Botulism is a serious illness that causes flaccid paralysis of muscles. It is caused by a neurotoxin, generically called botulinum toxin, which is produced by the bacterium, Clostridium botulinum. There are three main types of botulism: food-borne botulism; wound botulism; and infant botulism. Common symptoms include double vision, blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty in swallowing, dry mouth and muscle weakness.
Food-borne botulism is considered to be a public health emergency. If diagnosed early, food-borne and wound botulism can be treated with an anti-toxin that blocks the action of neurotoxin circulating in the blood. The Ayurvedic treatment of botulism is aimed at preventing muscular paralysis, treating other associated symptoms and attempting to hasten the recovery process. Patients who survive acute episodes of botulism poisoning may experience fatigue and shortness of breath for years; Ayurvedic treatment can help reduce these symptoms and aid recovery.
Ayurvedic medicines like Tapyadi-Loh, Ekang-Veer-Ras, Maha-Vat-Vidhvans, Vat-Gajankush-Ras, Bruhat-Vat-Chintamani, Vish-Tinduk-Vati, Kaishor-Guggulu, Yograj-Guggulu, Trayodashang-Guggulu and Maha-Yograj-Guggulu are used to treat this condition. Herbal medicines which can be used in this condition are: Nirgundi (Vitex negundo), Chitrak (Plumbago zeylanica), Tagar (Valeriana wallichii), Guggulu (Commiphora mukul), Rasna (Pluchea lanceolata), Deodar (Cedrus deodara), Erandmool (Ricinis communis), Shalparni (Desmodium gangeticum), Prushnaparni (Uraria picta), Kantakari (Solanum xanthocarpum), Agnimanth (Premna mucronata) and Kuchla (Strychnos nuxvomica).
The botulism neurotoxin actually paralysis nerves by interfering with the release of acetyl choline, a neurotransmitter, so that the nerves cannot stimulate the muscles to contract. Therefore, medicines which act on the neuro-muscular junctions are used to treat the paralysis. These medicines include Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri), Mandukparni (Centella asiatica), Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Shankhpushpi (Convolvulus pluricaulis), Nirgundi and Kuchla. Once the acute condition has settled, medicines like Vish-Tinduk-Vati, Tapyadi-Loh, Ekang-Veer-Ras and Kaishor-Guggulu are given on a long term basis to hasten the recovery process and prevent a relapse.
Severe botulism toxicity can result in respiratory failure due to paralysis of the respiratory muscles. Such patients are required to be on a ventilator and need intensive medical and nursing care for several weeks. Good supportive care in a hospital remains the main-stay of therapy for all kinds of botulism.
Source by Abdulmubeen Mundewadi