Homeopathic medicine, treatment and remedies for Filariasis

Some of the most important homeopathic remedies that are helpful in treating filariasis are listed below. The symptoms mentioned under each remedy prompt the homeopathic physician to choose the said remedy.

• Anacardium Orientale
  Common Name: Marking nut
  Symptoms: Anacardium orientale works well in absent-minded people who feel that they are controlled by two wills, one of which commands the person to do what the other forbids. It is an efficacious remedy for elephantiasis with the following characteristics:
  • Vesicular eruptions on skin along with intense itching and swelling
  • Itchy rashes around the knees that extend up to the calves
  • Thickened skin; lichen planus 
  • Muscle cramps with painful contractions in joints
  • A burning sensation in legs and the soles of the feet
  • Memory loss and confusion
  • A sensation of a band or plug around different parts of the body, especially the anus

Symptoms worsen by applying hot water and improve on lying on a side and while eating.

• Apis Mellifica
  Common Name: The honey bee
  Symptoms: Apis mellifica is an excellent remedy for lymphangitis. It is indicated in those suffering from the following symptoms:
  • Enlarged and hardened glands
  • Swelling, puffiness, redness, stinging pains and soreness of the affected parts of the body
  • Oedema in the area of the right groin 
  • Swelling of genital region in women with stinging pains
  • Swelling and enlargement of limbs
  • Stiffness of feet
  • Itching with red, burning rash on the skin

Symptoms worsen with touch or application of pressure, with warm and closed places and the person feels better by cold applications and in open air.

• Arsenicum Album
  Common Name: Arsenic trioxide
  Symptoms: Patients who benefit from arsenicum album have some of the following symptoms:
  • Swelling and pain in the genitals; swollen testes and inflammation of the scrotum
  • Dry, scaly skin with an itchy, burning rash that worsens with cold and scratching
  • Pustules and ulcers on the skin that release offensive fluids
  • Swollen feet
  • Burning pain and ulcers on the heels
  • Weight loss and anaemia
  • Extreme restlessness 
  • Anxiety, especially about health
  • Weakness and exhaustion with the slightest exertion
  • Thirst for small quantities of water at short intervals

Symptoms usually worsen at night and in cold air and get better with warmth.

• Graphites 
  Common Name: Black lead
  Symptoms: Graphites works on the lymphatic system and skin. It is usually prescribed to fat and fair individuals who have a tendency to get constipation and skin conditions. The following symptoms respond well to graphites:
  • Swollen and sensitive inguinal region
  • Hard, swollen breasts with sore, cracked nipples
  • Enlarged ovaries and uterus
  • Swelling of the legs
  • A tendency to get eczema and skin ulcers, which discharge thin, sticky fluid
  • Dry skin
  • Offensive foot sweat
  • Anaemia with redness in face

Symptoms worsen at night and with warmth. Symptoms improve on wrapping the affected part.

• Hydrocotyle Asiatica
  Common Name: Indian pennywort
  Symptoms: Hydrocotyle asiatica is indicated in cases of elephantiasis with the following characteristics:
  • Swelling of the affected region 
  • Dry eruptions on the skin
  • Scaling of skin, exfoliation and appearance of circular red spots on the skin
  • A feeling of tiredness in the muscles of the thighs and calves
  • Excessive perspiration
  • Relaxed scrotal sack with impotence 
  • A sensation as if there is a weight in the rectum along with burning and itchiness in the anus
  • A feeling of dryness in the windpipe along with breathlessness

The person experiences sleepiness throughout the day and keeps on yawning and stretching all the time.

• Iodium 
  Common Name: Iodine
  Symptoms: Iodine suits thin and dark-complexioned people who have enlarged lymphatic glands. It helps treat the following symptoms associated with elephantiasis:
  • Swelling of the abdominal lymph glands (mesenteric lymph nodes) (Read more: Swollen lymph nodes causes)
  • Hard and swollen testicles that later shrink
  • Hydrocele
  • Swelling of the limbs with cold hands and feet
  • Dry skin that looks yellow and wrinkled
  • Swollen breasts, which may shrink and become flabby later
  • Weight loss despite great appetite
  • Extreme weakness and perspiration after the slightest exertion

Symptoms are worse when the person is sitting in a warm room and improve on going out in open air.

• Rhus Toxicodendron
  Common Name: Poison ivy
  Symptoms: Rhus toxicodendron is a very effective remedy for lymphatic filariasis with the following features:
  • Infection and inflammation of the skin
  • Burning eruptions on skin with scaling and severe itching
  • Swelling of the inguinal lymph nodes
  • Swollen, red, thick scrotum with dark red discolouration of the penile region along with intense itching
  • Right side affected more than the left
  • In females, swelling and itching of the vulva

Symptoms are worse in cold and at night, in humid weather, and at while at rest. Symptoms get better in warm and dry weather, by applying warmth on the affected region and by moving about.

Homeopathic remedies are prepared from extremely minute quantities of natural substances, which get easily affected by certain lifestyle and dietary factors. To ensure a rapid recovery and get optimal benefit from these remedies, it is necessary to avoid all of those things. Homeopathic physicians advise the following changes (while on therapy) to promote a speedy recovery.  

 Do’s: 

• Include regular physical activity in your daily schedule. Go for daily walks and do light manual labour to strengthen your muscles. Some exercises also help to relax the mind.
• Take a healthy diet. (Read more: Balanced diet benefits)

Don’ts: 

• Anything in the diet and regimen that can react with homeopathic medicines should be avoided. This includes:
  • Strong-smelling foods and drinks like coffee, herb teas, fine liquors prepared with medicinal spices and spiced chocolate
  • Medicinally compounded tooth powders and mouthwashes 
  • Perfumed sachets 
  • Strong-scented flowers in the room
  • Highly seasoned foods and sauces 
  • Frozen foods like ice creams 
  • Raw herbs on soups, medicinal herbs in foods
  • Celery, parsley, stale cheese and meats 
• Avoid a sedentary lifestyle.
• Do not take long afternoon naps.
• It is important to avoid mental strain to achieve proper health.

In the year 2000, about 120 million people were infected with lymphatic filariasis and 40 million were disfigured and incapacitated by the disease. A total of 886 million people worldwide are under the threat of lymphatic filariasis.

Lymphatic filariasis imposes a physical and psychological burden on the affected individuals. These patients are unable to perform daily activities in a normal manner due to the pain, discomfort and disability. This incapacitation leads to financial problems and dependency on others, which eventually affects a person's mental health, causing depression and anxiety. Chronic symptoms are also considered shameful due to disfigurement of the genitals and lower limbs.

Patients with recurrent attacks are often disappointed with the frequent use of conventional medicines. Homeopathy offers a simple and safer way to manage acute episodes and treat the condition at a deeper level. It also aids in reducing the frequency of subsequent attacks as well as the duration and intensity of symptoms like swelling, pain and fever. The right remedy will not only improve the general state of the patient, including the appetite, weight and energy but also improves the quality of life and mental health, thereby helping the person cope with the social stigma associated with this condition.

Along with relieving the symptoms, homeopathic medicines also treat the susceptibility of a person to certain diseases, called miasm. Several studies indicate the efficiency of homeopathic treatment for filariasis.

In a randomised comparative study done in Odisha, 112 patients who suffered from acute adenolymphangitis (ADL) due to lymphatic filariasis were given either homeopathic treatment or allopathic medicine for six months. At the end of the study, homeopathy was found to be as effective as conventional therapy in the treatment of ADL. However, the study concluded that multi-centric research with larger samples is essential to establish the scientificity of homeopathy.

A single-blind study that was conducted to evaluate the effect of homeopathic treatment on bancroftian filariasis concluded that homeopathic medicines showed a better improved/not improved ratio (2.0) as opposed to cases treated with placebo (0.46).

Homeopathic medicines are prepared from highly diluted natural substances; hence, these are essentially safe and are not known to cause side effects. However, it is important that one seeks help from a qualified homeopathic physician for a correct and genuine homeopathic remedy and its dosage.

Lymphatic filariasis, varying from trivial to most serious forms, can incapacitate people and hinder their day-to-day life greatly. Homeopathy is a very safe mode of medication without any noted side effects. Homeopathic medicines can be taken to relieve acute episodes of filariasis as well as prevent recurrences. A detailed medical history guides the physician to the appropriate remedy for the individual. Homeopathy can be taken as a stand-alone therapy or along with conventional medicine to treat filariasis. Do not take any homeopathic medicine without consulting a doctor.