Sunday, May 26, 2013

Cytomegalovirus Infection - Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment


Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is usually asymptomatic in healthy individuals, but exhibits significant symptoms affecting almost any body organ in immunocompromised patients. In addition, an infected mother can pass on this infection to her unborn child, resulting in significant congenital abnormalities.

The Ayurvedic treatment of CMV infection is aimed at controlling the symptoms and treating the basic viral infection. Medicines which have an anti-viral activity and which improve the immune status of the body are used to treat the CMV infection. Medicines like Bhumiamalaki (Phyllanthus niruri), Yashtimadhuk (Glycerrhiza glabra), Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum), Bhrungraj (Eclipta alba), Amalaki (Emblica officinalis), Manjishtha (Rubia cordifolia), Saariva (Hemidesmus indicus), Haridra (Curcuma longa), Daruharidra (Berberis aristata), Chitrak (Plumbago zeylanica) and Kutki (Picrorrhiza kurroa) are used as anti-viral medicines.

The choice of medicines is made according to the organ or system predominantly affected with the infection. Medicines like Shatavari (Asperagus racemosus), Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Bala (Sida cordifolia), Naagbala (Grewia hirsuta), Samudrashosh (Argyreia speciosa), Abhrak-Bhasma, Suvarna-Bhasma and Suvarna-Malini-Vasant are used to improve the immune status of the body.

In addition, other medicines are given to treat the symptoms of the affected organ or body-system. Laxmi-Narayan-Ras, Chandrakala-Ras and Sutshekhar-Ras are used to treat fever of unknown origin. Ras-Sindur, Malla-Sindur, Sameer-Pannag-Ras, Shrung-Bhasma and Pushkarmool (Inula racemosa) are used to treat pneumonia. Arogya-Vardhini, Shankh-Vati, Bhunimbadi-Qadha and Sharpunkha (Tephrosia purpurea) are used to treat hepatitis.

Panchamrut-Parpati, Kutaj-Ghan-Vati and Bilva-Avelaha are used to treat colitis. Panch-Tikta-Ghrut-Guggulu, Sameer-Pannag-Ras, Bruhat-Vat-Chintamani, Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia), Amalaki, Musta (Cyperus rotundus) and Gokshur (Tribulus terrestris) are used to treat encephalitis and myelitis. Saptamrut-Loh, Punarnavadi-Guggulu, Triphala (Three fruits), Shatavari and Tulsi are used to treat uveitis and retinitis. Tapyadi-Loh, Ekang-Veer-Ras and Kaishor-Guggulu are used to treat neuropathy. Post-infection fatigue can be treated using medicines like Laxmi-Vilas-Ras, Shrung-Bhasma, Abhrak-Bhasma and Suvarna-Bhasma.

As a part of TORCH infections, CMV can cause congenital abnormalities in the new born. In order to prevent this, mothers-to-be can be given Ayurvedic herbal medicines like Bhumiamalaki, Yashtimadhuk, Manjishtha, Saariva and Haridra. These medicines reduce the risk of frequent abortions and also prevent congenital abnormalities in the child.

The prognosis for patients with CMV infection usually depends upon the underlying disease. Since most affected individuals are immunocompromised, they should be under the regular care and supervision of an infectious diseases specialist.

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