Liver Cirrhosis

What is liver cirrhosis?

Liver is the largest gland in the body that performs various biological functions like detoxification, protein synthesis and other biochemicals that are necessary for the process of digestion. Liver cirrhosis is a liver disease in which the healthy liver tissues are replaced by the scar tissues that cause   permanent damage of the liver. The scarring of the tissues hampers the proper functioning of the liver. In general  liver disease causes injury to liver cells and leads to inflammation or death of the cell. Injury is followed by cell repair and scarring of the liver tissues results during the process of cell repair. Sacred tissues  block the blood flow through the liver and slows down the ability of the liver to produce hormones, enzymes and process nutrients, drugs, and natural toxins. This results in the poor functioning of the liver.

Ayurveda and liver cirrhosis:

                        “कालान्तरात् खरीभूता कृच्छ्रा स्यात् कुम्भ कामला|”      

                               (Charak samhita)

“Yakrit” is the term used to describe liver in ayurveda. Yakrit is primarily the seat of pitta dosha. In most of the disorders of liver aggravating pitta dosha is involved. “Kumbh Kamla” is described as liver cirrhosis in our ancient ayurvedic text. Ayurved explains that due to the prolonged course of the disease kamla (jaundice ) becoming deep seated leads to excessive dryness or roughness  of the body and the liver tissues. And thai condition becomes difficult to cure.

पाण्डुरोगी तु योऽत्यर्थं पित्तलानि निषेवते| तस्य पित्तमसृग्मांसं दग्ध्वा रोगाय कल्पते||

हारिद्रनेत्रः स भृशं हारिद्रत्वङ्नखाननः| रक्तपीतशकृन्मूत्रो भेकवर्णो हतेन्द्रियः||

दाहाविपाकदौर्बल्यसदनारुचिकर्षितः| कामला बहुपित्तैषा कोष्ठशाखाश्रया मता||

Aacharya charak beautifully explained the symptoms, when a  pitta diet and regime is excessively followed by a person it leads to aggravation of pitta and which in turn vitiates rakta and mansa dhatu (flesh or muscles ) that causes kamla. Features are as follows:

•  stool and urine reddish-yellow discolouration
• Yellow discoloration of eyes, skin, nails, face
• complexion similar to frog in rainy season
• Impaired sensation
• Burning sensation
• Weakness or fatigue
• Indigestion
• Anorexia

Major causes of liver cirrhosis:

• Chronic alcohol addiction
• Viral hepatitis (hepatitis b,c and d )
• Autoimmune hepatitis
• Non alcoholic fatty liver disease
• Cystic fibrosis
• Hemochromatosis (excess iron build up in the body)
• Wilson’s disease (copper accumulation inside the body)
• Primary biliary cirrhosis (destruction  of the bile duct)
• Biliary atresia
• Primary sclerosing cholangitis (hardening and scarring of the bile duct)
• Infections like syphilis, brucellosis
• Medication like isoniazid, methotrexate
• Hereditary
• Alpha -1 antitrypsin deficiency

Signs and symptoms of liver cirrhosis:

Signs and symptoms are not expressed until the damage to the liver is extensive. These includes:

• Weakness or fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Itchiness over skin
• Weight loss
• Legs, feet and ankles are swelled
• Yellow discolouration of skin and eyes (jaundice)
• Accumulation of the fluid in the stomach (ascites)
• Spider like blood vessels on skin
• Loss of sex drive, enlarged breast or atrophied testes (men)
• Absent or loss of menses
• Drowsiness, confusion or slurred speech

 complications:

• Portal hypertension (high blood pressure in the veins supplying the blood to the liver)
• Enlarged spleen (splenomegaly)
• Bleeding through portal veins
• Infections
• Accumulation of toxins inside the body
• Jaundice
• Malnutrition
• Liver cancer

Preventive measures:

• Alcohol use should be stopped
• Healthy eating
• Physical exercise to maintain body weight

Managing  liver cirrhosis through Ayurveda:

“संशोध्यो मृदुभिस्तिक्तैः कामली तु विरेचनैः||”

Ayurveda’s basic principle for the management of liver cirrhosis includes  snehan (oleation therapy) followed by mridu (mild)  purgative therapy with tikta (bitter) herbs  to detoxify the body  that is the process of Sodhana. After the cleansing process , the patient is administered with the aggravated dosha specific herbs or medicine.

Managing liver cirrhosis with Chandigarh  Ayurved Centre:

Liver cirrhosis and ascites care kit 

     1. Kutki Capsule

These herbal capsules are prepared from the standardized extract of Picrorhiza kurroa. The herb used in this capsule have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. These properties help in treating liver cirrhosis naturally.  It helps in the removal of harmful toxins from the body. Kutki capsules of CAC show great results in the case of liver diseases,  purify the blood, and treat respiratory disorders. It maintains the overall digestive system and is useful in various diseases like abdominal distension, ascites, constipation, etc. it has anti-inflammatory properties, also reduces the stiffness of joints.

Recommended Dosage: Take two capsules twice a day with normal water.

2. Detox Premium Powder

This is a herbo-mineral preparation that contains following ingredients: Moti pishti, Praval pishti, Shukti pishti, Giloy satav, Kamdudha ras, Jahar Mohra pishti, Akik pishti, Gandhak rasayan, Tal sindoor, Shankh, Sutshekhar ras, Sudhyog tab, Shwet parpati, Yavakshaar. Premium detox powder keeps your liver cells healthy. It clears away the toxins from the body and stimulates the function of the liver and increases the flow of bile

Recommended Dosage: Take one sachet twice a day with normal water.

3. Liver Care Tablet

It is a herbo-mineral tablet of size 650 MG and is a purely ayurvedic formulation. CAC Liver Care tablets help in balancing Pitta dosha. These tablets stimulate the growth of new liver cells, promote functions of the liver, and improve blood flow from the liver. It helps in the treatment of fatty liver, Liver cirrhosis, Hepatitis, hepatomegaly, and obstructive Jaundice. CAC Liver Care Tablets contains Ingredients like Kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata), Kutaki(Picrorhiza kurroa), Bhumi amla( phyllanthus niruri), Giloy(Tinospora Cordifolia), Yavakshar( Hordeum vulgare), Imli Kshar( Tamarindus indica), Mukta Shukta pishti etc. it shows results in Hepatomegaly, Inherited diseases- Hemochromatosis and Wilson’s disease, Jaundice and Obstructive jaundice

DOSAGE: Take one tablet twice a day with normal water.

4. Panchsakar Churna

It is a herbo mineral and purely ayurvedic formulation. It mainly works on your Vata and pitta dosha of your body. It can cure Chronic Constipation and help relieve symptoms of Acidity, indigestion, Belching and colic pain. It acts as a mild Laxative and reduces Bloating. It works very efficiently on a disease named IBS (Irritable bowel syndrome) which is very common nowadays that affects your day to day activities. CAC Panchsakar churna is 100% natural and pure. It is prepared from various herbs like Haritaki, Shunthi, Swaran Patri, Shatapushpa, and Saindhav Lavan that show antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and laxative properties.PANCHSAKAR CHURNA contains Haritaki (Terminalia Chebula), Shunthi (Zingiber Officinale), Saindhava Lavana (Rock Salt), Svarna Patri (Cassia Angustifolia), Shatapushpa (Foeniculum Vulgare)

DOSAGE: Take one tablespoon at night with normal water.

5. Gokshura Capsule:

Gokshura capsule is pure ayurvedic medicine which is very effective in ascites as it has anti-inflammatory properties that reduce the swelling of the abdomen. It also acts as diuretic which causes increased urine secretion from the body and removal of all the toxins. These capsules contain pure extract of Gokshura (Tribulus terrestris).

Recommended Dosage: Take one capsule twice daily with normal water.

6. Curcumin Capsule:

CURCUMIN CAPSULE is a herbo-mineral capsule of size 500 MG which is 100% safe and is purely ayurvedic formulation. CAC Curcumin Capsules helps in pacifying all three doshas. Curcumin Capsule is beneficial for a variety of skin conditions like Acne, Eczema, Psoriasis, and Dermatitis. This Capsule contains standardized extract of the herb Curcumin (Curcuma longa). Curcumin is the active ingredient in Turmeric having powerful Anti-inflammatory, Antibacterial, Antifungal, Antimicrobial and Antioxidant properties.

Recommended Dosage: Take one capsule twice daily with normal water.

7. Kapha Balance Tablet:

Kapha tablet is a healthy blend of herbs formulated to balance Kapha doshas without aggravating Pitta and Vata doshas. It can also be used to alleviate any temporary Kapha imbalance. It is very effective in Kapha season that is late winter and spring. It consists of warming and astringent herbs that help to balance the system throughout the cold season. The main use of Kapha tablets is to remove excess Kapha doshas from the system and helps in the management of weight, healthy lungs, and the immune system.

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

8. Trikatu Syrup:

TRIKATU SYRUP is a purely Ayurvedic formulation made up of three herbs. CAC Trikatu Syrup helps to eliminate excess Kapha or mucus from the body, supports respiratory system, manages weight, helps to take out impurities or ama from the body, supports healthy detoxification, reduces swelling. It shows anti-inflammatory, analgesic, expectorant, antioxidant properties.  This syrup is made up of equal parts of three herbs such as Pippali (Piper longum), Shunthi (Zingiber officinale), & Marich (Piper nigrum) that maintains the metabolism in the body.

DOSAGE: Take 2 teaspoons  twice daily before meals.