Use of Basti in The Management of Ulcerative Colitis

As the name suggests Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory condition of the intestinal mucosa of the large intestine or colon. It may be considered as yet another type of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). It is not an acute infirmity and so their symptoms develop over a long period of time. Often this process can be debilitating and lead to fatal complications including perforated colon and colon cancer if not arbitrated on the right time. The general treatment adopted for these diseases is the general mitigation of the symptoms in the long run or surgery if it gets alarming.

As the state of the disease hangs on the psyche of the individual, a wide range of signs and symptoms may be seen from person to person, from showing blots of blood stained diarrhoea, urgency to defecate, rectal cramps with bleeding stools to even fever and chills in children. The first attack is usually more severe followed by relapse and remissions. With the hasten bowel individuals tend to lose weight and succumb to fatigue over time.

The exact aetiology and age affection of this malady is unknown, but stress and futile diet are suspected causes. Along with these immune system malfunction is also opined by a few. Unfortunately the quotient of family history involved to process this gene trait has also not been traced so far. Largely the treatment protocol adopted includes oral medications such as analgesics, and further seldom colectomy is suggested.

Ayurveda And Ulcerative Colitis

In Ayurveda the root cause of all ailments is the impaired digestive fire. Now for those maladies that affect the optimal function of the digestive fire in particular, it is understood as the persuasions in Vata and Pitta humours of the body. While an exact correlation to modern diseases may not be found authentically, it may be correlated to the nearest possible ayurvedic aliment by monitoring dosha-dhatu involvements and interpretations in the same.

Ulcerative colitis may be correlated to Rakta atisara or bloody diarrhoea for the purpose of designing a treatment protocol. It has the same symptomatology as that of ulcerative colitis including blood stained defecation, abdominal cramps, loss of appetite, seeing fresh blood on stool and much more. According to Acharya Caraka, Rakta Atisara is due to vitiation of Pitta dosha by the excess consumption of hot, spicy, tangy, sour, pungent, salty and irritant food articles. In this perspective the present day consumption of fried spicy foods can be considered as the net cause for the formation of Rakta Atisara or Ulcerative colitis in this case.

Vasti in Treatment

The base for any treatment for any disease especially that which is of gastrointestinal origin is initiated with enhancing the digestive power and further moving to purification therapies. Among Panchakarma or five detox therapies adopted in Ayurveda the most important among them is the Vasti or enema.

Vasti is the administration of medicated oil or decoctions through the anal route to facilitate quicker absorption in the lower digestive tract. It is considered as the most ideal therapy to optimise the vitiated Vata, while equally normalising the power of other bodily humours. Researches1 have proved that Anuvasana or oil emulsion type of enema serves best for ulcerative colitis as it reduces the inflammation expeditiously quickly and instigates a swift wound healing process. After the detox has been administered it is most vital to maintain the right dietary habits for the result to pay off 2.

Role of Bilwadi Taila

Oil emulsions are used to treat ulcerative colitis, for which one commonly used herbal combination is the Bilwadi taila.

Bilwa or the ripe fruit rind and root of Aegle marmelos are the chief ingredients in this blend. Being a member of Dasamula (a group of anti- inflammatory herbs), Beal is an ideal drug for all issues related to bowel irregularities and distorted digestion. It helps to relieve toxins and undigested matter, thus clearing the digestive fire to propel evenly. It is also used to cure inflammation and alleviate the presence of aggravated Vata, who is the villain in this disease.

Hence when is formulation is used for anal administration it not only reduces the associated Vata but also reduce the site and signs of inflammation.

Part Played By Irimedadi Oil

Another mystic formulation used for internal healing is Irimedadi Taila. It is traditionally used for healing oral ulcers by oil pulling method. But with due course of time its effective wound healing capacity has been incorporated into enema formulations to support faster internal repair. It also helps to arrest bleeding with anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.

The oil emulsion rectal administration of this herbal blend will effectively help to cure the inflammation and wound healing at a much quicker pace. Often thinking beyond the box serves maximum people potentially, with the use of Irimedadi Taila.

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the intestine with a sink and fall course. While the prolonged use of conventional standard medications may result in mild to severe complications in this scenario, it is hence always advised to choose that treatment that protects and empowers you from within.

By understanding the intricacies at the dosha and dhatu levels, Ayurvedic diagnosis becomes more refined and pays off with much better results. While the detox procedures are opted for most pathological cases, it is always advised to undergo these therapeutic procedures only under the strict guidance of an Ayurvedic physician.