Role of Ayurvedic Herbs in the Management of Celiac Disease

Abstract

Celiac disease or gluten-sensitive enteropathy is an autoimmune hypersensitivity disorder affecting the small intestine. It occurs due to an inappropriate immune reaction to gluten, which results in inflammation and damage to the small intestine. One of the most prevalent illnesses, celiac disease, is brought on by both environmental (gluten) and genetic causes of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) and non-HLA genes. The prevalence of celiac disease has been estimated to approximate 0.5%-1% in different parts of the world. Due to improved physician awareness and expertise, as well as the widespread use of extremely sensitive and precise diagnostic tests for celiac disease, the prevalence of celiac disease has considerably grown in the past 30 years. While older children have either limited or unusual symptoms, only a small percentage of celiac patients have the classic signs of the condition like chronic or intermittent diarrhea, failure to thrive, weight loss, delayed puberty, short stature, nausea, vomiting, chronic abdominal pain, abdominal distension, chronic constipation. Early detection of celiac disease is crucial to preventing long-term consequences. According to Ayurveda, some symptoms of celiac disease found in  Grahani Dosha. Grahani is described as an Agni Adhisthana by most of Acharya. Mandagini is the root cause of Ama Dosha, and it is a crucial factor for the manifestation of most diseases. The treatment approach of celiac disease in Ayurveda medicinal science involves the intake of various preparations of some specific medicinal plants like Kutaja (Holarrhena antidysenterica) Pippali, (Piper longum Linn.), Chitraka, (Plumbago zeylanica) Guduchi, (Tinospora cordifolia) Ashwagandha, (Withania somnifera), Haridra (Curcuma longa Linn.), etc which have Agni Deepana and Ama Pachana properties. These illness-specific medicinal herbs help normalize digestive fire and evict "Ama" toxins from the body channels, which pacify the vitiated Agni and maintain homeostasis among vitiated Doshas.