Inflammation of Liver is called hepatitis.
It is ranjaka and pachaka Pitta disorder involving the liver and haemopoetic system in general. It can be due to infections from bacteria, virus and protozoa like amoebas. It can be due to toxins from various drugs like butazolidins, alcohol, systemic infections from pneumonia, an septicemia. Viral hepatitis is most dangerous, in type A the infection enters through food and drink, while I viral hepatitis B, C, E the infection mostly though blood or sexual contact.
In the acute type, which is due to viral infection, there is sudden onset with high fever usually terminating in jaundice and toxic condition. This is a very serious disorder that can be fatal if not properly treated. In the chronic type due to bacterial infection through contaminated food and water, the onset is slow. Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and heaviness in abdomen after food are preliminary symptoms There may be low fever, soon jaundice appears and urine becomes yellow with itching on the skin.
Acute stage- Complete rest in bed is essential. Anti-Pitta diet is advised; avoiding all oily, hot, spicy, fried foods, in initial stage do not give fats like cheese and butter. Even milk and ghee should be avoided. Green vegetables, sprouts, soup of green gram are good. If there is sensation of vomiting give oxide of conch and syrup of garcinia indica with crystalline sugar, sip by sip. Boiled vegetable soup should be given with rock salt. Once the appetite returns to normal, then kicharee (a mixture of mung dahl and basmati rice cooked with a little ghee and turmeric) should be given.
If there is mild fever, tab. Sootashekhara 250 mgm, 3 times a day or tab.chandrakala 150 mgm, twice day with kalameghasava (AYSS) 150 ml. 3 times a day is ideal. Herbs that clean the blood having cholegauge action of bile secretion as well as a mild laxative action and Pitta palliative action are prescribed.
In viral hepatitis phyllantus neruri or amarus is very useful. It can be given 1 to 3 gms. A day for 1 month. The initial study has shown that it is very effective in hepatitis B type of infection.
ascara sagrada, yellow dock and isatis are very much effective.
Chronic stage- Treatment should aim at increasing the digestive power and increasing the tissue fire or dhatvagni that is situated in the liver. Adequate rest and strict dietary restrictions are essential for quick recovery.
Herbs of choice are eclipta-alba, picrorhiza kuroa, berberis aristata, tinospora cordifolia, aloe vera, and tephrosia purpura. Any two herbs in equal parts can be given in dose of 1 to 2 gms, a day for 1 month.
Tab. Rohitak lauha 250 mgm, twice a day with rohitakarishta 15 ml. 3 times a day for 1 month is indicated.
Statistics show that if not properly treated, this stage turns into cirrhosis or liver cancer. The degeneration of liver cells, leading to portal hypertension is very common. In this condition, the patient complains of loss of appetite, heaviness, nausea, weight low, and stomach pain after eating.
