Ayurvedic Treatment of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) with Herbal Remedies

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus or SLE is an auto immune disorder which affects many organs particularly the skin, brain, kidneys and joints. In this disorder, the body’s defense system whose primary function is to protect from external attacks of bacteria, viruses conversely attacks the body itself. SLE causes long term inflammation of the affected organs leading to degradation in overall quality of the life.

It is much more common in females as compared to men. It can occur in any age group, but appears more often in people between the ages of 10 and 50. SLE mostly harms to heart, lungs, blood vessels, kidneys, joints, skin, liver and nervous system.

CAUSES

There are no exact causes of SLE, however following causes are responsible for causing SLE:-

• Genetic factors
• Environmental factors
• Exposure to ultraviolet lights
• Weak immunity
• Hormonal changes in the women
• Consumption of certain drugs

SYMPTOMS

The symptoms of SLE depend on the involved organ. Patient experiences headaches, numbness, tingling, seizures, vision problems and personality changes, if brain and nervous system are involved; abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting if digestive tract is involved; abnormal heart rhythms if heart is involved; coughing up blood and difficulty in breathing if lungs are involved; patchy skin colour if skin is involved.

Generalized symptoms include:-

• Pain in chest region while taking a deep breath
• Butterfly shaped rash over the cheeks of the face
• Fatigue
• Fever
• General discomfort and uneasiness
• Hair fall
• Mouth sores
• Loss of appetite
• Insomnia
• Weakness
• Sleeplessness and confusion
• Ulcers in the lining of the mouth, nose and throat
• Swollen and tender joints of the extremities
• Sensitivity towards sunlight
• Poor circulation to the fingers and toes with cold exposure
• Decrease in white blood cells WBC, red blood cells RBC and blood clotting factors
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Blood changes
• Kidney changes
• Inflammation of the lining tissue around the heart or lungs, usually associated with the chest pain on breathing or changes of body position

AYURVEDIC VIEW AND TREATMENT ACCORDING TO CHANDIGARH AYURVED CENTRE

In Ayurveda this is considered as a chronic disease that affects the joints and muscles, reduces body immunity, cause degeneration of the tissues or the seven dhatus. When the body tissues or dhatus get degenerated, body immunity reduces at a great extent causing auto immune diseases like SLE.

As SLE is an autoimmune disorder, the main stress of the ayurveda treatment is on correcting the balance of the three doshas vata, pitta and kapha and the seven dhatus.

Ayurveda emphasizes on:-

• Correcting the metabolic pathway so that nutrition is produced properly
• Creating a balance between bodily demand and usage
• Ensuring a stable immunity
• Improving the resistance of the body

Following medicinal herbs are found to be beneficial in this case are:-

• Vidang
• Ashwagandha
• Devdaru
• Vidarikand
• Gokshur
• Rasna
• Aadrakh
• Giloy
• Amla
• Shatavari
• Pippali
• Cumin

Ayurvedic formulations useful in this condition are:-

• Ashwagandha Avaleh
• Ashwagandha Churna
• Giloy Satva
• Prawal Pishti
• Shukta Pishti
• Vishmushtki Vati
• Manasmitra Gutika
• Punarnava mandoor
• Mahavataraj Rasa
• Brodley Syrup

Following Panchakarma therapies are done in case of SLE:-

• Patra Pinda Sweda
• Shirodhara
• Shiroabhyanga
• Nasya
• Anuvasana Basti
• Niruha Basti

DIET AND LIFESTYLE

• Avoid irregular food timings. Do not consume stale food.
• Wake up early in the morning and go to bed on time.
• Avoid taking in chilies, pickles.
• Do not keep yourself awake at night.
• Avoid having day sleep.
• Avoid doing exercises or hectic activities immediately after taking meals.
• Avoid taking in non-vegetarian foods and other heavy meals as they remain in the stomach for a longer period of time.
• Take in citrus fruits like lemons, oranges, limes and grapefruits.
• Have vegetarian diet. Include fruits and vegetables in your diet.

HERBAL REMEDIES

• Anti-inflammatory herbs such as pine herb extract, grape seed extract and turmeric should be taken twice a day.
• Take one gram of reishi mushroom three times a day in case of lupus.