INTRODUCTION-
The third chapter of charak chikitsasthana is called jwara chikitsa. Jwara in general terms can translate as fever. Jwara (Fever) is a disease which affects the body, mind, senses simultaneously. It diminishes the intelligence, strength, complexion and enthusiasm of the sufferer and produces exhaustion, exertion and hatred to food. It should be treated considering its Avastha, causative factors and involved Dosha.
Nidana (general cause) of jwara-
According to vaghbatt
Viprakrashta Nidana -mithyaahara
Synonyms Of Jwara-
Jwara-a disease which alleviates body temperature
Ragapati -superior among all disease
Rogaraja -king of various diseases
Papma -disease caused by previous sins
Mrityu -disease which may lead to death
Antaka -disease which may lead to death
Ojhkshaya-disease which destroys ojha
Krodha-fever is caused by anger (krodha) associated with anger
Types of jwara
1. Nija jwara- 7 sub types- Vataj 2.pittaj 3.kaphaj 4.vaat pittaj 5.kapha pittaj 6.vaat kaphaj 7.sannipataj (tridoshaj)
- Abhighatj 2.Abhicharaj 3. Abhishapj 4. Abhishangaj
- Based on Adhisthana- Sharira and Manas
- Veganusar -4 types Antarvega, Bahirvega, Avisargi and Visargi
- Dushyanusar -7types Rasaj, Raktaj, Mansaj, Medaj, Ashtij, Majjajanya, and Shukraj
- Based on Ama -Sama jwara, Pachyaman jwara and Nirama jwara
- Based on kala-Prakrita and Vaikrita
Premonitory Symptom (Poorvaroopa) Of Jwara-
Alashyam-lethargy
Nayana aasre-excessive lacrimation
Jrambhana-yawning
Gauravam -heaviness
Klama-mental fatigue
Jwalna, Aatapa, Vayuand Ambu Bhakti Dwesha uncertainly about liking and disliking for fire, sun, wind and water
Avipaka -indigestion
Vairasya -anorexia
Bala hani -depletion in strength and complexion
Alpa sheel vikruti-slight change in conduct
Symptoms (Roopa) of jwara-
Absence of sweating
Increased body temperature
Burning sensation over body and mind (Chitt)
Pathogenesis (Smaprapti) of jwara-
Mithya aahar and Vihara are the main causative factors for the manifestation of any disease. The evulsion of Ama is root cause of jwara. Due to hypo-functioning of ushma/kayagni/digestive fire meal which is not properly digested results in formation of immature rasa (poorly digested chyle) in stomach. Immature rasa is known as Ama. Ama is unable to nourish the dhatu.
Then the causative factors of jwara (fever) will increase vata, pitta and kapha in the body. These increased doshas reach the Aamashya (Stomach), the combine with Ama along with rasa dhatu and circulate the all over body by the kaphagni will also mixed with this Rasa dhatu and circulates all over the body along with increased doshas and produces the fever (jwara). Ama obstructs the Swedavaha strotas because of the snigdha and pichchhila properties. The absence of sweating also increases the body temperature.
Phase of jwara-
Ama jwara- Indigested rasa due to the diminished digestive fire (Mandagni) and the rasa which is doshayukta, situated in stomach are known as Ama. Ama rasa spread all over the body and cause ama jwara. In ama condition food and medicines are avoided. Therefore, deepana and pachana treatment is opted. If the shodhana or shaman aushdhis are administered it converts Ama jwara to vishama jwara.
Pachyaman jwara - the vega of jwara (Fever) will be teevra, excessive thirst (Polydipsia) , shwasa, pralapa (Delirium), bhrama(vertigo)etc. are the symptoms (lakshanas) of pachyamana jwara.
Nirama jwara - in 8 days jwara comes to normal. Hunger emaciation, laghuta, mala mutra pravriti
Chikitsa Sutra (Line of treatment) of Jwara( Fever) In Ayurveda-
- During nava jwara, one should avoid sleep during day time, bath, massage, heavyfood, anger, exercise and exposure to wind.
- Langhana or fasting- in the first stage of fever, fasting/langhana is prescribed.the purpose of langhana treatment is make the body light by relieving heaviness.
- Shadanga paniya- for the alleviation of thirst (trut) and jwara, the patient should be given water boiled with Musta, Parpatka, Ushira, Chandana,Udeecchya and Nagar. After boiling, the water should be made lukewarm every time before administration.
- Use Of Vamaka dravya(Emetics)- if the jwara is dominated by kapha dosha and if this dosha is situated in the stomach then kapha should be removed by administered of emetics (Vamaka dravya).
- Use of Yavagu- after the patient has been administered emetic therpy and after he is kept on fasting (langhana) he should be given yavagu (gruel).
- Kashayapana- for pachana or shamana decoctions of herbs is used.
- Langhana karma(light diet)- for palliation of jwara up to the 10 th day, the patient should be given to eat light diet along with yusha. Yusha is prepared from pulses, vegetables and jangala mamsa rasa.
- Use of herbal ghee- if fever does not get alleviated by the use of kashaya, langhan karma, yavagapana and vamana then it is treated by medicated ghee. Medicated ghee is also used in a person having excessive dryness and hotness due to vaatj jwara and pitta jwara.
- Use of milk- in jwara milk is used when excess of burning sensation and thirst. When the fever is dominated by vata and pitta dosha. In Nirama jwara conditions milk can be administered.
- Virechana and basti in jwara-if jwara does not subside by the shaman chikitsa then virechana (purgation) and Basti can be administered. These procedures are suitable for the patient has good bala (Immunity), Agni (digestive fire) and Mamsa (Muscles strength).
