Upadamsha – Treatment For Sexually Transmitted Disease

Ancient Ayurvedic masters have observed sexually transmitted diseases caused in men and women with specific reasons and features. According to the features, they have determined the apt treatment measures as well. Here is the brief account of ayurvedic classical explanation of Upadamsha – sexually transmitted diseases.

Causative factors

Causative factors for Upadamsha:
Hastha Abhighata (abrasion due to the hand)
Nakha pata (injury caused due to nails)
Danta pata (injury caused due to teeth)
Adhavana (not cleaning the genitalia)
Rati atisevana (excess sexual indulgence)
Yoni pradosha (contact of infected vagina)
Kuyoni gamana (improper/unethical sexual indulgence)

Disease manifestation

Manifestation of Upadamsha:
Due to above said reasons, initially local irritation is caused in the genitalia. In due course of time, if the causative factors are continued or if the local skin lesions are neglected, the condition worsens. Thus all the Doshas get vitiated; especially Vata. It takes the other vitiated doshas all over the body and thus the disease may extend to other areas/organs.Thus the condition Upadamsha (Sexually Transmitter Disease) is resulted.

Types

Types of Upadamsha (Sexually transmitted diseases)
• Vataja upadamsha
• Pittaja upadamsha
• Kaphaja upadamsha
• Sannipathaja upadamsha
• Raktaja upadamsha

Vataja Upadamsha

Features of vataja upadamsha
1. Toda (Pricking sensation)
2. Bheda (Cutting pain)
3. Sphurana (Pulsation)
4. Krishna sphota (Black skin lesions/Gangrene) etc

PittajaUpadamsha

Features of Pittaja Upadamsha
1. Peeta varnata (Yellow discoloration)
2. Bahukledi (Severe oozing/associated with discharge)
3. Sandana (Lesions with numbness) etc

Kaphaja Upadamsha

Features of kaphaja upadamsha
1. Kandu (Itching)
2. Shopha (Oedema)
3. Mahat (Wide infected area)
4. Sravayukta (Lesions associated with discharge) etc

Raktaja Upadamsha

Features of raktaja upadamsha
All features of pittaja upadamsha are found. In addition,
Pishita Avabhasa (necrosed/gangrenous lesions are evident.
Features of sannipataja upadamsha
Mixed features of all the above said signs and symptoms are found.

Upadamsha with bad prognosis

Features of severe Upadamsha (STD) with bad prognosis
1. Visheerna mamsa/shishna(Necrosed/Gangrenous genitalia)
2. Krimiyukta(Worm infested)
3. Prajagdha(Burning and decayed/irreversibly lost tissues)
4. Mushkavashosha(Severely infected scrotal area)
5. Picchila(Slimy/watery discharge associated)
6. Sandhisthita(Chancroid lesions extended even to the joints)

Line of treatment

Line of treatment in Upadamsha
1. Snehana(Oleation)
2. Mridu swedana(Mild sudation)
3. Siravyadhana(Blood letting through venesection)
4. Jaloukavacharana(Leech therapy)
5. Vamana(Emesis)
6. Virechana(Purgation)
7. Raktashodhaka oushadhas(Medicaments purifying the blood) etc

Single herbs

Single herbs useful in Upadamsha
Patola- Pointed Gourd – Cucumerina dioica
Nimba-Neem-Azadirachta indica
Kiratatikta-Swertia chirata
Khadira-Acacia catechu
Asana-Pterocarpus marsupium
Guggulu-Commiphora mukul
Manjishta-Rubia cardifolia
Chandana-Sandal wood-Santalum album
Yashtimadhu-Indian liquorice- Glyccirriza glabra
Haridra-Turmeric-Curcuma longa
Daruharidra-Berberis aristata
Shireesha-Albizia lebbeck
Chopacheeni-Smilax china

Ayurvedic medicines

Ayurvedic medicines useful in Upadamsha
Patoladi kashaya – It is mainly used for the treatment of skin diseases.
Mahatiktakam kashaya – used to treat wide range of skin diseases, abscess, non healing wounds and sinuses.
Maha manjishtadi kashaya – used in the treatment of skin diseases, gout, syphilis, non healing wounds.
Sharibadyasava – used in the treatment of gout, diabetes and related skin complications, skin infections. It is a natural blood detox product.
Nimbamrita kashaya
Panchanimba choorna – used in the treatment of eczema, psoriasis, sinus, fistula, diabetes, etc
Guggulu tiktakam kashayam
Triphala guggulu – used in the Ayurvedic treatment of weight loss, piles, fistula and inflammatory conditions.
Gandhaka rasayana – used to treat chronic fever, skin diseases, diarrhoea, urinary tract disorders, pruritis, malabsorption syndrome, bleeding disorders.
Arogya vardhini vati –  used in the treatment of liver diseases, fever, skin diseases, etc.
Kaishora guggulu – ageing skin health promoter, joint health,  natural blood cleanser.
Swayambhuva guggulu
Karanjadya ghrita
Chopacheeni paka etc

Medicinal formulation mentioned for Phiranga Roga in Sahasra Yoga Text book
Chukkum tippalyadi kashayam

Wholesome diet and habits

Wholesome diet and habits in upadamsha:
Vishrama (rest)
Ushnodaka (warm water)
Ksheranna (milk and rice)
Laghu tarpaka ahara (light and nutritious food)
Madhura amla ahara (sweet and sour food)
Bramacharya (celibacy)
Vratha (disciplinary life)
Prayaschitta (repenting for bad deeds) etc.

According to Yogaratnakara

Day sleep, suppressing the urge of urine, heavy to digest food, sexual intercourse, jaggery, fatigue, sour substances, butter milk etc.

Unwholesome diet and habits

Unwholesome diet and habits in upadamsha :
Atapasevana (exposure to sunrays)
Kshara lavana bhojana (intake of excess salt and alkaline food)
Vyavaya (sexual indulgence)
Ushna-teekshna-katu ahara (warm, penetrative or spicy food)
Ati vyayama (heavy exercise)
Ati jagarana (night awakening) etc.

Last drop
Incidence of sexually transmitted diseases is increasing day by day. Unsafe sex, multiple sexual partners, unethical sex etc are important causes for the STD in recent days. First of all the teenagers are to be well educated regarding the possibility of affliction of STDs, their after effects, socio-personal relationship, post marital consequences etc. Further, control our self is very essential to prevent the chances of such applications.
Single minute happiness should not curb the life and the pleasure of living in this colourful world.
Article by – Dr Krishnamurthy and Dr Hebbar