Bell's palsy is a medical condition in which the affected individual gets paralyzed on one side of the face and may also have a dysfunction of the sense of taste, salivation, and tear formation. Bell's palsy usually occurs due to damage to the facial nerve. Usually, this condition resolves spontaneously within a few weeks to a few months; however, a few affected individuals may have permanent residual facial weakness.
Ayurvedic herbal treatment for Bell's palsy is aimed at treating the damage to the facial nerve as well as treating any other known causes for the condition, including damage to the circulation in the brain. Ayurvedic herbal medicines which have a direct action on the facial nerve are used in high doses for a few weeks, to bring about an early a remission of this condition. Ayurvedic herbal medicines which are useful in this condition usually have different modes of action which include directly strengthening the nerve cells and the communication between the nerve cells, as well as normalizing the microcirculation to the nerve.
The main treatment for Bell's palsy is by oral medication; however, this treatment can be supplemented by localized therapy in the form of application of medicated oils on the affected part of the face followed by medicated steam fomentation. This brings about earlier results and reduces the treatment time. Most individuals affected with Bell's palsy require treatment for about 4 to 12 weeks in order to get a complete remission from the condition. It is also important to treat other contributing causes such as high blood pressure, diabetes and atherosclerosis. An individual who does not respond adequately to treatment may require more investigations in order to correctly diagnose the medical condition and any hidden causes for it.
Ayurvedic herbal treatment can thus be judiciously utilised in the management and treatment of Bell's palsy.
The writer, Dr. A. A. Mundewadi, is available as an online Ayurvedic Consultant at www.ayurvedaphysician.com
