‘Did you take any
Ayurveda or Siddha Medicine? That is the reason why you have developed this
kidney disease. They contain heavy metals which damage your kidney.’ - There is
a trend among some physicians of bio-medicine to blame Siddha medicine for
renal disease. Some research findings published from the west go a step further
and say - Indian traditional herbal medicines contain aristolochic acid which
leads to renal failure. Many scared
patients ask the Ayurveda/ Siddha Physicians ‘Is that true?’
Before answering the
question let me explain what is this Chronic Kidney Disease.
Chronic kidney disease means that for some time a
person’s kidneys have not been working the way they
should- filtering blood and remove waste products and extra fluid and
flush them from the body as urine. If they don’t work properly, wastes build up
in the blood and make the person sick. This does not occur overnight but
happens in a phased manner for many years as a result of damage the kidneys.
The tiny filters called nephrons are damaged, they stop working. For a while,
healthy nephrons can take on the extra work. But if the damage continues, more
and more nephrons shut down. After a certain point, the nephrons that are left
cannot filter the blood well enough to keep the person healthy.
The most common causes of this damage are:
·
Urinary
tract infection
·
Birth
anomaly
·
Long-term
use of medicines that can damage the kidneys. Examples include Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen.
The condition manifest as reduced urinary output,
collection of fluid in the tissues- more prominent in the face and legs,
nausea, vomiting, tiredness, headache, loss of appetite and weight loss and
disturbed sleep.
Elevated Urea level and creatinine are the lab findings.
Now answering the question – Some Indian
Medicine drugs which contain mercury if
not properly processed and if
administered more frequently even for simple conditions and in doses
beyond the safe dose recommended in the classical texts of Siddha can cause
this condition like any other drug of Bio- medicine. But the majority cases are
due to the killer diseases of Diabetes and Hypertension. Plants containing aristolichic acid are
rarely used in any of the formulated Siddha products sold by manufacturers. The
uses of these plants are negligible in Siddha and Ayurveda unlike Chinese
herbal medicine. It is easier for western researchers to club the Chinese and
Indian herbal products under the ‘Asian Herbal medicine’ grouping.
There are things one can do to slow or
stop the damage to your kidneys. Taking medicines and making some lifestyle
changes can help you manage your disease and feel better.
The Siddha herbal formulations used in
treating diabetes invariably contain herbs that protect the liver and Kidney
and prevent accumulation of waste to be removed by kidney. Low sodium salt, proper intake of pulses and choice of vegetables
and fruits can help. It must be ensured none of the following is taken in
excess – Sodium, Pottasium and Calcium. Indhuppu is better than the sodium salt.
Phyllanthus amarus, Orthosiphon
stamineus and Musa paradisiaca are the top three herbs that can improve the renal function and prevent
elevation of Serum creatinine and Blood urea.
The first one is to be taken as a cold processed extract, the second as
a decoction- Herbal tea and third as a food supplement. It is futile if the
primary cause is not properly addressed. These herbs can still be used even
when the patient is on dialysis so that the frequency could be drastically
reduced.
The best way is to go for regular health check up and follow a systemic
life to prevent the Non communicable Diseases of Diabetes and Hypertension and
if already affected follow a healthy lifestyle and regimen and ensure they do
not go beyond control.
