Ayurveda describes kaamala or Jaundice as one of the major diseases of yakrit (liver). The obstructive and infective jaundice are described in ayurvedic classical texts.

Pathogenesis

When a person indulges on diet which increases pitta( one among the three somatic humors), like excessive alcohol intake, heavy, oily, and spicy food, pitta becomes aggravated and results in disease of blood, muscle tissue, biliary system and liver. These then manifest as kaamala or jaundice. It is also mentioned in the texts that if a person is anaemic he is more prone to kaamala.

Symptoms

Yellowish discolouration of the eyes, nails, skin, and oral cavity, yellowish/reddish discolouration of faeces and urine, generalized weakness, burning sensation,loss of appetite and taste, vague body pains and weakness in all sensory organs and emaciation.

There are different types of Kaamala described in Ayurveda

Shakasritha: There is only mild aggravation of pitta and vata in this type of Kaamala ( acute jaundice) and this can be cured relatively easily.

Kumbha Kaamala: If not treated Kaamala ( acute jaundice) in due course turns into Kumbha Kaamala and becomes difficult to treat.

Panaki: This is considered to be late/advanced stage of Kaamala.

Haleemaka: This is an advanced stage of pandu roga (anemia). This occurs when both vata and pitta are vitiated. The disease is manifested with greenish-yellow discolouration, weakness, lethargy, loss of appetite, fever, body ache, burning sensation, loss of taste and dizziness.

Tastelessness, thirst, vomiting, fever, headache, loss of appetite, lethargy, pain in chest are also often referred to as associated ailments of Kaamala.

Treatment of all liver diseases in Ayurveda concentrates on Pitta dosha rather than the organ itself. All liver diseases have imbalances of pitta and agni. Apart from this, ojus is also affected. As the liver is the basis of Pachaka Pitta, all diseases of the liver can be treated concomitantly by treating Pachaka Pitta.

The liver is also an organ of fire, All Bhuta-Agnis( fire): Nabhasa Agni, Vayavya Agni, Tejo Agni, Apo Agni, and Parthiva Agni are all situated here. These agnis and Ranchaka pitta originating in the liver serve to break down substances into their respective elemental factors akasham(space), vayu(air), thejus( fire), ap( water), and prithvi(earth ) and distribute them to the appropriate tissues (dhatus) in the body.

Bearing all these things in mind, an ayurvedic physician treats liver diseases, considering them as pitha rogas (diseases manifested through the vitiation of pitha). The medicines and diets that alleviate pitha are commonly used for all types of liver diseases.

The herbs that are effective for treating liver disorders are Bhumyamalaki, Bhringaraj,Turmeric, Guduchi, Haritaki, Kalmegha, Kutki, Musta, Pippali, Punarnava and Licorice.

Panchakarma has been proven to be good help. Rasayana therapies after panchakarma should include pippali. Apart from these Pippalyadi choornam, pippali vardhamana yogam, pippalichitraka gritham, pippali gritham, chitraka gritham, rohitha gritham and maharohita gritham can be used with good efficacy.

For Kaamala and Pandu, snehanam with Kalyanaka Gritham, Panchagavyam, or Mahathiktakam is preferred. Thereafter proper Virechana( purgation) should be done. Triphala, amrutha, etc should be used daily with honey.