Quite simply put, elephantiasis is the abnormal enlargement of any part of the human body. The most common growth of elephantiasis is observed in the lower limbs and in the genital area. This type of elephantiasis is due to a parasitic infection, caused by the agency of the mosquito. It is known as lymphatic filariasis. Lymphatic filariasis is the most common form of elephantiasis, though it is not the only form. For a list of the different types of elephantiasis, read below.

In Sanskrit, elephantiasis is named as shleepada jwara. In this name, pada refers to ‘foot’. Hence, the name actually means a disease of the foot. However, this is a bit of a misnomer as elephantiasis can affect several other parts of the body besides the foot.

Shleepada Jwara is a disorder of the vata, i.e. the air element that governs the human body. When the vata is vitiated, then the human body can become an entry point for several infections such as those which cause elephantiasis. For this reason, Ayurveda attempts at treating shleepada jwara or elephantiasis by bringing about a normalization of the vata dosha.

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There are two main types of elephantiasis. They are as follows:-

(i) Lymphatic Filariasis – As already mentioned above, this is the most common form. It is an enlargement of parts of the body (especially the feet and the genitals) due to parasitic infections, transmitted through mosquitoes. Lymphatic filariasis is also the most prevalent form of elephantiasis. Here the parasites make their abode in the lymph glands of the person’s body which lie below the skin. Lymphatic filariasis can be treated by surgical methods and regular cleaning techniques. However the success ratio of surgeries is low.

(ii) Non-filarial Elephantiasis – This is the type of elephantiasis that is not caused due to filarial infection. It is thought to be caused due constant skin contact with volcanic ash. This condition is also known as podoconiosis and is a very difficult condition to treat. However, non-filarial elephantiasis is a very rare condition and is found mostly in areas where there have been volcanoes in the past.

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Elephantiasis is one more of the several diseases transmitted through mosquitoes. The most common form of elephantiasis, i.e. lymphatic filariasis, is caused due to parasitic infections. The following parasites are the chief culprits in causing the disease:-

• Wucheraria bancrofti
• Brugia malayi
• Brugia timori

All these above are nematodes, i.e. roundworms belonging to the animal phylum, Phylum Aschelminthes. Out of these three, the infection by Wucheraria bancrofti is the most prevalent and also the most serious. It has got a name of its own, the bancroftian elephantiasis. Elephantiasis caused due to lymphatic filariasis can be compounded due to the presence of the bacteria Wolbachia who lives symbiotically with the affecting roundworms inside the human hody.

The exact cause of non-filarial elephantiasis is not clearly known. However this elephantiasis is not due to infection. It is presumed that this infection could be due to constant contact with volcanic ash, which contains sulfur and other mineral deposits.

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Elephantiasis is a very difficult condition to diagnose in the early stages as the swelling is minimal and cannot be made out clearly. However as the disease advances, several symptoms are very prominently observed. The following is a list of the prominent symptoms of elephantiasis:-

There is severe swelling in different parts of the body due to the accumulation of fluids. The swelling is commonly observed in the legs and groin, but it can also be seen in the head, trunk, breast, arms and other parts of the anatomy.

Edema is caused due to the accumulation of fluids in the body.

The skin hardens and the lymph glands below the skin begin swelling up. All these cause the body to enlarge to grotesque proportions.

The skin undergoes hyper-pigmentation, due to which it appears darkened. Ulcers are seen on the skin.

There are constant fevers accompanied by chills.

The person feels a constant sense of discomfort, i.e. malaise.

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Elephantiasis can complicate itself to very dangerous levels if left untreated in the early stages. The following are some of the drastic complications that can occur:-

Hydrocele is very commonly observed in men who suffer from elephantiasis. Hydrocele is the accumulation of fluids in the testicles. This is a very painful condition, which renders men impotent.

Similarly, elephantiasis of the penis and the scrotum in males is a very painful condition and can lead to impotency.

In women, the elephantiasis can spread to the vulva. This could make it possible for the woman to enjoy penetrative sex, and also to conceive. This causes tumerous growths, which may make the condition quite severe.

Elephantiasis can cause damage to the lungs in the form of eosinophilia, in which there is an increase in the number of eosinophils in the blood. This condition is characterized by a wheezing cough and fevers.

Prolonged elephantiasis can cause failure of the kidneys.

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Elephantiasis caused by lymphatic filariasis is transmitted through the agency of female mosquitoes. When a mosquito bites an infected person, then the larval forms of the roundworms enter the body of the person. Here they can live for several years, averaging around five years. The mosquito bites other people during this time, and this causes further infections.

The condition of elephantiasis is endemic in several African and South Asian countries. It affects 80 countries in the world. Several measures are being taken by the governments of these countries in order to eradicate filariasis and elephantiasis.

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People who live in the countries where elephantiasis is endemic are naturally at a much higher risk of the disease than other people. This risk factor is compounded by the following factors:-

• Unhygienic areas with stagnated waters are better breeding grounds for the mosquitoes that transmit the elephantiasis roundworms. Hence people living near unhygienic areas are more susceptible to the disease.
• People who suffer from lymphedema are vulnerable to elephantiasis. This is a hereditarily transmitted disorder.
• People who have been cleaned from elephantiasis may develop secondary infections, and it can become a chronic problem.

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The following precautionary measures can help to keep elephantiasis at bay:-

Mosquito eradication is of the utmost importance. All stagnating water must be removed or treated with mosquito-repelling chemicals.

Mosquito nets, creams and other repellant devices must be used at home to prevent mosquito bites.

People must avoid walking barefoot on soil, especially in places where there have been volcanic eruptions.

If there is a person suffering from elephantiasis in the near vicinity, then more care must be taken for mosquito eradication. The affected person must be protected from mosquito bites so that the disease does not spread.

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Since elephantiasis is a vata disease, a vata pacifying diet is the best bet to control the disease. The following tips must be remembered in order to consume a vata pacifying diet:-

Eat warm foods. Do not allow foods to cool down to room temperature.

Do not eat dry foods. Use some liquid part in the diet such as pulses, lentils, gravies and curries.

Use a little oil in the diet.

Foods must be sweet, sour or salty. These are the tastes that help in vata pacification. Bitter and spicy tastes must be reduced.

Nuts must be included in the diet. The best nuts to have are groundnuts, cashew nuts, hazel nuts and walnuts.

Salads must be an integral part of the diet. Use lots of carrots, spinach and asparagus in the salads.

Consume more rice diets. The long Indian rice known as Basmati rice is better for vata pacification.

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There are several herbs that have been prescribed by Ayurveda for the treatment of elephantiasis. Some of these herbs have been in common use since centuries. The following is a list of some of the most beneficial herbs and their actions on the human body.

The herbs mentioned above have been expertly mixed into preparations. These preparations contain just the right proportions of herbs so as not to produce major side effects. The following are some herbs that are effective in the treatment of elephantiasis:-

Application with the following oils externally also brings reduction of the swelling in elephantiasis:-

• Vachadi Taila
• Nagaradi Taila
• Panchamala Taila
• Manjistadi Lepa

It must be borne in mind that while taking any Ayurvedic preparation, the doctor must be consulted first. Most of the herbs do not have any side-effects (and are indeed a regular part of the diet), but some people may be allergic to certain herbs and may show adverse reactions.

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