Ayurvedic management of alcoholic liver cirrhosis: A case report

Abstract

Background: Chronic liver cirrhosis is a condition in which the normal function is replaced by scar tissue and regenerating nodules. In Ayurveda, alcoholic liver cirrhosis can be correlated with Jalodara in advanced stages. Ayurveda aims to improve quality of life through holistic interventions. Clinical findings: A 50-year-old male patient characterised by abdominal distension (abdominal girth 89 cm) with mild breathlessness, generalised weakness, bilateral pedal oedema, oliguria, low serum albumin (2.4 mg/dL), hyperbilirubinemia (14.3 mg/dL) and ultrasonography shows altered coarse liver parenchyma, dilated portal vein (17 mm), splenomegaly (11.5 cm) with moderate to severe free fluid collection. Intervention: This case was managed with vardhamana pippali, therapeutic purgation and internal medications. Outcome: Oedema resolved, urine output increased up to 1400 ml, dyspnoea and abdominal heaviness were alleviated in just one month of treatment. Abdominal girth decreased (23 cm) and liver function also improved as serum albumin reached up to 4.0 g/dL, and bilirubin become normal (0.6 mg/dL). Ultrasonography of abdomen shows normal liver, borderline splenomegaly (9.8 cm) with no evidence of ascites. Conclusion:This case highlights the potential role of individualized Ayurvedic management, including therapeutic purgation, internal medications and dietary regulation in the management of alcoholic liver cirrhosis with ascites. Significant improvement was observed in clinical symptoms, laboratory parameters, child-pugh score, and imaging outcomes. The sustained clinical recovery without adverse effects suggests that Ayurveda may offer a supportive and holistic approach in the management of advanced liver disease.