Neuromyelitis optica is a health condition about the eyes and is also called NMO or Devic’s disease. This condition involves a concurrent inflammation and demyelination of the optic nerve in addition to the spinal cord.
Neuromyelitis Optica
This ultimately causes varying degrees of blindness, in addition to symptoms of the lower extremities including weakness and paralysis of the legs, and bladder in addition to bowel dysfunction. This is an autoimmune illness, but differs from multiple sclerosis.
NMO might be associated with other systemic diseases, and is characterized by the presence of antibodies in the blood. Acute attacks rapidly bring about disability, which may be treated satisfactorily with anabolic steroids, plasmapheresis, and immuno-suppressant drugs. However, this condition displays a tendency for relapse and there’s not any long-term cure.
Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment
Being an autoimmune disease, the mainstay of Ayurvedic herbal therapy is to offer immunomodulation to affected individuals in order to reverse the major pathology of this disease. In addition, symptomatic treatment has to be given for all the presenting symptoms in affected individuals.
Ayurvedic herbal medicines with a particular affinity for the optic nerve and retina are used in high doses for prolonged periods. In addition – based on the presentation of symptoms – distinct herbal medications are utilized to treat paralysis and weakness of the lower limbs in addition to involvement of the bladder and bowels.
Medicines that have an anti-inflammatory activity are helpful in the treatment of the condition in order to prevent additional damage to the affected nerves. Herbal medicines that have a direct action on the central nervous system and which cause a slow reversal of demyelination, and repair of nerves are used successfully in the management of NMO.
These medications include Saptamrut Loh, Panchtikta Ghrut, Triphala Ghrut, Triphala Guggulu, Punarnava Mandur, Punarnava Guggulu, Trayodashang Guggulu, Sameerpannag Ras, Maha Vat Vidhvans Ras, Bruhat Vat Chintamani Ras, Manjishthadi Qadha, Saarivadi Vati, Pathyadi Qadha, Saraswatarishta, Brahmi Vati and Vasant Kusumakar Ras.
Herbal medications that have a particular action on damaged nerves include Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus), Bala (Sida cordifolia), Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri), Shankapushpi (Convolvulus pluricaulis), Vacha (Acorus calamus), Jatamansi (Nardostachys jatamansi), Haridra (Curcuma longa), and Yashtimadhuk (Glycyrrhiza glabra).
Herbal medicines that have an anti-inflammatory activity include Guggulu (Commiphora mukul), Punarnava (Boerhaavia diffusa), Triphala (Three fruits), Shallaki (Boswellia serrata), Lashun (Allium sativum), Sunthi (Zinziber officinale), Manjishtha (Rubia cordifolia), and Saariva (Hemidesmus indicus).
Medicines which cause immunomodulation in affected people include herbal medications like Kutki (Picrorrhiza kurroa), Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus), Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum), Bhrungraj (Eclipta alba), Pippali (Piper longum), Bhumiamalaki (Phyllanthus niruri), Chitrak (Plumbago zeylanica), Patol (Tricosanthe dioica), Patha (Cissampelos pareira), Nimba (Azadirachta indica), Musta (Cyperus rotundus), Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia) and Amalaki (Emblica officinalis).
Oral therapy in the kind of herbal tablets may also be supplemented with the use of herbal eye drops in addition to use of medicated oils and ointments on the back and lower extremities.
Conclusion
Ayurvedic herbal therapy is usually necessary for periods ranging from 12-18 months, based on the seriousness of the condition. The goal of Ayurvedic treatment is to treat symptoms, prevent further degeneration of eyesight and lower limb disability, and cause recovery to the maximum extent possible. Ayurvedic herbal treatment consequently has a positive and definite role in the management and treatment of neuromyelitis optica.
