factors of Ayurveda. By the Ayurvedic literature, the food material is first digested and absorbed by the Jatharagni in Amashaya and Grahani. Then it is transported to the liver for Bhutagni Paka and from there, the product of nutrition is processed in the tissues by the Dhatvagni. Normally digestion at all levels proper functioning of these Agni is absolutely necessary. But, whenever Agnivyapara took the shape of Mandagni, the resultant material will be unripened, undigested formation of what in Ayurvedic terms is known as Ama.[6]


“Ayurveda perceives autoimmune diseases in a slightly different way. As per Ayurveda, the immune cells do not attack body cells accidentally, but to defend against harmful metabolites termed as Ama.”

Chikitsa: Ayurved has its own concepts like Dosha, Dushya, Mala, Agni etc. Aam is one of the concepts which take major role to produce variety of disease. Aam is unripe, undigested food which cause due to Agnimandhya. Aam production cause Agnimandhy & vice versa. We all know that all disease occurs due to Agnimandhy only. If Agni gets destroy then human get die. Aam is root cause of all disease.

According to Vagbhatta (A.H.Su. 8/20) - Diseases produced by Ama (undigested food) such as, Alasya, Agnimandhya etc. become relieved by Apatarpana (non-nourishment). Three kinds of Apatarpana should be adopted appropriately in case of Tridoshas after careful consideration of all aspects like Desha, Kala etc.[9]

Langhana is indicated when Doshas are in a mild state.

Langhana-Pachana is indicated when the Doshas gets aggravated moderately.

Shodhana - When Doshas vitiates excessively expulsion is the only way to root out them from their origin.[10]

The amelioration of diseases caused by ama is done by Apatarpana i.e., depletion therapy. If the disease further progresses even after depletion therapy, appropriate measures should be adopted to counter the morbid condition. Experts recommend the use of measures antagonistic to both the disease as well as its etiological factors, especially medications that could treat them both. According to Sushruta (Su.su. 46/512) - In Ama condition, Langhana should be given.[11]

Apatarpana means depleting treatment. It is also correlated to Langhana (starvation, thinning therapies, and lightening therapies). This treatment is preferred in those who are suffering from diseases having their origin in over nutrition or saturation. In Ashtanga Hridaya Acharya Vagbhatta consider it as a best treatment for Ama condition.

It increases the power of digestion as well as does Shamana of Vata in the body.



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Muddapur K: An Ayurvedic approach to Auto Immune Disease

Conclusion

Ama formed at the levels of Jatharagni and Dhatvagni and initiated many pathological events inside the body. Ama further deteriorates digestive and metabolic activities, obstructs Strotas, vitiated Dhatus and Rakta therefore causes various diseases including auto-immune disorders. Avoidance of Virrudha Aahara, fear, anxiety, restoring disciplinary daily regimen, Ayurveda drugs, detoxification measures (Shodhana), Yoga and considerations of concept of Pathya and Apathya helps to avoid prevalence of diseases associated with excessive production of Ama.

Reference

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6. Ganeshbabu TR, “Computer aided diagnosis of glaucoma detection using digital fundus image” International journal of advances in signal and image sciences, 2015 Dec 31;1(1):1-1.5.

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8. Belghith A, Balasubramanian M, Bowd C, Weinreb RN, Zangwill LM., “Glaucoma progression detection using variational expectation maximization algorithm,” In2013 IEEE 10th International Symposium on Biomedical Imaging 2013 Apr 7, (pp. 876-879). IEEE.

9. Maharaja D, Shaby M., “Empirical Wavelet Transform and GLCM Features Based Glaucoma Classification from Fundus Image,” in International Journal of MC Square Scientific Research, 2017 Mar 27;9(1):78-85


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