Fistula In Ano Ayurvedic Understanding And Effective Treatment

This article is by Dr MS Krishnamurthy MD (Ayu), Ph.D (Ayu).
Fistula in ano is an unnatural tract formed in the body, which connects the skin around the buttock region with the anal canal. Ayurveda offers many effective treatments for this painful condition. 

Fistula in ano is a condition usually resulted in the patients who have the complaint of abscess in the anus for quite long period of time.Often the condition is resulted due to poor management of the illness or due to the negligence of the diseases because of lack of seriousness in the initial conditions of the illness.

In Ayurveda this condition is known as Bhagandara or arsho bhagandara. It is a kind of Sannipataja nadivrana (complicatory fistula).

Foods to avoid

Excess spicy foods,
Food that causes constipation
Excess garlic, chillies and potato
Read related: Anal Fistula: 25 Diet And Lifestyle Tips To Avoid Repeated Infection

Definition of Bhagandara

Indian scholars had in detail knowledge about this disease about 3500 years back itself. We get several incidences and history of cure of Bhagandara in various Indian literatures and Philosophical books.

Acharya Sushruta defined bhagandara as below:
“Guda bhaga basti pradesha daaranaat bhagandaraha”

It means the condition resulted due to the laceration or tear in the lesions of guda (anus) bhaga (pubic area) basti (area of  bladder) is termed as Bhagandara.

Acharya Bhoja further clarifies this as-
“Bhagam pari samantaat cha gudam bastim tathaiva cha|
Bhagavat daarayet tasmaat jneyo bhagandaraha||”

This summarizes the in detail concept behind the patho-physiology involved in the disease i.e The tear or break open caused in the area of pubis or around the perineum is called Bhagandara.

Origin of Bhagandara (Fistula in ano)

If the physician or a patient  neglects a pus filled wound or abscess by thinking that the condition may be healed by its own,the pathology continues inside. Meanwhile if the patient continues the unwholesome food and habits, due to sepsis (abhishyandata), the wound/laceration begins to invade deep into the skin, muscles, vessels, ligaments, bones, joints, vital organs and hence a hollow –tubular tract is originated. This condition is called Nadivrana. If the pathology manifests in the area of anus and perineal region it is termed as Arsho bhagandara.
Acharya Madhavakara further clarifies the pathology that the boils that arise about 2 angula (1.5 inches) around the anus if bursts open and forms a track it is called – Bhagandara.

Types of Fistula in ano (Bhagandara)

Based upon the type of the tract formed and dosha involved, Bhagandara is classified into 5 types as below:
(1) Shataponaka – dominance of Vata dosha
(2) Ushtragreeva – dominance of Pitta dosha
(3) Parisraavi – dominance of Kapha dosha
(4) Shambookavarta – dominance of all the three doshas
(5) Unmargi – Due to injury/external causes

Nature and features of different kind of Bhagandara:

Shataponaka Bhagandara

Excess intake of astringent,dry,spicy and pungent  substances cause the vitiation of Vata dosha and in turn they cause boils in the anal region. When they are  neglected or suppurated these boils burst open and the red –frothy discharge is found. Often this discharge is  associated with urine, stool and semen. Due to the affliction of severely aggravated Vata, numerous ulcers are produced and hence this condition is called Shataponaka.

Ushtragreeva Bhagandara

Respective reasons provoke Pitta dosha and in turn this causes blood filled / oozing blisters / boils around the anus.These blisters  are suppurated quickly and produce discharge of offensive smell.
As these tracks appear like the neck of ushtra (camel) they are termed Ushtragreeva bhagandara.

Parisraavi  Bhagandara

Due to unctuous food and beverages and relative habits, Kapha dosha is severely aggravated and  in turn cause bigger boils in the anus. These are hard, stable and mature gradually. When these boils are burst open the tracks appear with itching , dense white discharge and associated with mild pain. As oozing is the typical characteristic feature, the condition is called Parisravi Bhagandara.

Shambookavarta Bhagandara

Due to various dosha provocating factors all the three doshas are aggravated and multiple coloured painful blisters are manifested over the anus and perineal region. When they suppurate, they produce multiple coloured  discharge. The track is much wavy and curved like the shell of the snails. Hence the condition is called Shambookavarta bhagandara.

Unmargi Bhagandara

This kind of fistula are caused due to the injury or trauma. Due to the prick of the needles, nails, stick or thorns over the perineal region, a small abrasion is caused initially and gradually they are extended and worsened due to unwholesome food and habits. Further, the germs are also manifested over these lesions and most painful condition –Unmargi kind of Bhagandara is resulted.

Prognosis of  Bhagandara

Acharya Sushruta included Fistula in ano under the list of most miserable and critical illness due to its bad prognosis and maximum chances of recurrence. Among these varieties, Shambookavarta and Unmargi are very difficult to treat.
The fistula which is associated with severe discharge, associated with worms and stool in its discharge are incurable.
These can be co-related to Vesico-seminal fistula, ano-rectal fistula and vesico- rectal fistula.

Treatment of Bhagandara

All these kinds of fistula are treated by clearing their tracts.
In this regard Acharya Sushruta has appreciated the potent therapeutic effect of Kshara Sutra (Further it is explained well by Acharya Chakrapani in his Text Chakradutta).
On tracking the path / tract of the fistula, the Ksharasutra is inserted. It helps in clearing the path (disinfection) and in early healing of the tract. Thus it serves both the purposes like shodhana (purification) and ropana (healing).
In recent days Snuhi-Arka-Apamarga-Guggulu-Haridra and Papaya Ksharasutras are in practice.

Ayurvedic formulations

Formulations used in Fistula in ano:
While treating the patients of Bhagandara, the following formulations used:
1) Triphala guggulu
2) Gandhaka rasayana
3) Arogyavardhini
4) Kaishora guggulu
5) Chandraprabha vati
6) Gokshuradi guggulu
7)Swayambhuva guggulu
8) Madhusnuhi rasayana
9) Chirabilvadi kashaya
10) Mahatiktaka kashaya etc

Medicines for Bhagandara From Sahasra Yoga Text Book
Arsohara Kashaya
Tiktaka Ghrita
Mahatiktaka Ghrita
Pancha Tikta Guggulu Ghrita
Trikatwadi Choorna
Yogaraja Choorna
Guggulu Panchapala Choorna
Narasimha Choorna
Dasamoolarishta
Lohasava
Kautajadi Guda
Brihat Madhusnuhi Rasayana
Amruta Guggulu
Bhagandarahara Lepa
Neelakantha Rasa

Diet

Wholesome and unwholesome diet and habits: The diet and habits specified for haemorrhoids

Last drop:
Dear readers and followers of Easy ayurveda.com, Fistula is a very dreadful and irritating illness which often disturbs the pleasure of the mind. Both sitting and travelling become difficult due to this illness. So the sufferers should take enough care and caution while they are taking treatment for their illness. Ksharasutra is found to be a time tested answer for this illness. Both the East and West is watching the improvised application of Kshara (alkaline application) and Kshara sutra (alkaline thread) in its management.