Ayurvedic view of melasma – Vyanga
Vyanga occurs due to various reasons like suppression of vomiting, day sleep,
intake of incompatible food combinations Viruddha Ahara, excess intake of hot
spicy food, etc as per Ayurvedic classics. Taking excessive strain for speaking,
singing, etc can also add to cause this condition.
Classification of Vyanga
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Vata type – patches are bluish black in colour
Pitta type – patches with edges coppery red in colour
Kapha type- white, itchy patches
Rakta type – red patches with tingling and burning sensation
How does Vyanga manifest on the skin?
General pathophysiology associated with this – Pitta and Vata when vitiated
affects the second layer of skin called Lohita causing painless blackish circular
discoloration called Vyanga.
Diet and lifestyle tips for melasma
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Avoid all food that causes an imbalance in the Rakta, pitta, and
kapha energies in the body.
Add green gram, rice, wheat, and green veggies to your diet.
Add yoga practises like Surya namaskar, Bhujangasana ,
Sarvangasana in your daily routine.
Practise Anuloma viloma pranayama for regulating breathing and
increased blood flow to sense organs and face. This will also help to
get a positive outlook and get a relaxed pleasant state of mind
always. Give at least one hour to these lifestyle practices and you
will be able to get better results.
Herbs used in melasma treatment.
Ela, Sariva, Manjistha, Haridra, Chandana, Amla, and Daruharidra are some of the
herbs of choice for treating melasma.
Ayurvedic Medicines used in Melasma
Treatment
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Chandanasava
Kumaryasava,
Mahamanjisthadi kashaya,
Pravala Bhasma,
5. Chandra Prabha Vati,
6. Sarivadysavam,
7. Patoladi kashaya,
8. Maha tiktakam kashaya,
9. Lodhrasava,
10. Kaishora Guggulu,
11. Khadirarishta,
12. Gandhaka rasayana,
13. Godanti Bhasma,
For external application
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Kunkumadi taila,
Nalpamaradi taila,
Kanaka tailam,
Lodhradi lepa,
Matulungadi lepa etc.
Melasma Treatment in Ayurveda
Melasma Treatment in Ayurveda depends on the severity of the disease. In early
stage melasma is treated effectively using ayurvedic medicines, dietary, and
lifestyle changes.
When melasma is chronic in nature one may need to undergo detoxification
therapies (panchakarma treatment) to cleanse the body and bring the balance to
doshas. Ayurvedic detoxification helps in correcting hormonal imbalances and
increases the efficacy of the medicines.
 Venesection (Sira vyadhana ),
 Leech therapy (Jalouka avacharana ),
 Herbal paste application (Mukha Lepa),
 Oil application on the face,
 Nasal installation of, medicinal drops (Nasya)
all these are told as therapeutic procedures helpful to manage your condition.
Melasma treatment at home
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Application of Green tea extract on the face is a well-known remedy
to get rid of those patches on your face.
Sandalwood and saffron mixed paste is also suitable yet considering
the high cost and less availability of these herbs in pure form,
medicines like Kunkumadi tailam are more convenient and effective
for use. Kunkumadi oil can be used as a night serum for getting
glowing skin by regular use.
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Kunkumadi can also be added to turmeric paste and aloe vera gel if
you wish to try it like a combo face pack. Aloe vera gel rehydrates
dry skin and penetrates deep into skin layers.
Turmeric can also work wonders on your skin. It is a powerful
antiseptic and blood purifying herb.
1 tablespoon gram flour added to a pinch of turmeric and 2
tablespoons of curd or yogurt. In this formula, Lactic acid lightens
skin tone.
You can also resort to consuming turmeric milk internally for making
your skin pure and clear.
Lemon juice has vitamin c, which acts as an antioxidant and an
effective bleaching agent. You can add lemon juice if you have
normal skin with no allergy to citrus fruits.
Tomato paste contains lycopene which can also soften your skin and
increase blood circulation and make your face rosy and healthy.
Indian sarsaparilla root is also a good choice. It is essentially – antibacterial, antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory in action. Root paste can
be applied to the skin, it also reduces excess heat energy in your skin
and thus decreases the possibility of heat rashes also.
Multi herbal face pack for melasma
Half tsp orange peel powder, sandalwood powder, Manjistha (Indian madder)
with a pinch of turmeric paste and honey applied as face pack bestows good
results. Honey in this face pack is also healing and soothing to your skin.
Sandalwood and Indian madder reduces the heat energy and provides a cooling
effect. Turmeric paste increases complexion and orange peel is nourishing in
nature. Apply this face pack once a week. Take the paste, apply on your face
circularly massaging the area under your eyes and keep it for 15 minutes and
wash it off before it completely gets dry.
VITILIGO
Vitiligo is known as Shweta kushta in Ayurveda. Shwitra, Kilasa, Aruna,
Shouklya are also the synonym for vitiligo in Ayurveda.
Causes for Shwitra according to Ayurveda.
Ayurvedic texts mention the following factors are responsible for shwitra
Indulgence in incompatible food
Improper diet
Improper physical and mental activities
Suppression of natural urges
Family history
Behavioral misconduct
Antisocial activities
Sinful deeds
How does shwitra start? Ayurvedic view
Due to the causative factors the three doshas vata, pitta, and kapha gets
aggravated travel through channels(siras) to reach rasa (watery element), rakta
(blood), mamsa (muscle) dhatus (elements) and disturb their functions. Then
the doshas travel to the external surface of the body and produce vitiligo
(shwitra)
Vitiligo classification according to Ayurveda
Vitiligo classification ayurveda has done depending on the dosha
predominance. They are three in number as follows.
Vataja Vitiligo – Non-glistening, mild and red in color, and non-exudative.
Pittaja Vitiligo – Coppery red in color or resembles the lotus petal, burning
sensation, loss of hairs.
Kaphaja Vitiligo – Whitish in color, thick, heavy patches with itching.
Prognosis
Vitiligo which has black hairs on the skin, very few patches, not joined together,
recent onset, and which is not due to burning by fire is considered curable.
When the lesions appear on the genitals, palms, and lips are incurable even if
they are newly started.
When more than one colored lesion and a combination of two or more doshas
are considered difficult to cure.
Ayurvedic Treatment for Vitiligo
Ayurvedic treatment for vitiligo includes both purificatory and administration
medicines.
Due to its chronic nature, one may need to undergo repeated purificatory
procedures such as Panchakarma treatments.
Other treatments include lepana (external application, snehana (external
application of oil/ghee and internal administration of oil/ghee), and swedana
(sudation).
Ayurvedic medicines for Vitiligo
Following are the few classical ayurvedic medicines used in treating vitiligo.
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Chithrakasavam
Guduchyadi kashayam
Mahamanjistadi Kashayama
Mahathiktakam Kashayam
Patolamooladi kashayam
Thiktakam Kashayam
Vajrakam Kashayam
Aragwadharishtam
Ayaskriti
Lodhrasava
Patolasava
Avalgujabeejadi choorna
Eladi choorna
Panchanimbadi gulika
Shiva Gulika
Swayambhuva guggulu
Eladi thaila
Markava Thaila
Maha vajraka thaila
Thiktaka Ghrita
Mahathiktaka Ghrita
Agarwadha mahathiktaka ghrita
Markava Rasayana
Madhusnuhi rasayana
What’s good in vitiligo?
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Have light food.
Use bitter predominant vegetables.
Old shali rice
The meat of arid land
Green gram
shake gourd
Medicated food
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Medicated ghee
Triphala
Nimba
Yava
Wheat
What to avoid in Vitiligo
Heavy food
Sour predominant food and drinks
Curd
Milk
The meat of marshy land
Fish
Jaggery
Sesame
Black gram
pungent and salty food
Spicy food
Vitiligo is known as shwitra in Ayurveda. As vitiligo has no cure treatments help
to prevent the progression of the disease.
ayurvedic treatments for vitiligo include purification of the body to expel
morbid doshas and medicine helps to normalize the doshas.
Application of medicated oils, ghee, powders, and paste is also advised
depending on the severity of the disease.
ayurvedic treatments for vitiligo show remarkable results in vitiligo by
preventing further progression of the disease along with improving
pigmentation on the lesions.
Acne according to Ayurveda?
Kapha, Rakta & Vata dosha is causative factors of Mukhadushika. Among
the Tri-dosha’s Kapha and Vata are vitiated along with the blood and fats.
Manifestation of Acne
Consumption of causative factors such as incompatable food causes
aggravation of doshas in the body. The aggravated doshas then travel all over
the body and produce yauvana pidakas where these aggravated doshas get
settled such as the face, neck, or back.
Signs and symptoms according to Ayurveda
1. Swellings on the face that resemble the thorns of the Shalmali
(Bombax malabaricum) tree.
2. Pain
3. Burning Sensation
Ayurvedic Treatment for Acne and Pimples
Ayurvedic treatment for Acne and pimples depends on the severity of the
disease.
1. Palliative Treatment (Shamana Chikitsa)
2. Purificatory Treatment (Shodana Chikitsa)
When the symptoms are mild, a palliative line of treatment is adopted and
when the symptoms are severe then purificatory procedures are done to
eliminate excess doshas so that medications can act effectively and bring quick
results.
Ayurvedic medicines for Acne
Various ayurvedic medications are used in treating acne or pimples depending
on the cause, state, and stage of the disease and patient. Here are the few
common medications that are prescribed for acne and pimples.
1. Amruthotharam kashayam
2. Thiktaka Kashayam
3. Navakarshika Kashayam
4. Kaisora guggulu
5. Triphala Guggulu
6. Kadhrarishatm
7. Manibadrakudam
8. Madhusnuhi Rasayanam
9. Nimbarishta
10. Arogyavardhini Vati
11. Ushirasavam
12. Chandanasavam
13. Thiktaka Ghruta
14. Manjishtadi kashayam
External applications used in Acne.
1. Triphala kashayam
2. Lodhradi Choorna
3. Nalpamaradi Choorna
4. Haridradi Choorna
5. Mukhadoodhikari Lepam
6. Kumkumadi Thaila
7. Nalpamaradi Thaila
8. Nimba Choorna
Detoxification for Acne
When the acne or pimple becomes severe due to various causative factors it’s
ideal to perform suitable detoxification or Panchakarma treatment to
eliminate the aggravated doshas from the body. As we know Acne or pimples
are formed due to the predominance of Kapha vata and rakta depending on
the dosha predominance Vamana (therapeutic vomiting), Virechana
(therapeutic purgation) are administered considering the patient’s strength.
What to eat in Acne
Eating right helps in healing acne along with treatments. One should follow
these food habits
1. Eat only when you feel hungry.
2. Eat freshly prepared food.
3. Eat seasonal & local fruits.
4. Drink boiled water
5. Eat whole food.
6. Moderate your sugar intake.
What to avoid in Acne
1. Avoid oily and spicy food.
2. Avoid processed food.
3. Avoid Dairy and animal products.
4. Avoid old and fermented foods.
5. Avoid habit-forming substances.
Lifestyle Changes that help in Acne and Pimples
1. Have a healthy daily routine.
2. Exercise daily
3. Get exposed to sunlight.
4. Practice breathing exercises
5. Practice meditation
3. Daru haridra – It reduces the acne scars and gives the glow to the face.