Ayurvedic management of Ruddhapatha Kamala (Obstructive Jaundice) - A Case Study

Abstract

Biliary obstruction^[1] refers to blockage of any duct that carries bile from the liver to the gallbladder or from the gallbladder to the small intestine. The clinical setting of the failure of biliary flow may be due to obstruction by mechanical means or by metabolic factors in the hepatic cells. The discussion of metabolic causes of biliary obstruction is very complex; the pathogenesis is not always clearly defined. While on the other hand, the condition Ruddha Patha Kamala in Ayurveda is the nearest possible clinical correlation to biliary obstruction wherein the flow of Pitta is obstructed by Kapha.^[2] A structural / physical complete blockage of biliary flow needs a surgical intervention while if the cause is due to metabolic compromise or a partial block, the condition can be reversed effectively through Ayurvedic medications. Here is a case of obstructive jaundice, with a h/o cholecystectomy 20y back and H/O ERCP 5y back, treated successfully with Ayurvedic medications and some diet modifications for about 42 days. A combination of Avipatthikara Churna, Shweta Parpati, Yava Kshara and Katuki Churna was the intervention given. Mulaka Yusha twice a day along with bland diet was advised as Pathya. By the end of 42 days, the LFT report turned completely normal and the patient felt very healthy subjectively. There exists a need in the current times to critically understand the treatment techniques and principles of traditional medicine systems and to make use of them in treating certain conditions where the other conventional medicine systems fail.