How Ayurveda Can Help In Treating Cholera?

Cholera is an illness caused by bacterium Vibrio cholerae (gram-negative bacteria). This bacterium is often found in salty water, plants etc. So cholera is considered to be a waterborne disease and is caused by ingestion of contaminated water. The bacterium affects the water absorption process in the small intestine, by releasing toxins inside the intestines, thus causing intense diarrhea and an infectious bowel intestinal disease.

Cholera comes from a Greek word Khole which means “flow of bile”. It means “bilious diarrhea’ in Latin. It is mainly caused due to inadequate cooking and can be easily transmitted through foods, meat and dairy products. Cholera is a highly contagious disease and it leads to heavy losses of fluids from the body. It does not spread by casual contact with the affected person but can be an epidemic in places with inadequate availability of sanitation facilities and clean water. It is very common in places affected by famines, war, high population, refugee camps and poor sanitation. it is more common in Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

The most common symptom of cholera is diarrhea. Other symptoms include restlessness, loose stool/ rice watery stools, high temperature, rapid heartbeat, pale and loose skin, sunken eyes, dry mouth, husky voice, low blood pressure, nausea, vomiting, leg cramps, and weakness and massive weight loss. The patient experiences collapse of the circulatory system. The disease can lead to extreme dehydration and death (in severe cases).

According to Ayurveda, a disease like cholera is caused due to external factors (V. cholerae) into the body causing the damage to all the three doshas in which the imbalance of Pitta and Vata dosha is predominant. Ayurveda helps in alleviating the discomfort caused by cholera in the initial stages. The treatment focuses on keeping one hydrated and getting rid of the bacteria. The ayurvedic treatment to manage symptoms of cholera includes:

1. Increase The Intake Of Water

The best home remedy to manage cholera is to keep the body hydrated. Drinking water with some basil leaves in it helps in curing cholera effectively. One may drink coconut water, natural teas, buttermilk or squeezed orange which will help to feel better.

2. Cloves

A simple and very effective remedy to treat Cholera is to prepare a decoction using 4 grams of cloves and boiling them in water till half of the water evaporates. Consuming this water four to five times a day helps in treating Cholera. Cloves helps in easing the abdominal discomfort.

3. Onion

In case of severe vomiting and diarrhea, the best remedy is to mix 30 grams of onion with crushed black pepper and sugar and given to the patient for immediate relief. A mix of while onion juice with bitter gourd juice (lemon may be added to it for taste) is one of the most effective remedies for cholera. Onion helps in quenching the thirst.

4. Fenugreek Seeds And Poppy Seed

Fenugreek seeds may be mixed to warm water and consumed twice daily. Tea prepared by boiling fenugreek seeds helps in reducing fever associated with cholera. It can be flavored with honey or lemon juice if needed. An infusion of Poppy seeds (khas khas) is a good fever relieving drink. It should not be given to an infant or young children and pregnant women.

5. Rough Chaff (Chirchita)

Powdered root of Rough Chaff herb should be mixed with water and consumed once a day to get rid of cholera. Almost 6 gms of powdered rough chaff root should be mixed with half a cup of water and taken once daily to soothe the condition.

6. Guava Root

A decoction of guava root bark is an effective Ayurvedic remedy for treating cholera. About 30 grams of the guava root powder may be added to half a liter of water and boiled till one-third of water remains. This decoction may be taken two times a day to cure cholera.

7. Margosa Or Neem

A neem leaf decoction with some pepper powder helps in lowering the body temperature during cholera. Just by keeping a branch of the neem tree in the room acts as an air purifier and disinfectant to prevent cholera. Lemon Grass decoction may also be taken to bring down the temperature and cool the body. An infusion of Indian Barberry bark and root is also effective to control fever.

8. Nutmeg With Coconut Water

To overcome dehydration, one needs to consume an infusion prepared with herb nutmeg in half a liter of water and half a liter of coconut water. This preparation may be taken throughout the day in a small dosage of 15 ml each time.

9. Turmeric

Turmeric is well known for its anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory properties. It is very useful in curing cholera. Half a spoon of turmeric may be mixed in water and some honey, and consumed twice daily to ease the symptoms of cholera.

10. Lemon Juice And Orange Juice

A mix of orange juice and lemon juice helps in treating cholera effectively. Lemon kills the cholera bacilli in a very short span of time. It should be squeezed on food daily to prevent any further complications.

11. Herbal Tea

Herbal tea is prepared by mixing black pepper, holy basil, ginger, and mint should be consumed to get rid of cholera.

Daily intake of cucumber or cucumber juice is recommended as it helps in alleviating the symptoms of Cholera.

The digestive system is compromised in cholera, so the patient is unable to tolerate the solid foods during the active cholera outbreak, they are kept on the liquid diet. It is very important to revive acidity to purge out the negative toxins from the body. Thus, drinking of fresh fruit juices mainly acidic fruits with some boiled water is a great remedy.

It is highly recommended to avoid salads, raw fish and uncooked vegetables in case of Cholera outbreak. One should only consume peeled fruits and vegetables as a precaution. Cholera can be prevented by boiling, sterilizing and disinfecting water and use this water to clean dishes, vegetables, fruits and while preparing food.

Cholera can be life-threatening, if not treated on time with proper care.