Doctor’s Corner:
Chikunguniya
Details
CHIKUNGUNIYA :- Ayurvedic concept
The concept of communicable diseases is well established in Ayurveda. Charaka has mentions epidemic conditions under the heading of ‘Janpadodhwamsa’.
Though there is no direct reference of Chikunguniya, but it can be equated with the condition when jwara is associated with arthritis. In ayurvedic literature we can find such references where fever is associated with arthralgia/arthritis.
The symptoms of vata pitta jwara and vata kapha jawara are similar to symptoms of chikunguniya fever to some extent. Chikunguniya can also be equated to Sandhigata sannipata jwara mentioned in bhava Prakash. It is characterized by fever, joint pains and swelling, sleeplessness, cough etc.,Bhela samhita has mentioned Sharada Jvara a seasonal fever that occurs preceding the rainy season, usually attributable to viral fevers.
Some herbs which have proved beneficial for such fevers are as below:-
Guduchi
Shunthi
Bhunimba
Tulasi
Nimba
haritaki
Vibhitaki
Amalaki
Manjishta
Musta
Katuki
Rasna
Guggulu
Haridra
Sallaki
Nirgundi.
Some Ayurvedic formulations:-
Amrutthotharam kashayam
Dashamoola kashayam
Nimbadi choornam,etc.