Ayurvedic Treatment For Smallpox- All You Need To Know
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Ayurvedic Treatment For Smallpox: Smallpox represents probably the deadliest disease among all the diseases that has been devastating mankind since antiquity, killing an estimated 300 to 500 million people during the different centuries before It got completely eradicated by the worldwide immunization campaigns in the late 20th century. Modern medicine does deserve its praise for the way it restricted smallpox in history. However, the ancient knowledge of Ayurvedic treatment for Smallpox also has good contribution in contemporary treatment and prevention of the disease.
Ayurvedic Treatment For Smallpox: What is Smallpox?
Smallpox is an airborne infection that is brought about by a variola virus that is quite infectious. Ebola virus transmission happens through the saliva droplets from the infected person’s mouth and nose when they cough or sneeze. This will then take the virus into the mouth or nasal cavity of the new victim. The 12-day incubation period is followed by the first symptoms – bone-crushing headaches, back pain, and very high fever. The skin rash that is typically marked by red spots developing into fluid-filled bumps and then pus-filled blisters comes hours or days later. These blisters then scab and fall off after approx. three weeks, leaving a scared pitted. An estimated 30% of smallpox victims succumbed to the disease.
Ayurvedic Treatment For Smallpox: Ayurvedic View of Smallpox
In the Ayurvedic tradition, smallpox is considered a type of vishama jwara, meaning a fever that is irregular, anomalous, and difficult to treat. It is caused by an excess of the pitta dosha (fire) along with vitiation of the rakta dhatu (blood tissue). The elevated pitta leads to intense rashes, fever, and fluid-filled bumps that are the disease’s hallmark. Weakness, fatigue, and the pitted scarring that smallpox leaves behind are attributed to the depletion of the Ojas (life essence/immunity). If you want the best Smallpox medicine name, you can visit the Mshaque Clinic. Dr. M. S. Haque and Dr. A. Perwaiz, two of our finest ayurveda specialists, will provide you with the greatest natural care.
Ayurvedic Treatment For Smallpox: Ayurvedic Prevention of Smallpox
According to Ayurvedic texts, prevention through maintaining a strong immune system and overall health is the best way to avoid contracting smallpox. The Ashtanga Hridaya recommends regularly consuming chyavanaprasha (a rejuvenating herbal jam) and haritaki (a fruit rich in vitamin C) to build ojas. Maintaining a pitta-pacifying diet and lifestyle with cooling, anti-inflammatory herbs like sandalwood, manjistha, and guduchi is also advised.
Ayurvedic Treatment For Smallpox: Ayurvedic Treatment for Smallpox in the Acute Phase
If someone does contract smallpox, the initial Ayurvedic treatment focuses on pacifying the intense fever, rashes, and fluids associated with elevated pitta. This is done through internal and external cooling measures:
- Internal: Consuming copious amounts of cool liquids like coconut water, pomegranate juice, and herbs like sandalwood, Guduchi, manjistha
- External: Applying pastes of the above herbs mixed with sandalwood powder, applying cold water compresses, taking cooling baths
Practitioners would also recommend fasting or a very light, bland diet during the most acute phase to avoid further inflaming pitta and rakta.
Ayurvedic Treatment For Smallpox: Ayurvedic treatment for Smallpox of Later Stages
Once the fever has subsided, treatment shifts to preventing ojas depletion and addressing the ancillary symptoms that come with advanced smallpox like severe body pain, coughing, and nausea/vomiting. For this, Ayurvedic physicians would prescribe:
- Chyavanaprasha, ashwagandha, Shatavari, and other ojas-building herbal compounds boost immunity and vitality
- Triphala, trikatu, and other digestive tonics to support appetite and assimilation
- Panchakarma therapies like Vamana (therapeutic vomiting) and virechana (purgation) to eliminate toxins
- Nasya (nasal administration) of medicated oils/powders to address respiratory issues
- Gentle, restorative yoga and massage
Ayurvedic Treatment For Smallpox: Management of Complications & Long-term Effects
Even after recovering from the acute illness, many smallpox survivors were left with complications like blindness, arthritis, and debilitating scarring. For these, Ayurvedic eye tonics, anti-inflammatory and immuno-modulatory herbs, and medicated oils would be employed. Great emphasis would also be placed on rejuvenating herbs and therapies to rebuild strength and vitality. If you want the Smallpox diagnosis and treatment, you can visit the Mshaque Clinic. Dr. M. S. Haque and Dr. A. Perwaiz, two of our finest ayurveda specialists, will provide you with the greatest natural care.
While the eradication of smallpox through vaccination remains one of modern medicine’s greatest triumphs, the wisdom of the ancient Ayurvedic tradition can still provide valuable insights into prevention, symptom management, and rebuilding health for those who suffered this devastating disease. An integrated approach respecting both the old and the new may be the ideal path.
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Ayurvedic Treatment For Smallpox: Ayurvedic remedies and herbs
- Giloy
Giloy is one of the most powerful herbs in Ayurveda for treating fevers, infections, and skin diseases. Its anti-viral, anti-pyretic, and detoxifying properties make it valuable for a disease like smallpox. Giloy juice, decoctions, tablets or powders may be recommended. For natural treatment, you can go to the Mshaque Clinic. We have the best ayurvedic doctors who can give you Smallpox treatment and prevention.
- Neem
The neem plant has incredible anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory properties. Neem leaves can be crushed into a paste and applied to skin rashes/blisters. Neem supplements or extracts may also be taken internally.
- Guduchi
Guduchi is another powerful antipyretic and detoxifying herb that builds the immune system. It can be taken as a powder, decoction, or tablet during smallpox infection. For natural treatment, you can go to the Mshaque Clinic. We have the best ayurvedic doctors who can treat your Smallpox transmission quickly.
- Manjistha
This blood purifier reduces inflammation, fever, and skin irritation. Manjistha powder or decoctions may be prescribed both internally and externally for smallpox.
- Haridra
Turmeric is a natural anti-viral, anti-inflammatory and immuno-modulating herb. It can be consumed as turmeric milk or applied topically on rashes/blisters.
- Triphala
This combination of three fruits (haritaki, bibhitaki, and Amalaki) is used to detoxify the body and promote healing after the acute phase is over.
Other potential remedies include sandalwood, neem oil, aloe vera gel for topical application, and herbs like punarnava, vidanga, and daruharidra depending on the individual’s specific symptoms and constitution. Panchakarma detox treatments like vamana (therapeutic vomiting) and virechana (purgation) may also be recommended to eliminate toxins from the body.
Conclusion
While smallpox has been eradicated through modern vaccination, Ayurvedic wisdom on this ancient scourge remains valuable. By combining traditional herbal remedies like giloy, neem, and haridra with rejuvenating tonics, detox therapies, and personalized diet and lifestyle protocols, Ayurveda provides a holistic approach to preventing, managing, and recovering from smallpox and other febrile illnesses. This integrated mind-body medicine honors both the old and the new in pursuit of optimal health.
Rediscover the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda for fortifying your immunity and overall health. Book a consultation with our renowned vaidyas (Ayurvedic physicians) to learn more about customized herbal remedies, detox plans, and lifestyle guidance tailored to your unique mind-body constitution. Embrace holistic healing today!
FAQs
What is the best treatment for smallpox?
While modern vaccination has eradicated smallpox, if the disease were to re-emerge, an integrative approach combining conventional and Ayurvedic medicines may be most effective. Ayurveda provides time-tested herbal remedies like giloy, neem, and haridra to manage fever, and rashes and prevent complications. Simultaneously, antiviral drugs and vaccines from modern medicine can directly target the virus itself. This multi-pronged strategy tackles the disease from multiple angles.
What are the new treatments for smallpox?
As of now, there are no new mainstream treatments for smallpox since it was eradicated in 1980. However, due to bioterrorism concerns, research on new antiviral drugs like tecovirimat and brin cidofovir is ongoing. These have shown promise in animal studies. Vaccinations also continue with new-generation smallpox vaccines like ACAM2000. That said, Ayurvedic herbs and therapies that were used traditionally remain relevant complementary options if smallpox re-emerges.
How did they treat smallpox in ancient India?
According to ancient Ayurvedic texts, smallpox was treated with bitter, cooling herbs like giloy, neem, sandalwood, and turmeric to pacify fever and skin lesions. Detoxifying herbs like triphala and panchakarma cleansing therapies remove toxins from the body. Rejuvenatives like chyawanprash boost immunity and strength. Topical pastes of herbs were applied on rashes, and nasal medications were given for respiratory issues. An individualized diet, lifestyle, and herbal protocol based on the patient’s constitution was prescribed.
Content Checked and Verified By
Dr. A. Perwaiz
B.U.M.S (KOL) IMRP (OXFORD, UK) FIID (UNSW) AUSTRALIA)
