Leucoderma, aka Vitiligo, is a medical condition in which white patches appear on the skin due to loss of melanin, a pigment which maintains the color of the skin, hair and eyes. A disturbed immune function and heredity are believed to be important contributing factors to this condition, which is more of a cosmetic condition than a disease; however, for some individuals it may have devastating emotional and psychological consequences.
Ayurvedic herbal treatment for leucoderma is aimed at treating the disturbed immune status of the affected individual as well as giving treatment to regulate the normal functioning of the skin pigment. Ayurvedic herbal immunomodulatory agents are used in high doses for prolonged periods in order to normalize the dysfunctional immune system in affected individuals. Stress, which can be both a cause and effect of the condition, also needs to be treated aggressively with herbal medicines which are safe for prolonged use and are non-habit forming. Ayurvedic herbal medicines which have a specific action on the skin and the microcirculation supplying the skin are also used in combination with the above-mentioned medicines.
Oral medication for leucoderma is also supplemented with local therapy in the form of local application of ointments, pastes and oils. Local application can also be augmented with exposure to the sun’s rays in early morning or late afternoon. A combination of oral medication and localized treatment is usually very effective in the treatment of leucoderma. Most affected individuals require treatment from about three to six months for a complete cure of the condition. Individual response to treatment may however very considerably and may not be directly proportional to the severity of the condition. Strengthening the immune system and successful treatment of stress is very important in order to prevent recurrence of the condition.
Ayurvedic herbal treatment can thus be judiciously utilised in the successful management and treatment of leucoderma.
The writer, Dr. A. A. Mundewadi, is available as an online Ayurvedic Consultant at https://mundewadiayurvedicclinic.com and http://www.ayurvedaphysician.com For Ayurvedic herbal treatment of leucoderma or vitiligo, kindly click here
