Role of Ayurveda in the Management of Helicobacter Pylori Infection

H. pylori is a gram- negative, microaerobic bacterium with a worldwide distribution in the acid –secreting gastroduodenal mucosa of man. H. pylori colonization itself is not a disease, but infection causes various clinical disorders in the upper gastrointestinal tract. Combination antibiotic therapy is advocated as its first line of treatment. But development of resistance to antibiotics, undesirable side effects and significant cost of the therapy makes it very difficult for the effective management of the condition. Moreover, compliance with the antibiotic regimen which is usually administered for 14-21 days is a big hindrance to the successful management of H. pylori. The need of the hour is to search for an alternative natural therapeutic agent which should be cost effective, devoid of undesirable side effects and must be easily available to the common people. Recent studies have suggested that H. pylori infection can be suppressed through the use of medicinal plants. In this context, recent research study reports reflect that gastro-protective medicinal plants as described in Ayurvedic Texts like Sunthi (Zingiber officinale), Rasona (Allium sativum), Kampillaka (Mallotus philipinensis), Kalajaji (Nigella sativa), Chitraka (Plumbago zeylanica), Sarpunkha (Tephrosia purpurea), Haridra (Curcuma longa), Amragandhi Haridra (Curcuma amada) and Twak (Cinnamomum spp.) possess significant anti- Helicobacter pylori activity. Therefore, it is concluded that inclusion of natural antioxidants in the normal, daily diet may be the best remedial measure for continued protection from H. pylori infection. They are nontoxic in nature and hence can be used safely.