Chennai: Post dengue, patients resort to Ayurveda

Chennai: The dengue patients in the city are resorting to herbal medicines for post dengue recovery as Siddha and Ayurveda hospitals in the city are witnessing a large number of patients who complain of weakness, pneumonia, anaemia, throat infections and other bacterial infections after treatment.

After effects of dengue include loss of appetite, weight loss, abdomen discomfort, weakness, diarrhoea and eye pain. But Siddha and Ayurveda find a solution to such issues in Rasayashastra and herbal medicines that include churanams, oils and vazhagham.

“Dengue virus decreases the immunity and even after the treatment, it is not restored completely. As immunity decreases, the body becomes prone to secondary bacterial infections. The post dengue period, known as the convalescent period leads to the development of some health problems if precautions are not taken,” said a Siddha doctor at the National Institute of Siddha Hospital, Dr V. Ranjith.

Though government hospitals and Primary Health Centres (PHCs) are distributing Siddha medicine Nilavembu Kudineer as per the instruction from state health department as part of its dengue control programme, various other medicines are helping to treat post dengue ailments.

“Ayurveda, herbal and Siddha medicines eliminate the ill-effects by strengthening the immunity primarily, and herbal formulations act upon the body functions to restore it to normal. They remove the root cause of the disease over a period of time. Rasayanas, Agastya Rasayanam, Amukkura kizhangu and Vettiver have immunity stimulatory properties and can cure post dengue effects,” says Dr Ramesh R. Varier, managing director, AVN Arogya Ayurvedic Hospital.

The alkaline herbal solutions are effective on the inflammatory and chronic pain that occurs due to viral infections. Weakness becomes the primary issue after any viral infection, ayurvedic and herbal medicines can help to restore the body strength,” he added. Patients from most dengue-affected districts such as Coimbatore, Theni, Krishnagiri and Kanyakumari are visiting Siddha hospitals after being treated for dengue.

 “After checking the blood reports of the patients we are giving treatment based on the problems faced by the individual. We are providing Amukha Churanam for appetite loss and weight loss, Ketu oil for body pain, Kalathali churanam for respiratory infections after post dengue treatment. Post dengue care becomes important and patients should not practice physical exercises. Along with the intake of medicines, adequate rest should be taken,” said Dr Shree Devi, a doctor at the Siddha Central Research Institute.