Treating Hypertrophic Lichen Planus Through Ayurveda

Lichen planus is a non-contagious, autoimmune disease that may affect any age group. It is an inflammatory skin condition presents with rashes that usually affects wrists, elbows, ankles and groin region. This condition will also affect the inner mucosa layer hence the plaques may also present in the oral cavity or in the vagina. In Lichen planus the rash is characterized by small and polygonal eruptions present with scaly lesions or plaques. Moreover, Lichen planus can occur in various forms like – atrophic, annular, popular, linear, hypertrophic, bullous, pigmented, follicular, actinic, ulcerative or inverse. According to Ayurveda it is one among Kushtha which is a pitta pradhan tridoshaj vydhi.

CAUSES OF HYPERTROPHIC LICHEN PLANUS

This condition arises due to idiopathic causes but few predisposing factors are-

1. Dietary factor – Excessive consumption of spicy, salty, oily, junk foodstuffs, etc. aggravates pitta dosha in our body.
2. Lifestyle factor – Living a sedentary lifestyle, exposure to certain chemicals, suppression of natural urges and even occupational exposure are the causative factors of this condition.
3. Exposure to various cosmetics, arsenic compounds and certain other chemical compounds.
4. Long term use of medications like - quinine, steroids, etc. may responsible for auto immune disorders.
5. Systemic allergy – Allergies related to the respiratory system or other systems are also considered among causes.
6. Abnormal cell mediates immunity is a reason for this disease.
7. Genetic predispositions.

According to Ayurveda along with above said factors there are some other factors that are responsible for Kushtha (Lichen planus). They are –

• Having fish with milk or fruits with milk that may lead to skin problems.
• Ayurveda considers agni is the prime cause for all the diseases. Thus mandagni is the causative factor.
• Wrong utilization of Panchakarma procedures.

TRIGGERING FACTORS

• Alcohol and tobacco are the triggering factors.
• Climatic changes may flare up the condition.
• Mental stress and strains can provoke this condition.

WHAT ARE THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF LICHEN PLANUS?

• Eruptions with scaly lesions
• Itching
• Discoloration of skin
• Pain
• Localized inflammation
• Burning sensation
• Pustules formation
• Excessive sweating
• Laceration

PATHOGENESIS

According to Ayurveda the pathogenesis of lichen planus are explained as follow -

Reference – Charaka samhita / Chikitsa sthana / Kushtha chikitsa / Chapter no. 7 / Shloka no. 9

The meaning of this quotation goes as – vitiated tridoshas gets localized and vitiates our twak (skin), rakta (blood), lasika (lymph), mamsa (muscles). These are the 7 prime factors that are responsible for the production of all skin lesions in our body.

DIAGNOSIS

This disease can be diagnosed on a clinical basis but some diagnostic modalities are helpful to rule out the cause. They are -

• Blood tests
• Immunoglobulin assay
• Biopsy
• Tests related to some other systems like - Hepatitis C may be required.

MANAGEMENT STRATEGY

In Ayurveda, this disease can be managed by following these ways -

• Strengthen the digestive fire
• Eliminate the toxins
• Rejuvenate the mucosa layer
• Enhance immunity

All these things we can achieve by using proper herbal formulations, by detoxification of the body and proper management of diet and lifestyle.

TREATMENT

As per our classics, among panchakarma therapies we can advise -

• Abhyanga – Local massage if done with mahamarichadi oil, manjishthadi oil, nimbadi oil it is proven to be effective in Lichen planus.
• Virechan –Vaman –Basti is the purificatory procedures that help to detoxify the toxins from the body along with that it also improves the Agni, which is a prime cause for Lichen planus.
• Raktamokshana – Bloodletting procedure helps to eliminate toxins directly from the blood and improves the local blood circulation. Among raktamokshana, ‘jalokavcharana’ is a better option to be adopted in this condition.
• Internal Medicines (Shaman Chikitsa) – Planet Ayurveda offers various herbal and mineral formulations that are purely natural and effective in the case of Lichen planus. They are –

Herbal Remedies for Lichen Planus

1. Gandhak Rasayan

Gandhak is 'Sulfur' a unique preparation of Ayurveda which is purified and used after processing with several herbal medicines, for several days and under a particular temperature. This gandhak tablets helps to purify the blood and heals the mucosa layer. It helps to increase the cell mediate immunity thus it is an effective medicine in this auto immune skin disease.

Dosage: 2 Tablets twice a day after meals with plain water.

2. Manjistha Capsules

It is also an effective blood detoxifier. In this condition our skin becomes discolored so it helps to regain the normal skin texture. It helps to heal damaged skin, removes the toxins from the liver and improves digestive fire. Basically, it helps to pacify Pitta dosha in our body.

Dosage: 1 capsule twice daily with plain water, after meals.

3. Neem Capsules

Neem is a well-known herb for its anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, blood purifying and anti inflammatory properties that make this herb a perfect choice in skin problems.

Dosage: 1 capsule twice daily with plain water, after meals.

4. Navkarshik Churna

A unique formulation that is composed of amalaki (Emblica officinalis), haritaki (Terminalia chebula), bibhitiki (Terminalia bellirica), daruharidra (Berberis aristata), vacha (Acorus calamus), manjishtha (Rubia cordifolia), katuki (Picrorhiza kurroa), guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia). This powder helps to eliminate toxins from the body. There are some medicines in this formulation that have immune modulator property hence boosts immunity and effective in this auto immune disease.

Dosage: 1 teaspoonful twice daily with plain water, after meals.

Our diet plays an important role in the management of a disease. It is also mentioned as a line of treatment according to Ayurveda. Foods that are helpful in this condition are -

• Vegetables- Bitter gourd, spinach, carrot, beans, cabbage, lentils, aloe vera, peas, etc.
• Fruits – Pears, peaches, coconut, banana, etc.
• Spices –Turmeric, basil, coriander, cumin, and celery seeds, etc.
• Cereals and pulses – whole grain, wheat, buckwheat, moong daal, black gram, etc. 

PRECAUTIONS

• Avoid spicy, salty, sour food items
• Avoid dairy products.
• Drinking lukewarm water on an empty stomach is proven to be beneficial in skin disorders.
• Avoid milk and fruits together.

Contact my assistant to provide you the costing / ordering and delivery information at - costing.planetayurveda@gmail.com, Call at +91-172-5214030, Whatsapp at (+91) 9915-593-604