Successful Ayurvedic Management of Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis (ABPA) of A 30-Year-Old Indian Male by IAFA® – A Case Study

Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis (ABPA) is an allergic or hypersensitive reaction to a fungus also known as Aspergillus fumigatus. This is a fungus which is found in soil. Although most of us are frequently exposed to Aspergillus but it affects rarely in people having normal functioning of the immune system but in certain cases, the immune system overreacts to the antigens of this fungus and damages the airways which can sometimes result in permanent lung damage. The modern treatment of ABPA includes daily corticosteroid therapy but this condition can be successfully treated in Ayurveda without the use of corticosteroids. The present case study deals with the successful management of ABPA at IAFA®. The patient took allopathic treatment for the same but did not find any relief but after taking treatment from IAFA® for one year, he got relief completely and his marker of Aspergillus fumigatus IgE is also within reference range. 

Abstract

Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis (ABPA) occurs in up to 15% patients with cystic fibrosis. Clinically, it is manifested by wheezing, bronchiectasis and pulmonary infiltrates. Modern treatment of ABPA includes attenuation of the inflammatory immunological activity with corticosteroids and reduction of the antigen burden from fungal colonization with the help of antifungal agents but the serious adverse events to corticosteroids are frequently seen in patients. This case study highlights the successful management of Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis (ABPA) of a 30-year-old male patient native of Bihar, India with Ayurvedic measures. 

Introduction

Aspergillus fumigatus is a species of fungus which is responsible for respiratory disorders, invasive infections and allergies. When infection is caused due to Aspergillus fumigatus, it is termed as aspergillosis and it has various types including Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis (ABPA), Chronic Pulmonary Aspergillosis and Invasive Aspergillosis. ABPA is a respiratory disorder where allergic reaction occurs due to hypersensitive response of the body’s immune system, when a person comes in contact with the fungus aspergillus.

Keywords: ABPA, Ayurveda, natural treatment of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, successful management of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis

ABPA – According to Ayurveda

In Ayurveda, Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis (ABPA) can be co-related to Shwasa and Kasa Roga mentioned in Ayurvedic texts. According to Ayurveda, the dosha that is primarily involved in respiratory tract disorders is Vata dosha along with the vitiation of Kapha dosha and Pranavaha Srotas. 

Case Report

• Name: Shipu
• Age/Gender: 30/M
• Address: Bihar
• UID: 6320
• Date of Consultation: 30/08/2021

Chief Complaints

As per the patient’s clinical history, he was having the following symptoms:

• Recurrent fever
• Difficulty in breathing
• Recurrent cough
• Hematemesis
• Headache
• Chest pain
• Loss of appetite
• Underweight
• Joint pain
• Weakness

Report of the Patient Before Treatment

The lab report of the patient before treatment is as follows:

Treatment Plan

External Treatment

For Nasal: Pratimarsha Nasya Karma with:-

1. Nasa Yoga Grutham
2. IAFA Nasal All Clear X Drops

Internal Medication

1. IAFA Swaras Chikitsa – Total Care 3X Ras and Choti Dudhi Swaras
2. IAFA AF-7 Tablet
3. IAFA Respiro Detox Formula
4. Sitopaladi Tablet
5. IAFA Curcumin with Piperine extract

Method of Usage/Dosage

1. Nasa Yoga Grutham: 4-6 drops of lukewarm grutham to be instilled in bilateral nostrils and 2-4 drops to be applied in the navel area twice a day at early morning and at bed time.
2. IAFA Nasal All Clear X-Drops: 4-6 drops to be instilled in bilateral nostrils twice a day in late morning and early evening.
3. Total Care 3X Ras: 30 ml with equal quantity of water to be taken twice a day early morning and early evening.
4. Choti Dudhi Swaras: 30 ml with equal quantity of water to be taken twice a day early morning and early evening.

Total Care 3X Ras and Choti Dudhi Swaras both these Swaras to be mixed and taken.

1. IAFA AF-7 Tablet: 2 tablets to be taken twice a day before food with lukewarm water.
2. IAFA Respiro Detox Formula: 3 grams to be taken twice a day with honey or lukewarm water.
3. Sitopladhi Tablet: 2 tablets to be taken twice a day after meals with water.
4. IAFA Curcumin with Piperine Extract: 2 Capsules to be taken twice a day early morning and at bedtime with lukewarm water. 

The same treatment was continued for five months. The patient felt slight improvement such as recurrent cough was relieved to some extent, and recurrent fever and improvement were also seen in the loss of appetite. Based on the condition of the patient, the treatment was modified on 03/02/2022 under the supervision of Dr. Gupta at IAFA® which is as follows:

External Treatment

For Nasal: Pratimarsh Nasya with:-

1. Nasayoga Grutham
2. IAFA Nasal All Clear X Drops

Internal Treatment

1. IAFA Swaras Chikitsa – Shirish Swaras and Choti Dudhi Swaras
2. IAFA AF-7 Tablet
3. IAFA Respiro Detox Formula
4. Laxmi Vilas Nardeeya 250 mg
5. Shwas Kuthar Ras
6. IAFA Curcumin with Piperine Extract

Method of Usage/Dosage

1. Nasayoga Grutham: 4-6 drops to be lukewarm grutham to be instilled in bilateral nostrils and 2-4 drops to be applied in navel area twice a day at early morning and at bed time.
2. IAFA Nasal All Clear X-Drops: 4-6 drops to be instilled in bilateral nostrils twice a day in late morning and early evening.
3. Shirish Swaras: 30 ml Shirish Swaras to be taken in equal quantities of water twice a day early morning and early evening.
4. Choti Dudhi Swaras: 30 ml with equal quantity of water to be taken twice a day early morning and early evening.

Shirish Swaras and Choti Dudhi Swaras both these swaras are mixed before being taken.

1. IAFA AF-7 Tablet: 2 tablets to be taken twice a day before food with lukewarm water.
2. IAFA Respiro Detox Formula: 3-gram IAFA Respiro Detox Formula to be taken twice a day with honey or lukewarm water.
3. Laxmi Vilas Ras Nardiya 250 mg: 1 tablet to be taken twice a day 15 minutes after meals with water.
4. Shwas Kuthar Ras: 2 tablets to be taken twice a day 15 minutes after meals with honey or lukewarm water. 
5. IAFA Curcmin with Piperine Extract: 2 capsules to be taken twice a day early morning and at bedtime with lukewarm water. 

The above treatment was continued for another five months.  There was much improvement in the condition of the patient such as joint pain, weakness and shortness of breath but complete relief was not seen in recurrent cough so based on the symptoms, the below-mentioned treatment was prescribed to the patient on 30/06/2022 by Dr. Gupta.

External Procedure

For Nasal: Pratimarsha Nasya Karma: with

1. Nasayoga Grutham
2. IAFA Nasal All Clear X Drops
3. Nasal Air

Internal Medication

1. IAFA Swaras Chikitsa – Chhoti Dudhi Swaras
2. Rasa Sindoor, Abhrak Bhasama (Sahastra Puti) and IAFA Respiro Detox Formula
3. IAFA Curcumin with Piperine Extract

Method of Usage/Dosage

1. Nasayoga Grutham: 4-6 drops to be instilled in bilateral nostrils twice a day early morning and bedtime and the same to be applied in the navel area once a day.
2. IAFA Nasal All Clear X Drops: 2-4 drops to be instilled in bilateral nostrils twice a day in morning 1 hour after Nasa Yoga Grutham and early evening before Nasa Yoga Grutham also.
3. Nasal Air: Nasal Air to be inhaled through alternate nostrils once a day.

Method of Usage: One end of the wick is burned and the flame should be stopped. The medicated smoke coming out of the wick can be inhaled through alternate nostrils and eliminated by oral route.

1. Chhoti Dudhi Swaras: 30 ml of Chhoti Dudhi Swaras to be mixed in equal quantities of water twice a day after meals.
2. Ras Sindoor, Abhrak Bhasma (Sahastraputi) and IAFA Respiro Detox Formula: 2 gm of Ras Sindoor and 1 gm of Abhrak Bhasma in 100 gm of IAFA Respiro Detox Formula to be mixed and taken with 1-2 tsp honey.
3. IAFA Curcumin with Piperine Extract: 1 capsule to be taken twice a day early morning and at bed time with lukewarm water. 

Along with the above treatment, the patient was asked to make some changes in his diet and lifestyle. These are:

Pathya (Do’s)

• Intake of easily digestible and home -made food.
• More fiber containing vegetables such as seasonal fruits and vegetables.
• Herbs such as coriander, fennel, curry leaves should be included in the diet.

Apathya (Don’ts)

• Artificial sweeteners should be avoided.
• Foods containing high fat such as butter, greasy food should be avoided.
• Fermented food products
• Food containing processed flour such as junk food
• Bakery and confectionary items should be avoided.
• Intake of vegetables like egg-plant, capsicum, lady finger, spinach and mushroom.
• Fruits such as bananas and avocado.
• Stale food
• Nuts such as pistachio, cashew nut and peanut.

Yoga and Pranayama

• Sarvangasana
• Vajrasana
• Suryanamaskar
• Supta Baddha Konasana

After approximately one year of treatment, there was 100% relief in the condition of the patient through Ayurvedic measures only.

Report After Complete Relief

The lab report showing complete relief is attached below:

The patient is completely satisfied with the treatment provided by Dr. Gupta at IAFA® and leaves IAFA® with a happy note.

Below is a Happy Note by the Patient’s Wife

The pathogenesis of ABPA is complex but the natural treatment of ABPA provided at IAFA® proved quite beneficial in the treatment in the present case study. Thus, ABPA treatment in Ayurveda is natural and free from side effects if taken under expert’s supervision.

The herbal preparations that are used at IAFA® are 100% safe, effective and free from side effects. These herbal remedies strengthen the immunity of the patient in the present case and help to fight allergic reactions, boost immunity and provide relief. So, if you are suffering with such allergies, it is advisable to consult Dr. Gupta at IAFA® who is expert in dealing with allergies of various etiologies through Ayurvedic measures.