Ayurvedic aspect of rabies and its management
Journal name: Ayushdhara
Original article title: Ayurvedic aspect of rabies and its management
AYUSHDHARA is an international peer-reviewed journal. It focuses on research in Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, Homeopathy, Allopathy, and Pharmaceutical Sciences.
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Sharad Maroti Porte
Lecturer, P.G. Dept. of Agadtantra, National Institute of Ayurveda Jaipur, India.
Ayushdhara:
(A peer-reviewed, bi-monthly open-access journal)
Full text available for: Ayurvedic aspect of rabies and its management
Year: 2015
Copyright (license): CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
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Summary of article contents:
Introduction
Rabies, known as Hydrophobia, is a severe viral disease that affects the Central Nervous System, primarily transmitted through bites from infected animals, particularly dogs, jackals, foxes, and other wildlife. The disease is categorized as fatal and poses a significant public health concern, especially in areas like India, where rabies incidence is notably high. This article explores the Ayurvedic perspective on rabies, referred to as Alark Visha, along with traditional management and prevention strategies outlined in Ayurveda, highlighting the similarities and differences with modern medical approaches.
Traditional Ayurvedic Management
One of the critical concepts discussed is the Ayurvedic method of managing rabies following a bite incident. Ayurvedic texts emphasize immediate first aid, advising the extraction of blood from the wound and cauterization using warm ghee. Following this, the application of a mixture referred to as Agad is recommended to counteract the poison. Internal purification through inducing purgation with the milk of Calotropis procera is suggested as a means to mitigate the effects of rabies. This approach aligns with contemporary medical practices that advocate for prompt wound care and rabies vaccination, reflecting the holistic nature of Ayurvedic interventions that incorporate herbal remedies and physical treatments.
Folk Remedies and Their Relevance
The article also highlights various folk medicinal practices across India for treating rabies, showing the rich diversity of understanding and treating the condition within local communities. Several herbs such as Achyranthes aspera, Datura innoxia, and Calotropis procera are utilized in traditional medicine. There is an emphasis on the use of local plants and their parts—leaves, roots, and juices—as effective remedies against rabies. These folk remedies demonstrate the integration of herbal knowledge in traditional practice, supporting the need for further research into their efficacy and potential roles in modern medical treatment protocols.
Conclusion
In conclusion, both Ayurvedic and modern medical perspectives provide valuable insights into managing and preventing rabies. The Ayurvedic approach not only emphasizes immediate physical treatment of animal bites but also focuses on the holistic healing of the body through herbal medicines. The fusion of these traditional methods with contemporary medical practices could enhance the overall effectiveness of rabies management, offering comprehensive solutions to mitigate the disease's impact on public health. Continued studies into these traditional practices will be essential in validating and potentially integrating them into mainstream treatment protocols for rabies prevention and management.
FAQ section (important questions/answers):
What is rabies and how is it transmitted to humans?
Rabies, also known as hydrophobia, is a fatal viral disease of the Central Nervous System caused primarily by rabid animal bites. The virus is transmitted through saliva during a bite from infected animals like dogs, jackals, and foxes.
What are the key symptoms of rabies in humans?
Symptoms of rabies include fever, headache, malaise, hydrophobia, and neurological signs such as agitation and paralysis. The prodromal phase lasts 1 to 4 days, followed by severe neurological involvement that can lead to coma and death.
How can rabies be prevented and managed according to Ayurveda?
Ayurvedic management involves immediate first aid such as squeezing out blood, cauterizing the wound with warm ghee, and applying antidotes. Internal treatment may include purgation with milk from Calotropis procera and herbal remedies for symptom control.
Glossary definitions and references:
Scientific and Ayurvedic Glossary list for “Ayurvedic aspect of rabies and its management”. This list explains important keywords that occur in this article and links it to the glossary for a better understanding of that concept in the context of Ayurveda and other topics.
1) Animal:
Animals play a central role in the transmission of rabies as seen in mentions of various species like dogs, jackals, foxes, and many more in the context of rabies (Alark Visha) transmission. These animals are the carriers of the rabid virus which affects humans when bitten.
2) Varanasi (Varanashi):
Varanasi is frequently mentioned as the location of Chaukhambha Prakashan, responsible for publishing significant commentaries on Sanskrit texts related to Ayurveda, like Sushruta Samhita and Ashtang Hridyam. This city is significant for Ayurvedic scholarship and research.
3) Medicine:
Medicine, both in modern and Ayurvedic aspects, is central to the discussion of rabies treatment. Modern medicine provides clinical features, while Ayurveda offers traditional treatments like Agad and Tikshna Sanshodhan for rabies management.
4) Ayurveda (Ayus-veda):
Ayurveda provides a traditional approach to the management of rabies, described as Alark Visha, including local management like squeezing out blood and using antidotes. It also encompasses systemic management with herbs and purification methods.
5) India:
India has the highest incidence of rabies worldwide and is a focal point in the study of both modern and Ayurvedic management of the disease. The traditional Ayurvedic methods for treating rabies are commonly practiced in various regions across the country.
6) Hindi (Himdi):
Hindi is the language in which many Ayurvedic texts and their commentaries, such as those by Ambikadutta Shastri on Sushruta Samhita, are written. This makes Ayurvedic knowledge accessible to a larger population in India.
7) Viru:
[see source text or glossary: Viru]
8) Samhita:
Samhita refers to classical Ayurvedic texts such as Sushruta Samhita and Charak Samhita. These texts provide detailed descriptions of rabies (Alark Visha), its pathogenesis, clinical features, and traditional management practices.
9) Neem:
Neem soap and Neem quath (decoction) are recommended in Ayurvedic management for cleaning wounds inflicted by rabid animals. The antiseptic and antiviral properties of Neem help in preventing the transmission of the rabies virus.
10) Ghi (Ghee):
Ghee is used in Ayurveda for cauterization of wounds caused by rabid animal bites. The warm ghee is applied to prevent infection and aid healing, a critical first-aid step mentioned in ancient texts.
11) Samgraha (Sangraha):
Ashtang Samgraha is an essential Sanskrit text in Ayurveda, authored by Vagbhata. It includes descriptions of various diseases and their treatments, including rabies (Alark Visha), offering ancient medical insights and remedies.
12) Sanskrit:
Sanskrit is the language in which original Ayurvedic texts like Sushruta Samhita and Ashtang Hridyam are written. These texts provide foundational knowledge for the Ayurvedic perspective on diseases like rabies and their treatments.
13) Milk:
Milk, particularly when combined with herbs like Calotropis procera, is used in Ayurvedic treatment protocols for rabies to induce purgation, thus helping to eliminate toxins from the body.
14) Sushruta-samhita (Susruta-samhita):
Sushruta Samhita is a key ancient Ayurvedic text that offers detailed information on various diseases, including rabies (Alark Visha), and its treatment protocols, emphasizing local and systemic management.
15) Vidyotini:
Vidyotini is a Hindi commentary that elucidates the complex concepts found in Ayurvedic texts like Ashtang Hridyam, offering interpretations that make ancient practices accessible for modern practitioners.
16) Vitiation (Vitiated):
Vitiation, or imbalance, in Ayurveda refers to the disturbance of the body's doshas (Vata, Pitta, Kapha). In rabies, the doshas are said to be vitiated by the poison from the rabid animal bite, thereby affecting the central nervous system.
17) Vagbhata:
Vagbhata is the author of important Ayurvedic texts like Ashtang Hridyam and Ashtang Samgraha. His works provide in-depth knowledge on diseases like rabies (Alark Visha) and their Ayurvedic management.
18) Sharad (Sarad):
Sharad Maroti Porte is the author of the article discussing the Ayurvedic aspect of rabies and its management, providing insights into traditional treatments for this viral disease.
19) Gupta:
Atridev Gupta is mentioned as a commentator on the Ashtang Hridyam, providing valuable insights through the Vidyotini Hindi commentary, which aids in understanding Ayurvedic concepts.
20) Blood:
Blood management is critical in the Ayurveda treatment of rabies. Ayurvedic practices like squeezing out blood after a rabid bite help prevent the spread of the virus.
21) Cauterisation (Cauterization):
Cauterization with warm ghee is recommended in Ayurveda as an immediate treatment for rabid bites to prevent infection and aid in healing the wound.
22) Tamilnadu (Tamil-nadu):
Tamil Nadu is noted for its usage of traditional Ayurvedic and folk remedies, including various plants and herbs, to treat rabies, showcasing the integration of regional practices into broader Ayurvedic medicine.
23) Disease:
Rabies is described as a fatal viral disease affecting the central nervous system. Both modern medicine and Ayurveda offer insights into its transmission, symptoms, and management.
24) Indian:
India has a high incidence of rabies, and the treatment practices range from modern medical approaches to traditional Ayurvedic methods. This confluence of practices highlights India's diversified approach to health management.
25) Tamil:
Tamil refers to the language spoken in Tamil Nadu, where folk medicinal practices for treating rabies are common. These practices are part of the broader Ayurvedic tradition in India.
26) Visha (Visa):
Visa, in the context of Ayurveda, refers to the toxin (poison) created by the rabies virus, transmitted through animal bites and leading to the manifestations of the disease observed in classical texts.
27) Vata:
Vata is one of the three doshas in Ayurveda, representing the elements of air and space. It is often vitiated in cases of rabies, leading to central nervous system involvement and loss of sensation.
28) Nadu:
Nadu is part of the name Tamil Nadu, a state in India where traditional Ayurvedic and folk medicinal practices are used to treat rabies, highlighting regional variations in medical treatment.
29) Maharashtra (Maharastra, Maha-rashtra):
Maharashtra is a state in India mentioned for its regional folk medicine practices, including the use of Calotropis procera and other plants in the treatment of rabies (Alark Visha).
30) Knowledge:
Knowledge in both modern medicine and Ayurveda is essential for developing effective treatments for rabies. This includes understanding the clinical features, transmission, and management of the disease.
31) Vaidya:
Vaidya refers to a practitioner of Ayurveda who uses traditional knowledge to treat diseases like rabies, employing methods such as herbal medicines and purgative therapies.
32) Drug:
Drugs in Ayurveda, such as Agad and Tikshna Sanshodhan, are used for the treatment of rabies (Alark Visha) by eliminating toxins and restoring balance to the doshas.
33) Hridya (Hrdya):
Ashtang Hridyam is an important Ayurvedic text compiled by Vagbhata, detailing numerous health conditions, including rabies (Alark Visha), and their traditional management in Ayurveda.
34) Forest:
Forests are a source of many medicinal plants, such as those used in folk remedies for rabies. Various regions in India rely on forest-based plants for traditional treatments.
35) Kapha:
Kapha is one of the three doshas representing water and earth elements. In the case of rabies, vitiation of Kapha along with Vata is involved in the pathogenesis, affecting the nervous system.
36) Fever:
Fever is a common prodromal symptom of rabies observed in both Ayurvedic and modern medical descriptions, indicating the body's response to the viral infection.
37) Rice (Rce):
Rice water is mentioned in traditional Ayurvedic treatments, often used as a medium with other herbs for purgation and managing rabies symptoms.
38) Musa paradisiaca:
Musa paradisiaca, commonly known as banana, is used in traditional medicines, with its bark juice employed in Ayurvedic treatments for wounds, including those from rabid animal bites.
39) Santalum album:
Santalum album, or sandalwood, is used in folk and Ayurvedic medicine for its antiseptic properties, often included in treatments for rabid animal bites and hydrophobia.
40) Rock salt:
Rock salt is used in combination with other herbs like Calotropis procera in Ayurvedic treatments for rabies, helping in the purgation and elimination of toxins from the body.
41) Gloriosa superba:
Gloriosa superba is a plant whose parts are used in Ayurvedic and folk medicine for treating rabies and other ailments, showcasing the use of botanical resources in traditional practices.
42) Ricinus communis:
Ricinus communis, known as castor oil plant, has seeds that are used in traditional Ayurvedic treatments for rabies, emphasizing the use of native plants in managing diseases.
43) Transmission:
Transmission of rabies occurs through the bite of a rabid animal, introducing the virus-laden saliva into the body, which affects the nervous system as described in both modern and Ayurvedic texts.
44) Purification:
Purification, or Tikshna Sanshodhan, is an Ayurvedic process used to cleanse the body of toxins introduced by rabid animal bites, involving methods like purgation and the use of specific herbs.
45) Dronapushpi (Dronapuspi):
Dronapushpi, or Leucas aspera, is a plant listed in Ayurvedic texts for its use in treating rabies, demonstrating the breadth of botanical knowledge employed in traditional medicine.
46) Discussion:
The discussion in the document compares and evaluates the Ayurvedic and modern medical approaches to managing rabies, highlighting similarities, differences, and the effectiveness of traditional practices.
47) Salivation:
Excessive salivation is a symptom of rabies both in modern medicine and Ayurveda. In Ayurveda, managing salivation involves herbs like Dhatura, which is part of the broader symptomatic treatment.
48) Science (Scientific):
Scientific investigation validates traditional Ayurvedic treatments, like the use of Indigofera tinctoria for rabies, and emphasizes the importance of integrating ancient knowledge with modern research methodologies.
49) Tilakalka (Tila-kalka):
Tilakalka, or sesame paste, is used in combination with other substances like Tilatail and Calotropis juice in Ayurvedic treatments for rabies, underscoring the use of natural ingredients in traditional medicine.
50) Karnataka:
Karnataka is another Indian state noted for its use of Ayurvedic treatments and folk medicines in managing rabies, contributing regional practices to the national repository of traditional medicine.
51) Agnivesha (Agnivesa, Agni-vesha):
Agnivesha is the attributed author of the Charak Samhita, an ancient Ayurvedic text that includes comprehensive descriptions and treatments for diseases like rabies (Alark Visha).
52) Tridosha (Tridosa, Tri-dosha):
Tridosha refers to the three fundamental bodily humors (Vata, Pitta, Kapha) in Ayurveda, the imbalance of which is considered the cause of diseases like rabies, and treatments aim to restore their balance.
53) Bharati:
Bharati Academy is mentioned as a publisher of Ayurvedic texts, contributing to the ongoing dissemination of traditional medical knowledge, including documentation of rabies treatments.
54) Tikshna (Tiksna):
Tikshna Sanshodhan refers to strong purgative therapies in Ayurveda, used to eliminate toxins from the body, particularly in systemic management of rabies (Alark Visha) following a rabid animal bite.
55) Karsha (Karsa):
Karsha is a traditional Ayurvedic unit of measurement for herbs, used in prescriptions for treatments, such as Dhatura, in managing rabies symptoms, highlighting the dosage precision in traditional medicine.
56) Kumari:
Kumari, or Aloe vera, is used in both internal and external applications in Ayurvedic treatment for its healing properties, including in cases of rabid animal bites, demonstrating the medicinal use of common plants.
57) Jaipur:
Jaipur is the city where the National Institute of Ayurveda is located, and the author Sharad Maroti Porte is affiliated with this institution, contributing to the study and practice of Ayurvedic medicine.
58) Family:
Family in botanical context refers to the classification of plants used in treatments, such as Amaranthaceae for Achyranthes aspera, indicating the scientific categorization of medicinal plants.
59) Powder:
Powder forms of herbs, such as Turmeric powder and Red chilli powder, are mentioned as part of traditional folk remedies applied to wounds, showcasing the practical applications of medicinal plants.
60) Phlegm:
Phlegm, or Kapha in Ayurvedic terminology, contributes to the pathogenesis of rabies when vitiated, causing symptoms that traditional treatments aim to balance and mitigate.
61) Sharman (Sarma, Sharma, Sarman):
[see source text or glossary: Sarma]
62) Ajmer:
Ajmer is a city in Rajasthan where studies on rabies management, including traditional and modern practices, have been conducted, offering insights into regional healthcare approaches in India.
63) Horse:
Horses are listed among animals that can be carriers of the rabies virus, contributing to the need for vigilant management and prevention of bites from various species.
64) Honey:
Honey is used in combination with other substances like onion juice in traditional treatments for rabid bites, benefiting from its natural healing and antimicrobial properties.
65) Tiger:
Tigers, being wild animals, are also mentioned as potential carriers of rabies, emphasizing the risk of viral transmission through bites from a variety of animal species.
66) Tila:
Tila, or sesame, is used in Ayurvedic medicine. Its oil and paste are ingredients in topical treatments for rabies, such as in mixtures for local application on wounds.
67) Guda:
Guda, or jaggery, is combined with certain herbs in traditional Ayurvedic formulations for treating rabies (Alark Visha), aiding in the palatability and effectiveness of the medicine.
68) Musha (Musa, Musá):
Musa, or banana, particularly its bark juice, is used in traditional treatments for rabid bites, highlighting the utility of common plants in folk and Ayurvedic medicine.
69) Kala:
Chandra Prakash Kala is an author who has documented ethnomedicinal practices, including the use of medicinal plants in the Uttarakhand Himalaya, contributing to the understanding of traditional health practices.
70) Ghat (Gham):
[see source text or glossary: Ghat]
71) Pain:
Pain is a common symptom in rabid bites managed by Ayurvedic treatments like MahavatvidhvansaRas, which helps to relieve pain by balancing the vitiated doshas.
72) Salt (Salty):
Salt, especially rock salt, mixed with other herbs like Calotropis juice is used in Ayurvedic purgative treatments to manage rabies (Alark Visha) by facilitating toxin removal.
73) Tar:
The Thar Desert is referenced as a region where medicinal plants like Achyranthes aspera are used in traditional remedies for treating rabies and other ailments.
74) Phyllanthus emblica:
Phyllanthus emblica, or Amla, is an Ayurvedic herb with various medicinal properties, used in traditional treatments, including managing rabies symptoms, demonstrating diverse applications of native plants.
75) Human life:
Human life is heavily impacted by rabies, a fatal disease that demands effective management, both in terms of immediate first-aid and long-term treatment strategies, as discussed in both modern and Ayurvedic medicine.
[Note: The above list is limited to 75. Total glossary definitions available: 133]
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