Jaundice is the clinical manifestation of hyper bilirubinemia, arising from the over – production of bilirubin or impaired biliary excretion. When serum bilirubin exceeds 2 to 4 mg; per 100 ml, yellowish pigmentation of skin and mucous membranes appear. In Ayurveda it is called “Kamala “ meaning disorder of liver in which all likes and dislikes disappear.
It is disorder of vitiation of pachaka and ranjaka pitta affecting haemopoetic system and liver. It is characterized by increase of bile pigments in body fluids and tissues. It can occur due to excessive breakdown of hemoglobin due to various diseases of blood, due to intrahepatic or extrahepatic obstruction in the liver, or inflammation of liver cells. Some hepatotoxic drugs like oral contraceptives, chlorpromazine, and heavy alcohol consumption can also produce jaundice.
If the duration is less than one month, it is due to hepatitis. If it is more it can be due to carcinoma, chronic active hepatitis, or chronic liver abscess. It has been divided into acute and chronic, ineffective and obstructive types. The acute variety is very serious and if not treated patient dies immediately. There is fever, with digestive distress and soon the toxemia develops. Once the patient develops coma, the prognosis in grave.
In chronic type digestive distress like nausea, anorexia, epigastricdiscomfort, slight pain or heaviness immediately after meals are common symptoms.
In long standing cases, due to malignancy, there may be weight loss. Severe colic pain can be there due to stone in bile duct. Fever is suggestive of hepatitis. In obstructive type pruritus is always present. Color of urine, stool, conjunctiva and lastly skin changes to yellow.
When fever is present, give tab. Sootashekar 250 mgm; 3 times a day for 7 days. To get rid of vitiated Pitta, mild purgative should be given. Use amalaki or rhubarb in dose of 1 to 3 gms., at night with warm water.
Chronic type – when the jaundice lasts for more than one month, care must be taken to give palliative treatment for Pitta and to improve liver function. As the digestion and the tissue formation are hampered, there is general weakness and low imunity. Along with anti – Pitta diet, use liver protective herbs like phyllanthus, berberis aristata, picrorrhiza, and eclipta – alba. Any of these herbs can be used in dose of 1 to 2 gms. A day for 1 month
Tab. Pandupanchanan rasa (BR) 250 mgm, twice a day for 15 days or tab. Loknath rasa 125 mgm; twoce a day with kumariasava (SSY) or amritarishta (BR) 15 ml. 3 times a day for 15 days, is also helpful.
If required, use rejuvenating herbs like tinospora cordifolia1 gm. Per day for 1 month or amritarishta 15 ml. 3 times a day for 1 month. Ask the patient to take plenty of raw and bitter green vegetables with little amount of ghee or ghee medicated with bitter herbs.
