Ayurvedic Management of Yakrit Vidradhi (Hepatic Abscess)

Abstract

Liver abscess is one of the most common visceral abscesses in low- and middle-income countries, primarily caused by parasitic or bacterial infections. It typically presents with as fever, chills, night sweats, malaise, nausea, vomiting, right upper quadrant abdominal pain, referred pain to the right shoulder, cough, dyspnoea, and anorexia. In Ayurveda, Liver Abscess may be correlated with Yakrit Vidradhi, one of the ten types of Antarvidradhi described in classical text. Case presentation: A 51-year-old male patient presented with generalized fatigue and dyspnoea on exertion. Following an incomplete resolved liver abscess that had been managed conservatively elsewhere with intravenous antibiotics. He was treated with oral Ayurvedic medicines and Pathya-Apathya (wholesome-unwholesome diet) based on Ayurveda perspectives was also advised to the patient. The total duration of the treatment was three months. Improvement was assessed based on relief in the symptoms and serial ultrasonography (USG) of the abdomen. Complete relief in all symptoms was noted after completion of the treatment. The USG findings revealed a complete resolution of liver abscess. Residual small hypoechoic area in segment VIII of liver. No complications or adverse effects were observed during the treatment period, and the patient remained stable and asymptomatic throughout the 3-month follow-up period. This case report demonstrates the effectiveness of Ayurvedic approaches in managing liver abscesses. Outcome: Complete symptomatic relief was achieved. Serial USG demonstrated. Progressive reduction in abscess volume, with near complete radiographic resolution and only a small residual hypoechoic area in segment viii of the liver at final follow-up. No complication or adverse effects occurred during treatment or the follow-up period. Conclusion: This case suggests that a classically guided Ayurvedic protocol may be a safe effective, conservative option in carefully selected patient with liver abscess.