Deficiency of blood tissue either in the form of haemoglobin or red blood cells is called anemia.
According to Ayurveda, vitiated Pitta destroys blood, the muscle tissue, and ojas, and causes this disease. Ayurveda has classified anemia into Vata, Pitta and Kapha type and due to vitiation of all doshas. In children, it can be due to eating clay or dirt. The disease originates in channels of plasma and manifests in the channels of blood and muscle tissue.
Hemorrhage either manifest or occult, deficient formation of red blood cells, infection , congenital deformity in production of blood can cause this disease. There are two types of anemia: due to lack of iron and haemoglobin or due to lack of Vitamin B 12 and the intrinsic factor. They are called as hemolytic and megaloblastic anemia respectively.
In the Vata type, the skin becomes pale, dry with a blackish hue colour. The associated symptoms are body aches, tremors, headache, constipation, and gas in abdomen, weakness, and breathlessness.
In the Pitta type, the skin becomes slightly yellowith. Associated symptoms are fever, thirst, fainting, and desire of sour and hot foods and drinks.
In the Kapha type, there is heaviness in body, nausea, vomiting, low digestive fire, cough, asthma, and whitish pale skin.
To pacify vitiated Pitta, ghee or liquefied butter should be used. If the ghee is medicated with bitter herbs like aloe or rhubarb root, it gives good results. A nutritious diet supplemented with tonic herbs and sufficient rest are recommended.
Vata type – Ayurvedic iron preparations are cooked with various herbs like triphala and so do not cause constipation. Also repeated incineration of iron makes such preparations non toxic. Also preparations like lauh mandoor are extremely useful in anaemia like mandoor vataka (SS) , saptamrita lauha (BR), tapyadi lauha (AH). Any one of these, can be given in dose of 125 mgm, twice a day for 1 month.
These preparations if used with herbs that increase digestive power like ginger, black pepper, or piper longum, give better effect. When digestive power increases, a person can eat spinach and lots of green vegetables, which will increase iron in the body.
Pitta type – plenty of raw green salads with dandelion should be consumed with sprouts of green gram. Good amounts of dairy such as milk and ghee are also advised including herbs dairy such as milk and ghee are also advised including herbs that will increase function of liver. Famous Ayurvedic tonic chyavanaprash jelly should be used every day , in dose of one teaspoon at breakfast and at dinnertime.
Tab. Dhatri lauga (BR) or tab. Chandanadi lauha (BR) should be given in dose of 125 mgm. 3 times a day for 1 month.
Kapha type – usually the digestion is very low. Hence digestion should first be improved with spices like cayenne, turmeric, or trikatu. The bowels should be regulated in all types. Aloe gel, amalaki, triphala should be given supportive treatment. Small amounts of saffron with milk, is an ideal dietary supplement.
Tab. Navayasa lauha, triphala mandoor or punarnavadi mandoor (BR) should be given in dose of 125 mgm. 3 times a day for 1 month.
A nutritious diet with milk, ghee, sesame seeds, green vegetables, fruits, proper amounts of mitamin A and E with spices that are good for digestion should be taken. Use iron vessels for cooking food. Drink water from silver or copper vessels.
Do’s and Don’ts – Avoid Pitta vitiation with too spicy foods, working near heat and sun, and working late at night. Regular exercise in the fresh air is good.
