Overview of Jaundice
Jaundice is actually defined as a discoloration of the eye, skin, and the body tissues. The yellow color is due to the substance that appears in the blood called bilirubin. This substance is a byproduct of the breakdown of the red blood corpuscles which form a very important and integral cellular component of the human body. However, jaundice can happen to people of all ages and is normally the result of an underlying condition. Jaundice normally indicates a problem with the liver or bile duct.
Symptoms of Jaundice
Jaundice may be caused by several different disease processes. It is helpful to understand the different causes of jaundice by identifying the problems in detail. Some of the common symptoms are specified underneath:
- Yellow colored eyes
- Fever
- Lack of appetite
- Lethargy and weakness
- The dark yellow color of urine and stools
- Pain on the right side of the upper abdomen occasionally
- The yellow color of the tongue, mouth, skin, and nails
- Nausea and dizziness
Classification of Jaundice
Jaundice can be broadly classified into two simple types:
- A defect in the structure and/or the composition of the red blood corpuscles cause their premature destruction, raising the level of bilirubin in the red blood and precipitating jaundice
- The liver secretes a digestive juice called bile which facilitates the digestion of the fat content in food. The liver detoxifies the toxic bilirubin and releases it into the bile. The bile flows from the liver into a pouch called gallbladder and from there through a narrow ‘pipe’ called ‘common bile duct’ into the intestines where it exerts its actions. Any obstruction the flow of bile along this bile duct due to stone, the cancerous growth, infection, raise bilirubin level in the blood leading to jaundice
Remedies to cure Jaundice
Some of the best natural remedies to cure jaundice have been specified underneath:
- Tinospora creeper – Leaves of Tinospora creeper closely resembles that of the hugely popular decorative plant, the money plant. commonly known as heart-leaved moonseed. A three-inch long stem of this creeper is crushed to extract the juice. The juice is mixed with equal quantity of honey and consumed three times a day. Immediately, jaundice comes under control and the fever, lethargy, weakness, and loss of appetite are cured
- Picrorhiza kurroa – Root of picrorhiza kurroa is dried and powdered. One spoon of powder mixed with honey is consumed early in the morning on an empty stomach. This medicine relieves constipation and helps in the outflow of accumulated bile-juice from the gall-bladder
- Azadirachta indica – A bunch of its leaves is washed in running water and crushed. Half a spoon of crushed leaves mixed with equal amount of honey is consumed three times a day. This medicine is especially effective against itching
- Turmeric – Paste formed by grounded turmeric and water should be consumed. A quarter spoon of the paste should be consumed thrice a day
- Aloe vera – Leaves of this plant have thick bear thorns along their margins and exude a thick gum like “resin” when plucked. A few leaves are washed in running water and crushed to extract the juice. Two spoons of this juice are consumed thrice a day
- Dead nettle white – The leaves of a dead nettle white plant are crushed and the juice thus extracted is decanted well. One drop of this juice is put into each eye of the jaundice patient. It is believed that this medicine increases tear production and helps in the fading of the yellow color in the eye
- Barley – Mix 1 teaspoon of roasted barley powder with a glass of water. Add 1 teaspoon of honey to it and have this twice a day
- Basil – Add 1 teaspoon paste of basil leaves to a glassful of radish juice. Have this juice twice a day for 15-20 days
- Sugarcane juice – Drink one to two glasses of sugarcane juice a day until condition improves
- Garlic – Add a few cloves of minced garlic to your daily diet and consume. You can also chew on the garlic cloves directly
- Ginger – Add an inch or two of minced garlic to a cup of water. Bring it to a boil in a saucepan. Allow it to steep for 5 minutes and strain. Consume it while it is warm
- Papaya – Prepare a fine paste using tender papaya leaves and take about half teaspoon of this paste along with water
Disclaimer: Nothing in this article is to be construed as medical advice, nor it is intended to replace the recommendations of a medical professional. For specific questions, please consult a specialist for advice.