Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)

There are different autoimmune diseases that affect the body. One among them is systemic lupus erythematosus about which most of the people don’t have any proper knowledge & guidance. It is an autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks the body’s own cells. Mostly inflammation is caused in systemic lupus erythematosus that include different types of body system including skin, joints, brain, heart, lungs, blood cells, brain, & kidneys.

In this disease a facial rash appear on the skin that resembles the wing of a butterfly across both the cheeks. But this is not necessary that all lupus patients have facial rash on the skin. This disease may be triggered due to certain drugs, infections, or sunlight. The people between the age of 30s to 50s have more chances of developing systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) disease.

What are the Signs & Symptoms of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)?

The signs & symptoms of systemic lupus erythematosus may vary from patient to patients that are mentioned in detail given below:

• Joints pain
• Swelling
• Stiffness
• Fatigue
• Fever
• General weakness
• Skin lesions that usually seen with the exposure to sunlight
• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Dryness of eyes
• Headache
• Loss of memory
• Confusion
• Butterfly rash that appear on nose & cheeks
• Hair loss
• Anemia
• Arthritis
• Mouth ulcers
• Kidney functions fluctuate
• Changes are seen in heart or lung
• There is problem in blood clotting
• Raynaud’s phenomenon in which the fingers turn blue or white. Tingling sensation is felt on the fingers with excessive cold.

What are the Causes of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)?

The Systemic Lupus Erythematosus may be associated with different factors but the exact cause of this disease is exactly not known. The different factors on which it may depend are:

• It may depend on family history as if somebody in your family is having any type of autoimmune disease. Then you may be at risk of developing systemic lupus erythematosus.
• Most of the environmental factors that trigger systemic lupus erythematosus are trauma, viruses, emotional stress, ultraviolet radiations, certain medications, trauma, emotional stress.
• Women are more prone to systemic lupus erythematosus as compare to men.
• During pregnancy and menstrual period women experiences more symptoms of systemic lupus erythematosus. The female hormone known as estrogen play an important role in having SLE.

What is the Ayurvedic View of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)?

In Ayurveda there are three doshas (Vata, Pitta, and Kapha) that are responsible for systemic lupus erythematosus. Mainly Vata dosha is aggravated in this disease. The dhatus that are disturbed in this disease are twak, ras, rakta, & mansa. When the doshas are aggravated it causes vitiation of agni (body fire) & leads to ama (toxins) formation. These aggravated doshas carries the ama and other doshas into ras & rakta dhatu that ultimately lead to formation of SLE (systemic lupus erythematosus). As the doshas goes deeper into the tissues more it become difficult to treat.

What is the Ayurvedic Treatment For Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)?

Ayurveda is the best way to treat any type of auto-immune diseases. As there are different ayurvedic preparations that will deal with the root cause of systemic lupus erythematosus. Chandigarh Ayurved Centre provides a complete kit named as “SLE Care Kit”. This herbal kit comprises of four ayurvedic products Brihat vaat chintamani ras, Trikatu tablet, Detox premium powder, Vaat naashik vati, & Aloe vera juice.

All products description in detail:

1. Brihat Vaat Chintamani Ras

These are classical herbal tablets prepared from ingredients like swarna bhasma, rajat bhasma, abhrak bhasma, mukta bhasma, rasasindoor, ghrit kumari, etc that balances the vata dosha in the body. As vata is the main dosha that is affected in systemic lupus erythematosus so these tablets give effective results to the patients.

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

2. Trikatu Tablet

These herbal tablets are prepared from herbs like Black pepper (Piper nigrum), Long pepper (Piper longum), & Sonth (Zingiber officinale) that in combination shows antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, etc properties. The use of these tablets reduces pain, inflammation, stiffness, swelling, etc related to systemic lupus erythematosus patients.

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

3. Detox Premium Powder

It is a herbo-mineral preparation having ingredients such as parwal pishti, kamdudha ras, gandhak rasayan, giloy satv, shukta pishti, etc. These all ingredients in combination help in overall detoxification of the body. The signs & symptoms related to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are treated with this herbal powder.

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

4. Vaat Naashik Vati

These herbal tablets are basically used for balancing vata dosha in the body. Mainly vata dosha is imbalanced in SLE patients so these tablets provide good & effective results.

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

5. Aloe Vera Juice

Pure & standardized extract of herb Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis) is used for the preparation of this juice. The antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, immuno-modulator properties of the herb used in it deals with all signs & symptoms related to SLE patients. This juice provides good results to SLE patients.

Recommended Dosage: Take 20ml juice with equal amount of water twice daily.

What is the Panchakarma Treatment for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)?

For overall detoxification of the body panchakarma treatment is the best way to remove all toxins & rejuvenate you naturally. In systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) as most of the body parts are affected that gets aggravated in dhatus like twak, ras, rakta & mansa. In Panchakarma there are various procedures that will help to get out of it mentioned below in detail:

• Patra potli pind sweda: In this process, a potli is wrapped with herbs like Nirgundi, Eranda, & Neem, etc. After that the potli is dipped in herbal oil, this oil is heated for few minutes. The potli is used over the affected area of the body. The joints pain associated with systemic lupus erythematosus are treated with this procedure.
• Shashti shali pind sweda: In this procedure, a potli filled with shashti shali rice are cooked in medicated oil. After that the affected area of the body is massaged with this potli. The skin irritation, inflammation, & itching in systemic lupus erythematosus patients are treated with the use of this procedure.
• Abhayanga: The medicated oil is poured on the patient body after that massage is done. This massage helps in reducing irritation, pain, stiffness, & swelling in systemic lupus erythematosus patients.
• Basti: The medicated oil or decoction is prepared after that in the form of enema this is given to the systemic lupus erythematosus patients. This procedure helps in the overall detoxification of the body. As it will help to remove all toxins out from the body.
• Lepa: A Lepa is prepared with Licorice (Yashtimadhu) & milk. This Lepa is applied over the butterfly rash of your face. The cold potency of the herb reduces the itching, irritation, & swelling of the skin.

Healthy Tips & Diet for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) patients:

• Include green vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, etc in your daily routine.
• Walk for 30 minutes every day.
• Drink plenty of water for detoxification of your body.
• Avoid fried, processed, chilled, & fast food products as these all imbalances the doshas in the body.
• Drink green coconut water daily.
• Take four almonds & two walnuts soaked these two overnight. Early in the morning peel them and eat it on an empty stomach.
• Avoid milk & milk products.
• Daily take a sleep of eight hours as it is necessity to your body.
• Avoid non-vegetarian diet as it increases the signs & symptoms related to systemic lupus erythematosus disease.
• Do perform yoga poses such as Tadasana, Ustrasana, Viparita karani & meditate everyday for 30 minutes to keep your mind stress free in systemic lupus erythematosus condition.