A lung abscess is an infection of the lungs accompanied by pus accumulation and tissue destruction, which may be caused either due to anaerobic bacteria or aerobic bacteria. Aspirated contents from the mouth, poor oral hygiene with dental or gum disease, and septic, pulmonary emboli are strongly associated with lung abscess. Common symptoms include cough, expectoration of mucous with blood or pus, chest pain, breathlessness, chills, fever, body ache, weight loss and local lung complications.
The Ayurvedic treatment of lung abscess is aimed at treating the symptoms and facilitating early resolution and healing. Medicines like Ras-Sindur, Malla-Sindur, Sameer-Pannag-Ras, Shrung-Bhasma and Pushkarmool (Inula racemosa) are used to treat the basic lung infection. Other medicines are added to this combination to facilitate drainage of pus and mucous from the abscess site. Medicines used for this include Shwas-Kuthar-Ras, Sitopaladi-Churna, Talisadi-Churna, Navsagar, Pippali (Piper longum), Yashtimadhuk (Glycerrhiza glabra), Kushtha (Saussurea lappa), Kantakari (Solanum xanthocarpum), Bruhat-Kantakari (Solanum indicum), Som (Ephedra vulgaris), Karkatashrungi (Pistichia integerima), Kulingan (Alpimia galangal), Dhatura (Dhatura fastuosa) and Vasa (Adhatoda vasaka).
Medicines like Tribhuvan-Kirti-Ras, Sukshma-Triphala, Triphala-Guggulu, Maha-Sudarshan-Churna and Panch-Tikta-Ghrut-Guggulu are used to treat fever, chest pain and body ache. Medicines like Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum), Bhrungraj (Eclipta alba), Pippali, Marich (Piper nigrum), Amalaki (Emblica officinalis), Suvarna-Malini-Vasant, Suvarna-Bhasma and Abhrak-Bhasma are used to improve the immune status of the body and strengthen the lungs.
In addition, local applications on the skin above the affected lung are made using medicines like Mahanarayan oil, Mahamash oil, Mahasaindhav oil, Vishgarbha oil and Dashang lep. This is followed by localized steam fomentation of the affected area using medicines like Dashmool-Qadha and Nirgundi-Qadha. These procedures help to reduce chest pain and clear secretions from the lung abscess; thereby aiding in the healing process.
Postural drainage is very important to help discharge of necrotic material and mucopurulent secretions out of the lungs. Patients may require treatment for several months for a complete resolution and healing of the lung abscess. It is important to distinguish between lung abscess and other underlying diseases like lung cancer.
