AYURVEDIC TREATMENT OF FUNGAL DISEASES

INTRODUCTION

There are various ailments like skin infections, urinary tract infections and other infections for which you can blame the fungi. Yes, we are talking about the fungal infections. These infections sometimes result in the severe health complications so it is very important that everyone must have knowledge about the fungal infections and symptoms associated with these.

To manage fungal infections there are various herbs Neem (Azadirachta indica), Karpoor (Cinnamomum camphora), Vacha (Acorus calamus), Mustak (Cyprus rotundus), Haridra (Curcuma longa), Amalaki (Emblica officinalis), Chavya (Piper chaba), Vidanga (Embelia ribes), Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia), Shunthi (Zingiber officinalis), Maricha (Piper nigrum) & Pippali (Piper longum) etc in Ayurveda which help to resolve the infection in a natural way without any side effects.

ABOUT FUNGAL DISEASES

Fungal diseases are caused by fungi which are present everywhere on this earth. There are around 1.5 million different species of fungi but only about 300 of those are pathogenic.

Fungi which are dangerous to human beings, few of them are listed below:

1. ASPERGILLOSIS

Aspergillosis is caused by the fungus aspergillus. This fungus is commonly found on stored grain, dead leaves and decaying vegetation. Aspergillosis occurs in the people who are exposed to this fungus and these infections rarely occur in the people who have healthy immune system.

COMPLICATIONS

•   It results in the allergic pulmonary aspergillosis which is developed in the people who are already suffering from lungs complications like cystic fibrosis or asthma.
•   Aspergilloma is also due to this fungal infection and develop in the people who have lungs abscess and tuberculosis.
•   Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis is a severe infection in association with pneumonia. That mostly occur in the people with weakened immune system.

SYMPTOMS

•   Fever
•   Cough with blood
•   Wheezing
•   Weight loss
•   Chills
•   Chest pain
•   Phlegm
•   Shortness of breath
•   Skin sores

2. CANDIDIASIS

Candidiasis is the fungal infection which is caused by the yeast which belongs to genus candida. There are approximately 20 species of candida yeast but the most common species is candida albicans. Candida normally present on the skin, mucous membrane but overgrowth of these microorganisms results in the infections.

Oral candidiasis is the yeast infection of mouth or oral thrush. This type of infection is mostly seen in the people who take antibiotics, diabetic people and people with weakened immune system.

SYMPTOMS MAY INCLUDE

•   White spots in the tongue area.
•   Redness in the mouth area.
•   Difficulty in swallowing
•   Sore throat.
•   Cracks at the corner of mouth.

Urinary tract infection (UTI) - Candidiasis also results in the urinary tract infection both in the male and female.

SYMPTOMS IN WOMEN

•   Itching in the vaginal area.
•   Redness and soreness in the vaginal area.
•   Vaginal discharge which has appearance like cottage cheese.
•   Pain during sexual intercourse.

SYMPTOMS IN MEN

•   Red rash on penis.
•   Itching on penis.
•   Burning sensation on penis.

Skin infections - Candidiasis results in skin infections that show red patches on skin, cracks in skin, redness on skin and shedding of skin.

3. CRYPTOCOCCUS NEOFORMANS

Cryptococcus neoformans is fungal infection which mainly affects the lungs and central nervous system. These infections mostly occur in the people who have HIV/AIDS.

1. In lungs -This infection cause the complications like pneumonia. Symptoms may include chest pain, shortness of breath, cough and fever.
2. In brain - Cryptococcus neoformans after causing the infection in lungs, spread upto brain and results in cryptoccocal meningitis. Symptoms may include headache, neck pain, fever, nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light and behavior changes.

Ring worm (dermatophytosis) caused by a mold called as dermatophyte results in the circular red patches on the skin, nails, hair and feet.

CAUSES OF FUNGAL DISEASES IN AYURVEDA

According to Ayurveda, vitiation of kapha and vata dosha is responsible for fungal diseases.

Kapha dosha is cold, sticky, heavy and dense in nature. Where vata represents air or wind. When toxins get accumulated in the deeper tissues like skin, rakta (blood), rasa (nutrient plasma), mansa (muscles) and lasika (lymphatic) it leads to various fungal infections.