Pulmonary tuberculosis or phthisis is the most dangerous type of tuberculosis. Little lumps or tubercles form in the lungs. The affected part becomes soft and suppurates as the disease advances. In this type light rise of temperature generally in the evenings, night sweats, discharge of blood with phlegm, and extensive bleeding from the lungs in the final stages, bring on death.
The preventive aspect of tuberculosis is more social than medical. The disease starts from the slums. Provision of clean, healthy surroundings with properly ventilated and clean houses is the first imperative. Detection and isolation of the victims of the disease is the second most important thing that should be done. Thirdly, the diet is of primary importance. Plenty of milk, butter, eggs, black gram or its pulse, gourds of the various varieties, turnips, beetroot, spinach and other green vegetables, and fruits are the other preventives. As has been stated earlier, tuberculosis is a disease of filth and poverty. Clean surroundings are a must if TB is to be prevented.
Home Remedies: The treatment of a case of pulmonary tuberculosis must start with the isolation of the patient and his removal to a sanitarium. This happens if the disease has been detected at a secondary stage. If that is not possible, he should be housed in an airy room where there is plenty of sunlight. Sunlight is important because the germs causing the disease fall victim only to direct sunlight. Neither boiling nor freezing makes them ineffective.
Ayurveda recommends Vasa or Adhotoda vasica for tuberculosis. One ounce of the juice from the leaves of the drug given thrice a day with honey provides relief. Rudanti or Cressa crestca given in 2 gm doses twice daily reduces the severity of the disease. Garlic is another wonderful drug in the cure of TB. Thirty grains of garlic boiled in about eight ounces of milk and two pounds of water should be administered in two doses during the day. But the medicine is ready only when the whole decoction has been reduced to one fourth of its original quantity.
Medicines & Prescriptions
The preparation of choice is Naradiya Mahalakshami Vilasa Rasa which contains traces of gold. It should be administered in three doses of 200 mg each in the whole day. Swarna Vasanta Malati is the preparation used in cases where there is excessive fever, sweating, and a burning sensation on the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet.
Drakshasava should be administered in one-ounce doses after meals. It should be mixed with an equal quantity of water. Chyavanaprash Avaleha is another wonderful remedy that provides strength and sustenance to the patient. It also increases the appetite. The dosage in the beginning should be two teaspoonfuls with milk on an empty stomach twice daily. But as soon as the patient gains strength, it should be increased.
When there is a dry cough accompanied by fever during the night, and weakness, the following prescription is recommended. 250 mg of Suvarna Vasanta Malati Rasa, 500 mg of Praval Pishti, and 250 mg of Amritasatva should be taken with preserve of amla thrice daily.
In case of high temperature, either of the following prescriptions is recommended:
1. Muktapanchamrita, Pachanana Rasa, Amritasatva: 120 mg each of Muktapanchamrita and Panchanana Rasa, and 240 mg of Amritasatva to be taken morning and evening with honey.
2. Chandramrita, Sitopaladi: 1 gm Chandramrita and 12 gm Sitopaladi to be mixed with honey and used as linctus.
In case there is blood-filled phlegm, the following prescriptions are recommended:
1. Vasantamalati, Raktapitta Kula, kandana Rasa, Shatamulyadi Loha, Lakshadi Churna, Sitopaladi:120 mg each of Vasantamalati and Raktapitta Kulakandana Rasa, 240 mg of Shatamulyadi Loha, and 1 gm each of Lakshadi Churna and Sitopaladi to be taken thrice daily with honey.
2. Swamamakshik Bhasma, Praval Pishti, Vasavaleha.: 120 mg Swamamakshik Bhasma, 240 mg Praval Pishti, and 10 gm Vasavakha to be taken every morning and evening with goat`s milk.
Diet and Other Regimen: Dried fruits, particularly dried grapes and almond oil, are useful in this condition. Drumsticks, patola, and kundru are the best vegetables recommended for a consumptive patient. Goat`s milk, flesh, and even urine, are useful for a TB patient. Substances which aggravate kapha like curds, buttermilk, bananas, and guavas should be banned. No hard physical or mental exercise should be permitted. Living in airy surroundings and going for walks in the morning and evening are recommended. Sexual intercourse should be avoided, as it is likely to aggravate the condition.
