Management of Epileptic Seizures through an Integrated Approach including Yagya Therapy

Abstract

Background: Epileptic seizure is a neurological condition in which brief to long episodes of vigorous shaking, convulsions, blackouts, fainting, unresponsiveness, jerks, etc. occur in the patients. Current treatment approaches are anti-seizure medicines, which patients are bound to take throughout life. These medications are mostly not able to reverse or eradicate the condition. 
 Purpose: As per the classical texts of Ayurveda, Apasmara is a disease that has similar symptoms as those found in epilepsy; it is of four types wherein either one of the three Doshas, i.e. Vata, Pitta, and Kapha, is predominantly vitiated, or there is an imbalance of all the three Doshas. Hence, the medicinal herbs that balance the respective doshas, are used in the Ayurvedic treatment of epileptic seizures. Various plant extracts or their derivatives have been found to be effective in the treatment of epilepsy. Yagya Therapy provides pulmonary inhalation of medicinal smoke of multiple herbs (generated through oblation in fire along with chanting of Vedic hymns), which have the potential for seizure treatment.
 Methods: A case report about a male patient, who was suffering from epileptic seizures since past 13 years, as well as other associated ailments has been presented in this article. The patient was prescribed an integrated approach including Yagya Therapy (using an appropriate herbal formulation - hawan samagri), and some other Ayurvedic treatments like decoction of medicinal herbs, Ayurvedic medicines, dietary restrictions, etc.
 Results: Before starting the integrated approach including Yagya Therapy, the patient used to experience seizure episodes, at least once every 7 to 10 days; however, after starting the integrated approach, the patient did not experience any seizure episode up to his second visit, i.e. for about 54 days. He also experienced relief in other associated ailments like vibration in the entire body.
 Conclusion: The integrated approach including Yagya Therapy showed encouraging results with regards to the treatment of epileptic seizures and other associated ailments.