Traditional medicine in the management of Recurrent Tonsillitis - An Ayurvedic Perspective

Abstract

Tonsillitis is one of the commonest infectious illness suffered by pediatric age group. It has high incidence in developing nations like India. Its recurrent attack results in hypertrophy of tonsils, difficulty in swallowing, sleep problems resulting in poor nutrition and poor school performance as well. Recurrent tonsillitis may also result in late complications like rheumatic heart diseases. Conventional systems of medicine usually advise surgical removal of tonsils to treat its recurrent infections. Ayurveda describes a similar condition, Tundikeri which have same clinical manifestations like recurrent tonsillitis and also advised its medicinal treatment. Ayurveda have ample treasure of herbal medicine which can be used in the management of recurrent tonsillitis. This article reviews various classical texts as well as recent experimental and clinical studies to find out herbal medicine useful in recurrent tonsillitis and revalidate their use to reduce necessity of tonsillectomy.