Sudarsanasavam

Sudarsanasavam is an Ayurvedic medicine that can help in the treatment of viral fever, chronic fever and lung problems. A fever or a heightened temperature is a common symptom of being unwell. When there is an infection or stress to the body, it causes a fever. The exact cause of the fever can be found in a number of possible underlying conditions. However, Ayurvedic medicine treats fever as a disease in itself and uses antipyretic herbs  and treatments to control the same. Sudarsanasavam’s antipyretic has been shown to help in the treatment of fevers that arise due to varied causes. It has ingredients that have been used for centuries for their antipyretic and anti-inflammatory properties.

Ingredients

Guda (Jaggery)

• Balances the Vata and Pitta Doshas

• It is a blood purifier

Dhataki (Woodfordia fruticosa)

• Is an immunomodulator

• It is useful in the treatment of dysentery, bleeding problems, rheumatism and pitta fevers.

• It boosts immunity

Haritaki (Terminalia chebula)

• Helps balance all three Doshas

• Helps detoxify

• Supports healing

Bibhitaki (Terminalia bellerica)

• Supports the Rasa and Mamsa Dhatus

• Is used in traditional medicine as an antibacterial, antiinflammatory

Amalaki (Emblica officinalis)

• The Indian gooseberry

• It is rich in Vitamin C

• It is used in Ayurvedic medicine as an anti-oxidant, immunomodulator, anti-inflammatory

Haridra (Curcuma longa)

• Turmeric

• Reduces toxins (Ama)

Daruharidra (Berberis aristata)

• Is used in Ayurveda as anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-diabetic and antitumour

Kantakari (Solanum surattnse)

• Has antitumorigenic, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, antioxidant, diuretic and antipyretic properties.

Brahati (Solanum indicum)

• One of the Dasha Moola herbs.

• Is an Ayurvedic anti-inflammatory.

Shati (Kaempferia galanga)

• It is used for pain relief

Sunthi (Zingiber officinale)

• Aids in proper digestion

Maricha (Piper nigrum)

• Black Pepper

• Analgesic and antipyretic

• Balances Kapha and Vata Doshas.

• Aggravates Pitta Dosha

• Helps the digestive fire (Agni)

Pippali (Piper longum)

• Long pepper

• Balances Vata and Kapha Doshas

• Does not aggravate Pitta

Pippalimool (Piper longum)

• Root of Pepper

• Activates Agni.

Murva (Chonemorpha macrophylla)

• Supports digestion

• Anti-bacterial

• Balances all three Doshas

Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia)

• Balances all the three Doshas

• This herb is used as an adaptogen in Ayurveda.

• It helps the body resist stress and illness.

• Relieves Ama

Duralabha (Tragia involucrata)

• It has diaphoretic, anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties

• Useful in the treatment of skin diseases

Katurohini (Picrorhiza kurroa)

• Detoxifies

Dosage

Adults 15 to 25 ml and children 5 to 15 ml or as prescribed by an Ayurvedic physician. Self-medication is not advised.

Ayurveda’s Perspective On Fever

• Ayurveda names fever as Jwara Roga. Fever is linked to the accumulation of toxins in the body.

• The actual fever is caused by the lowering of the temperature in the gastrointestinal tract and the increase of temperature on the outer surfaces of the body.

• When the metabolic process is not complete in the body there is the formation of a metabolic waste called Ama. Ama is the cause of many health problems. When Ama is present in the body for a long time it becomes a highly toxic Amavisha. When the Ama that is accumulated blocks the sweat channels of the body the temperature starts increasing resulting in a fever.

• Jwara itself is sub categorised based on how long the patient has been suffering from fever. A new fever that is less than a week old is called Nava Jwara. A fever that is a few days old is Madhyama Jwara while chronic fever is old or Purana Jwara.

• Fasting or eating very light food is advised for fever. This is intended to increase the Agni or digestive fire and draw the heat away from the outer part of the body.

• When the fever is a recent fever, antipyretic medication is not recommended as it may be counterproductive.

• Fevers are also categorised based on the three doshas. A Vata fever is called Vataja Jwara. It is primarily caused by the nervous system being out of balance. It usually happens in the monsoon season or at the times of day that are Vata dominant, namely; morning, afternoon and post-digestion. This fever fluctuates and is accompanied by a feeling of dryness in the lips and throat, shivering, yawning and an astringent taste in the mouth. When it occurs during the monsoon it is easy to treat but its occurrence at other times of the year makes it harder to treat. It can be caused by excessive exercise, mental upset, depression and imbalanced diet. Ayurvedic treatment for fever caused by Vata may be achieved with antipyretic medication and dietary modification.

• Pittaja Jwara or Pitta fever is common in the autumn and summer seasons. When the fever occurs in its typical season it is easier to cure. It is caused by problems with the veins.. Pitta fever has a high fever and can be accompanied by nausea, diarrhoea, sweat and a bitter taste in the mouth. Sometimes this fever is caused by overexposure to heat, sun or fire. It can also be caused by exercising too much and drinking too much alcohol or eating pungent food. It is treated with dietary recommendations and Ayurvedic medicine for fever.

• Kaphaja Jwara is the fever of the spring season. It is caused by imbalances in the arteries. And is characterised by a feeling of lethargy, sweet taste in the mouth, breathing problems and eye discolouration. It is caused by lack of physical exercise, sleeping in the day time and excessive intake of cold food or beverages. Too much sour or salty food can also cause this fever.  It is treated with a Kapha reducing diet and antipyretic medicine.

• Ayurvedic treatment for chronic fever involves antipyretic medicine as well as lifestyle and dietary changes.

Fever Problems

Fever is a part of the immune response to an infection or pathogen. It is also referred to as pyrexia or controlled hyperthermia. When the body is affected by an infection, the body’s defense mechanism produces white blood cells and antibodies. This is why there is an extra rush of blood to an area that is affected by the infection. It causes redness and warmth. When there is inflammation that is acute it triggers a fever. This raised temperature helps to fight infection but when it gets too high it is a fever. When a fever lasts a week it is called acute, when it lasts up to 2 weeks it is sub-acute and when longer it is a persistent or chronic fever. Other than infections, the causes of fever could be; inflammatory diseases, medication, sun exposure, heatstroke, lung disease, dehydration, alcohol withdrawal and amphetamine abuse.