Tuberculosis (MTB, TB) is an infectious disease usually caused by the bacterium- Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis generally affects the lungs(pulmonary tuberculosis), but can also affect other parts of the body. Tuberculosis is spread through the air when people who have active TB in their lungs cough, spit, speak, or sneeze. Active infection occurs more often in people with HIV/AIDS and in those who smoke.

Appropriate treatment of active cases is absolutely necessary. Symptoms in cases of active pulmonary tuberculosis that are observed according to Modern medicine are: A bad cough that lasts for 3 weeks or longer, Pain in the chest, coughing up blood or sputum. Other symptoms of TB disease may include: weakness or fatigue, weight loss, loss of appetite, chills, low grade fever and night sweats. The other types of TB other than pulmonary (lung) TB include: Lymph Node TB, TB bone and joints, TB meningitis (more common in children), TB Intestines.

Tuberculosis has been known to be present in humans since ancient times. In Ayurveda, tuberculosis is referred to as Rajaykshma, Shosha , Kshaya.

Rajayakshma (Yakshma is a disease and it is called king of diseases in Ayurveda and so known as Rajayakshma).

Shosha-It leads to depletion of body tissues, so it is called Shosha , Kshaya-It leads to diminished or restricted internal as well as external activities of body so it is known as Kshaya.

According to Ayurveda, Overexertion, suppression of physical urges (of urine, faeces, flatus, sneezing etc.), loss of semen, ojas (essence of the tissues) and body lubricants, improper food habits are the four major causes of Rajayakshma.  Due to these causes, the Vata dosha gets aggravated which in turn produces increase in pitta and kapha, spreads to all joints and channels which run in all directions of the body. As a result, the openings of the channels get clogged or dilated and give rise to the disease causing the depletion of the subsequent body tissues. Clinical features  of this disease include nasal congestion, difficulty in breathing, cough, loss of appetite, pain in the head and shoulders, disturbed voice, either loose motions/constipation or vomiting, pain in the flanks, fever and joint pains.

Prognosis according to Ayurveda is that if the patient is strong enough to withstand the disease and the intense treatment, he/she should be treated even in the presence of many symptoms or otherwise not i.e. Even though the symptoms are few and mild, but the patient is emaciated and unable to withstand the strength of the disease and the shodhana therapies, such a patient cannot be treated/ difficult to treat such a person.

The treatment for Rajayakshma may consist of shodhana (detoxification) and rejuvenation therapies as well as internal medications depending upon the condition of the patient and his disease. If the patient is strong the treatment is begun with evacuative procedures for purification viz. Vamana(therapeutic emesis) and Virechana(therapeutic purgation) using mild drugs following lubricant therapy(snehana) and fomentation(swedana) in strong patients. After the body has been cleansed up measures to build up the body tissues are followed using internal drugs.

Internal medications alone may be used which may  include medicinal formulations like appetisers followed by different nourishing drugs like grhtas, rasayanas prepared by using nourishing herbs such as Dashmula, Bala, Madhuka, Jivanti, Gokshura, Draksha, Kharjura, Pippali, Ashwagandha, in different combinations and proportions. Herbal formulations like Amruthprasha, Brhatchagaladi grhta, Chyavanprasha lehya, Agastya rasayana, Drakshadi choorna, Talisadi choona, Eladi choorna, etc. are used accordingly.

Ayurveda drugs and medicinal herbs like Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Guduchi(Tinospora cordifolia) and Amla(Phyllantus emblica) help in boosting up the immunity. The ancient Ayurveda formulation Chyavanprasha which is used in Ayurveda for the treatment of cough, cold, tuberculosis and also for immune protection can be used as an adjunct to anti-tubercular drugs as an add-on therapy. On recovery from this disease, the patient may be advised to undergo shodhana therapy (detoxification) in order to eliminate the unwanted toxins that may be produced as a side effect of the anti-tubercular treatment. The patient would also benefit better if he/she undergoes the detoxification therapy every year as a preventive measure to keep this disease and any other related ailments at a bay and to maintain a healthy life. The medicinal properties and uses of few of the herbs are mentioned below:

Kharjura: Pacifies burning sensation, cordial to the heart, diuretic, aphrodisiac, promotes strength, stoutening, analgesic, anti-helminthic. It is beneficial to the heart and is used in diseases like tuberculosis, debility, Raktapitta, excessive thirst, vomiting, hiccups etc.

Ashwagandha: Has abundance of anti-oxidants, anti- inflammatory properties which can prevent and treat a number of diseases.

Guduchi: The herb is a well known Indian bitter and prescribed in fevers, diabetes, dyspepsia, jaundice, urinary problems, skin diseases and chronic diarrhoea and dysentery. It acts as an anti-oxidant, immuno-modulatory and anti-pyretic drug. Its usage prevents the damage caused to the liver due to anti-tubercular drug treatment and bile salts.

Amla:-It acts like a coolant if taken after meals. The Vitamin C content in Amla helps in improving the digestive system, rejuvenates the body, treats stomach constipation, helps in blood purification, reduces cough and asthmatic problems, and improves eyesight. Along with these, amla improves immunity and physical strength.

Appetizers, oil massage with nourishing oils, nutritious diet containing spices like coriander seeds, garlic that act as good appetisers, honey, barley, wheat, green gram and eggs. Milk, ghee, butter and meat of goat should be preferred. Vegetables like bottle gourd, drumsticks, mint and fruits like Indian gooseberry (amla), pineapple, oranges, bananas and custard apples may be included in our diet. Complete rest for the body and mind is necessary. Fresh air is always important in curing the disease, while the patient should spend most of the time in the open air and sleep in a well-ventilated room. Sunshine is also essential as tubercle bacilli are killed rapidly by exposure to the sun’s rays. Other beneficial steps towards curing the disease are, slow massage, deep breathing, practising relaxation techniques and a light occupation to ensure mental diversion. Practising Pranayama such as Bhastrika and Kapalbhati helps in eliminating the bacteria and to improve the lung capacity and breathing.  The person suffering from tuberculosis should avoid Brinjal(eggplant), bitter gourd, excessive oil and mustard seeds in the diet, strong tea/coffee, white bread, pickles, tinned food, preserved food and sauces and avoid strain, exertion, sleeping during the daytime and excessive anger.

A patient of Tuberculosis must take care to have regular follow up with the doctor, take medicines as prescribed and report any side effects of the medicines to the doctor. Following measures should be undertaken to prevent the spread of TB. One must not go to work or school while the TB infection (Pulmonary) is in the active phase. It must be ensured that the patient’s room is well-ventilated. The patient should be advised to cover the mouth while sneezing or coughing and the soiled tissues should be disposed off in a covered container or burnt off.

Attention: Any kind of medication, diet and exercise should be followed only on the advice of a qualified doctor.

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