Knowing Anemia and ways to boost hemoglobin levels!

Ayurveda classifies Anemia as a Type of Pandu roga which are further classified into various Sub types depending on the doshas involved.

Boost your hemoglobin levels naturally!

Anemia and its impact on general wellbeing

Physical appearance in Anemia

In Panduroga, changing the color of the body like pallor of skin, sclera, nail, tongue etc. due to reduced Hemoglobin level, than the normal level.

Introduction

Classification of Pandu Roga/Anemia

Acharya Sushruta has classified Pandu Roga in 4 varieties:

Vataja Panduroga : Due to Vata provoking diet and activity, the Vata gets provoked and Pandu occurs
Pittaja Panduroga : After taking Pitta Prakopaka Ahara-Vihara Pitta Dosha gets vitiated and accumulated in the body of the person of Pitta Prakriti, vitiates the Rasa & Rakta along with Mamsa Dhatu and causes Pittaja Panduroga.
Kaphaja Panduroga: Due to Kapha aggravating Ahara and Vihara, Kapha gets vitiated and causes Kaphaja Pandu.
Tridoshaja Panduroga: In person who indulges in Tridosha vitiating Ahara, Vihara, all the three Doshas get simultaneously aggravated and causes Tridoshaja Pandu, which shows all the symptoms of Vataja, Pittaja and Kaphaja Pandu.

Hypercholesterolaemia refers to high levels of total cholesterol or LDL‐C with normal or low levels of HDL‐C. Intake of high saturated fats, a cholesterol‐rich diet, obesity and physical inactivity are the major causes of elevated cholesterol levels.

Let's explore the underlying causes for Anemia

1. Aharaja Nidana / Due to Food habits

2. Viharaja Nidana / Lifestyle Factors

3. Nidanarthakara Roga / Psychological Factors

Due to Food habits : (Aharaja Nidana)
1. Excessive intake sour, salty, hot, spicy foods : Excessive intake of Kshara, Amla, Lavana, Ati ushna anna
2. Incompatible food combinations: Virruddha Bhojana
3. Unwholesome food : Asatmya Bhojana
4. Excessive intake of Flat beans, Black gram, residue of sesamum, groundnut and other oil seeds, Sesame oil : Nishpava, Masha, Pinyaka, Tilataila
5. Excessive intake of Alcohol : Madya
6. Excessive intake of Astringent and spicy tasting foods : Kashaya, Katu Rasa
Lifestyle Factors : (Viharaja Nidana)

Lifestyles resulting into Anemia

Sleeping in the day time soon after the meals
Indulgence in pleasure to the point of harming oneself
Physical exertion
Lack of sleep
Excessive sleep
Sedentary lifestyle

Psychological Factors : (Manasa Nidana)
1. Worry
2. Fear
3. Anger
4. Sorrow

Here a question may arise that how the psychological factors can affect Dhatu Poshana (nourishment) which ultimately results in Pandu/Anemia?

Digestion impacts the absorption of nutrients and impaired digestion can lead to undernourishment!

In this context one should remember that Acharya Charaka has emphasised the bad effect of worry,fear, etc. on digestion. All these causes improper digestion of food which leads to improper Rasa Dhatu (Plasma) formation and further hamper Rakta Dhatu (blood tissue), Mamsa Dhatu (muscle tissue) formation and so on and thus leads to Pandu Roga.

According to Ayurveda, a disease develops gradually, hence if diagnosed and treated in the initial stages itself, treatment outcome will be good and further progression can be prevented.

Anemia Symptoms

Premonitory Symptoms of Anaemia
Palpitations: Hridaya Spandana
Dryness of the skin : Ruksha twacha
Lassitude: Gaatra Saada
Desire to eat soil: Mrid Bhakshana
Swelling of eye sockets : Prekshanakoota Shotha
Yellowish coloration of faeces and urine : Vin - Mutra - Pitatva
Indigestion : Avipaka
Thirst : Pippasa
Nausea : Hrillasa
Burning sensation in chest : Urodaha
Heaviness of the body : Anga Gaurava
Redness of eyes : Rakta Lochana

Cardinal features of Anaemia
Paleness of the nails, eyes, skin, etc
Swelling over orbit : Akshikutashoth
Hair fall : Shirnaloma
Loss of body complexion/lustre : Hataprabha
Low vitality: Ojo Guna Kshaya
Reduction in normal quality and quantity of blood tissue and fat tissue : Alpa Rakta Meda
Anger, irritation : Kopan
Reduced speech reduced speech because of weakness : Alpa Vaak
Palpitations : Hrid Dravata
Severe weakness : Sadana
Weakness of thighs : Sannasaktha
Tinnitus : Karna Kshvedi
Low digestive fire : Hata Anala
Swollen eye sockets : Shoona Akshi Koota
Intolerance to cold : Shishira Deshi
Decreased complexion : Hata Prabha
Lethargy : Srama
Dyspnoea : Shwasa

Involvement of lymph tissue causes the following symptoms	Involvement of blood and lymph tissue leads to	Muscle tissue involvement leads to
Fever	Crushing type of pain in the body	Emaciation
Aversion towards food
Drowsiness
Heaviness
Paleness

Herbs, foods and therapies suggested to manage Anemia

HERBS	FOODS	THERAPIES
Bhumyamalaki - Phyllanthus niruri	Amaranth leaves	Vamana : Medicine induced Emesis
Punarnava - Boerhavia diffusa	Dates	Virechana : Medicine induced purgation
Amalaki - Emblica officinalis	Garlic	Abhyanga : Oil massage
Kumari - Aloe vera	Red onion
Haridra - Curcuma longa	Pomegranate
Bhringaraja - Eclipta alba	Mung bean,Brown lentil, Pigeon peas
Sharapunka - Tephrosia purpurea	Old harvested rice : 6 months or more
Katuki - Picrorrhiza kurroa	Old harvested Barley or wheat
Guduchi - Tinospora cordifolia	Buttermilk
Yashtimadhu - Glycyrrhiza glabra	Freshly churned butter
Kakamachi - Solanum nigrum	Sugarcane juice
Daruharidra - Berberis aristata etc.	Soup typically made by boiling pulses (Mung bean) in a large amount of water and spices
Daruharidra - Berberis aristata etc.	Fermented barley water or gruel
Kiratatikta - Swertia chirayata	Tushodaka : a fermented drink prepared by fermenting the boiled broken Yava (Hordeum vulgare), Godhuma (Triticum aestivum) with husk.
Kalamegha - Andrographis paniculata	Haridra : Turmeric
Loha - Iron	Chandana : Sandal wood
	Yavakshara : An alkali preparation made with whole plant of barley (botanical name – Hordeum vulgare)
	Pointed gourd
	Winter melon
	Jeevanti (cork swallow wort) : Leptadenia reticulata
	Ivy Gourd
	Tinospora cordifolia
	Plantin/ Banana
	Mandookaparni /Asian pennywort or Indian pennywort
	Amla : Indian gooseberry
	Ghee (Clarified butter : Cow’s Ghee)a