Passing of stools with mucous, associated with griping pain, is dysentery. Sometimes there is blood in the stools. It is known as Pravahika.
Vitiation of Vata and Kapha with disturbance in the colon and water carrying system causes this disease. The cause for amebic dysentery is infection caused by Entamoeba histolytica and bacillary dysentery is caused by bacterial infection.
It has been classified into Vata, Pitta, and Kapha and due to vitiation of blood. In Vata and Kapha types, the symptoms are like amebic dysentery, while in pitta the symptoms are like bacillary dysentery.
Amebic dysentery
In vata and kapha types, passage of mucous with stool, preceded by griping pain is common symptom. In bacillary type, usually stools are tinged with blood and there is high fever. The patient loses his appetite and becomes very weak. In chronic amebic dysentery, liver gets affected and then patient loses considerable weight.
In Pitta and blood vitiation type, along with passage of mucous there is blood in the stools. Symptoms of Pitta and blood vitiation include high fever and thirst.
Treatment
Holerrhena antidysenterica is the herb of choice for this condition. The bark of the root is used and it can be given in the form of powder, decoction or medicinal wine form.
The herbs of choice are berberis aristata, aegle marmelos, nutmeg, bark of Eugenia jambolana, and cyperus. Any of these herbs in dose of 1 gm. Twice a day is useful.
A special preparation called as kutaja parpati 250 mgm; 3 times a day , is also very useful . It should be given with 15 ml. Of kutajarishta. To stop bleeding, a medicated enema containing milk, decoction of kutaj and gum of Bombax malabarica should be given.
Western herbs include blackberry, comfrey, and sumac
Herbs of choice are semicarpus anacardium (use this herb with caution in Pitta constitution persons), cyperus and trikatu.
Tab. Sanjeevani 250 mgm; 3 times, a day or tab. Jatiphaladi 250 mgm; 3 times a day is better. Western herbs include wormwood, plaintain, and yellow dock. Buttermilk is an ideal food to supplement a light diet like basmati rice or kichari is ideal.
Panchamrit parpati (BR) 150 MGM. Twice, a day for 1 month is very effective. Rejuvenating hergs, which will give strength to the intestinal muscles, are good . Bilvadi avaleha aegle marmelos jelly should be used in dose of 3 gm. Every day for 1 month.
Mustakarishta (BBR) 15 ml. 3 times a day for 1 month is also indicated.
Take a light diet, which will not aggravate Vata and will not lower the digestive fire.
