Herbal Remedies for PFIC Archives | Dr. Vikram Chauhan's Blog

Progressive Familial Intrahepatic Cholestasis (PFIC) Treatment in Ayurveda

Abstract

PFIC is a group of rare genetic disorders that are caused by mutations in genes that are involved in the production and transport of bile. PFIC is usually diagnosed in infancy or early childhood, although some forms of the disease can develop later in life. PFIC is caused by mutations in genes that are involved in the production and transport of bile. In this article, we will discuss various causes and abnormal symptoms of Progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis disease. Also, we will be discussing ayurvedic medications to deal with this condition.

Progressive Familial Intrahepatic Cholestasis (PFIC)

Introduction

Progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis (PFIC) is a group of rare genetic disorders that affect the liver’s ability to produce and secrete bile, which is a substance that helps with the digestion of fats. PFIC is usually diagnosed in infancy or early childhood, although some forms of the disease can develop later in life.

PFIC is caused by mutations in genes that are involved in the production and transport of bile. There are three types of PFIC, each caused by mutations in a different gene

PFIC type 1 (also known as Byler disease)
PFIC type 2
PFIC type 3

In each case, the mutation affects the liver’s ability to produce and/or transport bile, leading to the accumulation of toxic substances in the liver and bloodstream.

Ayurvedic Aspect

According to Ayurveda, PFIC is related to an imbalance of “Pitta” dominance tri-dosha, that manages metabolism and digestion in the body. Aggravated pitta dosha causes the accumulation of toxins in the liver and bloodstream. Thus, the Ayurvedic treatment focus on balancing the pitta dosha and supporting the liver. This may involve dietary changes, lifestyle modifications, and the use of herbal remedies.

Causes

There are three main types of PFIC, each caused by mutations in a different gene. Thus the main cause of PFIC is genetic mutation of genes that cause problems in the transportation of fats, bile, and secretion of phospholipids.

Symptoms

Symptoms of PFIC can include

Jaundice (skin and eyes become yellow)
Itching
Enlarged liver
Enlarged Spleen
Children with PFIC may also experience poor growth and development and may be at increased risk for infections and liver damage.

Diagnosis

Diagnosing PFIC involves

Clinical evaluation: The doctor will evaluate the patient’s medical history, symptoms, and physical exam findings. Jaundice, itching, and an enlarged liver and spleen are common signs of PFIC.
Blood tests
Ultrasound
CT scan
MRI scan
Liver biopsy: A small sample of liver tissue may be taken and examined under a microscope to look for signs of liver damage and to rule out other liver diseases.
Genetic testing: It is important to note that PFIC is a rare condition and may be difficult to diagnose, as its symptoms can be similar to other liver conditions. Therefore, it is important to consult with a healthcare professional who is familiar with this condition and its diagnostic methods

Treatment

Treatment options depend on the severity of the disease. Here are some of the treatment options for PFIC

Medications
Nutritional support: Children with PFIC may require nutritional support to ensure they are receiving adequate nutrients for growth and development. This may involve the use of specialized formulas or supplements.
Surgery
Liver transplantation: In severe cases of PFIC, liver transplantation may be necessary.

Herbal remedies by Planet Ayurveda for the treatment of Progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis

Planet Ayurveda is a pure herbal medicine manufacturing company that prepares 100% pure medicines for patients. These medicines are used worldwide due to their high-efficiency rates in curing the disease. The medicines recommended to patients by Planet Ayurveda for the improvement of PFIC are

1. Yakrit Plihantak Churna

Yakrit Plihantak Churna is an Ayurvedic herbal remedy that is beneficial for liver function and balancing the pitta dosha. This herbal remedy is a combination of several herbs that are believed to support liver function and balance the aggravated pitta dosha in the body. The ingredients in Yakrit Plihantak Churna include- Kutki (Picrorhiza kurroa), Punarnava (Boerhavia diffusa), Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia), Amla (Emblica officinalis), etc.

Dosage- Take 1 teaspoon twice daily.

2. Sanjivani Vati

Sanjivani Vati is an Ayurvedic herbal remedy that contains pure extracts of herbs- Vidanga (Embelia ribes), Pippali (Piper longum), etc. These tablets are believed to have immune-boosting and anti-inflammatory properties that help to cure the condition of PFIC (Progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis). The herb has beneficial results for auto-immune disorders, metabolism, eliminating ama (toxins), and balancing doshas.

Dosage- Take 2 tablets twice daily.

3. Kalmegh Ghan Vati

This is a classical ayurvedic preparation that has rasayan effects on the body and rejuvenates the functioning of body organs including the liver, so is recommended in Progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis disease. It has single herbal compounds of herb kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata).

Dosage- Take 2 tablets twice daily.

4. Bhumi Amla Swaras

This is a natural syrup that has pure extracts of bhumi amla (Phyllanthus niruri). This syrup is used to manage liver disorders and reverse the damage to the liver due to abnormal symptoms seen in Progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis.

Dosage- Take 2 teaspoons twice daily.

5. LIV Support Capsules

These ayurvedic capsules as the name suggests are used for managing liver health in diseased liver. These capsules contain extracts of herbs that are beneficial for the liver. The capsules will eliminate the toxic substances from the body that are hampering the liver functioning along with regenerating the liver cells that are however damaged due to body abnormalities.

Dosage- Take 1 capsule twice daily.

Contact Planet Ayurveda Support Team to provide you the costing / ordering and delivery information at – costing.planetayurveda@gmail.com or Call at 0172-521-4040 (India), +91-172-521-4040 (Outside India) or Whatsapp at (+91) 9915-593-604

Conclusion

It is important to note that PFIC (Progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis) is a chronic condition that requires ongoing management and monitoring. Regular follow-up is essential to ensure optimal management of symptoms and avoid more complications. Ayurveda has proved to be beneficial in this disease. For more information contact us at www.planetayurveda.com

What is progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis? – How can Ayurveda help?

ABSTRACT

Liver is one of the heaviest and your body’s second largest organ. It is placed right under your ribcage on the right side and is approximately the size of a football. It does a lot of things that keep a person healthy. Liver separates nutrients from toxins as they move through the digestive system. It carries out toxins out from your body and also helps in the process of digestion. So when your liver isn’t working well, it affects your entire body. In this article, we will take a look at PFIC or progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis and its safer treatment options in Ayurveda, a 5000 year old system of medicine.

INTRODUCTION- WHAT IS PFIC?

PFIC or progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis is a disorder that eventually results in progressive liver disease. This most commonly leads to liver failure. Liver cells in this condition are unable to secrete digestive fluid called bile. This is a rare inherited condition which causes buildup of bile in liver cells which leads to jaundice, severe itching and malabsorption which worsens over time.

Progressive Familial Intrahepatic Cholestasis

CAUSES

PFIC or progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis is an inherited disorder that occurs due to gene mutations. This condition occurs when an individual inherits a mutated gene from the parents. Most commonly affected genes in PFIC are ABCB11 or ABCB4.

SYMPTOMS

Most common symptoms for PIFC include

Severe itching
Poor weight gain
Poor growth
Jaundice
Bleeding
Poor bone growth and strength
Enlargement of liver
Malabsorption of fat soluble vitamins (Vitamin A,D,E,K)
Liver cirrhosis

TREATMENT

Most commonly treatment for PIFC is based on giving the symptomatic relief to the patient. Major complaints like itching can be treated symptomatically.

Various Treatment Pptions for PIFC are

Vitamin supplements: For weakness and incomplete absorption, various supplemental vitamins are suggested.
Liver transplant: If the medicines are not effective in giving relief, liver transplant is usually the only option left.

AYURVEDA PERSPECTIVE AND MANAGEMENT OF PIFC

Although Ayurveda does not directly mention PFIC, it does mention inherited disorders. Acharya Charka, the ancient Ayurveda scholar mentions that any kind of congenital and genetic deformities originated at the reproductive level. It states that any kind of deformity in sperm (Shukra) and ovum (Shonit) will lead to beej dosha (genetic deformity) because beej bhag (genes) are responsible for womb formation. When the genes are defective it leads to any kind of genetic deformity in the new born baby. Considering all the symptoms and causes of this disease, we can correlate this with Rakta Vaha Srotas Dushti. When the pregnant mother consumes Pitta aggravating diet, there is imbalance in the doshas and the Raktha Strotas of the fetus which then leads to the genetic disorders like PIFC.

AYURVEDA HERBS THAT HELP IN PIFC

Ayurveda, 5000 year old system of medicine does mention various ayurveda herbs that brilliantly help in managing the symptoms and treating the condition of PIFC are

1. BHUMYAMALAKI

Bhumyamalaki (Phyllanthus niruri) is an Ayurveda herb mentioned in classical text books of Ayurveda. It majorly affects the health of the liver. This herb has cleansing, soothing and cooling properties. It balances the pitta and kapha dosha and balances the excess agni/heat in the digestive tract. Not only liver, it also helps gallbladder in cleansing and detoxification.

2. TRIPHALA

Triphala, a combination of three ayurveda herbs namely amla (Phyllanthus emblica), Harad (Terminalia chebula), Bahera (Terminalia billerica) is one of the most used ayurveda combinations has a unique ability to provide multiple benefits to the body. A combination of three herbs, it helps in constipation and digestion. Along With this, it helps to detox, replenish and nourish the liver with its qualities. It can be easily consumed in powder form, tablet form or in a decoction form.

3. KALMEGH

Kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata) is a well documented Ayurveda herb mentioned in Ayurveda textbooks. It is called Indian Echinacea; it is one of the most important and powerful ayurveda herbs against liver disorders. It has been proven to have hepatoprotective properties. It is antiviral, anti bacterial, immune boosting and anti infective which makes it the foremost choice of the herb against liver disorders.

4. AMLA (Embilica officinalis)

Amla or Indian gooseberry has antioxidants and helps prevent the body from the attack of free radicals. It is a great source of vitamin C and a huge immune booster. It has a combination of five tastes in Ayurveda and helps prevent bacterial and viral infections. It has cool potency and a sweet post digestive effect which helps in dealing with inflammation in liver disorders.

HERBAL FORMULATIONS FOR PFIC BY PLANET AYURVEDA

Planet Ayurveda is an authentic, GMP certified company that produces pure Ayurveda herbs and formulations under the expert supervision of Ayurveda doctors. All the formulations are vegetarian, 100% pure and are mentioned in 5000 year old Ayurveda texts. Some of the formulations by planet ayurveda for PIFC are

Product Description

1. YAKRIT PLIHANTAK CHURNA

Yakrit Plihantak Churna by planet ayurveda is a powder formulation prepared with the pure ayurveda herbs such as Kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata), Bhringraj (Eclipta alba), Bhumi Amla (Phyllanthus niruri) and many other hepatoprotective herbs. These herbs have katu (pungent) and Tikta (bitter) ras (taste) and help in balancing out kapha and pitta dosha in the body. All these herbs work in sync and assist in sustaining the health of the hepatic system without any side effects.

DOSAGE: 1 tsf of Churna twice daily.

2. KALMEGH GHAN VATI

Kalmegh Ghan vati by planet ayurveda is prepared by 500 mg standardized extract of kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata) as the main ingredient. This herb has a bitter taste and is known as the king of bitter in ayurveda texts. According to ayurveda, this is yakrit utejak; pittasark and rechak which means these capsules support healthy hepatoprotective activity and sustain good liver health. These capsules work brilliantly well in all cases of liver diseases.

DOSAGE: 2 tablets twice daily.

3. BHUMI AMLA SWARAS

Bhumi amla Swaras by planet ayurveda is liquid formulation that contains Bhumi amla (Phyllanthus niruri) as the main ingredient. This herb has cold potency, bitter and sweet in taste. This herb has anti viral, antihelminthic and laxative properties. It balances out aggravated Vata and pitta dosha and hence manages thirst, cough and cold. This formulation is known to remove all the mala (waste) from the body and is known to retain health while reversing the liver disorders.

DOSAGE: 2 tbsp twice daily.

4. LIVER DETOX CAPSULES

Planet Ayurveda’s liver detox capsules are pure vegetarian capsule formulations with no side effects. The Prime ingredients capsule are katuki (picrorhiza kurroa), punarnava (boerhavia diffusa), kalmegh (andrographis paniculata), makoy (solanum indicum) and many other ayurveda herbs. Extracts of all these potent herbs are present in Liver care capsules. These protect against fatty liver and flush out the body toxins and improve digestion.
DOSAGE: 1 capsule twice daily.

Contact my assistant to provide you the costing / ordering and delivery information at – costing.planetayurveda@gmail.com or call at +91-172-5214040

CONCLUSION

Liver is the most important detox organ of the body. It is very important for the liver to function properly to be able to maintain overall body health. Liver disorders cannot be fully treated by the modern medicine system. Liver transplant remains the last option in modern treatment. However, with Ayurveda one gets complete relief from the symptoms in a safer way. It is difficult to cure the genetic disorders completely but with ayurveda we can naturally manage the symptoms better and avoid the side effects and liver transplant in the longer run.