Ayurvedic Treatment of Capillary Hemangioma

Abstract

A hemangioma occurs when there is development of an additional blood vessel. It is generally referred to as a benign vascular tumor derived from blood vessel cell types and the commonest form of it is infantile hemangioma, known as a strawberry mark, seen on the skin of a young one at birth or in the early weeks of life. When this hemangioma is formed due to the involvement of capillaries, this is termed as capillary hemangioma. In this article we are going to discuss capillary hemangioma, its clinical features, possible causes, along with the best Ayurvedic remedies for management of capillary hemangioma.

Introduction

Cherry hemangioma is the commonest variant of hemangioma which is characterised by raised, lumpy areas of flesh which reddish in color and can appear any part of the body during the early stages of life. This hemangioma is also termed as strawberry hemangioma, infantile hemangioma, and strawberry nevus. This hemangioma can occur in any part of the body, but the most common sites are forehead, scalp, face, chest region or back, sometimes it may occur in the skin, subcutaneous tissues and may involve mucous membrane of oral cavity, lips as well as spleen, liver and kidneys. This birthmark tends to appear within a few weeks from birth but sometimes when it is present deep in the skin, it may take longer to manifest properly.

Sign and Symptoms

Capillary hemangioma grows more rapidly during the age of 1-3 months of age (i.e., its proliferative phase). These lesions usually acquire 75-80% of its size in 3 months of infancy, and then stop growing at the age of 5 months. It usually begins in the orbital or periorbital regions during infancy. This hemangioma is present as cutaneous, orbital lesions or subcutaneously. Features of the lesions involving skin include a raised mass of bright red color with a nodular appearance. Whereas the orbital lesion may be present in the upper eyelid and that can cause drooping of the upper eyelid which is termed as mechanical ptosis. Moreover, there is presence of chronic blurring in vision due to unequal focus between the two eyes (termed as anisometropic amblyopia), resulting from the pressure on the eyeball (cornea) by the thickened eyelid. Also, in some cases the growing hemangioma may cause occlusion in the vision.

Causes

The experts aren’t sure in finding the exact cause behind the formation of these hemangiomas but it is believed that certain proteins produced in placenta during gestation are responsible for this condition. Moreover, it is also reported that this disease affects 5 times more in female infants than male ones.

Complications

Capillary hemangioma lesions usually shrink with advancing age and may disappear when the child is 5-10 years old without causing complications, but few complications of this disease include ulceration, difficulty in vision or other eye related problems such as glaucoma due to increased pressure on the eye, and bleeding on even minor scrapping or cutting the lesion or near the lesion. There may be scar formation even after the disappearance of the hemangioma.

Ayurvedic View

In Ayurveda, the haemangiomas is termed as raktavahyanarbud. These arbud (tumours) are considered to be sehaj (congenital), the common clinical features of sudamarbud (benign tumors) as

(Reference- Sushrut Samhita Nidan Sthana 11/21)

In this phrase, it is explained that almost all the benign tumors are devoid of suppuration, because they are formed by meda (body tissue involving fat) and kapaha (here the raktavahaniya- blood vessels particularly capillaries are primarily involved), and due to their steady nature, the tumors are having cyst like appearance.

Moreover, on the basis of its cutaneous appearance, this birthmark is also related with nayagach. Nayagach is defined as a minor skin disorder which is congenital (present from the birth) and mentioned as a brownish or blackish (here bright reddish), birthmark which is often painless and can have varying sizes i.e. smaller or larger.

Treatment

Planet ayurveda is a globally emerging leading herbal manufacturing unit that believes in treating the people on ayurvedic principles. The formulations that are manufactured here are derived from natural herbs and are 100% safe and prepared on ancient time-tested formulas. These products are free from preservatives and chemicals.

The herbal formulation as suggested by our expert for the effective management of Capillary Hemangioma are-

1. Kanchnaar Guggul
2. Graviola Capsule
3. Boswellia Curcumin
4. Nirgundi oil

Product Description

1. Kanchnaar Guggul

It is the classical formulation with many herbs as ingredients such as kachnaar (Boerhavia diffusa), sunthi (Ginger), Maricha (Piper nigrum) and guggul (Commiphora mukul) etc. These herbs work on cherry angioma by reducing the size of it due to anti-inflammatory action of its contents, particularly guggul. Furthermore, the other ingredients such as pipali, marcha, sunthi along with kanchanar are having analgesic and blood purification activities which aids in preventing further growth of the nevus.

Dosage– 1 tablet twice daily crushed and mixed in 1 cup of lukewarm water after feeding.

2. Graviola Capsules

These are prepared by the standardized extract of Annona muricata. Graviola has various properties like anti-mutagenic, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, etc. and this herb is well known for its effects on tumors. It also aids in boosting the immune system. Thus, this formulation will work efficiently on Capillary hemangioma.

Dosage – 1 capsule twice daily with plain water after meals. For infants, empty the contents of the capsule in ½ cup of lukewarm water and mix and give it to the children, after feeding.

3. Boswellia Curcumin

It is effective formulation made by Planet Ayurveda’s experts with two herbal ingredients i.e. Shallaki (Boswellia serrata) and the functional extract i.e. curcumin of Haridra (Curcuma longa). Both of these herbs are a rich source of antioxidants and thus aid in eliminating the endotoxins from the body which facilitate the faster healing of this haemangioma. Furthermore, there are anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties of shallaki that help in reducing size and painful condition associated with lesions. And anticancer properties of curcumin adds up to the benefits of this capsule in Capillary hemangioma.

Dosage– One capsule twice daily with plain water after meals. For infants, empty the contents of the capsule in ½ cup of lukewarm water and mix and give it to the children, after feeding.

4. Nirgundi Oil

It is the oil extract obtained from the herb Nirgundi (Vitex negundo). Nirgundi is the best vaatsahamak dravya (herb that is having vata quenching properties), which helps in reducing inflammation, redness and painful conditions associated with the haemangioma. Further, it also slows down the process of spreading and growing of this nevus. Thus, this formulation helps in the management of capillary haemangioma.

Method of Application– Take the oil, heat it and make it lukewarm, then apply gently over the affected area with cotton swab, do this twice daily.

Conclusion

As already discussed, this disease is usually self-resolved but if it persists it may lead to complications, and may spread in mucosa involving oral cavity, liver and spleen like important body organs. So, to avoid those complications and maintain the cosmetic purpose (if birthmark involves the face or other exposed part of the body), the best approach is to manage this condition by herbal formulation of Ayurveda.