A Case Study On Ayurvedic Treatment Of Liver Cirrhosis

Abstract

Cirrhosis of the liver is a chronic condition in which the liver's ability to function is gradually impaired due to the replacement of healthy liver tissue with scar tissue. This disease typically progresses over months or years, often without early symptoms. As it advances, patients may experience fatigue, weakness, swelling in the legs, itching, jaundice, spider-like veins on the skin, or fluid accumulation in the abdomen. Common causes include hepatitis B and C, alcohol use, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which is often linked to obesity, high blood sugar, and elevated triglyceride levels. Less common causes include autoimmune hepatitis, primary biliary cholangitis, certain medications, and gallstones. Diagnosis involves blood tests, medical imaging, and liver biopsy. In Ayurveda, cirrhosis is seen as a disorder of raktavaha and udakavaha srotas. A 50-year-old Female patient diagnosed with liver cirrhosis was admitted to Parul Ayurveda Hospital (PAH), Limda, Vadodara. The treatment plan included mild virechana (purgation) using trivrut churna daily, along with oral medications such as Punarnavādi kvātha, Guduchi satva, Arogyavardhini vati, Bhumyamalaki churna, Kumaryasava, and Shilajit vati. Following this treatment, the patient showed significant improvement, with decreases in liver function markers such as SGPT, SGOT, and bilirubin levels. This case study highlights the potential benefits of Ayurvedic treatment in managing cirrhosis.