Ayurvedic Diseases & Conditions We Treat

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Ayurveda classifies Acidity or Amla-Pitta as a lifestyle disorder caused due to the aggravation of Pitta  dosha. This aggravated Pitta impairs the body’s digestive fire resulting in the formation of the Ama or the  toxin that in turn lead to the obstruction of Annavaha Srotas or the digestive tract of the body. This Ama,  upon reacting with the already aggravated Pitta turns hot in potency and creates acidity or Amla-Pitta and  other related symptoms in the body. 

In Ayurveda, ‘Acne’ is called ‘Youvana Pidaka’. ‘Youvana’ means youth and ‘Pidaka’ means skin eruption.  The other Ayurvedic names are Mukha dooshika(which causes harm to the beauty of face) and Padmini  kantaka (because of thorn like nature of acne).  The etiopathology of Acne is considered due to vitiated Blood (Rakta Dushti) along with vitiated Kapha and  Vata. The vitiated Kapha blocks the normal excretory function of skin and gets the waste material  stagnated inside, producing symptoms like itching, pustules and nodules formation. The vitiated Rakta  after getting stagnated; produces multiple eruptions, redness and raise local temperature, thick bloody  discharge from the boils and abscess formation. Then irritation, blackish discoloration happens because of  the vitiated Vata. These vitiated Doshas work to produce various symptoms of the disease. To overcome of  this problem, the pathophysiology of this disease needs be broken down with local application of  medicines and body cleansing ayurvedic therapies.  

In Ayurveda, bronchitis is known as Shwasa Pranali Shoth (inflammation of respiratory tract) or the  Shwasa-Kasa Roga or Tamaka Shwasav Roga that begins with the impairment of digestive power; this is  why in the preliminary stage of the disease or just before its onset, the patient complaints of indigestion,  constipation or diarrhea. It mainly involves the vitiation of Kapha Dosha, however, it can be still either of  Vataj, Pittaj or Kaphaj in nature but predominantly Kaphaj. 

Allergic dermatitis is one of the most prevalent forms of immunotoxicity resulting from the exposure of the  skin to the allergens. The presence of the rash or skin lesion at the site of exposure is the initial sign of  Allergic Dermatitis. However, depending on the type of allergen causing it, the rash can ooze, drain or crust  and it can become raw, scaled or thickened. Also, it is possible that the skin lesion does not take the form  of a rash but it may include papules, blisters, vesicles or even a simple red area. 

Ayurveda defines Allergic Rhinitis as Vata-Kaphaj Pratishaya (rhinitis involving Vata and Kapha doshas). It is  the result of impaired digestion and metabolism from the incompatible food combinations and wrong diet,  which affects the Rasa and the Rakta dhatus. Thus, leading to Rhinitis or Pratishyaya, as Vata and kapha  doshas are involved in the pathogenesis, this particular form of Pratishyaya is called Vataja-Kaphaja  Pratishyaya.  

Ama Vata, Sandhi Vata and Vata-rakta are the Ayurvedic terms for different forms of Arthritis. Ama or the  toxins are produced as a result of impaired digestion, which by the virtue of aggravated Vata gets  transported to the joints thus causing the Ama Vata or the Arthritis. Osteoarthritis or Sandhi Vata is also a  form of arthritis, which occurs due to the deposition of Ama in the joints. 

Asthma is a respiratory lung disease characterized by inflammation and narrowing of bronchioles due to  the excessive secretion of mucous. It can be triggered by exposure to an allergen, irritants in the air or  extreme weather conditions. 

Ayurveda considers all spinal pain and disorders happen due to the imbalance of Samana Vayu. Located at  the navel, Samana Vayu governs Agni; the Agni refers to the digestive fire, or the fire of purification in  Ayurveda. This fire burns adequately when Prana and Apana Vayu unite in Samana Vayu. Any disturbance  in this Agni causes the imbalance of Samana Vayu and hence the pain and disorders related to spine seen  in patients. 

In Ayurveda, Enuresis is described as ‘Shayyamutra’. The word meaning of Shayyamutra simply means  urinating during night while lying in the bed. The ApanaVayu controls the active excretion of urine but  when Apana Vayu gets vitiated due to its encircling with Kapha during developmental stages of a child,  which in turn results in the loss of control in Micturition or Shayyamutra. 

Tumor is called Granthi in Sanskrit. According to Ayurveda, aggravated Doshas, of which Kapha is affected  the most, enter the muscles, blood and fatty tissues, where they give rise to round, hard, elevated and  slightly nodular growths. The 9 types of benign tumors in Ayurveda are – Vataja granthi, Pittaj granthi,  Kaphaja granthi, Rakta granthi, Mansa granthi, Meda granthi, Asthi granthi, Sira granthi and Vrana granthi. 

‘Arbuda’ is the Sanskrit word for cancer. All the 3 doshas upon aggravation develop malignant tumors,  especially aggravated Kapha and Vata doshas. This affects the tissue, which might result in developing a  malignant tumor. 

Ayurveda describes 3 forms of cancer:- 

1. Rakta Arbuda - When a tumor is surrounded by smaller tumors. 

2. Adhya Arbuda - When a tumor arises on a pre existing site or near a primary tumor. 

3. Dvi Arbuda - When two tumors arise at the same time. These tumors cause large secretion of fluid in the surrounding tissues located in vital locations, channels or  tenaciously attached to the surrounding tissue and are highly difficult to cure. 

All the cardiac diseases in Ayurveda are classified under Hrida Roga. All kinds of coronary artery diseases  come under Sira (vessels)dushti, which are caused by Rakta vikriti. When Rakta vikriti is due to Pitta, the  permeability of blood vessels increases. When it is due toKapha, the coagulability of blood increases, and  atherosclerotic diseases occur. If the Raktavikriti is due to vitiated Vata, it mainly affects the rhythm of  heart and cardiac arrhythmia or impulse conduction disorders may develop. According to Ayurvedic  pathology, there are five types of Hridroga: Vataj, Pittaj, Kaphaj, Sannipataj and Krimij Hridroga. 

Cervical spondylitis, also known as cervical osteoarthritis or neck arthritis, is a common, age-related  condition that affects the joints and discs in neck. It develops from wear and tear of the cartilage and  bones found in cervical spine. While it is largely due to age, it can be caused by other factors as well at any  age. 

According to Ayurveda, colitis can be correlated with Pittaj grahani, which is primarily a disease of Pitta  dosha with varying degrees of Vatainvolvement. When Pitta vitiation reaches to extreme; causes severe  inflammation, ulceration and rectal bleeding. Pittaj grahani is caused due to mandagni or poor appetite  and digestion, irregular, improper and irrelevant diet habits. Pitta aggravating diets like excess of spicy,  pungent, acidic, sour, alkaline nature foods, food items which produces burning sensation in the body,  exposure to excessive hot climate, alcohol, smoking, anger etc. Not following the healthy diet habits in  certain digestive disorders, especially the conditions of post diarrhea and irritable bowels are also one of  the causes of this disease. 

The common cold is called Pratishyaya in Ayurveda. All the three doshas are responsible for the occurrence  of common cold. The common cold with dominance of Vata dosha have dry coughs, little mucus discharge,  hoarse voice, and runny nose. The patients with the dominance of Pitta dosha in common cold have fever,  sore throat, yellowish nasal discharge and continuous blockage of the nose. The patients with vitiated  Kapha dosha in common cold have thick mucus discharges with dull headaches and heaviness of the head.  The people who have Pitta-Kaphaj nature are more susceptible to common cold and flu. 

Constipation in Ayurveda is known as Malsangha or Vibandha. It is a signal of Vata imbalance and blockage of  channels. Apana Vayu is responsible for the expulsion of stool and when its functions are significantly affected, it  results in constipation. When Apana Vayu gets aggravated and blocked in the lower part of the large intestine, which  causes constipation. Depending on the grade of affliction, absolute constipation or hard stool is complained by the  patients. If the complaint of constipation is neglected for long duration, it can create complications like hemorrhoids,  anal fissure, gaseous distention of abdomen, bloating, fecolith(hard, stone like feces), headache, liver disorders and  various metabolic as well as intestinal diseases. 

In Ayurveda, the condition of depression is compared with ‘Vishaad’; which is mostly a Kapha predominant  condition. The two other humors, i.e. Vata and Pitta also go out of balance by the exposure of their  aggravating factors. If there is an imbalance of ‘Vata’, there will be dominant symptoms like anxiety, fear,  mental instability and insomnia. The imbalance of ‘Pitta’leads to anger, aggressiveness, suicidal thoughts  and irritability while the imbalance of ‘Kapha’, may lead to lethargy, lack of interest in daily activities. 

In Ayurveda, Diabetes is classified under ‘Prameh Roga’. Prameh originates when Kapha dosha is  dominantly aggravated (in association with other doshas) and they affect Meda (fat), Mansa (flesh), Udaka  (lymphatic channel/endocrinal secretions) etc. Due to the abnormal digestion, the afflicted dhatus (tissues  and their derivatives) are driven towards urinary system and the disease Prameh is resulted. Based on the  involvement of doshas, their degree of affliction and gradation of the illness, various signs and symptoms  are resulted. According to the features, different names are given. The excretion of large amount of  vitiated urine (turbid or unctuous) with deranged color is the main feature of this illness. 

In Ayurveda, eczema is termed as Vicharchika, which is caused due to the vitiation of all the three doshas - Vata, Pitta and Kapha. The Pitta-vitiated Vicharchika is the most common form of eczema. The vitiation of  the skin occurs through imbalance between the pitta and the blood to produce eczema. 

According to Ayurveda, the Fatty liver condition comes under the category of Yakrut vikar and occurs when  there is an excess accumulation or concentration of the Kapha in the liver. So, the fatty liver is a  ‘Kaphavrita pitta’ condition, the accumulation of Kapha happens because of its vitiation by the various  causes and because of its heavy, unctuous and slimy properties.