Autoimmune disorders are diseases in which the body’s immune system attacks healthy normal tissue and produces different symptoms of diseases. Nearly 160 diseases are listed as autoimmune disorders; the most common include rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes, psoriasis, alopecia areata, SLE, thyroiditis, Addison’s disease, pernicious anemia, celiac disease, multiple sclerosis, and Guillain Barre syndrome.
Generally, a genetic predisposition is required for the onset of autoimmune disorders, along with environmental triggers such as infections (bacteria, viruses), food allergies, toxins (drugs, smoking, hair dyes, and chemicals), and physical trauma. Common symptoms include joint and muscle pain, general muscle weakness, skin rashes, low fever, poor concentration, weight loss, numbness and tingling, dry eyes, hair loss, shortness of breath, and palpitations. The hallmark of autoimmune disorders is inflammation, which can affect the heart, brain, lungs, nerves, muscles, skin, eyes, joints, kidneys, glands (thyroid, pancreas, etc.) and produce symptoms depending on the organ and tissue. affected.
The modern system of treating autoimmune diseases is by suppressing immunity with the use of steroids or non-steroidal drugs such as cyclophosphamide and vaccines when possible. This treatment may work well in the short term, but it does not cure the autoimmune disease and can cause serious side effects later on. Ayurvedic treatment scores positively in this regard because it triggers immunomodulation so that the body’s defense system can gradually take over and help cure the disease completely. This may take longer; Immunosuppressants can improve symptoms in a few weeks to a few months, while Ayurvedic treatment may be necessary from a few months to a few years, depending on the severity and complexity of the disease.
As mentioned above, inflammation is the hallmark of all autoimmune diseases. Steroids can treat inflammation very well; however, the long-term side effects of steroids can be as serious, or probably more serious, than the disease itself. Ayurvedic medicinal herbs can significantly reduce pain and inflammation in chronic rheumatoid arthritis. Itching and recurrence of psoriasis can be treated very well with Ayurvedic treatment. Herbs can effectively treat inflammation of the glands, such as that which occurs in thyroiditis, or inflammation and destruction of arteries, nerves, mucosa, muscles, connective tissue, and skin, such as that which occurs in SLE, celiac disease, scleroderma, multiple sclerosis, Guillain Barre syndrome, etc. .
While steroids and immunosuppressants are a common therapy for all autoimmune disorders, Ayurvedic treatment for each autoimmune disease varies considerably depending on the organs or body systems affected. The medical protocol for treatment will also vary considerably depending on the severity of the symptoms, as well as the response to treatment of those affected. Most of the drugs that act on the tissues ‘Rakta’, ‘Mansa’, ‘Med’ and ‘Majja’ are effective in the treatment of autoimmune disorders. These include herbs such as Manjishtha (Rubia cordifolia), Saariva (Hemidesmus indicus), Kutki (Picrorrhiza kurroa), and Patol (Tricosanthe dioica). Immunomodulatory herbs are also very important for treating autoimmune diseases and include Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Bala (Sida cordifolia), Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia), and Amalaki (Emblica officinalis).
Most people affected with immunosuppressants experience a relapse or flare after about 5 to 6 months of treatment. Ayurvedic treatment can improve in 4 to 6 months; however, the slow improvement is worth it, as the patient begins to have a complete remission and the disease can be fully controlled with regular therapy for 12 to 24 months. After this, the drugs can be gradually reduced and completely stopped. Additional treatment can be administered in short courses when and when necessary. Therefore, Ayurvedic treatment can be used successfully to provide comprehensive treatment for most common autoimmune disorders.