Pemphigus vulgaris is a serious and life threatening skin disorder, characterised by vesicular eruptions on the skin and mucous membranes. A disturbed immunity is believed to be responsible for this condition. Pemphigus is treated in the modern system of medicine by pulse therapy of steroids and other immune-suppressant medicines. The use of steroids and other modern medicines do not usually eradicate the disease completely, and the side-effects of these medicines constitute serious problems of their own. There is therefore no satisfactory treatment for pemphigus vulgaris in the modern system of medicine.
Ayurvedic herbal medicines are very effective in reducing the inflammation of the skin and mucous membranes, and have a soothing effect so that the tendency to form blisters reduces gradually. Both oral as well as local treatment can be utilised to achieve these results. Treatment of the blood tissue has a generalised effect on the skin all over the body, and the rash, oozing, and crusting gradually start subsiding. This part of the treatment has a symptomatic effect on the disease. In addition, treatment is also given with specific herbs so as to strengthen the immune system of the body and regulate its functions, so that it starts fighting for, rather than against, the body.
Once the symptoms have subsided completely, treatment is continued so that the neurological and vascular components of the disease are treated completely. This ensures that the disease does not recur. It is important to note here that while most other skin diseases respond very fast to Ayurvedic treatment, pemphigus vulgaris responds comparatively more slowly. Treatment therefore needs to be taken for a long time with perseverance.
The writer, Dr. A. A. Mundewadi, is available as an online Ayurvedic Consultant at www.ayurvedaphysician.com
