As its name suggests, Mixed Connective Tissue Disease (MCTD) is a medical condition that displays a combination of symptoms, each of which can exist independently as a separate disease. It is an autoimmune disease and includes manifestations of Reynaud’s phenomenon (discoloration of the tips of the fingers and toes at extreme temperatures), arthritis, esophageal dysfunction, myositis (inflammation of the muscles), pulmonary hypertension, sclerodactyly (toes swollen and hardened hands and feet), skin rash, reduced white blood cell counts, pleurisy (inflamed coverings of the lungs), pericarditis (inflamed coverings of the heart), along with high levels of antibodies to ribonucleioprotein. Women are ten times more affected by this condition than men.

Autoimmune diseases are those clinical conditions in which the body’s immune system, which is supposed to protect the body from infection and disease, becomes dysfunctional and begins to attack the body’s organs and tissues, resulting in inflammation and damage to long term. Involvement of the skin and underlying tissues can lead to rashes, discoloration, ulceration, and pain. These symptoms can be distressing and affect quality of life; however, involvement of major internal organs such as the heart, lungs, liver, and kidneys can lead to severe disease that can adversely affect long-term morbidity and mortality.

Modern, conservative treatment of TMCS consists of suppressing the dysfunctional immune system with steroids or immunosuppressive drugs; Although this causes early relief of symptoms, most patients tend to relapse in the long term. The Ayurvedic treatment protocol for managing TMCS consists of treating symptoms, treating damaged tissues and organs, normalizing metabolism, calming an overreactive immune system, and treating all possible causes of the disease. Causes include chronic allergies, chronic inflammation, chronic infections, nutritional deficiencies, degeneration, and toxic buildup in the body.

Detoxification, tissue and organ rejuvenation treatment, immune modulation, and symptomatic treatment should be performed separately or at the same time. Considering the severe and chronic nature of this condition, most of the time, all of these treatments need to be given simultaneously. The treating physician must do a fine balancing act while prioritizing different treatments to achieve short-term goals without deviating from long-term treatment goals. Most of the time, patients tend to persistently complain of joint pains and skin rashes, while the doctor has to focus on the dysfunctional internal organs. The treatment and protection of important internal organs such as the heart, lungs, and kidneys, and the achievement of successful immune modulation, must be given the highest long-term priority.

The response to immune modulation therapy is significant and consistent when all possible causes of the condition are addressed and chronic inflammation is adequately treated. At this stage of treatment, the normalization of tissue metabolism takes priority in order to avoid a relapse of the disease. When it becomes apparent that the immune system is gradually functioning at optimal levels, the medications can be gradually reduced. Depending on the severity of the condition and the patient’s response to treatment, treatment time can range from six to twenty-four months. Educating the patient about a healthy diet and lifestyle becomes important at this stage to enjoy optimal health and avoid a relapse of the condition.

Therefore, Ayurvedic herbal treatment can be successfully used to comprehensively manage and treat MTCD. It is important to note that patients already taking steroids or immunosuppressive drugs should continue to be regularly treated and supervised by their local physicians and rheumatologists so that important treatment decisions can be made in consultation with these physicians. Simultaneous treatment with modern medicines and Ayurvedic herbal medicines can be administered safely in the long term; however, proper monitoring and testing is essential.