Ayurvedic Management of Shwitra (Vitiligo) - A Case Study

Vitiligo is one of the stigmatizing dermatological disorders found with a worldwide preponderance. It is a condition in which white patches develop on the skin caused mainly by loss of melanin pigment in the skin. Ayurveda has incorporated this condition into the broad heading of Shwitra which is described under Kushtha (Dermatosis). It is caused due to vitiation of Tridosha and dhatus like Rasa, Rakta, Mamsa and Medas. Though kushtha is caused by Tridosha as per Ayurveda whereas the cause of vitiligo is autoimmune or it may be associated with some autoimmune diseases like Diabetes mellitus, Pernicious anemia and Addison disease results in destruction of melanocytes thus causing depigmentation. The condition is often a matter of concern for social embarracement and also for cosmetic purpose. In modern medicine, there is no safe and effective treatment till date. Thus, the following case study of treating the condition of Shwitra is a safe and effective method which includes diet (sprouted black gram) and compound ayurvedic drugs (Kaishor guggulu, Khadirarista, Navayas lauha, Triphala churna, Arogyavardhani vati and Brihat Marichadi tail. The treatment protocol was found to be effective in the reversal of depigmented patches to repigmentation, which may be adopted in future cases, using different combinations of drugs based upon different ayurvedic parameters to obtain even better results.