Ayurvedic science updates

Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients, Feb-March, 2005 by Virender Sodhi

Inflammatory Conditions and Ayurvedic Medicine

Inflammation is a very normal desired effect in the body. To rid the body of all its ill effects, our body creates inflammation under different situations like infections, toxic exposure, ischemia, trauma and many other conditions. As soon as it has done its share of work, the body produces anti-inflammatory processes to control the inflammation. In a normal, healthy person, this process is in perfect balance. However, where there is an imbalance, our body does not stop producing inflammation. This results in conditions such as arthritis, osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, dermatitis, asthma, colitis, Crohn's disease and many others. All these lie under the control of mental, emotional, physical, nutritional, environmental and even spiritual conditions. Ayurveda is the science of balance and teaches how to create a balance by following mental, emotional, and spiritual balancing with the assistance of nutrition, yoga, meditation, breathing exercises, herbs and supplements according to our individual constitution (Prakriti) and pathology (Vikriti). Ayurvedic verses have made it very clear in this Sanskrit phrase, "Samdosha samagnishch samdhatumalkriya, prasanatmaindriyamna swasth itiyebhidhiyete" or a person who has balance in his physiology (Doshas), balanced digestive abilities (Agni), balanced tissues (Dhatus), balanced excretion (Malas) and the person whose soul, senses, and mind are content, is considered healthy. Technically speaking, inflammation represents a major source of oxidation or free radical damage and Ayurvedic medicine is blessed with an arsenal of wonderful herbs to control inflammations at different levels.

Boswellia Serrata for different inflammatory conditions

Boswellia, prized in the Middle East as Frankincense and brought by the wise men, grows in India, Northern Africa and the Middle East. Extract of Boswellia has been used to treat arthritis, asthma, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, and skin conditions.

Osteoarthritis and Boswellia: In combination form with Ashwagandha, turmeric and zinc; studies have shown positive effects in the treatment of osteoarthritis. In a double blind placebo controlled study, patients showed a significant improvement in pain severity, and disability score. In an animal study, the dogs showed improvement in intermittent lameness, localized pain and stiff gait. All external factors that aggravate lameness, such as "lameness when moving" and "lameness after a long rest" diminished gradually. In another study, all patients receiving Boswellia treatment reported a decrease in knee pain, increased knee flexion and increased walking distance. The frequency of swelling reduced considerably.

In my personal experience I have treated thousands of patients with a Boswellia preparation for osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis. With a combination of the Panch Karma treatment, nutritional changes and yoga, we were able to take people off Prednisolone, Methotrexate and Enbrel treatment over a period of three to sixteen months.

Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease and Boswellia: Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease are both inflammatory diseases of the intestines. They are both dreaded and have high chances of becoming colon cancer. The standard medical treatment options involve lifelong commitments that come with their own share of side effects. In one study, patients receiving Boswellia preparation had an 82% remission as compared to 72% remission in a sulfasalazine group. Similarly, in Crohn's disease, the results were comparable to mesalazine: 44 patients were treated with Boswellia and 39 patients were treated with mesalazine, Boswellia extract proved to be just as effective as the pharmaceutical drug. In my clinic patients with ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease have been able to go into remission with a combination of nutritional changes, yoga, breathing exercises and a Boswellia preparation.

Boswellia and Asthma: In a study done in 1998, 40 patients took 300 mg of Boswellia preparation three times a week for six weeks; 72% showed significant improvement whereas only 27% of patients after receiving a placebo, showed improvement. Typical doses of standardized extract of Boswellia serrata are 300-400 mg standardized for boswellic acid three times per day. Boswellia is quite safe in therapeutic doses. There were no pathological changes observed in animals; up to 1000mg/kg of body weight and LD 50 was at greater than 2g/kg of body weight.

Turmeric, A powerful Anti-inflammatory: Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is the source of spice that gives curries their signature yellow color and is used extensively in food, cosmetics, and religious ceremonies. It is also traditionally used in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine. I believe turmeric to be the sole reason why Indians have less cancer compared to Americans. Current research has found turmeric to be a powerful antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticarcinogenic, antimicrobial and hepatoprotective. It has also shown wonderful results in cardiovascular and gastrointestinal diseases. The active principals in turmeric are the flavonoid curcuminoids along with various volatile oils, resins, proteins and sugars.