Introduction
Hepatitis B is a virus that infects the liver and affects over two billion people worldwide and 350 million have persistent infections. If left untreated early, the virus can cause serious liver damage or even cancer. Despite vaccines and treatment options, long lasting infections still pose serious health threats. In this blog we will discuss what Ayurveda has to offer in the fight against Hepatitis B, a global health concern. Modern medicine has come a long way in prevention and treatment, but many people are now turning to Ayurveda to reverse the root cause and maintain liver health.
What is Hepatitis B?
The Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is the main cause of Hepatitis B, which largely affects the liver. This virus may lead to infections that are either temporary or persistent. It may cause serious liver problems that feature cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, acute or chronic hepatitis, or a mixture of each. The causes of Hepatitis B include unprotected sexual intercourse, sharing infected needles, or during childbirth, as well as via contact with infectious body fluids. The complicated genome complicates treatment and increases the chance of liver cancer. Many people are now seeking an Ayurvedic cure for Hepatitis B to complement modern treatment options and help manage the condition naturally.
Symptoms of Hepatitis B
The symptoms of Hepatitis B can range from light ones like the flu to more worrisome complications. The common symptoms include –
- Skin and eyes that are turning yellow (jaundice)
- Dark urine
- Abdominal pain
- Fatigue and weakness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Fever
- Joint Pain
Ayurveda for Hepatitis B
Ayurveda’s holistic approach aims at supportive treatment for Hepatitis B and preventing further complications. Shamana (oral medicines) and shodhana (purification) for Pitta – Kapha dosha balance, improving digestion and metabolism, rejuvenation therapy (Rasayana) etc are the means to achieve this. The treatment is designed to lower the risk of liver cirrhosis, failure and virus reactivation, which could reduce the risk of complications such as kidney diseases and cancer in the future. Lifestyle modifications such as eating at regular times, avoiding fatty and spicy foods, regular exercise, no smoking and no alcohol, no sharing of personal items and no use of over the counter medications are also advised to optimize the outcome.
The aim of Ayurveda treatment is to improve liver function and avoid further disease progression. Important clinical outcomes include decreased viral load, lowered liver enzymes, reduced transaminase, and improved liver function parameters. Internal medications, Virechana (therapeutic purgation) and customized Ayurveda protocols support sustained improvement over a longer period.
Conclusion
Hepatitis treatment in Ayurveda follows a more comprehensive approach where both the body and the lifestyle are taken into consideration. It can prevent complications such as cirrhosis, liver failure and virus reactivation, and decrease the risk of kidney disease and cancer. The best way to manage Hepatitis B and maintain long term liver health is to integrate traditional wisdom with modern medicine.
Reference
- Zanwar, A, Wajpeyi, S (2020). Management of Hepatitis B (Carrier stage) through Ayurved – A Case report. International Journal of Ayurvedic Medicine. https://doi.org/10.47552/ijam.v10i4.1298
- Varsakiya, J et al. (2022). Role of Ayurveda treatment in the management of hepatitis B (Ubhayapatha Ashrita Swatantra Kamala)- A case report. Ayu, 43, 13 – 17. https://doi.org/10.4103/ayu.ayu_17_21
- Ratha, K et al. (2020). Ayurveda management of alcoholic liver disease with acute hepatitis B: A case report. Journal of Ayurveda Case Reports, 3, 143 – 147. https://doi.org/10.4103/jacr.jacr_63_20
