Jaundice Home Remedies - Get Rid of Jaundice

Jaundice is primarily a symptom of a deeper underlying disorder, mainly of hepatic origin as in the case of infective and cholestatic jaundice whereas haemolytic jaundice is mainly caused by breakdown of red blood cells due to a variety of conditions. Usually the concentration of bilirubin in the blood must exceed 2-3 mg / dL for the coloration to be easily visible. Jaundice is the yellowish staining of the skin and sclerae (the whites of the eyes) that is caused by high levels in blood of the chemical bilirubin. The color of the skin and sclerae vary depending on the level of bilirubin. Bilirubin is a natural product arising from the normal breakdown of red blood cells in the body and is excreted in the bile, through the actions of the liver. Jaundice occurs when bilirubin builds up faster than a newborn's liver can break it down and pass it from the body. Bilirubin is then carried in the bloodstream to the liver and is excreted into the intestine as a component of bile (the digestive fluid produced by the liver). If bilirubin cannot be excreted into bile quickly enough, it builds up in the blood. Jaundice is common in newborn babies and will usually clear without treatment. However, for adults the symptoms of jaundice usually indicate damage to the liver. If the cause of the jaundice is not treated, liver failure can result.

Jaundice is not a disease but rather a sign that can occur in many different diseases. A common condition in newborns, jaundice refers to the yellow color of the skin and whites of the eyes caused by excess bilirubin in the blood. Although jaundice is most often the result of a disorder affecting the liver it can be caused by a variety of other conditions affecting for example the blood or spleen. Bilirubin is a yellowish pigment that is produced from the breakdown of heme, mostly from hemoglobin and red blood cells (RBCs). During this process, hemoglobin, the part of red blood cells that carries oxygen, is broken down into a dark greenish yellow pigment called bilirubin. Usually jaundice in newborns develops about 24 hours after birth; in healthy breast-fed babies, jaundice almost always appears to some degree about 2 to 4 days after birth. However, your baby should be watched closely. Rarely, excessive amounts of bilirubin build up in the blood and lead to brain damage (kernicterus), which can result in hearing loss, mental retardation, and behavior problems.

Herbal Medicines and Natural Home Remedies for Jaundice

Diet: Should be properly planned and the patient must not do strenuous work. Sweet substances and liquids, fruit juices, dry grapes etc are recommended.

Sugarcane and Lemon Juice: One glass of sugarcane juice and half a lemon should be taken twice daily. It should be prepared at -home and should be free from any infection, as it may cause worsening of jaundice.

Barley Water: On cup of barley, boiled in 3 litres of water for 3 hours should be drunk several times daily.

Plpal Bark: Another popular remedy is to strip a piece of bark of pipal tree and soak it overnight in a glass of water. The next morning, patient is made to drink that glass of water on empty stomach which promotes urine fonnation and quick recovery.

Jaundice Berry: 'Berberis vultaus' or jaundice berry is very useful. The pulverised bark can be given in the dose of one fourth teaspoonful two or three times a day or fluid extract in the dosage of 2-4 m1 can be given.

Solanum Nigrum: (Kakmachi): Crushed leaves and stem of Solanwn nigrum can be used and one tsfof juice extracted should be given at least twice a day.

Pigeon Pea leaves: 60 ml of the juice extracted from the leaves of this leguminous plant should be given to a patient of jaundice.

Cardamoms and Almonds: Five small cardamoms, eight kernels of almonds and two dried dates should be soaked overnight in water. Outer coating of almond kernels and inner seeds of dried dates should be removed next morning and a fine paste should be fonned which should be mixed with 50 gms of sugar and butter and licked.

Extract of Apamarg (Achyranthes aspera): The entire plant of Apamarg can be used to prepare apamarg kshar which is useful in this disease.

Radish Leaves: Green leaves of radish are another useful remedy for jaundice. Half a litre of juice should be taken daily by an adult. It help in increasing appetite.

Tomato: A glass of tomato juice with a bit of spices taken on empty stomach is very useful.

Snake Gourd: 15 gm of dry leaves are cooked in 250 ml of boiling water and an infusion is prepared. Next a decoction of coriander seeds is made by boiling 1 tsf in 500 ml of water. The two decoctions are given thrice daily in doses of 30-60 ml depending on the severity of disease.

Bitter Luffa: Juice of bitter luffa is considered as a powerful remedy for jaundice. The juice is taken as 1-2 drops through nostrils resulting in copious yellow discharge from the nose. In some of the patients, who are primarily allergic in nature, this therapy causes many side effects like headache. fever, urticaria etc and should therefore be used with caution.

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