Vitiligo is a skin disorder and an autoimmune disease which causes skin pigmentation due to death of melanocytes. An autoimmune disease is the one in which the defense mechanism of the body reacts against its own cells. It leads to loss of the color of the skin and appearance of white patches. Vitiligo might affect skin anywhere on the body along with eyes, hair, and inner part of the mouth. Though Vitiligo affects all the races similarly, it gets more prominent on dark skin.
How many doshas cause Vitiligo in Ayurveda?
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In Ayurveda, Vitiligo is a Tridosha. It means that it is caused by a vitiation of all the three doshas together. Ayurveda considers human health and nature with respect to the three Doshas: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. These are the biological energies which govern human mind and body, being responsible for entire mental and physical well-being, and providing blueprint for health.
The doshas are derived from the five elements. Vata is composed of Air and Space, Pitta of Water and Fire, and Kapha of Water and Earth.
In Vitiligo, the greatest imbalance is in the Pitta dosha. There are five types of Pitta. Bhrajaka Pitta is one such type being responsible for discoloration of the skin. The imbalance of Pitta leads to rise in ama.
Which of these causes imbalance in body leading to Vitiligo as per Ayurveda?
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As per Ayurveda, consuming incompatible food combinations, eating sour- salty, fermented foods, suppressing urge of vomiting, and indulging in sins aggravate the doshas leading to an imbalance in the body tissues (dhatus) such as in blood, plasma, lymph nodes, and muscles.
The examples of incompatible food combinations include having milk and fish together, having milk with sour substances or green leafy vegetables, cold water after hot beverages, animal meat cooked in honey, milk, jiggery, black gram, sprouts, etc., and consumption of curd at night.
The Ayurveda emphasizes not only on treating the white patches but also on treating underlying causes of the disease to ensure that it does not occur again once treated. Its principles for treating Vitiligo include balancing the three doshas, strengthening the immune system, improving digestion, and abstaining from food combinations considered harmful.
Bakuchi is one of the most potent remedies which helps in Vitiligo.
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Bakuchi is one of the most potent remedies which helps in Vitiligo. It helps the liver flush the toxins out of the system leading to skin rejuvenation. It leads to stimulation of the melanoblast cells responsible for skin discoloration. It helps in preventing indigestion. Bakuchi is an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic.
Panchakarma therapies do not help in Vitiligo.
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Panchkarma therapies like Raktamokshana and Virechana, performed through leeches, help in Vitiligo by removing ama or the sticky toxin from the body.
Ayurveda also advises to drink water stored in copper vessel as it helps in stimulating melanocytes. It also recommends application of the paste of turmeric powder (five tablespoons) and mustard oil (250 ml) directly on the white patches, twice a day.
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