Treatment of Idiopathic thrombocytopenia Purpura(ITP) in Ayurveda

Abstract

ITP is an autoimmune disorder characterized by isolated thrombocytopenia resulting from immune-mediated destruction of platelets. Platelets are fermented in blood and normally help the blood to clot. ITP may affect individuals of all ages. Bleeding is the most common clinical manifestation of ITP. The pathogenesis of ITP is complex involving alteration in cellular and humoral immunity. Thrombocytopenia is mainly caused by antibodies that react with glycoprotein expressed on platelets and megakaryocytes causing survival of circulating platelets and impairing platelet production. Usually, corticosteroids are the first-line treatment of the disease which can take lots of time but in Ayurveda, we can give very effective medicines which can deal with this disease with the best Ayurvedic therapy.

Introduction

ITP stands for  Idiopathic thrombocytopenia  Purpura which is a rare blood-related disorder. It is an Autoimmune condition where the immune system of the body starts attacking the platelets. So it is a condition in which abnormal functioning of the immune system mainly attacks the platelet which causes purple or red colored spots on skin without any known cause of origin. This complex and challenging condition affects approximately 3.3 per 100,000 adults annually with a higher in women and individuals under the age of 40.

Cause

Mainly it is an Autoimmune disease  but there are some risk factors for the disease

1. Autoimmune disorder: Having other immune conditions such as Rheumatoid arthritis, and lupus.
2. Infections: HIV, Hepatitis C, Helicobacter pylori.
3. Chronic disease: Such as diabetes, hypertension, and chronic kidney disease.
4. Pregnancy: Pregnancy may trigger ITP in some women.

Types

There are mainly two types

1. Acute
2. Chronic

1. Acute

It usually affects children and may last for 6 months.

2. Chronic

It mainly affects adults and illness may last for months or years.

Symptoms

1.  Petechiae: Small, pinpoint-sized red or purple spots.
2. Easy bruising: Bruises that appear easily even with minor trauma.
3. Purpura: Large more extensive area of bleeding under the skin.
4. Mucocutaneous bleeding: Bleeding from the mucosa membrane such as the nose, mouth, gastrointestinal perforation
5. Hematuria
6. Menorrhagia
7. Fatigue
8. Intracranial hemorrhage

Diagnosis

1. CBC
2. Blood smear
3. Biopsy
4. Bone marrow aspiration
5. Platelet Antibody testing
6. Activated partial thromboplastin (aPTT) coagulopathy.

Treatment

Usually, treatment depends upon the symptoms, age, and general health. The most common forms to treat ITP are Steroids or Intravenous immunoglobulin.

1. Corticosteroids
2. Intravenous Immunoglobulin
3. Splenectomy
4. Immunosuppressive therapy
5. Platelet transfusion
6. Danazol (hormone) to increase platelet count

Ayurvedic Approach

As per Ayurveda ITP is considered as a disorder of the Rakta dhatu (Blood tissue)and imbalance of Pitta dosha. It is correlated to Tiriyak Rakhtpitta. Rakt pitta is a bleeding-related disorder where the blood vitiated by pitta flows out of the opening of the body. Bleeding occurs due to some internal cause or some chronic disease in all three dosha of the body’s bloodstream. Vata, Pitta, and Kapha are vitiated resulting in the imbalance of the metabolism of the bloodstream or imbalance of Agni in the body. An imbalance affects the immune system and creates an error where the immune system of the body starts attacking one component of the blood platelets. Ayurvedic therapies are mainly focused on balancing the immune system and may boost platelet production and enhance overall blood health.

Nidan ( causes )

1.  Excessive intake of shadras ( Six types of tastes )
2. Consuming Salt rich vegetables with milk
3.  Vidahi ( corrosive food )
4.  Akrodha ( excessive anger )
5. Ati vayu sevan  (Excessive air intake)

Samprapti ( Pathogenesis )

1.  Due to Nidan’s sevn
2.  Pitta gets aggravated and then mixes with rakta dhatu
3.  Due to Ushna (hot ) guna  of Pitta dosha Drava total (liquid ) of dhatu like Mams, Medha, etc get mixed with rakt
4.  They increase the quality of rakta dhatu
5.  This also enhances blood flow in the blood vessels and then creates pressure
6.  Due to the pressure of blood and pitta the wall of blood vessels gets damaged and then blood starts flowing through the various openings of the body
7.  Rakht may occur through Mouth , nose , ear , skin , anus , vagina , eye , penis
8. Thus this flowing of blood from various parts of the body is called Rakht Pitta

Lakshan (Symptoms)  According To Doshas

1. Vatik lakshan: Shyaam ( Blackish stool ), Drav rakht(liquid or dilute blood), Rukhsh Rakh (Dry blood ), Penyukat rakht(Foamy blood).
2. Peetik Lakshan : Gomutar sanibh (Cows urine like blood), Grahdhumvat (Smoke like blood)
3. Kaphaj Lakshan : Kaph yukt( Mucoid blood), Sandhr (Viscous blood), Peechal (Sticky blood)

Ayurvedic Managment

1. Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) helps in inflammation , boosts immunity
2. Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia) Acts as an anti-allergic , anti-bacterial
3. Gotukola (Centella asiatica) is an excellent adaptogen and also acts on infection, stress, or tiredness.
4. Laghu Sutshekhar Rasa
5. Sudarshan Ghan Vati
6.  Dadimashtaka churna
7. Amla pittantak syrup
8. Noni(Morinda citrifolia)

Herbal Remedies For Itp By Planet Ayurveda

Planet Ayurveda provides pure herbs and follows the Ayurvedic principle. These herbs are free from chemicals and preservatives by using the best quality herbs. These are safe to use and have no side effects. There are many medicines for the Treatment of ITP but in this we use the ITP Care Pack for better results.

Itp Care Pack

1. Swarna Vasant Malti Ras
2.  Immune booster
3.  Ashwagandha Capsules
4.  Giloy Capsules
5.  Gandhak Rasayan
6.  Green Essential
7.  Kumar Kalyan Ras
8.  Brahmi Chyawanprash

Properties Of Herbs

1. Swarna Vasant Malti Ras

Swarna Vasant Malti Ras is a tablet formation which is formed by Swarna bhsm(Gold calx), Mukta bhasma(Calx of pearl), Shuddha hingula(Ore of mercury and sulphur), Kali mirch (Piper nigrum), Kharpara (Rasaka), Shuddha Parad (Purified Mercury) and Shuddha Gandhak (Purified Sulphur)  it acts as an immunomodulator that helps to reduce inflammation and also acts as an antioxidant to reduce the symptoms of ITP.

Dosage: One Tablet twice daily after meal

2. Immune Booster

Immune booster is a capsule formation That mainly contains Grape seed (Vitis vinifera), Go Piyush (Bovine Colossians), Bhumi amla (Phyllanthus niruri), and Amalaki (Emblica officinalis) all these herbs helps to boost the immunity and reduce the inflammation in the body and helps to stimulate the production of WBC responsible for fighting infection and Amla which also acts as Rasayan to increase the platelet count

Dosage: One capsule twice daily after a meal with plain water.

3. Ashwagandha capsule

Ashwagandhacapsule is a formulation and is formed by a standardized extract of a single herb Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) which mainly helps to increase platelet levels in the blood which is the main symptom of the disease. It also supports the natural healing process and it also protects the body from oxidative damage.

Dosage: Two capsules twice daily after a meal with plain water.

4. Giloy capsule

Giloycapsule is a formulation that is formed by a standardized extract of a single herb Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia). It mainly has immune boosting properties and also increases the platelet count, enhances the body’s response to infection, acts as an anti-inflammatory and antipyretic helps the immune system and provides defense against infection.

Dosage: One capsule a day after meals with plain water .

5. Gandhak Rasayan

Gandhak Rasayan is a tablet formation that is formed by standardized purified sulfur Gandhak (Sulphur) It is a natural herbal steroid and also acts as an anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, and anti-bacterial property which helps to reduce bleeding and helps heal the wound.

Dosage: Two tablets daily after a meal with plain water.

6. Green Essential

The green essential is a capsule formulation that includes wheat grass (Triticum sativum), grape seeds(Vitis vinifera), Amla (Emblia officinalis) green tea (Camellia Sinensis) and Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis) all of these are rich in vitamins and minerals and also have antioxidant and increase the nutrition value and also inhibit the platelet aggregation.

Dosage: Two capsules twice daily after a meal with plain water.

7. Kumar Kalyan Ras

Kumar Kalyan Ras is a classical ayurvedic herbal mineral formulation. Prepared with Kumari Ras (Aloe vera extract), Loha bhasma(Purified iron), Abhrak bhasma(Purified mica), Swarna bhasma(Gold bhasma), Mukta bhasma(Bhasma of pearl), Makshika Bhasama(Bhasama of copper),  and Ras Sindoor(Shudda parda). This formulation has an excellent result in digestive problems, respiratory illness, and low immunity.

Dosage: Take one teaspoon daily with honey after a meal.

8. Brahmi Chyawanprash

Brahmi chyawanprash is a unique jam of herbal blend formation prepared with Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri), ashwagandha(Withania somnifera), Shatavari(Asparagus racemosus), Nagarmotha(Cyperus rotundus), Vasaka(Justicia adhatoda), Vidharikand(Pueraria tuberosa), elaichi (Cardamom) and many others. It has rejuvenating properties and helps to boost the immune system, increase energy levels, balance appetite, promote healthy sleep, and is good for hemoglobin levels.

Dosage: Take two teaspoons daily after a meal.

Conclusion

In this article, we have focused on autoimmune-related disease which is mainly caused by a blood disorder in which the immune system of the body starts attacking the healthy platelets of the body.  In some cases, the platelet count of the patient is not increasing but with the help of Ayurveda, we can deal with all the symptoms of the disease because the ayurved principle works on the root of the disease. In Ayurveda, we can balance all the doshas of the body by giving useful herbs. Ayurvedic remedies are very effective and also safe to use. So with the help of Ayurveda, we can cure the Disease.