Amyloidosis is a group of diseases that result from the abnormal deposition of a particular protein, called amyloid, in various tissues of the body. This condition can be localized or systemic. The protein that is deposited in the brain of Alzheimer’s disease patients is a form of localized amyloid. Systemic amyloidosis can be primary, secondary, or hereditary. Prolonged renal failure can cause beta-2 microglobulin amyloidosis.

Symptoms in patients with amyloidosis result from abnormal functioning of the organs involved such as the heart, kidneys, liver, intestines, skin, nerves, joints, and lungs. Ayurvedic treatment of this condition aims to treat the symptoms that occur and prevent organ failure. Medicines that specifically act on the seven dhatus (tissues) of the body are used according to the known involvement of tissues and organs. Especially, drugs acting on ‘Rakta’, ‘Mansa’ and ‘Meda’ dhatus are used to prevent or reduce protein deposition. These medicines include Patol (Tricosanthe dioica), Kutki (Picrorrhiza kurroa), Saariva (Hemidesmus indicus), Patha (Cissampelos pareira), Musta (Cyperus rotundus), Triphala (Three Fruits), Nimba (Azadirachta indica), Kutaj (Holarrhina antidysentrica) , Chirayta (Swertia chirata), Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia), Chandan (Santalum album) and Vishwa (Zinziber officinalis).

Also, medicines like Arogya-Vardhini, Triphala-Guggulu, Punarnavadi-Guggulu and Medohar-Guggulu are used for generalized therapeutic action throughout the body. The most common cause of death in systemic amyloidosis is renal failure. To prevent this, special emphasis is placed on treating the kidneys, using medications such as Gokshuradi-Guggulu, Chandraprabha-Vati, and Punarnavadi-Qadha. Medications like Suvarna-Malini-Vasant, Laghu-Malini-Vasant, and Abhrak-Bhasma are used to stabilize damaged tissues and organs.

Amyloidosis is often discovered after significant organ damage has already occurred. Therefore, an early and definitive diagnosis of this condition is very important.