| Tuberculosis is one of the major killer diseases of | | | | medicines like Kancnnaar (Bauhinia variegata), |
| modern times. Till recently, anti-tuberculosis drug | | | | Kanchnaar Guggulu, Triphala Guggulu prove to be |
| regimes were successful in curing the disease in a | | | | very useful and effective in such situations. Different, |
| majority of affected patients. However, multi-drug | | | | specific herbal medicines can be used for the |
| resistance is fast becoming a major concern for | | | | different body organs infected with tuberculosis, so |
| health providers the world over. Moreover, | | | | as to give a more rapid and predictable response to |
| tuberculosis is no more a disease of only the poor or | | | | treatment. |
| developing nations. At least a third of the world's | | | | Multi-drug resistance, re-infection and latent infection |
| population is believed to be harboring latent (hidden) | | | | have become major causes for worry in the |
| tuberculosis, which can later on give rise to active | | | | treatment of tuberculosis. Worldwide, the search is |
| infection and subsequent transmission to others. | | | | on to discover new, more effective drugs and |
| Ayurvedic herbal treatment has a definite and | | | | vaccines for tuberculosis. However, for the time |
| important role to play in the successful management | | | | being, increasing the immune status of the body |
| of tuberculosis infection. This role has significance on | | | | appears to be a rational and viable solution to the |
| several fronts. In the last five decades, it has | | | | above mentioned problems. The current focus is, |
| become apparent that all currently available modern | | | | therefore, on immunomodulation, and Immunology is |
| drugs for tuberculosis can be potentially toxic to the | | | | a fast growing field of research. |
| liver. This may lead to decreased appetite, | | | | Ayurvedic herbal medicines are known to significantly |
| inflammation of the liver, and in severe cases, | | | | improve the immune power of the body, to help it to |
| irreversible damage and liver failure. There are several | | | | fight off infections, and prevent recurrence. Some of |
| Ayurvedic medicines which act favorably on the liver, | | | | the important Ayurvedic medicines useful in |
| like Kutki (Picrorrhiza kurroa), Guduchi (Tinospora | | | | tuberculosis are: Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), |
| cordifolia), Sharapunkha (Tephrosia purpurea), | | | | Shatavari (Asparagus recemosus), Guduchi (Tinospora |
| Kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata), Arogya Vardhini | | | | cordifolia), Yashtimadhuk (Glycerrhiza glabra), Amalaki |
| etc. These medicines, when added to the tuberculosis | | | | (Emblica officinalis), Abhrak Bhasma, Laghu Malini |
| treatment regimes, instantly correct liver problems, | | | | Vasant, Madhu Malini Vasant and Suvarna Malini |
| and help in a rapid therapeutic response to treatment. | | | | Vasant. |
| Tuberculosis of the lymph glands, and tuberculosis | | | | In this way, Ayurvedic herbal medicines, given |
| affecting various organs of the body may be more | | | | judiciously as supportive treatment to modern |
| difficult to treat than tuberculosis of the lungs. Many | | | | anti-tuberculosis drugs, can help solve some of the |
| patients with infected lymph glands continue to have | | | | major problems currently associated with treating |
| periodical symptoms, in spite of having taken regular, | | | | tuberculosis. |
| prolonged anti-tubercuosis therapy. Ayurvedic | | | | |