Image Credit: Freepik

Introduction

Autoimmune hepatitis is inflammation of liver due to immune cells that mistake the liver’s normal cells as harmful invaders. A person with autoimmune hepatitis has autoantibodies circulating in the bloodstream that cause the immune system to attack the liver. The cause is predominantly genetic. However, certain bacteria, viruses, toxins and drugs can trigger an autoimmune response in people who are genetically susceptible to develop an autoimmune disorder.

Autoimmune hepatitis can be well managed by homeopathy with miasmatic approach. It is considered that miasm is the homeopathic genetics. Hahnemann sacrificed his sleep for several nights to discover and evolve the concept of miasm. After derived the theory and practice of miasm he claimed that he could successfully treat majority of cases which could not be in the past. There were some genetic obstacles to cure the chronic cases and the problem was solved with the discovery of miasm. Miasm is not to be considered as a separate entity, but to be included in the totality. Failing this may remove only superficial layer of disease and recurrence may pop up from the deep. Including the miasm in the totality would help to find the most synchronising similimum in the deeper level. In any form of chronic disease, our inquiry on miasm is towards finding out fundamental and dominant miasm. While treating a chronic case, the dominant miasm is to be countered first and followed by the fundamental miasm. Fundamental miasm is to be elicited by taking the family history. It is defined by the familial traits and tendencies. Where as the dominant miasm is the outcome or reflection of the present lifestyle.

Miasm – an overview

There are three basic miasms psora, syphilis and sycosis according to Hahnemann. Some authors state other miasms like tubercular, cancer, AIDS, etc. But these are the combinations of two or three of basic miasms at some proportion. Here our interest is on the Hahnemannian miasms. Deficiency, lacking, hypo functional physiology, slow and sluggish mental nature, dryness and weakness are the basic manifestations of psora. Malfunction or dysfunction, destruction, ulceration, abnormal secretions, putrefaction, tendency towards destruction like suicidal mentality are coming under syphilitic miasm. Hyperplasia, excessive growth, physiological hyperactivity, etc. are from psycotic origin.

Main symptoms of autoimmune hepatitis are fatigue, general discomfort, malaise, uneasiness, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal distension, enlarged liver, ascites, pale or clay coloured stool, generalised itching and skin rashes, dark urine, amenorrhoea and joint pain. How these symptoms differ in the light of miasm is given below.

Psora

Mind and generalities

Early stage of autoimmune hepatitis without structural damage is primarily covered by psora. Patient has the tendency to go extreme dullness or extreme intelligence. They are hypersensitive and hyperactive, emotional, anxious and restless. Symptoms can be triggered by suppression of emotions, grief and excitement. Fatigue, malaise and uneasiness may lead to vertigo, which can be aggravated by any motion. General modalities of psora are worse in the morning, new moon, before menses and odours and better by rest. Sour, sweet and bitter tastes in the mouth are especially in the morning. Yellow coating on tongue is one of the key symptoms in hepatic cases of psora. Craving for sour acids, sweets and pickles.

Hepatic and other abdominal complaints

Classical picture of psora in autoimmune hepatitis is as follows: fullness and distension of abdomen, rumbling and gurgling sound after eating; constrictive feeling around the abdomen; nausea and vomiting aggravated by any motion; pain is aggravated in the morning and ameliorated by heat application; alternate constipation and diarrhoea.

Other organs/systems

Imbalance in the bilirubin level may lead to generalised itching and skin rashes. Burning would follow itching and scratching, which aggravates at evening and midnight. Dry, rough, dirty and unhealthy skin would give the clue for psoric presentation. Amenorrhoea or menses would be bland, scanty and too short. Joint pains worse by motion and better by warmth. Joint pain may be with constant feeling of coldness in the extremities.

Syphilis

Mind and generalities

In syphilis, the changes would be from functional to structural disorders like cirrhosis. Mentally they are dull, introvertic, slow in understanding, with suicidal thoughts, anxious and depression. The intensity of pain would be very high and intolerable. Complaints aggravate during and after rest, extremes of heat and cold, and at night; better by constant motion and cold application. There is always metallic or coppery taste in the mouth.

Hepatic and other abdominal complaints

Pathological changes like enlargement of liver, abdominal distension and ascites are falling under syphilitic miasm. Changes in the body fluids are shown in biochemical evaluation. Extensive damage and scarring of liver i.e. cirrhosis, easy bruising and bleeding tendencies, inflammation of the thyroid gland and kidneys may be present in advanced stage.

Other organs/systems

Skin rashes are copper coloured and brownish, sometimes with no itching. Rashes leave scar formation after the subsidence. Dark urine may come under syphilitic miasm, since there are structural changes. Grinding and boring pain in joint pains which worse at night and in change of weather.

Sycosis

Mind and generalities

Slow recovery is the cardinal point. Sycotic people are suspicious and jealous. They quarrelsome, deceitful, cruel, cunning and have fixed ideas. They think suicide, but not daring to commit. General aggravating factors are damp weather, change of weather, daytime and meat. Feeling of weakness after sweating and other natural eliminations like stool and urine. Complaints generally relieved by slow motion, lying on abdomen, dry weather and return of suppressed normal discharges.

Hepatic and other abdominal complaints

Abdominal distension with hardness. Pain in the right hypochondriac region is better by doubling up, hard pressure and discharge of gas. Pain worse by slightest food. Rumbling is there both in psora and sycosis, but relief from pressure and release of gas is sycotic.

Other organs/systems

Scaly and circumscribed spots of skin rashes. Itching worse at daytime and change of weather. Shooting and tearing pains in joints and pain worse at rest, damp cold climate with lameness and soreness; better by moving, rubbing, stretching the body and dry warm weather.

Commonly prescribed polychrests for autoimmune hepatitis and its grade of miasmatic affinity

Ars alb – pso+++, syp+, syc+++; Bell – pso+;  Bry – syp++; Digit – pso++, syc+; Ferr m – pso++, syc++; Iod – pso+++, syp++, syc++; Kali c – pso++, syp++, syc++, Lach – pso+++, syp+++, syc++; Lyc – pso+++, syp++, syc+++; Merc s – pso++, syp+++, syc++, Nat m – pso+++, syc++; Nux v – pso++, syc+; Phos – pso++, syp++, syc++, Plum m – pso+, syp+; Puls – pso++, syc++; Rhus t – pso++, syc+, Sep – pso+++, syp+, syc+++; Sil – pso++, syp+, syc+++; Sulph – pso+++, syp++, syc++

Note: +++ – More affinity, ++ – Moderate affinity, + – Less affinity

Specific remedies for autoimmune hepatitis and other hepatic hepatic disorders

Apart from the above polychrests there are other specific remedies for autoimmune hepatitis and other hepatic disorders, which are the following: Carduus marianus, Chellidonium, Cinchona officinalis, Hydrastis, Iris versicolor, Magnesia muriatica and Podophyllum.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the miasmatic approach emerges as a comprehensive tool in the homeopathic management of Autoimmune Hepatitis, shedding light on the interplay between genetic predispositions and environmental triggers. Understanding the nuances of psora, syphilis, and sycosis allows practitioners to tailor treatments to the specific miasmatic manifestations exhibited by patients, addressing not only the immediate symptoms but also delving into deeper, underlying factors. The provided list of commonly prescribed polychrests and specific remedies serves as a practical guide, showcasing their graded miasmatic affinities. By incorporating this miasmatic perspective, homeopathy aims not only to alleviate the symptoms of Autoimmune Hepatitis but also to address its root causes, offering a holistic and personalized approach to healing.