Leptospirosis is an infectious disease that humans get when mucous membranes or lacerated skin come in contact with contaminated environmental sources. Rats are the most common reservoir for infection. Common symptoms include fever, chills, bodyache, intense headache, meningitis, enlargement of liver and spleen, uveitis, kidney failure, cough and hemoptysis.
The Ayurvedic treatment of leptospirosis is aimed at treating the symptoms and preventing complications like liver and kidney failure. Medicines like Tribhuvan-Kirti, Laxmi-Narayan-Ras, Sukshma-Triphala and Maha-Sudarshan-Churna are used to treat fever. Headache and bodyache can be treated using medicines like Triphala-Guggulu, Yograj-Guggulu, Maha-Rasnadi-Guggulu, Pathyadi-Qadha, Laghu-Sutshekhar-Ras and Godanti-Bhasma. Cough, sore throat and chest pain can be treated using medicines like Sitopaladi-Churna, Talisadi-Churna, Kantakari-Avaleha, Vasa-Avaleha, Yashtimadhuk (Glycerrhiza glabra), Pippali (Piper longum), Pushkarmool (Inula racemosa), Kushtha (Saussurea lappa) and Som (Ephedra vulgaris).
Hemoptysis and bleeding from other sites can be treated using medicines like Vasa (Adhatoda vasaka), Naagkeshar (Messua ferrea), Laxa (Purified wax) and Sphatik-Bhasma. Symptoms of meningitis and neurological involvement can be treated using medicines like Kaishor-Guggulu, Panch-Tikta-Ghrut-Guggulu, Tapyadi-Loh, Ekang-Veer-Ras, Maha-Vat-Vidhwans-Ras, Agnitundi-Vati and Bruhat-Vat-Chintamani-Ras. Abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea can be treated using medicines like Laghu-Sutshekhar-Ras, Shankh-Vati, Praval-Panchamrut-Ras, Kutaj-Parpati, Panchamrut-Parpati and Bilva-Avaleha.
Enlargement of the liver and spleen, and jaundice are treated using medicines like Arogya-Vardhini, Bhunimbadi-Qadha, Punarnavadi-Qadha, Guduchyadi-Qadha, Kutki (Picrorrhiza kurroa), Tamra-Bhasma, Kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata), Bhrungraj (Eclipta alba), Bhumiamalaki (Phyllanthus niruri), Rohitak (Tecoma undulata) and Sharpunkha (Tephrosia purpurea). Involvement of the eyes can be treated using medicines like Saptamrut-Loh, Punarnavadi-Guggulu, Triphala-Ghrut, Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus) and Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum). Impending kidney failure can be treated using medicines like Gokshuradi-Guggulu, Punarnavadi-Qadha, Chandraprabha-Vati, Maha-Manjishthadi-Qadha, Saarivadi-Churna and Gomutra-Haritaki.
Most patients affected with leptospirosis eventually recover completely within a few weeks. Ayurvedic medicines can be given in this condition mainly to speed up the recovery process and to prevent serious complications like meningitis, severe jaundice, respiratory failure and kidney failure.
