Lichen planus is a chronic and inflammatory skin condition which persists for months or years and has a tendency to recur. This condition is believed to be triggered by allergic or immune reactions to medications or other substances. The symptoms of lichen planus include pain, redness, and itching in flat lesions which appear on the skin or mucous membrane.
Ayurvedic herbal treatment for lichen planus is aimed at treating the known cause of the condition which is usually allergy or a strong immune reaction to some irritants. Symptomatic treatment is also given for the skin or mucous membrane rash. Ayurvedic herbal immunomodulatory agents are used in high doses for prolonged periods in order to treat the root cause of lichen planus, bring about a complete remission, and prevent recurrence of the condition. Herbal medicines which have a specific action on the skin, the mucous membrane, the underlying subcutaneous tissue, the blood tissue, as well as the microcirculation within the skin, are also used in combination with immunomodulatory herbal medicines.
Herbal medicines are also required to treat inflammation and irritation of the skin and mucous membrane as well as inflammation and toxins present within the blood circulation. Inflammatory debris and toxins can be removed from the skin, the mucous membrane, and the blood either through the gastrointestinal system or through the kidneys. The chronic nature of this condition as well as the tendency to recur in individuals affected with lichen planus brings with it a fair amount of stress and this too needs to be treated with appropriate herbal medicines.
Most individuals affected with lichen planus need regular treatment for periods ranging from six to twelve months in order to bring about a complete remission of this disease, after which the dose and frequency of medicines can be reduced gradually and tapered off completely so as to prevent recurrence of the condition.
Ayurvedic herbal treatment can thus be judiciously utilised in the management and successful treatment of lichen planus.
The writer, Dr. A. A. Mundewadi, is available as an online Ayurvedic Consultant at https://www.mundewadiayurvedicclinic.com and www.ayurvedaphysician.com For Ayurvedic herbal treatment of lichen planus, kindly click here
