Goiter (Galaganda) – An Ayurvedic Perspective

Ayurveda explains Galaganda through dosha imbalance, faulty diet, and improper metabolism, offering both preventive and therapeutic approaches rooted in holistic principles.

Ayurvedic Description of Galaganda

Classical descriptions define Galaganda as a hanging or prominent swelling in the neck region:

निबद्धःश्वयथुर्यस्यमुष्कवल्लम्बतेगले।

महान्वायदिवाह्रस्वोगलगण्डंतमादिशेत् II

  (Madhava Nidana 38)

It is described as a swelling located in the neck, jaw, and throat region, appearing like a hanging mass.

Another reference states:

मेदःकफाच्छोणितसंचयोत्थोगलस्यमध्येगलगण्डएकः।

   (Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana 13)

This indicates that Kapha, Meda (fat tissue), and Rakta play a major role in the pathogenesis of Galaganda.

Causative Factors (Nidana) of Galaganda

1. Viruddha Ahara Sevana

Consumption of incompatible foods leads to doshic vitiation, impaired metabolism, and abnormal tissue accumulation in the neck region, ultimately resulting in Galaganda.

Types of Galaganda as per Ayurveda

Ayurveda classifies Galaganda into three main types:

1.  Vataja Galaganda

2.  Kaphaja Galaganda

3.  Medoja Galaganda

1. Vataja Galaganda

तोदान्वितःकृष्णसिरावनद्धःश्यावोअरुणोवापवनात्मकस्तु।

  (Madhava Nidana 38)

Clinical Features

·  Pricking or stabbing pain

·  Blackish veins around the swelling

·  Dark brown or reddish discoloration

·  Rough texture on touch

·  Gradual increase in size

·  Does not suppurate

2. Kaphaja Galaganda

स्थिरःसवर्णोगुरूरूग्रकण्डूःशीतोमहांश्चापिकफात्मकस्तु॥

चिराभिवृद्धिंभजतेचिराद्वाप्रपच्यतेमन्दरूजःकदचित्।

माधुर्यमासस्यचतस्यजन्तोर्भवेत्तथातालुगलप्रलेपः॥

 

Clinical Features

·  Stable and firm swelling

·  No discoloration

·  Heavy in nature

·  Severe itching

·  Cold to touch

·  Very large in size

·  Slow progression

·  Slow suppuration

·  Mild pain

·  Sweet taste in mouth

·  Coating over palate and throat

3. Medoja Galaganda

स्निग्धोगुरुःपाण्डुरनिष्टगन्धोमेदोभवःकण्डुयुतोअल्परूक्च।

प्रलम्बतेअलाबुवदल्पमूलौदेहानुरूपक्षयवृद्धियुक्तः॥

स्निग्धास्यतातस्यभवेन्चजन्तोर्गलेअनुशब्दंकुरूतेचनित्यम्।

Clinical Features

·  Unctuous and heavy swelling

·  Pale appearance

·  Foul smell

·  Mild pain on scratching

·  Narrow attachment at the base

·  Elongated, hanging like a bottle gourd

·  Size fluctuates with body weight

·  Excess facial oiliness

·  Hoarseness of voice

Pathogenesis (Samprapti) of Galaganda

When vitiated Vata, Kapha, and Meda accumulate in the neck and nape region, they obstruct channels and lead to a gradually enlarging swelling with distinct symptoms. This pathological process is known as Galaganda.

Prognosis (Sadhya–Asadhyata)

कृच्छ्राच्छवसन्तंमृदुसर्वगात्रंसंवत्सरातीतमरोचकार्तम्॥

क्षीणंचवैध्योगलगन्डयुक्तंभिन्नस्वरंचापिविवर्जयेन्च।

Galaganda is considered incurable or difficult to treat if the patient presents with:

·  Difficulty in breathing

·  Generalized softness of body tissues

·  Disease duration exceeding one year

·  Loss of appetite

·  Tissue depletion

·  Hoarseness of voice

Treatment Principles (Chikitsa Siddhanta)

तेषांसिराकायशिरोविरेकाधूमःपुराणस्यघृतस्यपानम्॥

Primary Therapies

Bloodletting from veins near the root of the thigh (Uru mula)

·  Virechana: Therapeutic purgation

·  Nasya: Nasal administration of medicines

·  Dhoomapana: Medicated smoking

·  Purana Ghrita: Intake of aged medicated ghee

Oral Medications Used in Galaganda

·  Jalakumbhi Bhasma with Saindhava lavana and Pippali

·  Jalakumbhi ash boiled in cow’s urine with Kodrava diet

·  Bottle gourd seeds processed with goat milk

·  Kanchanara Twak Kwatha – 1 phala (48 ml)

·  Mahisha mutra processed with Mandura

·  Shwetha Aparajitha root powder with ghee

·  Tikta Alabu Jala (bitter gourd stored water)

Classical Formulations for Galaganda

·  Kanchanara Guggulu

·  Gandamalakandana Rasa

·  Triphaladhya Guggulu

·  Ashtachatvarimshatmaka Guggulu

·  Trikantakadi Vati

·  Vidarigandhi Churna

·  Mandura Bhasma with Madhu

·  Varuna Kwatha

·  Vacha Ghrita

·  Amritadi Taila (Nitya Pana)

External Therapies (Lepa & Taila)

Lepa (Applications)

·  Shami, Mulaka, Shigru beeja with Amla Takra

·  Bhallataka & Nimba patra lepa

·  Gandakadi, Sarshapadi, Bhallathakadi lepa

Taila

·  Vishnu Taila

·  Maha Narayana Taila

·  Chakramarda Taila

·  Gunjadya Taila (Pana, Abhyanga, Nasya)

Nasya Therapies

·  Thumbi Taila

·  Nirgundi Taila

·  Phanajikadya Taila

·  Purana Sweta Kushmanda rasa with Saindhava lavana

Yoga & Pranayama Beneficial in Thyroid Disorders

Pranayama

1.  Ujjayi

2.  Kapalabhati

3.  Bhramari

4.  Nadi Shodhana (Anuloma–Viloma)

Mudra

·  Shankha Mudra

Conclusion

Galaganda (Goiter) is a well-defined disease entity in Ayurveda with detailed classification, prognosis, and management principles. By correcting dosha imbalance, metabolism, diet, and lifestyle, Ayurveda offers a comprehensive, non-invasive, and holistic approach to thyroid enlargement and related disorders.