Ayurvedic treatment for Epistaxis

Epistaxis is also called acute hemorrhage or nose bleed. It is a medical condition in which bleeding occurs from the nasal cavity of nostrils. This is a sign of increase in the body’s heat and is also caused due to increased blood pressure and some other systemic disorders. People usually suffer from this condition in the summers.

Most nosebleeds are benign, self-limiting and spontaneous. Bleeding from the nose usually occurs when the membranes lining the inner nose are disturbed or irritated and cause abnormal bleeding.

Bleeding from the nose is a common complaint presenting an emergency. Epistaxis is often a frightening sight and can be due to some heart diseases, pregnancy, bleeding disorders and acute general conditions like typhoid, pneumonia, malaria, dengue fever, measles, etc.

What are the Sign and Symptoms of Epistaxis?

The signs & symptoms of Epistaxis are:

• Injury or trauma to the nasal area
• Insertion of sharp objects into the nose
• Consumption of alcohol, spicy and hot food
• Prolonged exposure to excessive dry heat
• Sinus infection in the nasal cavity
• Due to any nasal surgery
• Sticking of foreign particles in the nose
• Excessive sneezing
• Repeated blowing of the nose in a vigorous manner
• Allergic rhinitis
• Vascular formation in the nose
• Tumors or polyps in the nose
• Due to high blood pressure
• Exposure to irritants like ammonia
• Due to suffering from a common cold
• Due to overuse of nasal sprays
• A sudden change in altitude may also cause bleeding from the nose.

Bleeding usually starts from one nostril. In Some cases, heavy bleeding fills up both the nostrils and overflows the nasopharynx. Sometimes, blood may drip back from the nose through the throat to stomach. A person is likely to have vomit in such a condition. Other symptoms include –

• Bleeding from the nose
• Dizziness
• Weakness in the body
• Bleeding from other parts like, teeth, gums, etc that indicate the inability of blood to clot
• Confusion
• Fainting
• Sometimes bleeding occurs from the other parts of the body such as in the urine or bowel movements or easy bruising also indicates an inability of the blood to clot.

CAUSES

• Injury or trauma to the nasal area
• Insertion of sharp objects into the nose
• Consumption of alcohol, spicy and hot food
• Prolonged exposure to excessive dry heat
• Sinus infection in the nasal cavity
• Due to any nasal surgery
• Sticking of foreign particles in the nose
• Excessive sneezing
• Repeated blowing of the nose in a vigorous manner
• Allergic rhinitis
• Vascular formation in the nose
• Tumors or polyps in the nose
• Due to high blood pressure
• Exposure to irritants like ammonia
• Due to suffering from common cold
• Due to overuse of nasal sprays
• Sudden change in altitude may also cause bleeding from the nose

AYURVEDIC TREATMENT FOR EPISTAXIS ACCORDNG TO CHANDIARH AYURVED CENTRE

According to Ayurveda, epistaxis is compared with the Urdhavaga Rakta pitta. When there is increase in the level of vata and pitta dosha in the body, it mixes up with the blood tissue or rakta dhatu and cause bloody nose.

Single herbs beneficial in this condition are:

• Vasa
• Amla
• Neem
• Onion
• Lemon
• Grapes
• Pomegranate
• Durva
• Anjeer

Ayurvedic formulations used in Epistaxis are:

• Gulkand
• Chyawanprash
• Vasavaleha
• Anu tailam
• Udum syrup
• Durva swarasa

DIET AND LIFESTYLE

• Don’t eat hot and spicy food
• Avoid intake of alcohol
• Avoid smoking
• Don’t work under the hot sun
• Avoid mental tensions and pressure
• Old rice, cow’s milk and butter are highly useful
• Full time and sound sleep should be taken
• Don’t expose yourself to the dry atmosphere.
• Air coolers and air conditioners are best as they maintain some humidity in the air.
• Avoid work that requires much hard work.
• Consume fruits like pomegranate, grapes and white pumpkin.
• Mutton soups and moong dal are also beneficial in such patients.

NATURAL REMEDIES FOR EPISTAXIS

• Drink cold water or use a cold compress.
• Pinch your nose with your thumb and index finger. Hold for 2-3 minutes, breathing normally through the mouth.
• Put a few drops of lukewarm ghee in each nostril or dip a cotton swab into a jar of ghee and place it into nostrils.
• Patient should be advised to sit straight with the head turned upwards. This is done to reverse the blood flow.
• Take one fourth of Manjishtha churna, one eighth kamdudha rasa. Take this mixture twice a day with a little warm water.
•  Cranberry juice and pomegranate juice are highly beneficial in epistaxis.
• Grapes, coconut water and milk are useful in bleeding nose.
• Vinegar helps in sealing the walls of the blood vessel therefore cotton ball dipped in vinegar is beneficial.
• Keep your head in an elevated position whenever it bleeds.
• Make a paste of 2 gm of young tender leaves of banana tree and mix with 20 gm of sugar crystals and one fourth litre of water. Take this mixture once a day regularly to control chronic bleeding from the nose.
• Alum, camphor and oak-galls in equal quantities should be powdered and dropped in small doses into the nostrils.
• Prepare a dry powder of flowers of the pomegranate and use it as a snuff.

What is the Ayurvedic Treatment of Epistaxis?

According to Ayurveda, Epistaxis is compared with the “Urdhava Raktapitta”. When there is an increase in the level of vata and pitta dosha in the body, it mixes up with the blood tissue or rakta dhatu and cause bloody nose. Chandigarh Ayurved Centre provides a kit known as “Epistaxis care kit” mentioned below in detail:

1. Anu Tailam:

Anu tailam is herbal and ayurvedic oil used for the nasal instillation that treats various diseases.  It is administrated through the nasal passage to lubricate, protect, and calm the mind. This herbal oil is prepared from ingredients like – Sesame oil, Bael tree root, Solanum root, Cinnamon stem bark, Cardamom fruit, Desmodium root, etc. It mainly balances the Kapha dosha and is beneficial in diseases of head, brain, face, nose, and eyes. Its use is generally recommended in chronic headache, the problem of migraine, sinusitis, improves the voice, and vocal cords.

Recommended Dosage – Put 2-3 drops of Anu tailam in each nostril twice a day.

2. Detox Premium Powder:

Detox premium powder is prepared from ingredients such as Shankh bhasma, Sutshekhar ras, Parwal pishti, Shukta, Giloy, Kamdudha ras, Shwet parpati that gives calming effect on the stomach. The ingredients in this powder have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antacid properties. It mainly helps in lowering the pitta dosha of the body and maintains proper digestion of the body.

Detox Premium Powder

Recommended Dosage: Take one sachet twice daily with normal water.

3. Ekangveer Ras:

Ekangveer ras is an herbal preparation beneficial in nervous system disorder. It contains ingredients like Rasa sindoor, Gandhak rasayan, Kant lauha bhasam, Bang bhasam, Nag bhasma, Tamra bhasma, Amalaki, Triphla, Dhatura, and Adrak ,etc. In epistaxis patients this ras gives effective results.

Ekangveer Ras tablet

Recommended Dosage: Take 1 tablet with honey twice a day.

4. Pain -O-Kill Syrup:

This herbal oil is prepared from ingredients like Hadjod stem, Ashwagandha roots, Shalaki Gum, Suranjan sweet Gum, Punarnava Root, Methi seeds, Nirgundi leaves, Garlic Bulb, etc. It is very beneficial in reducing stiffness, inflammation, and pain. This syrup helps to rejuvenate the body tissues and improve the muscle tone. Regular use of this syrup is beneficial in the epistaxis condition.

Recommended Dosage – Take 2 teaspoonfuls twice a day.

5. Nerve Up Tablet:

These are classical herbal tablets that balances the vata dosha in the body & provide good results to epistaxis patients. The ingredients such as abhrak bhasma, jahar mohra pishti, giloy, jahar mohra pishti, etc are used for the preparation of these tablets.

Nerve Up Tablet

Recommended Dosage: Take 1 tablet twice a day with normal water.

6. Stop Bleeding Tablet:

Stop bleeding tablet is a pure herbal formulation that works as an anticoagulant. It helps to stop or reduce heavy bleeding and thus reduce the excessive unwanted bleeding. These tablets have anti-inflammatory, Analgesic, anticoagulant properties. It also pacifies pitta doshas and helps in detoxification of rakta dhatu (blood tissue). The Ingredients present in these tablets are Nagkesar, Laksha , Moch ras, Swarn gairic, Kehrwa pisthri. These tablets Helps to stop bleeding from nose and mouth, used in thrombocytopenic purpura, bleeding disorder, Heavy menstrual bleeding, Ulcerative colitis, Peptic ulcers, Wounds& cuts.

Stop Bleeding Tablet

Recommended Dosage: Take 1 tablet twice daily with normal water.

What is the Panchakarma Treatment for Epistaxis?

Panchakarma is the best way to heal the body as it balances all three doshas in the body. For Epistaxis patients mainly two therapies are recommended known as nasya & patra potli pind sweda:

• Nasya: Nasya has dual action that is pacificatory and purificatory. It promotes the strength of indriya. Anu tail nasya is specially recommended by the Charka Acharya as preventive measures for Urdhava jatrugata vikara. This therapy takes about 30 minutes.
• Patra potli pind sweda: It is a medicated process in which a medicated herbal potli is used all over your body. The leaves of various medicinal plants have different kinds of properties that help in relieving pain, inflammation, & improve circulation in the affected part. The herbal leaves like Nirgundi, Arka, Eranda, etc are used in this procedure. This whole process is carried out for 45 minutes to 1hour.

Healthy Tips & Diet for Epistaxis Patients

All patients should follow some simple tips & diet in life mentioned below:

• Don’t eat hot and spicy food
• Avoid intake of alcohol
• Avoid smoking
• Drink plenty of water
• Don’t work under the sun for a prolonged time
• Avoid mental tensions and stress
• Old rice, cow’s milk, and butter are highly beneficial
• Eight hour sleep is necessary for the body
• Don’t expose yourself to the dry atmosphere
• Consume fruits like pomegranate, grapes, apple, pear, peach, musk melon, watermelon, etc.
• Drink green coconut water daily.
• Include green vegetables, whole grains, and all types of lentils in your diet.
• Avoid caffeinated products like soda, energy drink, & other beverages.
• Jala neti and sutra neti are helpful in the recovery of Epistaxis.
• Anulom- vilom pranayam helps in maintaining the balance of dosha of the body.
• Do practice certain asanas like Pawanmukt asana, Ardha Chandrasana, Nararajasana, etc.