AYURVEDIC MANAGEMENT OF SHWITRA (VITILIGO): A CASE REPORT

Abstract

Vitiligo is the most common pigmentation disorder, resembles the Shwitra/Kilasa (Vitiligo Vulgaris) in Ayurvedic text due to its characteristic appearance. It is caused by the vitiation of Vata, Pitta, Kapha Dosha (bodily humour), Rakta (blood), Mamsa (muscle), and Meda (fat) Dhatu (tissue) called Dushya (liable to be spoilt). Shwitra does not cause any harm as such but is a very serious cosmetic problem that affects the emotional, psychological, and social well-being of the affected individual. A 23 year-old female diagnosed with Vitiligo Vulgaris (Shwitra), presented with complaints of increasing area and number of depigmented patches of skin, was managed by the following Ayurveda principles. A treatment protocol was made based on the signs and symptoms observed in this patient. The protocol includes Shamana (pacifying) treatment with a combination of powdered herbal drugs, viz., Panchanimba Churna, Bakuchi (Psoralea corylifolia), Vidanga (Embelia Ribes), Triphla powder, and Arogyavardhini Vati (tablet) orally along with Bakuchi Taila (oil) for local application. The treatment protocol was found to be effective, which may be adopted in future cases, using different combinations of drugs based upon the different Ayurvedic parameters for better results.