Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment – Marfan Syndrome
Marfan syndrome is an inherited condition that affects the connective tissue. Since connective tissue is found through out the body, Marfan syndrome can affect almost all the body systems including the skeleton, eyes, heart and blood vessels, nervous system, skin and lungs. This condition is caused by a defect in the gene that determines the structure of fibrillin, a protein that is an important part of connective tissue. This gene dysfunction can have a variable expression in different people, resulting in different symptoms with differing severity.
The Ayurvedic treatment of Marfan syndrome is aimed at reducing the presenting symptoms and preventing complications, in addition to treating the basic pathology of this disease. In order to correct the connective tissue disorder, medicines which act on the ‘Mansa’ and ‘Meda’ dhatus (tissues) are used.
These include medicines like Patol (Tricosanthe dioica), Musta (Cyperus rotundus), Nimba (Azadirachta indica), Triphala (Three fruits), Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia), Chirayta (Swertia chirata), Chandan (Santalum album), Sunthi (Zinziber officinalis) and Kutaj (Holarrhina antidysentrica).
In order to prevent skeletal abnormalities, medicines like Lakshadi-Guggulu, Panch-Tikta-Ghrut-Guggulu, Shankh-Bhasma, Godanti-Bhasma, Laxa (Purified wax) and Asthishrunkhala (Cissus quadrangularis) are used. In order to prevent and treat complications of the eyes, medicines like Punarnavadi-Guggulu, Punarnavadi-Qadha, Saptamrut-Loh, Triphala-Ghrut, Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus) and Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum) are used.
To prevent abnormalities of the heart and blood vessels, medicines like Laxmivilas-Ras, Shrung-Bhasma, Laxadi-Guggulu, Panchtikta-Ghrut-Guggulu, Bruhat-Vat-Chintamani-Ras, Arjun (Terminalia arjuna), Yashtimadhuk (Glycerrhiza glabra) and Tapyadi-Loh are used.
For the nervous system, medicines like Ekangveer-Ras, Mahavat-Vidhwans-Ras, Kaishor-Guggulu, Trayodashang-Guggulu, Tapyadi-Loh and Abhrak-Bhasma are used. To prevent skin problems like premature stretch marks, medicines like Trayodashang-Guggulu, Yashtimadhuk, Mandukparni (Centella asiatica), Manjishtha (Rubia cordifolia), Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Shatavari and Bala (Sida cordifolia) are used. To prevent complications related to the lungs, medicines like Yashtimadhuk, Behada (Terminalia bellerica), Pippali (Piper longum), Tulsi, Kantakari (Solanum xanthocarpum), Kushtha (Saussurea lappa), Laghu-Malini-Vasant and Suvarna-Malini-Vasant are used.
It is important to note that, once the diagnosis of Marfan syndrome has been made, treatment should be initiated to prevent complications at the earliest possible, in order to get good results. Since multiple systems are involved, all such patients should be under the regular supervision and care of a team of specialists.
Dr. A. A. Mundewadi is Chief Ayurvedic Physician at Mundewadi Ayurvedic Clinic based at Thane, Maharashtra, India. He is available as an online Ayurvedic Consultant.
