An ayurvedic approach towards polycystic ovarian syndrome- case report

Glossary definitions and references:

Scientific and Ayurvedic Glossary list for “An ayurvedic approach towards polycystic ovarian syndrome- case report”. 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) Pain:
Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) often causes pain in the lower abdomen due to the hormonal imbalances and irregular menstruation. One of the main concerns for the patient in this case was abdominal and back pain, which were alleviated through Ayurvedic treatment as described.

2) Food:
The treatment for PCOS in Ayurveda includes dietary recommendations such as avoiding oily, spicy, and junk foods. The patient was advised to consume a balanced diet containing ghee, milk, fruits, and green vegetables, which helps maintain equilibrium in the doshas and support overall health.

3) Hair:
PCOS can lead to increased facial and body hair growth due to elevated levels of male hormones. The patient in the case study reported hair growth on her face as one of her symptoms, which is a common manifestation of hyperandrogenism in women with PCOS.

4) Dhatu:
In Ayurvedic context, ‘Dhatu’ refers to the bodily tissues that sustain the body’s structure and function. PCOS involves the imbalance of Rasadhatu and other critical dhatus, which necessitates Ayurvedic intervention aimed at balancing these tissues for effective treatment outcomes.

5) Drug:
Ayurvedic management of PCOS involves various herbal preparations termed as drugs, like Chitrakadivati and Chandraprabha Vati, which help in balancing the hormones and alleviating symptoms. These drugs form the core of the Ayurvedic pharmacological approach to treating this disorder.

6) Medicine:
In the context of this case study, Ayurvedic medicines such as Ashoka Arista and Kanchnar Guggulu were used to treat PCOS. These medicines help in balancing the doshas, relieving menstrual pain, and normalizing hormone levels, contributing to overall treatment and symptom management.

7) Blood:
Routine blood investigations are conducted to assess blood biochemistry and thyroid function levels in patients with PCOS. This helps in understanding the hormonal imbalances occurring in the patient’s body, which is crucial for diagnosis and treatment planning.

8) Kshaya (Ksaya):
Kshaya refers to the deficiency or depletion of certain bodily elements. In the context of PCOS, Artava Kshaya is a condition where there is a decrease or irregularity in menstruation due to hormonal imbalances, a key aspect to be addressed in Ayurvedic treatment.

9) Dosha (Dosa):
According to Ayurveda, PCOS results from an imbalance of doshas: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Correcting these doshas through dietary changes, lifestyle modifications, and herbal treatments is crucial for restoring balance and alleviating the symptoms of PCOS.

10) Kapha:
Kapha dosha, which is associated with lubrication and structural integrity in the body, when imbalanced, can lead to conditions like PCOS. Treatments that are Kapha-hara (removing excess Kapha) play an essential role in managing this syndrome by clearing obstructions in bodily channels.

11) Priya:
Dr. Priya Puesh Pargotra is one of the authors of this case study on the Ayurvedic approach to treating PCOS. Her contribution includes analyzing the condition from an Ayurvedic perspective and recommending suitable treatments.

12) Agni:
Agni refers to the digestive fire in Ayurveda. Mandagni, or weak digestion, is considered a root cause of many diseases, including PCOS. Strengthening Agni through dietary adjustments and specific herbal treatments is part of the comprehensive management of PCOS.

13) Rasa (Rasha):
Rasa Dhatu, the first and most important tissue according to Ayurveda, is involved in the initial formation of other tissues and bodily fluids. In PCOS, disturbance in Rasa leads to Artava Kshaya (menstrual issues), making the treatment of Rasa Dhatu crucial for recovery.

14) Samprapti:
Samprapti is the Ayurvedic term for the pathogenesis or progression of a disease. Understanding the Samprapti of PCOS, which involves factors like Agnimandya and dosha imbalance, is crucial for developing an effective treatment strategy to address the root causes.

15) Rasadhatu (Rasa-dhatu):
Rasadhatu is the nutrient fluid that is formed immediately after digestion of food and is the first among the seven tissues in Ayurveda. Disturbances in Rasadhatu significantly affect the other dhatus, making its proper formation essential to treat conditions like PCOS.

16) Ayurveda (Ayus-veda):
Ayurveda is an ancient system of medicine that emphasizes a holistic approach to health, including the balance of doshas, dhatus, and Agni. This case study demonstrates how Ayurvedic principles can be applied to manage PCOS effectively through diet, lifestyle, and herbal medicines.

17) Tridosha (Tridosa, Tri-dosha):
Tridosha doctrine in Ayurveda refers to the three fundamental bodily humors: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Imbalance among these doshas leads to diseases like PCOS. Ayurvedic treatment focuses on balancing these doshas through various methods to restore health.

18) Shodhana (Sodhana):
Shodhana refers to cleansing or purification procedures in Ayurveda. For PCOS treatment, Shodhana is used to eliminate toxins from the body and correct dosha imbalances, thus aiding in the management and prevention of symptoms.

19) Granthi (Gramthi):
Granthi refers to nodules or cysts, which are a typical manifestation in PCOS, appearing as multiple cysts on the ovaries. Ayurvedic treatment like Chandraprabha Vati aims to reduce these granthis by balancing hormones and unblocking channels.

20) Apathya:
Apathya are the foods and behaviors to be avoided in Ayurvedic practice to maintain health. For PCOS, this includes avoiding oily, spicy, and junk foods to prevent aggravation of the doshas and support the treatment process.

21) Samana (Shamana):
Shamana is the pacification therapy in Ayurveda aimed at reducing the severity of symptoms through herbs and dietary adjustments. It is a key component of the treatment for PCOS to alleviate symptoms like irregular menstruation and pain.

22) Disease:
PCOS is a disease marked by hormonal and metabolic imbalances leading to symptoms like cystic ovaries, irregular menstruation, and hair growth. The condition has significant implications for reproductive and overall health, requiring a holistic treatment approach.

23) Artava:
Artava refers to menstrual fluid in Ayurveda, and Kshaya of Artava denotes menstrual issues like irregular periods, which are prominent in PCOS. Ayurvedic treatments aim to regulate Artava and restore normal menstrual cycles.

24) Pathya:
Pathya includes the recommended foods and lifestyles that support health. For treating PCOS, a pathya diet includes healthy, balanced food like ghee, milk, fruits, and vegetables, which helps in maintaining dosha balance and overall wellness.

25) Punjab:
Saint Sahara Ayurvedic College, where the case study was conducted, is located in Bhatinda, Punjab, India. This geographical context is significant as it highlights the practice and application of Ayurveda in India.

26) Indian:
PCOS has become increasingly prevalent among Indian women, affecting their metabolic, endocrine, and reproductive functions. The case study offers insights into managing this condition with traditional Indian medicine, Ayurveda.

27) India:
The case study is set in India, specifically Punjab, at the Saint Sahara Ayurvedic College, emphasizing the use of Ayurvedic medicine, an ancient Indian system, to address modern health issues such as PCOS.

28) Hara:
Hara in Ayurveda means to remove. In the context of PCOS, treatments like Kanchnar Guggulu have Kapha-Hara properties, which help in eliminating accumulated Kapha dosha that contributes to the formation of cysts in the ovaries.

29) Vata:
Vata dosha represents the elements of air and space, governing movement and nervous system functions. In PCOS, Vata imbalances can cause issues like pain and irregular menstruation, requiring specific Ayurvedic treatments aimed at balancing this dosha.

30) Diet:
A balanced diet plays a pivotal role in managing PCOS in Ayurveda. Patients are advised to consume ghee, milk, fruits, and green vegetables while avoiding oily, spicy, and junk foods to help regulate the doshas and improve overall health.

31) Young girl:
The case study involves a 19-year-old unmarried girl suffering from PCOS. Her symptoms included irregular menstruation, weight gain, and facial hair growth. The application of Ayurvedic principles aimed to address these issues effectively.

32) Candraprabha (Candra-prabha):
Chandraprabha Vati is an Ayurvedic medicine used to treat PCOS, helping to reduce the size of ovarian cysts and balance hormones. It alleviates menstrual pain and normalizes the menstrual cycle, playing a crucial role in the treatment protocol.

33) Shukradhatu (Sukradhatu, Shukra-dhatu):
Shukradhatu refers to the reproductive tissue, including hormones like estrogen and androgen in both men and women. Imbalance in these hormones leads to conditions like PCOS, which Ayurvedic treatments aim to correct.

34) Pittadosha (Pittadosa, Pitta-dosha):
[see source text or glossary: Pittadosha]

35) Kaphadosha (Kaphadosa, Kapha-dosha):
[see source text or glossary: Kaphadosha]

36) Discussion:
[see source text or glossary: Discussion]

37) Meditation:
Meditation is recommended in Ayurveda as part of the lifestyle modifications to treat PCOS. It helps in calming the mind and balancing the doshas, contributing to overall well-being and effective symptom management.

38) Tiktarasa:
Tiktarasa refers to bitterness, one of the six tastes in Ayurveda. Medicines with Tiktarasa properties, like Varunadi Kshaya, are used in PCOS treatment for their Kapha-Vata hara effects, helping to balance the doshas and improve metabolism.

39) Vagbhata:
Vagbhata is an ancient Ayurvedic scholar whose teachings influence the understanding of diseases like PCOS. His emphasis on agni (digestive fire) and ama (toxins) informs the treatment strategies for conditions arising from lifestyle imbalances.

40) Mandagni (Manda-agni, Mamdagni):
Mandagni means weak digestive fire, considered a root cause of many diseases in Ayurveda, including PCOS. Addressing Mandagni through diet and herbs is crucial for restoring digestive health and balancing the doshas.

41) Chedana:
[see source text or glossary: Chedana]

42) Lekhana:
[see source text or glossary: Lekhana]

43) Avarana:
[see source text or glossary: Avarana]

44) Pippali (Pippalin):
[see source text or glossary: Pippali]

45) Vyayama:
Vyayama, or exercise, is recommended in Ayurveda to manage conditions like PCOS. Weight reduction through exercise helps in correcting hormonal imbalances and improving insulin sensitivity, which are crucial aspects of PCOS management.

46) Karsha (Karsa):
[see source text or glossary: Karsha]

47) Rakta:
Rakta Dhatu refers to the blood tissue, which plays a crucial role in nourishing the body. Imbalances in Rakta related to PCOS need to be addressed through Ayurvedic treatments to restore health and regular menstrual cycles.

48) Ayus (Ayush):
[see source text or glossary: Ayush]

49) Pearl:
Polycystic ovaries are described as having a smooth, pearl-white surface due to the multiple cysts. This characteristic appearance helps in the diagnosis of PCOS through ultrasound imaging.

50) Anger (Angry):
Mood swings and increased anger were some of the symptoms experienced by the patient with PCOS. Such psychological symptoms accompany hormonal imbalances and are considered in the holistic treatment approach of Ayurveda.

51) Katu:
[see source text or glossary: Katu]

52) Vati:
Vati refers to tablet formulations in Ayurveda. Examples like Chandraprabha Vati are used in the treatment of PCOS to balance the doshas and alleviate symptoms, demonstrating the importance of these preparations in managing the disorder.

53) Ghi (Ghee):
Ghee is recommended in the dietary plan for PCOS management in Ayurveda. It is believed to help balance the doshas by nourishing the body and enhancing the digestive fire (Agni).

54) Milk:
Milk is part of the balanced diet recommended for managing PCOS in Ayurveda. It helps in balancing the doshas and providing necessary nutrients essential for the treatment and management of the syndrome.

55) Mud:
Mood swings, including increased anger, are reported symptoms of PCOS, likely due to underlying hormonal imbalances. Addressing these psychological symptoms is part of the holistic management in Ayurveda.