Filariasis (Shlipada)

Background

Filariasis (Shlipada) is a vector borne parasitic disease caused by three nematode parasites viz., Wuchereria bancrofti, Burgia malayi and Burgia timori. Among them Wuchereria bancrofti is most common in India (98%). According to the estimates made in 1995 globally, there are nearly 1100 million people at the risk of Filariasis and there are 120 million cases of Filariasis. According to another study in India, the population exposed to the infection was 25 million in 1953 and 420 million in 1995. India is the largest Filariasis endemic country in the world. Now India contributes about 40% of the total global burden of Filariasis and accounts for about 50% of the people at risk of infection.

Filariasis was well known to ancient Indians by the name of Shlipada. It is described that the word Shlipada must be understood as an increase in the size of the foot. The word 'Shlipada' is derived from “shilavat padam shlipadam”, where the limb/foot becomes hard like stone.

Intervention/ Approaches

The following are some interventions/ approaches based on CCRAS research from published sources.

For patients of acute shlipada who have symptoms of swelling with fever:

• Ayush 64 Tablet-1 gm thrice a day with water for 2 weeks.
  
  • Ingredients of Ayush 64:
  • Saptapama (Alstonia scholaris) bark aqueous extract 100mg
  • Katuki (Picrorrhiza kurroa) root aqueous extract 100mg
  • Kiratatikta (Swertia chiraita) whole plant aqueous extract 100mg
  • Kuberaksha (Caesalpinia crista) seed powder 200mg
• Saptapama Ghana Vati -1 gm thrice a day with water for 2 weeks.
• Nityananda Rasa - lgm twice a day with water after meal for 2 weeks.

In early stage of pittaja shlipada associated with Fever:

Sudarshana (Crinum latifolium) Ghana Vati - 700mg thrice a day with water.

In case of chronic Kaphaja shlipada associated with excessive swelling:

• Sudarshana Chuma - 3gm with warm water after meal thrice in a day for 30 days.
• Punamavadyarishta - 20ml with water twice in a day after meal for 2 weeks.
• Sudarshana Ghana Vati - 500mg thrice a day after meal for 2 weeks. Punamavadyarishta - 20ml with water twice in a day after meal for 2 weeks.
• Ayush 55-1 gm with water twice a day after meal.
  
  • Ingredients of Ayush 55:
  • Purified Mercury 1 part
  • Purified Sulphur 1 part
  • Lauha Bhasma 1 part
  • Abhraka Bhasma 1 part
  • Triphala 6 parts (each 2 parts)
  • Shilajitu 3 part
  • Guggulu (Commiphera wightii) 5 parts
  • Chitrakmoo\(Plumbago zeylanica) 4 parts
  • Katuki (Picrorrhiza kurroa) 22 parts prepared in Nimba (Azadirachta indica) Swarasa
  • Punamavadyarishta - 20ml with water twice in a day after meal.
• Kanchanara Guggulu - 500mg with Gokshuradi Guggulu 500mg thrice daily along with lukewarm water after food for 4 weeks.
• Shlipadari Rasa - 250mg along with Punamava, Triphala and Pippali chuma 5gm twice daily with water after food for 30 days.

Medicinal Plants Useful in Filariasis (Shlipada)

Source : Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences