Skin is the soft and flexible tissue covering all over the body of a human or vertebrates. It has primarily three functions i.e. protection, sensation and regulation. It is very important to keep your skin healthy if you desire to look more youthful. What if it got affected? Nobody will like it because everyone wants to look and stay beautiful. Am I right! But due to environmental exposure the prevalence of skin disorders are increasing at a very rapid rate. Today we will focus on one of the skin disorders named Leucoderma, also known as Vitiligo and its Ayurvedic management in detail.
INTRODUCTION
Ayurveda is a science of life or we can say beyond life which gives us answers to every problem. Ayurveda on a whole works on the basic principle “Swasthasya swasthya rakshanam aturasya vikara prashamanam ch” (Ref: CharakSamhita, Sutrastahanam, 30/26). This verse states that the main aim of Ayurveda is to take care of the healthy one with dincharya, ritucharya, sadvritta palan along with some dietary and lifestyle changes and other is to treat the patient with ayurvedic home remedies, herbal formulations and herbs. Leucoderma / vitiligo can be correlated with Shvitra roga in Ayurveda. Now we will see how ayurveda helps in managing this condition.
WHAT IS SHVITRA ROGA (LEUCODERMA)?
As per our ancient acharya’s shvitra is “Shweta varnam prapnoti iti shvitram” (Kaya Chikitsa, Vol II, Pg. 824) this shloka states that when any part of the body undergoes discoloration (white colour) and doesn’t look good, is known as Shvitra roga.
As per modern medicine science, Leucoderma is a skin disorder that occurs due to loss of skin pigmentation (melanin) which in turn leads to skin whitening in patches. The size of the patches varies according to its severity and covers almost all the body parts including genitals, face and scalp.
WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF SHVITRA ROGA (LEUCODERMA)?
Following are the causes of Shvitra roga:-
- Virudhannapan (Incompatible diet)
- Madhu, machli, lakuch, mooli, kakmachi sewan (Increased intake of honey, fish, monkey fruit, radish, etc.)
- Ajeenaashan (intake of food before digestion of last meal)
- Doodh, dahi, takra, mansa, kuthi sewan (intake of Milk, curd, buttermilk, non-veg, kutha dal in combination)
- Guru, snigdha, pishtaana,abhishyandi padarth sewan (kapha dosha rich diet)
- Vegadharan (Suppression of natural urges)
- Divaswapna (sleeping during day time)
- Asatya vach (telling a lie)
- Viprana Gurun Gharshanam (Disrespect of our elderly ones like devta, guru, brahmin etc.)
- Purva Janam Krit papkaram (Sins done in past life)
According to allopath, there is no exact cause of leucoderma but following risk factors are considered as responsible:-
- Autoimmune condition
- Stress
- Exposure to Sunlight or UV rays
- Family history
- Chemical contact or exposure
- Due to sunburns
- Any triggering event
WHAT ARE THE POORVAROOPA (PRODROMAL SYMPTOMS) OF SHVITRA ROGA (LEUCODERMA)?
Below are the poorvaropa of Shvitra roga:-
- Vaivarna (discolouration of skin)
- Kandu (itching)
- Toda (pricking pain)
- suptata (Numbness)
- Romaharsha (Horripilations)
- Paridaha (burning sensation)
- Rag (redness)
- Trishna (thirst)
- Aswedamatiswedam (Anhidrosis and hyperhidrosis)
- Khartava (dryness)
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF SHVITRA ROGA (LEUCODERMA)?
The chief symptom of this disease is shweta chakate (discolouration of skin into white patches) which spreads timely to all over the body. In summers, there is unbearable burning sensation on the patches.
Symptoms according to its colour:-
- Shvitra is of red colour when it is dependent on rakta dhatu (blood)
- Shvitra is of tamra varna, when it is dependent on mamsa dhatu (muscular tissue)
- Shvitra is of White colour when it is dependent on Meda dhatu (Adipose tissue)
In modern science, the patient of leucoderma may produce the following symptoms:-
- Discolouration of skin in patches.
- Premature whitening of hairs of the body including scalp, eyebrows, beard etc.
- Loss of colour in mucous membrane.
- Patches may start developing from hands, face etc.
HOW TO DIAGNOSE SHIVITRA ROGA (LEUCODERMA)?
Diagnosis can be done in following ways:-
- Darshan (inspection)
- Sparshan (palpation)
- Prashanan (History taking)
In Allopathy, diagnosis of leucoderma is with CBC (complete blood count), ANA (antinuclear antibody) test, Skin biopsy.
WHAT IS THE TREATMENT OF SHVITRA ROGA (LEUCODERMA/VITILIGO)?
In modern medicine science, there is no specific treatment of leucoderma, only symptomatic relief can be given with Calcineurin inhibitor ointments, corticosteroids, etc. But, in Ayurveda we can manage this condition by the below mentioned ways:-
- Daivyapashraya Chikitsa - Shvitra is considered as papkarmaja (past life sins). So donation, good deeds, fasting, prayer of lord shiva, ganesh and others is very helpful in treating patients with leucoderma.
- Yuktivyapashrya Chikitsa - In this type of treatment sanshodhan (detoxification with panchakarma), Sanshaman (with Ayurvedic herbs and herbal formulations) and local application of taila, lepa can be done.
There are some herbal formulations also that have amazing effects and are being offered by Planet Ayurveda experts to the patients for years. Below are the details of those formulations, which are mentioned below:
HERBAL REMEDIES FOR LEUCODERMA BY PLANET AYURVEDA
Planet Ayurveda is a GMP certified famed and renowned herbal manufacturing unit serving mankind across all over the world. The products offered by planet Ayurveda are prepared under the strict guidance of MD ayurveda experts by following the ancient basic ayurvedic principles. They manufacture lots of herbal products for numerous health ailments. Some of the formulations for leucoderma are explained below:-
- Bakuchi Churna
- Navkarshik Churna
- Gleaming Skin, Hair, Nails Formula
- Manjishtha Capsules
- Gandhak Rasayan
- Tab. Pigmento
- Syrup Lukoskin
- Sachets
- Syrup
- Local Application of Oils
PRODUCTS DESCRIPTION
1. Bakuchi Churna
Bakuchi churna is a single herbal formulation prepared using a wonderful herb named Bakuchi (Psoralea corylifolia). In our ancient texts, it is mentioned as shvitraghani due to its vitiligo treating property. The active ingredient of bakuchi is Psoralens which on exposure to sunlight produces melanin pigment. It also helps in boosting collagen promoting tissues of the skin and makes skin to look good and lustrous.
Dosage - 1 teaspoonful twice daily with plain water after meals.
2. Navkarshik Churna
It is a safe poly herbal formulation prepared using Triphala (myrobalans), Vacha (Acorus calamus), Neem (Azadirachta indica), Manjishtha (Rubia cordifolia), Katuki (Picrorhiza kurroa) and some other herbs. This formulation contains herbs which possess blood purifying and pitta dosha pacifying properties thus, shows good results in patients suffering from vitiligo (leucoderma). Along with that, this formulation aids in boosting immunity by sustaining normal body functioning.
Dosage - 1 teaspoonful twice daily with plain water after meals.
3. Gleaming Skin, Hair, Nails Formula
Gleaming Skin Hair Nails formula is a safe herbal formulation in capsule form prepared using standardized extract of Manjishtha (Rubia cordifolia), Pit Papda (Fumaria officinalis), Sariva (Hemidesmus indicus), etc. These herbs have Raktashodhak (blood purifying) and coolant properties which assist in reducing the discoloration, burning sensation occurring on the patches. It also diminishes the severity of the disease and provides healthy skin.
Dosage - 2 capsules twice daily with plain water after meals.
4. Manjishtha Capsules
It is a single herbal safe formulation, prepared using the standardized extract of Manjishtha (Rubia cordifolia). Our ancient acharyas classically mentioned it as varnya gana (Good for skin), and vishaghna (detoxifier). Due to its varnya property, it is effective in patients with vitiligo. Manjishtha acts as a blood purifier and mainly pacifies pitta dosha in the body.
Dosage - 2 capsules twice daily with plain water after meals.
5. Gandhak Rasayan
Gandhak rasayan is a poly herbal formulation prepared using pure extract of Gandhak (Sulphur). It possesses antimicrobial, digestive stimulant, cell detoxifying and immune boosting properties. Gandhak is very potent for skin disorders. Classically it is mentioned as veeryakara (helpful in infertility), pushtikar (nourishing), and Prajakara, etc. Due to its antimicrobial property, it shows wonders in Patients with leucoderma (vitiligo).
Dosage - 2 tablets twice daily with plain water after meals.
6. Sachets
- Swarn Makshik Bhasma - 5 gm
- Tarkeshwar Ras - 5 gm
- Kamdudha Ras - 5 gm
- Akik Pishti - 5 gm
- Rajat Bhasma - 2.5 gm
- Praval Pishti - 5 gm
- Giloy Satva - 10 gm
- Mukta Pishti - 2 gm
All these herbomineral powders are mixed and 60 sachets are to be prepared. These herbs together aid in reducing the associated symptoms of Vitiligo by Pacifying Pitta Dosha in the body.
Dosage - 1 twice daily with Gulkand + Honey.
7. Syrup
Take 4 tablespoon of each Sarivadyasava + Mahamanjisthadi Kwath + Khadirarishta after meals with equal amounts of water. These syrups work cumulatively and maintain the normal glowing and shiny skin. They possess antimicrobial, immune boosting, blood purifying, and cell detoxifying properties. Intake of these formulations stimulates the production of melanin pigment and is very efficacious in patients with leucoderma (vitiligo).
8. Local Application of Oils
Apply Babchi oil 25 % + Mahamarichyadi oil 25 % + Jatyadi oil 50 % together at lesions or you can also apply Pigmento ointment or Vitaplai lotion or Lukoskin Ointment if the patches are small. These oils work in producing the melanin pigment on exposure to sunlight and also help in diminishing the burning sensation.
Dosage - Local application of twice per week and expose it to sunlight for 5 minutes.
Now we will see some more productive formulations of other brands which shows efficacious results in Leucoderma, such as:
9. Tablet Pigmento
This formulation by charak pharma is safely prepared using vacha (Acorus calamus), chakramard (Cassia tora), Sharpunkha (Tephrosia purpurea), etc. These herbs stimulate the production of melanin pigment in the body so good in reducing the discoloration occurring in leucoderma. They also possess antifungal properties and modulate the cell mediated immune system of the body.
Dosage - 2 tablets twice daily with plain water after meals.
10. Syrup Lukoskin
Lukoskin is a safe poly herbal formulation in syrup form prepared using Vishnaag (Ammi majus), balchi (Psoralea corylifolia), krishna tulsi (ocimum americanum), mandookparni (Centella asiatica) and some other herbs. This formulation aids in producing melanin pigment and helpful in decreasing the spread of discolouration or white patches. It also modulates the collagen producing tissues for good and healthy skin.
Dosage - 2 tsp twice daily with plain water after meals.
CONCLUSION
At last, we can conclude that leucoderma can be managed well with ayurvedic herbs and herbal formulations without causing any adverse effects on the body. These products do not contain any type of additive, binder, chemical and preservative and are totally safe to use. Along with the management of leucoderma (vitiligo), these formulations are useful in numerous other skin disorders also. For more queries you can contact us on herbalremedies123@yahoo.com. Use these herbal formulations and keep yourself healthy.
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