Toxoplasmosis is an infection caused by a parasite which is mostly acquired from contact with cats and their feaces, or with raw or undercooked meat. Common symptoms of this condition include fever, bodyache, running nose, swollen lymph nodes and muscular aches. While normal people are not much affected by this infection, immuno-compromised people may be severely affected, with the risk of damage to the eyes, brain or other organs. This condition is part of the TORCH infections which can affect pregnant women, often causing recurrent abortions or congenital defects in children.
The Ayurvedic treatment of toxoplasmosis is aimed at treating the symptoms, boosting the immune status of the body and preventing complications in immuno-compromised patients and pregnant women. Medicines like Triphala-Guggulu, Sukshma-Triphala, Gandhak-Rasayan and Ras-Parpati are used to treat the basic infection. Medicines like Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus), Bala (Sida cordifolia), Naagbala (Grewia hirsuta), Samudrashosh (Argyreia speciosa), Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum), Bhrungraj (Eclipta alba), Yashtimadhuk (Glycerrhiza glabra), Bhumiamalaki (Phyllanthus niruri), Abhrak-Bhasma, Trivang-Bhasma, Suvarna-Bhasma, Suvarna-Raj-Vangeshwar-Ras, Maha-Laxmi-Vilas-Ras, Suvarna-Malini-Vasant and Suvarna-Parpati are used to boost the immune status of the affected individual so as to control this infection and prevent long term complications.
Medicines which act on the 'Ras' and 'Rakta' dhatus (tissues) of the body are also useful in treating this condition. These medicines include Kutaj (Holarrhina antidysentrica), Patol (Tricosanthe dioica), Kutki (Picrorrhiza kurroa), Saariva (Hemidesmus indicus), Musta (Cyperus rotundus) and Patha (Cissampelos pareira). In addition, women with a history of recurrent abortions due to confirmed TORCH infections (which include toxoplasmosis infection), can be given medicines in order to prevent abortions and possible congenital defects in the child. These medicines include Nimba (Azadirachta indica), Amalaki (Emblica officinalis), Haritaki (Terminalia chebula), Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia), Draksha (Vitis vinifera), Chandan (Santalum album), Usheer (Vetiveria zizanioidis), Lodhra (Symplocos racemosa), Shatavari, Haridra (Curcuma longa), Daruharidra (Berberis aristata), Mandukparni (Centella asiatica), Saariva, Punarnava (Boerhaavia diffusa), Rasna (Pluchea lanceolata), Manjishtha (Rubia cordifolia), Chirayta (Swertia chirata), Gokshur (Tribulus terrestris), Shalparni (Desmodium gangeticum) and Kantakari (Solanum xanthocarpum). As a precautionary measure, such women should attempt conception only after the TORCH infection has completely resolved.
Prevention is an important aspect in the management of toxoplasmosis infection, especially for immuno-compromised people. All gardening activities should be done while wearing gloves, followed by thorough washing of hands with soap and warm water. The same procedure should be adopted while handling raw meat. All meat, especially pork or veal, should be cooked thoroughly before eating.