Anemia:

Cause : Living in stuffy and smelly rooms and in unhygienic places, menorrhagia, profuse nocturnal emissions, unhealthy diet, chronic constipation, dysmenorrhea or amenorrhea, long-standing indigestion. Malaria, kalajar, dropsy, consumption, etc. and any extended illness can bring anemia. When the normal quantity of blood in the body is absent, where the red corpuscles die, and where the materials for blood formation are not present, a patient becomes anemic.

Symptoms: Light yellow or lemonish skin, physical emaciation, soft and loose muscles, weakness, dullness, high temperature, restlessness, heart throbbing, swooning, nose-bleed, breathing difficulty, indigestion, loss of appetite, diarrhea, physical and mental depression etc.

Treatment: Iron. Iron is a principal element of the blood; iron containing drugs are desirable for the anemic person. In the Ayurvedic medicines this iron element is so finely mixed that it is easily absorbed and turned into corpuscles of blood. Ayurvedic medicines are far preferable in this disease. If the patient is anemic after long-continued malaria or kalajar, prescribe Nabayas Lauha, Brihat Lokenath Ras, Lauhasab, Brihat Sarbajwarahara Lauha (Sattur Bhabna). If he has dropsy, give Saribadi Salsa and Shothodarari Lauha. For the tuberculosis patient prescribe Chyabanpras, Ratnagarva Pottali Ras, etc. Sonitamrita is the specific medicine for anæmia arising from haemorrhage, chronic diarrhoea, fever, splenitis, enlargement of liver, malaria, piles, excessive sexual intercourse, menorrhagia, and child- birth. This medicine should be continued for some days to step up the number of corpuscles. It should be given twice daily (one pill with cold water after each major meal ).

Diet: Green vegetables such as trichosanthes dioica, jhingay, memordica charantia, karala, etc.; and rice (old stock). Morning and evening outings are very helpful.