Introduction of Vitiligo or Leucoderma
In Ayurvedic classical literature, such as the Charaka Samhita , leucoderma also known as ‘white leprosy‘ is called Svitra or Kilasa . In modern concept it is called Vitiligo or leucoderma.
Vitiligo is a common acquired disorder characterized by well-marginated milky white spots resulting from loss of melanocytes. Vitiligo is associated with risks of ocular abnormalities and some autoimmune disorders. In Indian and some other cultures, this innocuous disease has been associated with social stigma since ancient times. Confusion with leprosy is partly responsible for this.
VITILIGO & LEUCODERMA are two different terms used for the same skin disease. But, there exists causative difference between these two. Literally ‘Leucoderma’ means ‘white skin’. Terming it a disease is not appropriate because it does not cause any organic default and it starts without any symptom. It is popularly known as white patch also. It generally happens due to absence of melanin pigmentation over the skin.
So, basically it is a ‘skin disorder’. Generally it starts from a small spot, which gradually develops into patch. Primarily the patch may be pale but it develops whiter as the time passes and finally it appears white due to complete loss of melanin pigment (which provides normal skin colour). The patch would be of any shape or size. So it can also be termed as a ‘pigmentation disorder’
Wisely we call it a ‘disorder’ as no pain and symptoms can be found in Vitiligo & Leucoderma. It may start with a small spot which later enlarge into a large white patch. It may be pale in colour initially but gradually it turns white with time due to complete loss of melanin pigmentation over affected areas. The shape and size of a white patch cannot be judged. The social value of Vitiligo & Leucoderma is dominant over its medical value preferably in India and almost all over the world due to its prominence over skin which differentiates a person from others. So, it is taken more as a ‘social stigma’ rather than a medical disorder almost all over the world.
One thing has to be noted that Vitiligo & Leucoderma are non infectious & non transmittable as it’s a disorder with colour change only.
Although vitiligo patients are found almost all over the world but percentage of vitiligo sufferers are higher in India. Vitiligo patients include children, adolescents, adults (male & female) and elders also.
Ayurveda Concept of Vitiligo
According to Ayurveda Vitiligo & Leucoderma are termed ‘Kilas’. It is further known as ‘Darun’, ‘Charun’ and ‘Switr’ as this is tridosaj. It is a skin disorder mainly due to inappropriate diet combination intake regularly and formed due to disturbance of tridosas namely ‘Vaat’, ‘Pitta’ and ‘Kapha’. After aggravation it moves & affects to rakta, mans and med dhatus. Ayurveda is considered for best vitiligo treatment since many years.
Ayurveda views health as a balance of the doshas which are vata, pitta, kapha i(in consideration of one’s prakruti), properly formed/functioning dhatus (seven tissues of the body), and proper elimination of malas (waste products). Thus, when Ayurveda looks at a disease such as eucoderma, invariably, these aforementioned factors are taken into account and discussed. Unique to Ayurveda, is its understanding and articulation of disease. Such as eucoderma, invariably, these aforementioned factors are taken into account and discussed. Unique to Ayurveda, is its understanding and articulation of disease.
In Ayurvedic medicine, the process by which a disease is understood and diagnosed is called sarvaroga nidanam and is composed of five parts:
1.Nidanam (causative factors or etiology),
2.Purvarupa (earliest signs/symptoms),
3.Rupa(clinical signs/symptoms),
4.Samprapti (pathogenesis of the condition),
5.Upasaya (diagnostic tests).
Traditionally, when a disease is being discussed, the five parts of the sarvaroga nidanam will be presented. Indeed the ancient Ayurvedic text, Charaka Samhita , presents skin disease (kustha) following this format.
Nidaan :: Causative factors of Vitiligo
In Vitiligo Vata, Pitta, Kapha imbalance according to Ayurveda.
The development of leucoderma in an individual is said to be caused by the incorporation of the following unwholesome regimes into their life:
1.Virudh Aahaar :: Intake of mutually contradictory food, and drinks which are liquid, unctuous and heavy
2.Urges :Suppression of natural urges
3.Virudh Dincharaya : Performance of physical exercise in excessive heat and after taking very heavy meals
4.Kaal Virudh Aahaar :Transgression of the prescribed order of the intake of food and with reference to heat and cold, as well as fasting
5.Kaal Virudh Dincharaya : Use of cold water immediately after exposure to scorching sun, exertion, or exposure to frightening situations
6.Apakva Aahaar :Intake of uncooked food and/or intake of food, before the previous meal is digested
7.Improper prepared diet :Excessive intake of food prepared of freshly harvested grains, curd, fish, salt, and sour substances
8. Untruthfulness, ungratefulness…insult of preceptors, sinful acts… misdeeds of past lives.
Purvarupa :: Earliest signs/symptoms
Excessive or absence of perspiration
Discoloration of patches on the skin
Horrification, itching, pricking pain, physical exhaustion, mental fatigue.
Rupa : Clinical Feature ::
Signs & Symptoms of Vitiligo
Daruna– when dosha (chiefly) vitiates the rakta or the blood, the patches will be red in color.
Caruna– when dosha (chiefly) vitiates the mamsa or the muscle tissue, the patches will be coppery in color.
Kilasa– when dosha (chiefly) vitiates the medas or the fat, the patches will be white in color.” [This is the most common rupa (clinical presentation) of svitra hence leucoderma is often called kilas]
Samprapti ::
Vitiligo Pathogenesis of the condition
Ayurveda text Charaka says the three vitiated dosha mix with the dhatus, namely the rasa, rakta, mamsa, medas, and result in the white patches. “Ayurveda maintains that leucoderma is caused by some morbidity of the liver” which is a vitiation of pitta.
Vata dosha accumulates in the purishvaha srota resulting in poor elimination, then overflows into the rasa and rakta dhatu. When vata relocates to the rasa and rakta dhatu it results in deficient flow through the rasa and raktavaha srota. Coupled with pitta vitiation, in due course, an altered functioning of the liver occurs, which in turn contributes to impaired elimination/management of impurities in the body.
It is understood in Ayurveda, that deficient flow through the raktavaha srota vitiates posaka rakta (the building blocks of the mamsa dhatu). Since the mamsa dhatu is responsible for healthy skin it stands to reason that an impairment of the skin may result. In essence, an accumulation of vata and pitta dosha and ama (toxins) in the srotas and dhatus is resulting in impaired function, as well as inferior production, of tissue Consequently.
Ayurvedic Treatment for Vitiligo :
An Ayurvedic treatment plan starts with measures to arrest the ongoing aggravation of dosha in the body. The digestive track is targeted first with the implementation of a dosha appropriate diet.
For example, if pitta-dosha aggravation were present, then a pitta pacifying diet would be implemented. Salt intake should be minimized and restricted to rock salt only, as this will further expedite recovery from vitiligo.
Lifestyle would be closely evaluated for possible nidanam (causative factors), and these would be corrected. Once all correctable causative factors such as lifestyle and diet have been addressed, proper eliminative measure would be taken to facilitate the removal of ama (toxins) and excess dosha from the body.
Panchakarma therapies may be need in some cases to eliminate dosha & toxins(ama).This is taken into consideration a patients’ agni and level of ojas, then might herbal remedies prove effective.
Internal & External Oileation (application of oil externally ^ Intake of purified butter)
Swedana (fomentation or heat therapy)
Virechana (purgation) are employed to “loosen and liquefy ama” and excess dosha from the various sites of accumulation in the tissue mobilize ama and excess dosha, facilitate removal of ama and excess dosha from the body.
Raktamokshana (therapeutic bloodletting). In this treatment, excess pitta dosha in the rakta dhatu is being removed through topical application of leeches to affected areas.
For Leucoderma & Vitiligo treatment AYUR SUDHA has combination of oral and applicable herbal medicines which starts re-pigmentation over the white patches soon after six to eight weeks of starting treatment which can be noticed too.
Three types of healing patterns can be found with the help of Anti vitiligo treatment by Ayur Sudha. In theFirst healing pattern type the repigmentation starts as very small brownish spots appear in the white patches. These darker spots keep spreading and the skin gradually converts normal. The abnormal whiteness disappears.
In the Second pattern type the margin of white patches gets darker and starts squeezing the patch area converting white skin into normal skin colour gradually.
In the Third healing pattern type the whole white patch area gets pinkish or red which gradually converts into normal skin colour. The healing pattern may vary patient to patient. But in some cases all the three healing patterns are found which helps in faster cure of vitiligo. In this way, vitiligo can be cured by Ayurveda.
With the herbal anti vitiligo treatment from AYUR SUDHA numerous patients were already treated not only from all states of INDIA but also from Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Poland, Switzerland, Romania, Cyprus, Germany, Canada, U.S.A., Canada, U.K., France, Norway, Denmark, Middle east , China, Mexico, Dubai, Bahrain, Qatar, U.A.E., Riyadh, Oman, Iran, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Maldives, Mauritius, Peru, South Africa, Kenya, Philippines, Brazil, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan and many more countries where herbal medicines are allowed.
The best part is that the cured patients also referred and referring many vitiligo – leucoderma patients to AYUR SUDHA www.ayursudha.com for the anti vitiligo treatment.
Best Skin Specialist in India – Dr. Amit Dutta. Skin Treatment Clinic in Punjab, India.
Thanks to all such patients for providing authentic support to many vitiligo – leucoderma sufferers.