Ayurvedic Treatment for Lichen Sclerosus

Abstract

Skin diseases are the most criticised ones in our society, it’s bitter but we all know that it is true. A person suffering from any skin condition will never want to be asked “what is it and how it happened?”. The oil is added to the fire when there is presence of a certain type of discharge like in the form of powder, serum, blood or may be in any other form. The reason for calling it putting oil on fire is that it makes people think that the condition is contagious even when it’s not. Sometimes the skin conditions can be contagious but not all the time. This article is about one such condition which is called lichen sclerosus. The article covers its details along with its Ayurvedic management.

Key Highlights

• Lichen sclerosus is chronic and inflammatory
• The condition mostly affects genital and perianal regions
• It is thought to be underdiagnosed or underrated but if it is associated with greater degree of scarring then it may increase the risk of cancer
• The extra genital presentation is seen in around 6% to 20% of patients.
• The neighbouring mucosa like vaginal mucosa, oral mucosa etc. are not typically affected
• The lichen sclerosus is more common in Women than in men. This occurs more in adults than in children.
• The common symptoms in this condition are itching and pain.
• Functional impairment due to fissures and scars can rise above the course of the condition.
• The first line of treatment is application of high potency corticosteroids.

Introduction

Lichen sclerosus is an inflammatory condition or disorder that mostly affects the skin of your genitals. The lichen sclerosus causes irritation in the skin, changes in skin along with itching and pain. Modern science says there is no cure for lichen sclerosus but treatment is helpful in relieving symptoms. Lichen sclerosus is a disorder that can affect the skin on females’ vulva. Vulva is the area which is present outside the vagina. Moreover it can also affect the areas of anus and penis as well. In this condition the discoloration of skin happens along with a decrease in the thickness. The presence of irritation and itching will also be there.

Causes of Lichen Sclerosus

The cause of lichen sclerosus in Modern science is explained as a result of an autoimmune process or an imbalance in the hormones plays a significant role. Other than these two there is no other cause for lichen sclerosus in modern science.

On the other hand Ayurveda explains this condition as a result of endotoxins or ama accumulation in the body. Ama, in easy language can be understood as toxins secreted from the rottended undigested food particles left inside the gastrointestinal tract.

Symptoms related to Lichen sclerosus Lichen sclerosus often occurs in postmenpausal females and also in men and children. In women, the condition is known to affect the vulva mostly. But in boys or men it affects the foreskin. But the uncircumcised males are at low risk of developing this condition.

• If present in children then it may improve during puberty but monitoring of symptoms is still required.
• People with Lichen sclerosus may have no sign and symptoms. But when the degree of severity extends then skin of the upper body, upper arms and breasts may also be affected.
• The symptoms may include redness, itching (pruritus), discomfort or pain along with smooth white patches on your skin.
• Blotchy and wrinkled patches on skin
• Tearing of the scar or bleeding from the scar
• Painful sex
• In extremely severe cases bleeding, blistering or ulcerated sores can also be seen.

Risk factors for Lichen sclerosus

As mentioned before menopausal fenales are at more risk of developing this condition and uncircumcised men or males also.

Diagnosis of Lichen sclerosus

• The initial diagnosis of lichen sclerosus is based on physical examination. Physically a patient is examined and the patches are observed to identify the severity of the situation.
• The small piece of affected tissue is removed and sent for examination under the microscope.

Treatment of Lichen sclerosus

• If the patient has Lichen sclerosus on or around your genitals, anus or in advance stages at other sites on your body then the treatment will be prescribed.
• The treatment may include corticosteroid ointments and creams. These are given to apply locally over the affected parts. The treatment is prescribed for a longer duration. After several weeks the application of ointments will be reduced to twice a week to avoid recurrence.
• Removal of foreskin in men is generally advised.
• For safety, follow up check ups after every few months is recommended.

Ayurvedic aspect of Lichen sclerosus

Ayurveda suggests that all skin conditions are to be kept under the category of kushta roga. Kushtha roga are of 18 types and they occur either due to predominance of one dosha, two doshas or all three doshas. Under kushtha roga it is mentioned that kushtha has the involvement of seven dravya. These seven dravya are three doshas (that is vata, pitta and kapha dosha) along with twacha (skin), rakat (Blood), mansa (muscles) and lasika (lymph fluids).

The dushti of these three doshas along with rakat, mansa, twacha and lasika result in the occurrence of lichen sclerosus. As it is an autoimmune condition then it is obvious that along with dushti of above mentioned there is involvement of ama as well. Ama dosha or endotoxins are portable in the body and when they get stagnant at one place they produce diseases.

The stagnation can be the result of aggravated doshas, structures or can be due to other reasons as well. This stagnation of ama results in the further dushti of twacha (skin), rakat (Blood), mansa (muscles) and lasika (lymph fluids). Doshas are already aggravated, that’s why ama accumulation and portability is taking place.

As the skin, muscles, lymph fluids and blood get toxified at a place where the stagnation of ama has taken place. It results in various types of symptoms like redness, irritation, pain, discoloration and other types of symptoms are thus noticed. Now, the symptoms are according to the predominance of dosha.like in Lichen sclerosus there is predominance of pitta and kapha dosha.

The next question arises about the treatment related to lichen sclerosus in Ayurveda So, let’s discuss treatment protocol in detail.

Treatment of Lichen Sclerosus according to Ayurveda

The treatment protocol in Ayurveda is divided into san shaman and sanshodhan chikitsa. Sanshaman chikitsa includes— Administration of various herbal preparations orally. Such preparations are in the form of tablets, oils, powders and syrups (kwath, aasav or arisht). The preparations prepared with triphala, khadir, mulethi, lodhra and many others give fantastic results in khustha rogas. The preparations of khadir are defined as “shreshta” for dealing with various types of kushtha.

Sanshodhan chikitsa includes— Certain body purification techniques like blood letting (rakta mokshana) gives really beautiful results in improving the condition of the patient. Like blood letting, purgative therapy or virechana is also very helpful in all types of kushthas.

Herbal Formulations by Planet Ayurveda for Lichen Sclerosus

Planet Ayurveda is a leading herbal product manufacturing company which has its resellers all around the globe. The company holds various certifications regarding the quality and purity of its products. All the formulations prepared by Planet Ayurveda are completely herbal and do not have any type of side effects. The combinations for the preparation of these herbal preparations are formulated by MD Ayurveda experts and they are prepared under their guidance too. The herbal products are really effective and give great results in various conditions, disorders or diseases. For treating Lichen Sclerosus, Planet Ayurveda offers the following preparations

Product List

1. Gandhak Rasayan
2. Manjishtha Capsules
3. Dermo Plan Syrup
4. Pitta Balance
5. Kaishore Guggul
6. Nirgundi Oil

Product Description

1. GANDHAK RASAYAN

Gandhak rasayan is a mineral preparation in the Ayurvedic line of treatment. The formulation contains a purified form of gandhak that is purified sulphur. Gandhak is known to have a marvellous effect on enhancing the process of healing going on inside the body. The formulation is known to have a deeper effect on the body and thus give very impressive results even at the dhatu leves. Due to this property, it successfully detoxifies the rakat and mansa dhatu dushti in lichen sclerosus. Gandhak rasayan is also known to work on the detoxification of microchannels in the body.

Dosage: Two tablets twice a day after meals with lukewarm water.

2. MANJISHTHA CAPSULES

Manjishtha capsules are prepared using standardised extract of manjistha (Rubia cordifolia) herb. The capsules are called single herb capsules. The capsules have the rakta shodhak property and have great results in the detoxification of rakta dhatu which is dushit in this case. Lasika is also purified using manjistha capsules in lichen sclerosus. This herbal preparation also has its effect in clearing out the stagnation of ama dosha or endotoxins in the body. The manjistha has a pitta pacification effect as well, which is the main reason for blood toxification in this case. Manjistha is used in almost all skin conditions due to its fantastic properties.

Dosage: One capsule twice a day after meals with lukewarm water.

3. DERMO PLAN SYRUP

Dermo plan syrup is a liquid preparation which has fantastic effects in all types of skin conditions. The dermo in the formulation name stands for skin. The preparation has ingredients like giloy (Tinospora cordifolia), sariva (Hemidesmus indicus), haridra (Curcuma longa) and many more. All of the ingredients in this syrup have a fantastic role in purifying the body by removing toxins which can be stagnant or can be in mobile form. Dermo plan syrup also helps in improving the skin condition and has its effect on rakat shodhan as well.

Dosage: Two tsp twice a day after meals.

4. PITTA BALANCE

The pitta balance is a very popular and patented formulation of Planet Ayurveda. As the name of the formulation suggests, pitta stands for thermal energy of the body and balance stands for its power to stabilise it. Pitta balance helps in pacifying the excess of pitta dosha in lichen sclerosus. The formulation has ingredients like Akik pishti, Mukta pishti (paste of pearl), shankh bhasma (calx of conch) and others. As the balance is obtained automatically, blood also starts to get detoxified as pitta aggravation was the main reason for its toxification. Pitta balance gives very impressive results in almost all types of skin conditions and in many other digestive conditions as well.

Dosage: One capsule twice a day after meals with lukewarm water.

5. KAISHORE GUGGUL

Kaishore guggul is a classical preparation which is used in many types of skin related disorders. As its name suggest it has guggul (Commiphora resin) as its ingredient along with Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia) , Vidang (Embelia ribes), Nisoth (Operculina Turpethum), Triphala (Terminelia chebula, Terminalia bellerica and Emblica officinalis) and some other herbs. The formulation helps in maintaining the health of the skin. In addition, it is known to have a detoxification effect on the body and hence helps in removing doshas from twacha, lasika, rakta dhatu and mansa dhatu. In case of any inflammation, kaishore guggul works best and gives desirable results.

Dosage: Two tablets twice a day after meals with lukewarm water.

6. NIRGUNDI OIL

Nirgundi oil is an impressive Ayurvedic taila preparation which is having ingredients like Manjistha (Rubia cordifolia), Haridra (Curcuma longa), Nirgundi (Vitex negundo) and Kalihari (Gloriosa superba) along with til oil (oil of Sesamum indicum). Nirgundi oil has healing effects and is known for several benefits as per ayurveda. Nirgundi is termed as sarva roga nivarini that means it’s a remedy or a recipe for all types of diseases and disorders. The nirgundi oil is an effective analgesic, also helpful in some specific types of skin conditions including lichen sclerosus. Moreover, it helps in subsiding scar formation and itching in this case.

How to use: Nirgundi oil is applied locally over the affected part. The application is to be done twice daily.

Contact Planet Ayurveda Support Team to provide you the costing / ordering and delivery information at – costing.planetayurveda@gmail.com or Call at 0172-521-4030 (India), +91-172-521-4030 (Outside India) or Whatsapp at (+91) 9915-593-604

Conclusion

Aforementioned skin conditions are difficult to handle, especially conditions like lichen sclerosus that result in a lot of discomfort and irritation. In addition, most of the patients with skin conditions face a lot of difficulties in society. Though not to worry anymore because you can opt for Ayurvedic herbs and formulations that will help you in a very great and impressive way. All the formulations mentioned above are totally herbal and do not have any type of additives or adulterants. In many conditions herbal products by Planet Ayurveda show great effect and give impressive results. In case of any query kindly visit www.planetayurveda.com