Abstract
Pandemic and epidemics have become so common in today's world. This impacts the human in a number of perspectives. These epidemics can affect certain living organisms such as chickens, ducks, buffaloes, cows and humans as well. All of us now have heard in the news about the lumpy skin disease that has been rapidly affecting the cows in almost every state. Lumpy skin disease left many cows skin pigmented and many of the cattle have died of this virus. In the following text, we shall discuss some details of lumpy skin disease and its management. Let's see!!
Introduction
Lumpy skin disease is an infectious condition caused by a virus. Recently, in India almost twenty two states out of twenty nine have reported lumpy skin disease in cows. The disease was first observed in Zambia in 1929, which further spread to most African countries extensively, followed by West Asia, Southeastern Europe and central Asia and more recently spreading to South Asia and China in 2019. Lumpy skin disease is currently endemic in several countries across Africa, parts of West Asia and Turkey. In India over 16 lakh cattle have been affected so far. Nearly 75 thousand cattle have been killed so far by the disease.
Causes of Lumpy Skin Disease
The causative virus is lumpy skin disease virus which belongs to the family of poxviridae. It is also known as Neethling virus.
Incubation period
Between 4 and 14 days post-infection
Signs and symptoms
- Nodules in the skin
- Pyrexia
- Anorexia
- Rhinitis
- Depression
- Conjunctivitis
- Dysgalactia
- Pneumonia
- Lesions in mouth and upper respiratory tract
- Emaciation
- Reduced milk production
Transmission
- The mode of transmission is not clearly understood.
- Epizootiology strongly suggests the involvement of insect vectors such as mosquitoes and flies.
- The virus can be spread through nasal discharge, lacrimal secretions,semen, blood and saliva.
- The disease can also spread via infected milk.
Investigations
- Antigen testing
- Elisa (Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay)
Management of Lumpy Skin Disease
- Goat Pox Vaccine.
- Spread control measures.
- Controlled movement and quarantining of bovine animals.
- Implementing biosecurity through vector control by sanitising sheds and spraying insecticides.
- Strengthening active and passive surveillance.
Ayurvedic aspect and Management of Lumpy Skin Disease
Lumpy skin disease is a condition that occurs due to lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV) which is a member of the capripoxvirus genus of the poxviridae family. In Ayurveda, there is no text available that refers to the lumpy skin disease in particular. Yejella Shri Ramulu Chaudari had written many books on various aspects of cattle and horses including etiopathogenesis and treatment with Ayurvedic drugs from the year 1928. The books included Pashuvaidyacintamani, Pashuvranachikitsa, Bheshajakalpamu, Svasthavrittamu, Pashuchikitsasaramu etc which are filled with great wisdom of ayurvedic veterinary knowledge.
As there is no direct correlation of the lumpy skin disease but we see this condition with the following view, there is mention of aupsargik (infectious) diseases and janpadodhwans (epidemic/pandemic), so as we see the spread of the disease we can establish its correlation with janpadodhwans.
As the condition is related to the skin therefore we can simply relate it with the rakta and pitta dushti. As the dushti leads to the inflammatory, itching and other skin related issues so the management protocol depends on cleansing the blood that will clear or remove the toxins from the bloodstream that would eventually clears the skin also.
The herbal management is based on killing the virus and pacifying the dosha or cleansing the toxins produced by the infective organisms.
Gandhak Rasayan, Punarnava Mandoor, Giloyghan Vati, Khadirarishta, Arogyavardhini vati, Mahamanjishthadi kwath etc are available formulations that effectively manage the lumpy skin disease.
Herbs including neem (Azadirachta indica), lashun (Allium sativum), tulsi (Ocimum sanctum), haridra (Curcuma longa), marich (Piper nigrum) etc are beneficial in cleansing the blood and fights the toxins produced by the infectious agents.
Herbal Remedies for Lumpy Skin Disease by Planet Ayurveda
Planet Ayurveda is a well known GMP certified, ISO 9001:2015 certified and US-FDA registered Ayurvedic Company, which adhered to the aim of manufacturing quality Ayurvedic products as mentioned in the various ancient texts of Ayurveda. formulations are manufactured without additives and preservatives and other kinds of chemicals or artificial flavouring agents which causes a number of side effects on the human body. Products prepared at Planet Ayurveda are pure and do not contain any kind of adulteration. The products are purely organic and vegetarian and gluten free. Planet Ayurveda presents its products which are beneficial in Lumpy Skin Disease.
Following is the list of products that are great in managing Lumpy Skin Disease
- GANDHAK RASAYAN
- GILOYGHAN VATI
- NEEM CAPSULES
- KAISHORE GUGGUL
Product Description
1. GANDHAK RASAYAN
Gandhak Rasayan is a classical formulation in tablet form and contains shuddha gandhak ( purified sulphur). Gandhak Rasayan benefits the body in a number of conditions. It reduces fever, treats skin conditions such as rashes and blisters and acts as a potent antimicrobial, antiviral, antibacterial, anti inflammatory, anthelmintic, antioxidant and antipyretic agent. With all these properties Gandhak Rasayan is beneficial as it reduces lumps and inflammation of the skin by its anti-inflammatory properties. And also soothes the skin and provides a healthy skin. Therefore with these wonderful actions, Gandhak rasayan is a marvellous medicine that manages the lumpy skin disease to the maximum.
Dosage : Two tablets thrice a day after meal with plain water
2. GILOYGHAN VATI
Giloyghan vati is filled with the rasayana properties of herb giloy ( Tinospora cordifolia) and it is ghan ( concentrated part) of giloy. As giloy is rasayan it affects every system of the body positively. Furthermore, giloy cleanses the blood and removes toxins out of it. Giloy pacifies all the three dosha thus benefiting in the condition of lumpy skin disease. As it cleanses the blood and pacifies the pitta dosha thus overcomes the condition of lumpy skin disease.
Dosage : Two tablets thrice a day after meal with plain water
3. NEEM CAPSULES
Neem capsules is a miraculous ayurvedic herbal remedy for skin health consisting of pure herbal standardised extract of single herb neem (Azadirachta indica) . This formulation is rich in several properties such as tikta ( bitter) and kshaya ( astringent) taste and sheeta ( cold) potency. The herbal remedy purifies the blood, prevents the growth of free radicals, flush out toxins and maintains healthy skin. As per ayurveda neem possesses various health benefits such as grahi ( cleans moisture from the skin), pittahara ( reduces pitta dosha), krumihara ( alleviates worm infestation), vranahara ( heals wounds). Due to anti-inflammatory properties and reducing the abnormal lumps and antiviral properties helps in management of lumpy skin disease.
Dosage : Two capsules twice a day after meal with plain water
4. KAISHORE GUGGUL
Kaishore Guggul is a classical ayurvedic formulation which is beneficial in a number of disorders. It possesses antiinflammatory, healing and blood purifying properties. The formulation contains a variety of herbs such as guggulu ( Commiphora mukul), amalaki ( Emblica officinale), bibhitaki ( Terminalia bellirica), haritaki ( Terminalia chebula), guduchi ( Tinospora cordifolia), shunthi ( Zingiber officinale), black pepper ( Piper nigrum) etc. the herbs pacifies the vata, kapha and pitta dosha. Above mentioned properties makes kaishore guggul a must used remedy in the managing lumpy skin disease.
Dosage : Two tablets thrice a day after meal with plain water
Conclusion
Lumpy skin disease has become a topic of concern as it started affecting the health of cattle and also its impact has started to appear on the economical aspect. So as it is spreading like wildfire, therefore the scenario needs to be taken seriously. And many cattle have died of lumpy skin disease, though the government is planning its containment at an authoritarian level. But the treatment and management of the lumpy skin disease is not offering much help. In this condition, Ayurveda promises to manage the condition perfectly and the above mentioned products of Planet Ayurveda are really beneficial in the condition of lumpy skin disease. Thus choosing ayurveda to take good care of cattle is necessary in the present times.
