Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a condition where the kidneys slowly stop working as well as they should. Our kidneys clean our body by removing waste and extra water, so if they get damaged, our whole health can be affected. The two most common causes are diabetes and high blood pressure.
The report was published in the Journal of Ayurveda & Holistic Medicine in December 2023. It was written by Poonam Dang, Sakshi Badyal, Puneet Dhawan, and H. S. Tiwari. It describes a 45-year-old man with CKD who took Ayurvedic treatment. In four months, his serum creatinine level dropped a lot, and some of his symptoms got better too.
Let's look at what actually happened!
What is chronic kidney disease?
In CKD, the kidneys get damaged slowly over time. The damage happens to the nephrons, which are tiny filters inside the kidneys. When more and more nephrons are damaged, the kidneys can't clean the blood properly.
Doctors divide CKD into five stages using something called GFR (Glomerular Filtration Rate). It tells us how well the kidneys are filtering blood. The lower the GFR, the more serious the kidney problem is.
Some common causes and risk factors are:
- Diabetes and high blood pressure
- Polycystic Kidney Disease
- Some immune system conditions
- Repeated kidney infections or kidney stones
- Using certain medicines (like some painkillers) for a long time
- Getting older, or having kidney disease in the family
At the start, CKD may not show any clear signs. Later, a person may feel tired, get swelling in the feet, feel sick to the stomach, lose their appetite, have itching or anaemia, or notice changes in their urine.
The Patient's Story
The patient was a 45-year-old man from Assam. In January 2023, he contacted Karma Ayurveda for an online consultation.
He had diabetes for about 20 years and high blood pressure for 4 years. For around two months, he also had constipation, tiredness, and swollen feet.
His blood test on January 19, 2023 showed a serum creatinine level of 3.6 mg/dL. Creatinine is a waste product made by our muscles. Healthy kidneys filter it out through urine, but when the kidneys aren't working well, it builds up in the blood. That's why doctors check serum creatinine to see how the kidneys are doing.
He had also smoked and drunk alcohol regularly for six years. When he was examined, the doctors saw swelling in his legs and a coated tongue.
The Treatment
After checking him, the Ayurvedic team gave him a plan with herbal medicines and diet changes. It went on for four months. The medicines were:
- Ren Plus Ultra Kwatha Churna: 10 grams before meals
- Renal Plus Tablets: two 400 mg tablets, three times a day after meals
- Arka Nephrowin: 20 ml twice a day, mixed with the same amount of water, after meals
- SPGV Tablets: two 250 mg tablets, twice a day after meals
- DOD Kadha: 10 grams twice a day before meals
He was also told to avoid milk and milk products, and some vegetables like cabbage, spinach, and brinjal. The whole plan was made keeping in mind his kidney problem, diabetes, and high blood pressure.
How Did the Herbs Help?
According to the paper, every herb had its own job.
- Gokshura: This was one of the main herbs in Renal Plus. The paper says it has rejuvenating properties, helps urine flow, and may help lower serum creatinine.
- Punarnava and Shatavari: These were added for their rejuvenating effect. The paper says they may support the kidney tissues and keep them healthier. It also mentions earlier studies suggesting Shatavari might help reduce creatinine.
- Trina Panchamoola: This mix was part of Ren Plus Ultra Kwatha. It may support kidney function and urine flow. It also has antioxidant activity, which may protect the body from damage caused by free radicals (harmful molecules).
- Gudmar, Karela and other herbs: Since the patient had diabetes for 20 years, DOD Kadha was included. It had Gudmar, Karela, Neem, Jamun, and Guduchi, which the paper says may help keep blood sugar normal.
- Sarpagandha: Because of his high blood pressure, the SPGV tablets had Sarpagandha. Its active compound, reserpine, is known to lower blood pressure.
So the treatment wasn't just about the kidneys. It also looked after his other health problems.
What Happened After Four Months?
The biggest finding was the change in his creatinine level.
- Before treatment: 3.6 mg/dL (January 19, 2023)
- After four months: 0.61 mg/dL
His constipation, tiredness, and foot swelling also got better. These results were very encouraging, and they were the main findings of the report.
How Does Ayurveda See Kidney Problems?
In Ayurveda, kidney problems come under Mutravaha Srotas Vikar, which means disorders of the urinary system.
Ayurveda says CKD may happen when the three Doshas (Vata, Pitta, and Kapha) go out of balance. The paper especially talks about Vata imbalance, weak digestion, and blockages in the body's tiny channels.
So Ayurvedic treatment focuses on:
- Improving digestion and how the body uses nutrients
- Balancing the three Doshas
- Supporting normal urine flow
- Reducing extra salt and water in the body
- Using rejuvenating herbs to support the body's tissues
So, What Can We Learn?
This case report shows that Ayurvedic treatment may have a role in managing CKD. After four months, the patient's creatinine dropped a lot, and his constipation, tiredness, and swelling improved.
