[ad_1]
Porphyria refers to a group of inherited disorders that arise from a disturbed metabolism of heme; which is found in all body tissues but is mostly present in the red blood cells, bone marrow and liver. A deficiency of certain enzymes interrupts the conversion of porphyrins into heme, resulting in a build up of porphyrins in the body. Acute porphyria affects the nervous system; and usually causes symptoms like severe abdominable pain, constipation, vomiting, muscular pain, tingling and weakness, convulsions, confusion, hallucinations, red urine and high blood pressure. Cutaneous porphyria affects the skin; and mainly causes symptoms like itching, painful red skin, swelling, blisters and red urine. Medications, fasting, smoking, infections, surgery, stress, alcohol use, menstrual hormones and exposure to the sun, are known to precipitate symptoms of this condition.
The Ayurvedic treatment of porphyria is aimed at reducing the symptoms and preventing complications. Medicines are used to prevent the excess accumulation of porphyrins in the body. Medicines used for this purpose are: Gokshuradi-Guggulu, Punarnavadi-Guggulu, Daruharidra (Berberis aristata), Punarnava (Boerhaavia diffusa), Haritaki (Terminalia chebula), Ikshumool (Saceharum officinarum), Haridra (Curcuma longa), Saariva (Hemidesmus indicus), Deodar (Cedrus deodara), Gokshur (Tribulus terrestris), Patol (Tricosanthe dioica), Pashanbhed (Bergenia lingulata), Apamarga (Achyranthus aspera) and Sahinjan (Moringa pterygosperma).
In order to improve the conversion of porphyrins into heme, medicines like Panch-Tikta-Ghrut-Guggulu, Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia), Amalaki (Emblica officinalis), Musta (Cyperus rotundus), Manjishtha (Rubia cordifolia) and Kutki (Picrorrhiza kurroa) are used. Medicines like Praval-Panchamrut, Panchamrut -Parpati, Ras-Parpati and Suvarna-Parpati are used to help in heme metabolism and also to reduce excess deposition of porphyrins. Chandra-Prabha-Vati, Gokshuradi-Guggulu and Punarnavadi-Qadha are used to prevent chronic kidney failure. Medicines like Arogya-Vardhini, Sharpunkha (Tephrosia purpurea), Guduchyadi-Qadha and Suvarna-Sutshekhar-Ras are used to prevent long-term liver damage.
It is important to adopt permanent life style changes and avoid known precipitating factors for this condition. Severe cases of acute porphyria require hospitalization for adequate treatment.
[ad_2]
Source by Abdulmubeen Mundewadi
