AyurPedia Clinic

Sickle cell anemia is an inherited single-gene disorder, causes structural defect in hemoglobin. It is one of the most common hemoglobinopathies manifesting in childhood, typically after 6 months of life, when fetal hemoglobin is replaced by defective sickle hemoglobin. In early clinical stages, it may be difficult to distinguish from iron deficiency anemia or other hemoglobin defects. 

The condition is highly prevalent in certain tribal populations of India, where approximately 34% of individuals carry the sickle cell gene.

We observed a 4-year-old child with a confirmed diagnosis of sickle cell disease. Both parents were carriers (sickle cell trait). The child required regular blood transfusions every 20–30 days, along with fetal haemoglobin enhancing  drugs, iron-chelating agents to control secondary iron overload, as indicated by rising serum ferritin levels.

            In this case, an Ayurvedic protocol was initiated using herbal medicines, including Eclipta alba and Tinospora cordifolia as rasayana (rejuvenative), as well as pitta-pacifying agents, aimed to reduce early red blood cell hemolysis. The intervention produced encouraging results: the patient’s hemoglobin level increased progressively by 1-1.5 g/dL per month over 4–5 months without need of transfusion. The need for transfusion was successfully delayed, and overall clinical status improved, suggesting an enhancement in quality of life.

This observation indicates that Ayurvedic therapy may play a supportive role in the management of sickle cell anemia by reducing transfusion dependency and improving hematological parameters. Further research suggested to be conducted with this study.