Ayurvedic Management of Chronic Kidney Disease (Vrikka Roga): A Case Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48165/ajm.2026.9.01.52Keywords:
Chronic Kidney Disease, Ayurveda, Mutravah Srotas, Panchkarma, Rasayan, Dosha balance, Vrikk RogAbstract
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), referred to as Vrikk rog in Ayurveda, is a progressive disorder caused by an imbalance in Tridoshas (Vata, Pitta and Kapha), leading to dysfunction in Mutravah Srotas (urinary system channels). According to Ayurveda, Agni Dushti (digestive impairment) results in the accumulation of Ama (toxins), which obstructs the microchannels responsible for renal filtration, causing renal degeneration. This case study presents a 35-year-old female CKD patient treated at Jeena Sikho Lifecare Limited Hospital, Agra, Uttar Pradesh through an integrated Ayurvedic approach. Ayurvedic management included Shaman (palliative care), Rasayan (rejuvenation therapy) and dietary modifications. The treatment aimed to balance Kapha (reducing blockages and toxin accumulation), Pitta (minimizing oxidative stress and inflammation) and Vata (preventing renal degeneration). Through Nidan Parivarjana (elimination of causative factors) and Rasayan therapy, the patient experienced symptomatic relief and improved renal function. This case highlights the broad potential of Ayurveda in CKD management, emphasizing the importance of root-cause elimination, detoxification and lifestyle modifications.
References
de Boer, I. H., Khunti, K., Sadusky, T., Tuttle, K. R., Neumiller, J. J., Rhee, C. M., et al. (2022). Diabetes management in chronic kidney disease: A consensus report by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO). Diabetes Care, 45(12), 3075–3090. https://doi.org/10.2337/dci22-0027
National Kidney Foundation. (2021). Hypertension and kidney disease. https://www.kidney.org/high-blood-pressure-and-chronic-kidney-disease
Mayo Clinic. (2023). Chronic kidney disease: Symptoms and causes. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/chronic-kidney-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20354521
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. (2022). Polycystic kidney disease. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/kidney-disease/polycystic-kidney-disease
Francis, A., Harhay, M. N., Ong, A. C. M., Tuttle, K. R., et al. (2024). Chronic kidney disease and the global public health agenda: An international consensus. Nature Reviews Nephrology, 20, 473–485. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41581-024-00820-6
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). Chronic kidney disease basics. https://www.cdc.gov/kidney-disease/about/index.html
Badve, S. V., Bilal, A., Lee, M. M. Y., Sattar, N., Gerstein, H. C., Ruff, C. T., et al. (2025). Effects of GLP-1 receptor agonists on kidney and cardiovascular disease outcomes: A meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, 13(1), 15–28. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2213-8587(24)00271-7
Yamaguchi, J., Tanaka, T., & Nangaku, M. (2015). Recent advances in understanding of chronic kidney disease. F1000Research, 4, F1000 Faculty Rev-1212. https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.6970.1
Qin, K., Qing, J., Wang, Q., et al. (2024). Epidemiological shifts in chronic kidney disease: A 30-year global and regional assessment. BMC Public Health, 24, 3519. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-21065-9
National Kidney Foundation. (2021). Chronic kidney disease (CKD). https://www.kidney.org/kidney-topics/chronic-kidney-disease-ckd
Chate, S. B., & Ranade, A. (2024). Ayurvedic pathogenesis of chronic kidney disease: A critical review. International Journal of Creative Research Thoughts, 12(11). https://ijcrt.org/papers/IJCRT2411055.pdf
Manish Ji, A., Chaudhary, G., Singh, M., & Richa. (2024). Integrating Ayurvedic Panchakarma therapies for management of chronic kidney disease: A case study. AYUSHDHARA, 11(6), 208–223. https://doi.org/10.47070/ayushdhara.v11i6.1818
Shukla, A. V., & Tripathi, R. D. (Eds.). (2010). Charaka Samhita of Agnivesha (Vol. 1, Chikitsa Sthana, Chapter 27, Verse 3). Chaukhambha Sanskrit Pratishthan.
Garud, S., Chaudhary, A., & Kotecha, M. (2017). Pathya-Apathya: A peculiarity of Ayurveda. International Journal of Ayurvedic and Herbal Medicine, 7(4), 2635–2642. https://doi.org/10.18535/ijahm/v7i4.01
Mishra, S., Dash, R., Sapna, & Kumar, S. (2024). Chronic kidney disease in light of Ayurveda: A literary review on Vataj Pandu. International Journal of Ayurveda and Pharma Research, 12(4), 65–68. https://doi.org/10.47070/ijapr.v12i4.3193
Amilkanthwar, R. H., Dawale, P., & Keshavrao, G. A. (2017). Role of Punarnavadi Kshir Basti and Punarnavadi Kwatha in the management of chronic kidney disease: A case study. International Journal of Ayurveda and Pharma Research, 5(8), 71–73.
Hsu, C. Y., Vittinghoff, E., Lin, F., & Shlipak, M. G. (2004). The incidence of end-stage renal disease is increasing faster than the prevalence of chronic renal insufficiency. Annals of Internal Medicine, 141(2), 95–101.
Yadav, R., et al. (2017). Chronic kidney disease: A case study in Ayurvedic setting. International Ayurvedic Medical Journal. http://www.iamj.in/posts/images/upload/311_315.pdf
Yang, C. W., Harris, D. C., Luyckx, V. A., Nangaku, M., Hou, F. F., Garcia, G. G., et al. (2020). Global case studies for chronic kidney disease/end-stage kidney disease care. Kidney International Supplements, 10(1), e24–e48.
Aggarwal, A., Sokiya, G., & Sharma, G. (2023). Management of chronic kidney disease: An Ayurveda case study. Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences, 8(7), 250–256.
