Is There Any Treatment of Neurofibromatosis? – Alternative Medicines

Abstract

There are various disorders that don’t seem to be very prominent in occurrence rate but yet carry great importance as they produce numerous amounts of deformity in our body. In this article we are also going to discuss a very rare disorder known as type II neurofibromatosis. In this disorder spectrum of symptoms are present that leads to numerous anatomic abnormalities along with neurological problems. Along with ayurveda we can manage the further advancement of the disease  as ayurveda deals with such malady by going into the base level of pathology and eliminating the root cause of disease (nidan parivarjan chikitsa). As it focuses on dealing with such ailment by doing detailed prakriti (nature) analysis, and then uses medications according to that by following basic principles of ayurveda out of which one is ‘tridosha theory’ (three principle energies of our body- vata, pitta and kapha) and another one is ‘panchamahabhuta theory’ (five basic elements of life- akash (sky), vayu (air), agni (fire), jal (water) and prithvi (mother earth).So let’s start putting some rays of limelight that shows how ayurveda deals with such kinds of disorders.

Introduction

Neurofibromatosis is defined as the presence of a tumor (abnormal cell growth in the body) within the nervous system. Generally there are three types of neurofibromatosis: neurofibromatosis type I (NF 1), neurofibromatosis type II (NF2) and schwannomatosis. All these three types have their own different characteristic features. As in this article our main focus will be on type II neurofibromatosis, in which a variety of symptoms are present. In neurofibromatosis type II bilateral acoustic neuromas are present; they are the tumors of vestibulocochlear nerve also known as cranial nerve VIII. It is also known as schwannoma (schwannoma means abnormal growth of schwann cells, these are the cells that support nerve cells of the nervous system. They are generally benign in origin and contain less mortality rate.

As Per Ayurveda

As per ayurveda we can say that in this there is an involvement of dosha dushti in mansa vaha, meda vaha and mano vaha srotas. So we can see that there is an involvement of multiple srotas in this so it is difficult to cure and might take prolonged time for this.

Ayurvedic Overview of Neurofibromatosis

As already discussed that in this there is an involvement of multiple srotas (body channels) in this. Such as mansa vaha, medo vaha and manovaha srotas. So let’s start discussing about these srotas in detail

• Mansa vaha srotas- have their main residing seat in ligaments (Snayumulam) and skin (Twacha)
• Meda vaha srotas have their main site of origin in the kidney (Vrikk) and greater omentum (Vapavahan)
• Manovaha srotas means all those channels that control the functioning of the nervous system of the body.

Common Causes

It includes all those common conditions that will give rise to generate a pathological condition in our body. As per ayurveda they are known as ‘nidan’.

• In most of the cases the cause is the presence of genetic mutation in the gene NF2 tumor suppressor genes on chromosome number 22.
• Hereditary transfer of the disease from parents- it is an autosomal dominant disorder, so heredity plays a major role in this.
• This gene encodes a cytoplasmic protein known as melin. This protein helps to regulate the activity of various multiple growth factors in the body. Due to the presence of mutation in this gene there will be a loss of its normal functions that will lead to increase in the activities of growth factors and promote growth of tumor in the body.

Sign/ Symptoms

It means the general complaints along with which patients present in front of the physician. In neurofibromatosis type 2 following below listed symptoms are presents

• Hearing loss
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Nausea and vomiting
• Presence of skin colored spots on the skin
• Difficulty in vision
• Problem with body balance
• Wasting of body muscles

Diagnosis

It includes the common diagnostic approaches we use to identify the disease.

• By detailed history taking of the patient.
• Ruling out family history.

Through proper clinical evaluation of the patient by using following below listed techniques

• Inspection
• Palpation
• Auscultation
• Percussion

Laboratory Findings

• Blood tests
• MRI  and CT scan (computed tomography)
• EEG (electroencephalogram)
• X-ray examination.
• Biopsy test
• Genetic testing

Management

As per the modern system of medicine

• Symptomatic treatment according to the present signs and symptoms are generally used
• Surgical removal of the tumor
• For hearing loss- Cochlear transplants are used
• Radiosurgery is also an alternative treatment of choice

According to Ayurveda

As this condition is a chronic one by using ayurvedic herbs and formulations we can attain good body strength as ayurvedic herbs helps in providing healthy nutrients to the body, that helps in providing good proportion of antioxidants to the body, that will take out impurities from the body and that eventually helps in providing good strength and stamina to the body. In this regard the herbal formulation of the planet Ayurveda works very efficiently.

List of Herbal Formulations by Planet Ayurveda

• Amalaki Rasayan
• Ashwagandha capsule
• Brahmi capsule
• Neuro Plan syrup
• Rasaraj rasa
• Vrihat Vatchintamani ras

Product Description

1. Amalaki Rasayan

This herbal formulation contains pure and standardized extract of amla (Emblica officinalis). Amla contains various properties such as “Dahahar” (relieves pain), Jwarghan (help in combating fever), these two complaints are the chief complaints of a patient with neurofibromatosis so this rasayan (natural herbal tonic) shows wonderful result in this ailment.

Dosage– 1-2 capsules twice daily after meals with plain water.

2. Ashwagandha Capsule

This capsule contains pure and standardized extract of a very potent natural herb called ashwagandha (Withania somnifera).   It possesses a great ‘breehmaniya’ property (bulk promoting property) that helps in increasing the body weight as a patient of neurofibromatosis type 2 generally suffers from the problem of muscle wasting. It is also enriched with great antioxidant properties that will boost up the functioning of the immune system and helps to develop strong immunity power to combat ailment like neurofibromatosis.

Dosage: 1-2 capsules twice daily with plain water or milk after meals.

3. Brahmi Capsule

The brahmi capsule of planet ayurveda contains pure and standardized extract of brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) this herb is considered as the best ‘medhya herb’ since thousands of years ago, means it helps in strengthening the nervous system by making nerve cells strong and healthy. Brahmi is considered as a very valuable herb for the brain and entire nervous system. So this brahmi capsule shows great results in patients suffering from neurofibromatosis.

Dosage: 1-2 capsules twice daily with plain water.

4. Neuro Plan syrup

This herbal syrup is a joint combination of various medicinal herbs such as

• Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri)
• Mandukaparni (Centella asiatica)
• Shankhpushpi (Convolvulus pluricaulis)
• Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)
• Bhojpatra (Betula utilis)
• Marich (Piper nigrum)
• Pippali (Piper longum) etc.

All these herbs in this formulation helps in strengthening the nervous system as they are good nervine tonic so assist profoundly in complaints like hearing and balance problems of patients with neurofibromatosis.

Dosage: 1 tsp twice daily after meal.

5. Rasaraj rasa

This herbomineral formulation contains

• Ashwagandha churna (Withania somnifera)
• Lavanga churna (Syzygium aromaticum)
• Javitri churna (Myristica fragrans)
• Swarna bhasma (Gold bhasma)
• Rajata bhasma (Silver bhasma)
• Loha bhasma (Iron bhasma)
• Kakamachi rasa (Solanum nigrum) etc.

Herbs and minerals present in this herbomineral formulation helps in strengthening the nerves and muscles as the patient of neurofibromatosis suffers from the nervous weakness and muscle wasting.

Dosage: 1 tablet twice daily with plain water after meal.

6. Vrihat Vatchintamani Ras

This herbal formulation helps in balancing the vata dosha level within the body as it contains bhasma of swarna (Gold calx), Rajat (Silver calx), Abhraka (Mica calx), Loha (Iron calx) and juice extract of Aloe vera etc. these minerals and herbs helps in reducing the amount of vitiated vata dosha, as it considered as the main cause of various pain in the body. It also helps in fighting with weakness and malaise the common complaints of patients with neurofibromatosis.

Dosage: 1 tablet twice daily with plain water after meal.

Conclusion

Lastly, I just want to say that ayurveda is a great science of Indian system of medicine that has been showing its efficacy for thousands of years. As the main goal of ayurveda is to maintain health of a healthy person and to treat disease of a diseased individual. By using classical herbal formulations we can surely manage the progression of disease in neurofibromatosis.